GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

1. LEGAL STATUS & IDENTIFICATION OF THE SELLER

These General Terms and Conditions of Sale (“GTCS”) govern the sale of mountain bike travel services, packages, and stays within the meaning of Articles L211-1 et seq. of the French Tourism Code (Code du Tourisme).

ALPS MTB designs, organizes, and markets guided mountain bike and outdoor travel experiences.

All package travel contracts sold under the ALPS MTB brand are sold and executed under the Atout France registration of the licensed tour operator L’APOSTROPHE VOYAGES, which acts as the legal seller of the package travel contract within the meaning of the French Tourism Code.

Legal seller details

L’APOSTROPHE VOYAGES
Legal form: Entreprise Individuelle (EI)
Registered address: L’APOSTROPHE VOYAGES basé au 55 Impasse de la Rochaille – Les Moulins 05350 ARVIEUX
Atout France registration number: IM005250001
Professional civil liability insurer: société GAN ASSURANCES / 8-10 RUE D’ASTORG 75008 PARIS
RC Pro policy number: 320187942000
Financial guarantee provider: GROUPAMA ASSURANCE-CREDIT & CAUTION sous le numéro de police 4000718850/0

L’APOSTROPHE VOYAGES provides, in accordance with applicable law:

  • Atout France registration
  • financial guarantee
  • professional civil liability insurance.

L’APOSTROPHE VOYAGES entrusts ALPS MTB with:

  • trip design and engineering;
  • operational organization;
  • technical and sporting guiding;
  • coordination of service providers.

2. DEFINITION OF A PACKAGE TRAVEL CONTRACT

(Article L211-2 – Code du Tourisme)

A package travel contract consists of a service that:

  • Combines at least two different travel services (transport, accommodation, or other significant tourist services);
  • Exceeds twenty-four hours or includes at least one overnight stay; and
  • Is sold or offered for sale at an all-inclusive price.

The sale or booking of transport tickets alone does not constitute a package travel contract.

3. PRE-CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION

Before booking, participants receive all mandatory pre-contractual information, including:

  • destination and itinerary;
  • accommodation type and comfort level;
  • meals included;
  • guiding and activities;
  • group size requirements (minimum and maximum);
  • prices and payment schedule;
  • cancellation conditions;
  • mandatory insurance options;
  • administrative and health formalities.

This information is provided via:

  • a detailed technical trip sheet;
  • the ALPS MTB website;
  • written or electronic communication.

4. REGISTRATION & PAYMENT TERMS

Registration becomes effective upon:

  • receipt of a completed and signed registration form;
  • payment of a deposit equal to 30 % of the total trip price (or 100 % if booking occurs less than 30 days before departure); and
  • written confirmation sent by ALPS MTB.

The balance must be paid in accordance with the payment schedule specified in the contract and no later than the deadline indicated before departure.

5. PRICING

Prices are expressed all-inclusive, from the meeting point to the dispersion point, unless otherwise stated.

Prices include, where applicable:

  • trip organization and guiding;
  • accommodation;
  • meals as specified;
  • internal transfers related to the trip.

Prices exclude:

  • personal expenses;
  • drinks unless explicitly included;
  • optional insurance;
  • optional bike rental;
  • guide gratuity.

For tailor-made or group trips, prices depend on the final number of participants and may be adjusted accordingly until departure.

Price revisions may occur only under the conditions outlined in Article R211-8 of the French Tourism Code, including variations in transport costs, taxes, or exchange rates.

6. REQUIRED LEVEL & PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

Each trip specifies a required physical and technical level.

By registering, participants acknowledge that they:

  • meet the required fitness and technical ability;
  • understand the physical and technical demands of mountain biking in alpine terrain;
  • assume responsibility for their participation.

ALPS MTB reserves the right to:

  • refuse participation before departure;
  • exclude a participant during the trip if their physical condition, technical ability, or behaviour compromises their own safety or that of the group.

No refund shall be due in such cases.

7. GUIDE’S FINAL AUTHORITY

Due to the nature of the activities offered, which take place in natural and mountainous environments, participants acknowledge that conditions may require adaptations to the program beyond the organizer’s control.

The supervising guide holds final and sole authority at all times to make decisions based exclusively on safety considerations, including but not limited to:

  • weather conditions;
  • terrain conditions;
  • group dynamics;
  • physical or technical ability of participants;
  • mechanical or logistical constraints.

The guide may therefore decide to modify, adapt, shorten, interrupt, or cancel all or part of an activity, route, or trip.

Such decisions are final and non-contestable and shall not give rise to any compensation or refund, except as expressly provided for in these GTCS or in the event of proven fault by the organizer.

8. MODIFICATIONS BEFORE DEPARTURE

Before departure, changes to dates, itineraries, accommodation, or logistics may occur due to organizational constraints or safety considerations.

If a modification concerns an essential element of the trip, participants may:

  • accept the proposed modification or substitute trip; or
  • cancel the contract without penalty,

In accordance with Articles R211-9 to R211-11 of the French Tourism Code.

9. CANCELLATION BY THE ORGANIZER

If a trip is cancelled due to insufficient participants, participants will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and will be refunded in full, with no additional compensation.

