Alpine Luxury Tours is committed to providing safe, high-quality guided experiences and private transfers throughout New Zealand’s South Island. Your safety and wellbeing are our highest priority.
However, under New Zealand law, travel and outdoor experiences involve inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated, even when all reasonably practicable steps are taken. By booking a service with Alpine Luxury Tours, you acknowledge and accept these risks as outlined below.
Nature of Our Activities
Alpine Luxury Tours operates:
- Private half-day and full-day sightseeing tours
- Private and bespoke transfers
- Custom experiences that may include walking, hiking, heli-hiking, biking, paddle boarding, boat cruises, and scenic flights, including helicopter operations
These activities take place in urban, rural, coastal, alpine, and remote environments across the South Island.
Inherent Risks
In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, participants must understand that:
- Travel and outdoor activities carry an inherent risk of injury, illness, property damage, or, in rare cases, serious harm or death.
- These risks exist despite Alpine Luxury Tours taking all reasonably practicable measures to manage safety.
- Environmental conditions, terrain, water environments, air travel, traffic conditions, and remoteness may affect safety, comfort, and access to emergency services.
Specific Risks May Include (but are not limited to)
1. Transport & Transfer Risks
- Vehicle travel on urban, rural, coastal, and alpine roads.
- Risks associated with traffic incidents, sudden stops, road conditions, driver error by third parties, or vehicle breakdowns.
- Slips, trips, or falls while entering or exiting vehicles or during roadside stops.
2. Natural & Environmental Hazards
- Rapidly changing weather conditions, including rain, snow, ice, high winds, heat, cold, and strong UV exposure.
- Road delays or closures due to flooding, landslides, snow, earthquakes, or storm damage.
- Seismic activity, as the South Island is located within an active seismic zone.
3. Activity-Specific Risks
- Walking, hiking, and heli-hiking may involve uneven terrain, altitude exposure, slips, trips, and falls.
- Paddle boarding and other water-based activities may involve risks related to balance, immersion, water temperature, wind, currents, and weather changes.
- Helicopter flights and scenic aviation activities involve aviation-specific risks and may be affected by weather or operational factors.
4. Health & Wellbeing
- Some activities require a reasonable level of fitness, balance, and mobility.
- Medical assistance may be delayed in remote or alpine locations.
- Pre-existing medical conditions, injuries, or limited mobility may increase personal risk if not disclosed.
Alpine Luxury Tours – Safety Management
Alpine Luxury Tours operates under a comprehensive Health and Safety Management Plan (HSMP) in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. This includes:
- A live risk register and continuous risk assessment process
- Yearly Audits with Qualworx
- Well-maintained vehicles that meet NZTA commercial transport requirements
- Trained and competent guides and drivers
- All drivers put through Safe driving practices and winter driving course
- First aid equipment and, where required, emergency communication devices
All reasonably practicable steps are taken to identify hazards, eliminate risks where possible, and minimise remaining risks.
Your Responsibilities as a Participant
Under New Zealand health and safety legislation, participants also have responsibilities. By booking with Alpine Luxury Tours, you agree to:
- Provide accurate information regarding your health, fitness, and mobility at the time of booking.
- Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others.
- Follow all safety instructions, briefings, and guidance provided by your driver, guide, or activity operator.
- Wear suitable clothing and footwear appropriate to the activity, weather, and environment.
- Immediately inform staff if you feel unwell, unsafe, fatigued, or unable to continue an activity.
Emergency Preparedness
- Guides and drivers are first-aid trained and carry communication equipment suitable for areas with limited mobile coverage.
- Vehicles are equipped with safety equipment, including first aid kits and fire extinguishers (12 seats and more), and satellite communication devices where required.
Acknowledgement of Risk
By booking a tour or transfer with Alpine Luxury Tours, you acknowledge that:
- You have been informed of the inherent risks associated with vehicle travel, outdoor, alpine, aerial, and water-based activities.
- Alpine Luxury Tours has taken all reasonably practicable steps to manage these risks.
- You voluntarily accept the remaining inherent risks and participate at your own risk.
We strongly recommend that all guests hold appropriate comprehensive travel insurance.
