Payment Information

Booking & Payment Information

Alpine Courses

To secure your place on an ISM course, your completed booking must be accompanied by a £300 non-refundable deposit per course, unless different payment terms are stated for a particular programme or expedition.

If you book within 8 weeks (56 days) of the course start date, full payment is required at the time of booking.

Payment Methods

Our preferred method of payment is bank transfer.

We also accept payment by debit card and major credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard.

Payment details will be provided as part of the booking process.

Balance Payments

Your remaining course balance is due 8 weeks (56 days) before the course start date.

If your course is subject to minimum participant numbers, ISM will review the booking status at this point.

If the minimum number has been reached, we will confirm that the course is operating and your final balance will be due.

If the minimum number has not been reached, we will contact you directly to explain the current position rather than simply sending a standard balance request.

We will continue to monitor bookings and keep affected clients informed, with a final decision on whether the course can operate no later than 4 weeks before the course start date, subject to any earlier notification period required by applicable law.

We recognise that clients need reasonable certainty when arranging flights, accommodation, time away from work and other travel plans. You should not have to chase ISM to find out whether your course is likely to run — we will aim to keep you informed.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel your booking, please let us know in writing as soon as possible.

Our standard cancellation terms are:

• More than 8 weeks (56 days) before the course start date: your £300 deposit is retained.
• Between 8 weeks (56 days) and 30 days before the course start date: your £300 deposit plus 50% of the remaining course balance is payable.
• Fewer than 30 days before the course start date: the full course fee is payable.

As your course approaches, ISM makes increasing financial commitments in order to deliver your place. These can include contracting your mountain guide, hotel accommodation, mountain hut reservations, transport and other programme-specific costs.

This is why our cancellation charges increase as the course start date approaches.

Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend arranging appropriate cancellation insurance at the time you make your booking.

Unexpected illness or injury can happen at any time. Even something as straightforward as a badly twisted ankle shortly before departure could prevent you from joining your course.

Appropriate cancellation insurance may allow you to recover eligible course fees and other travel costs from your insurer where the reason for cancellation is covered by your policy.

All ISM clients are also required to have appropriate insurance covering emergency medical treatment and mountain rescue, including helicopter rescue where applicable, together with appropriate cover for the activities, altitude and destination involved in their particular programme.

Changing Your Course or Course Date

We understand that plans sometimes change.

If you would like to move to another course or date, please contact us as early as possible. ISM does not apply a standard administration charge simply for requesting a change of course or course date.

We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request where places and suitable alternatives are available.

Where financial commitments have already been made in relation to your original booking, or where a change is requested close to the course start date, different terms may apply. We will explain these to you before making the change.

Questions About Payment or Your Booking

If you have any questions about your payment, course status, insurance requirements or booking, please contact the ISM office.

We would much rather help you understand the arrangements in advance than have you remain unsure.

These payment terms should be read alongside the ISM Booking Conditions, which contain the full terms applying to your booking.