10. CANCELLATION BY THE PARTICIPANT

Participation in our trips implies acceptance of a non-refundable administrative booking fee. This fee represents 5% of the total trip price (minimum €5) and covers administrative and booking costs. It is retained regardless of the timing of the cancellation, even if it occurs more than 21 days before departure. The percentages below apply in addition to this administrative fee.

Cancellation fees, therefore, apply as follows:

  • 21 days or more before departure: only the administrative fee is retained; the remaining amount is refunded.
  • 20 to 14 days before departure: 35 % of the total price is retained in addition to the administrative fee;
  • 13 to 7 days before departure: 70 % of the total price is retained in addition to the administrative fee;
  • Less than 7 days before departure: 100% of the total price is retained, plus an administrative fee.

No refund shall be granted in the event of:

  • no-shows;
  • failure to meet at the agreed time and place;
  • early departure initiated by the participant.

Date changes (Modification)

Requests to change the date of a booked trip are considered modifications and not cancellations. Date changes requested more than 60 days before departure are subject to a fixed administrative fee of €100 per booking. Date change requests made within 60 days of departure are treated as cancellations and are subject to the cancellation schedule above. Date change fees are non-refundable and must be paid at the time the modification is confirmed. All modification requests must be submitted in writing and are subject to availability.

11. HEALTH & INSURANCE

Participants must be medically fit to practice mountain biking and have no medical contraindications.

Each participant must hold:

  • personal civil liability insurance;
  • assistance and repatriation insurance;
  • coverage for search and rescue expenses.

Optional cancellation and assistance insurance may be offered at the time of booking.

12. MINORS

Minors remain under the responsibility of their legal guardian or the accompanying adult throughout the trip.

Written parental authorization, along with required identification and health documents, must be provided before departure.

13. EQUIPMENT

Participants may use their own equipment or rent equipment when offered.

All equipment must be:

  • suitable for the trip;
  • properly maintained;
  • compliant with safety requirements.

Wearing a certified helmet is mandatory at all times while riding.

13.1. E-BIKE REGULATION – EPAC CATEGORY 1

When trips involve electrically assisted mountain biking (VTTAE), services are provided exclusively with EPAC (Electrically Power-Assisted Cycle) Category 1 bikes.

In France and across the European Union, this category is defined by strict technical criteria:

  • Pedal-activated assistance: the electric motor only provides assistance when the rider is pedalling and stops when the rider stops pedalling.
  • Maximum continuous rated power: the auxiliary motor’s maximum continuous rated power must not exceed 250 watts.
  • Automatic cut-off at 25 km/h: the assistance gradually reduces and is automatically cut off when the bike reaches 25 km/h.
  • Standard compliance: French and European regulations (standard NF EN 15194) require that the electric assistance be linked to pedalling, limit the motor power to 250 W, and require the motor to cut off beyond 25 km/h. A summary of the 2025 French regulations explains that, to remain a bicycle and use cycle lanes, an electrically assisted bike must respect three points: a motor limited to 250 W, assistance cut off at 25 km/h, and a motor that only helps when the cyclist pedals.

Only EPAC Category 1 bikes meeting all these criteria are accepted on ALPS MTB trips. Any non-compliant bike may be refused without refund. Participation in any electrically assisted mountain-bike trip constitutes a declaration by the participant that their electric bike complies with the above EPAC Category 1 requirements. By agreeing to ride an e-bike on one of our trips, participants acknowledge that ALPS MTB cannot be held responsible for any accident, damage, or injury arising from the use of an e-bike that does not meet these regulations.

14. BAGGAGE

Participants are responsible for their personal belongings.

ALPS MTB cannot be held liable for loss, theft, or damage to baggage or personal items during the trip.

15. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & USE OF ITINERARIES

All itineraries, routes, trip designs, logistical structures, and program content designed and provided by ALPS MTB constitute protected intellectual property.

Participants are authorized to record GPS tracks for private, non-commercial use only.

Participants are strictly prohibited, without prior written consent from ALPS MTB and/or L’APOSTROPHE VOYAGES, from:

  • publishing or distributing itineraries or GPS tracks (including GPX files or uploads to public platforms such as Strava, Komoot, or similar);
  • reproducing or commercializing trip designs;
  • communicating route information to third parties outside the scope of the booked trip.

Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

16. DATA PROTECTION (GDPR)

Personal data is collected solely for:

  • trip organization and execution;
  • participant communication;
  • legal and administrative obligations.

In accordance with EU Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR), participants have the right to access, rectify, erase, and object to the processing of their personal data.

Requests may be sent to: contact@alpsmtb.com

Cookies may be used for website functionality and analytics.

17. COMPLAINTS

Any complaint must be submitted in writing, with supporting documentation, within 15 working days following the end of the trip.

18. LANGUAGE PRECEDENCE

These GTCS are available in English for informational purposes. In the event of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or interpretation issue between the English version and the French version, the French version shall prevail.

19. GOVERNING LAW & JURISDICTION

These GTCS are governed by French law. In the absence of amicable resolution, any dispute shall fall under the jurisdiction of the competent French courts.