Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
General Tour Information
Why choose Alpine?
We offer a unique experience..there is a difference between our tours and our competitors.
Our group tour trucks are the best the industry has to offer. Our competitors load up to 12 passengers per truck on bench seats. Alpine takes up to 9 guests per truck in comfortable individual bucket seats, giving everyone their own space and room to stretch out. Other companies will give you a rain jacket (maybe) if it showers. We cover the whole passenger compartment with a rain fly to keep you dry.
Our private tour trucks are customized Jeep Gladiators. Yes, other companies use Jeeps for private tours but only Alpine equips our Jeep with a fully convertible passenger compartment and 2 signature bucket seats in the truck bed. The truck bed is equipped with a full roll cage for safety as well as a rain fly to keep you warm and dry in case it rains.
Our philosophy. “Go higher, see more.” We prefer to give you info over a PA system while we drive, and allow you to see more sights. Other companies do a lot of talking on the side of the road, as we drive higher. There are plenty of stops to get out, ask questions, and see the mountains up close. We also give you a choice of tours. Some companies decide for you.
Our guides. Alpine employs only the most experienced and friendly guides around. We are knowledgable about local history and geology as well. Most of our guides are CDL holders and drive year round as a profession. You are in the best hands with Alpine!
Can I book online?
Yes. Just click the “book now” button and you will be walked through the booking process. It is quick, easy, and secure. It is the best way to collect your booking info in the most accurate fashion.
I don't see the tour that I want at the time that I want. What should I do?
Feel free to give us a call. Sometimes we have last minute cancellations or can possibly add a trip. It never hurts to ask.
Where do I check-in for my tour?
Our small office is located at 929 Main Street in the KJ Wood Distillery building in downtown Ouray, Colorado.
What is your cancellation policy?
You can cancel your trip and receive a full refund if done at least 3 days prior to your departure time. Rescheduling your trip must also be done 3 days prior to trip departure. We have a no questions asked refund policy so simply give us a call and leave a voicemail, or send us an email. You are allowed to reschedule once and we will work with you to find availability on our calendar. Any cancellations for any reason made within 3 days of your trip departure time will be 100% forfeited and no refund will be issued. This policy is strictly enforced.
What are the main differences between a private tour and a group tour?
What to expect on a private tour:
- Our 5 guest jeep gladiators are reserved as private only.
- You can reserve a tour truck for a private tour as well.
- Private tours are a flat rate fee for the vehicle. As long as your group size fits within the vehicle you have reserved, the booking price remains the same.
- Gladiators seat 1-5 adult guests comfortably. Tour trucks seat 1-10 adult guests comfortably.
- Private tour = custom tour. Your guide will greet you before your trip departure time, and will have a brief conversation with you in order to understand your interests, intentions, special considerations, etc. Our private tours offer the ultimate in flexibility and customization. Some examples of how you can customize a tour are:
- Choosing how much time you spend on a particular trail
- Choosing exactly where you tour
- Mixing and matching trails to suit your interest
- Having a tour that has more restroom breaks than a standard tour
- Taking a tour where you spend more or less time outside of the vehicle
- We offer custom tours that specialize in viewing wildlife, exploring mining history/structures, adventure tours, mellow tours, photography or a combo of everything
- Great for families with kiddos
- Great for elopements, weddings, memorials, family gatherings or any special event
- Great for anyone who has specific itineraries
- Great for anyone who may require extra time entering or exiting the vehicle and does not want to be feel rushed
- Great for guests who are looking for more of a 1 on 1 experience with their guide
- Great for guests who require custom start times or custom termination times
- All private tour customers receive complimentary pickup and drop off locations within Ouray and nearby areas.
- Private jeep tours offer more protection from the elements.
All of our jeep gladiators feature a folding soft top which is opened/closed by your guide as requested. The cockpit of the gladiator offers full climate control and is great for early and late season touring. It is great for any guest who simply wants the ultimate protection from the elements.
What to expect on a group/public tour:
- Our group tours are the original way to experience the San Juans! These tours offer the best value in town.
- Our tour trucks offer the ultimate safari style tour experience! You will be viewing the San Juan’s atop one of our open air modified flatbed trucks.
- Group tours visit most all popular trails within the San Juan’s. They operate on a schedule, have restroom breaks and 15 min walks/stops at highlighted locations
- You will be traveling in one of our highly modified Dodge Ram tour trucks.
- Standard amenities included on all of our trucks include:
- Individual Corbeau suspension seats and seat belts
- Premium suspension
- Rain awning, wind screen, ergonomic step system and supplemental step stool
- Additional blankets,first aid kits, PA System
How do I tip my guide?
Alpine guides pride themselves on being the best on the mountain—and you will experience that difference. They are out to keep you and your family safe while delivering an unforgettable adventure. They are working for you! As with any service industry career, our guides rely on tips to supplement their wages. 15-30% is industry standard. Cash and venmo are the easiest methods for tipping your guide. You can also give the office a call to add a tip onto your card if you prefer.
FAQs
What to Expect on the Tour
What should I bring with me?
What should I wear?
What is the best group tour, Yankee Boy or Corkscrew?
That just depends on your preference of views. The Yankee Boy Basin Bonus Tour has slightly lower elevations (11-12,000′) and features waterfalls, mining ruins and terrific wildflowers. You will see more visitors as it is very popular. We take various side roads for the bonus section of your tour to get to tree line and escape the mid summer crowds. Corkscrew Pass takes you to higher elevations (13,000) with 360 degree views and features secluded lakes, mining ruins and wildflowers. Not as busy as Yankee Boy and a bit more exposed on the climb up the pass. Either way you will not go wrong. They are just different views. We suggest taking both tours to see the best of the San Juans.
Do tours stop to see different things?
Yes. Your guide stops at many locations for photos, but we also go for short walks to get close looks at waterfalls, wildflowers or mining ruins. During wildflower season guests sometimes like to take all in for a bit, so we allocate some time for that too.
Are there restrooms along the tour?
Do tours still go out if it is raining?
What type of vehicle will I be touring in?
If you have booked a group tour you will be touring in a Dodge Ram 2500. All of our tour trucks are outfitted with individual custom bucket seats. Our maximum group size is 9 passengers.
If you have booked a private Jeep Gladiator tour you will be touring in a Jeep Gladiator—which holds up to 5 adult guests comfortably. Our Dodge ram group tour trucks are also available to be reserved as private tour vehicles if your group is larger than 5 guests.
FAQs
Safety & Comfort
What are the current trail conditions?
Check out the link below for more information: Ouray County Trail Conditions
Will I get car sick or altitude sick?
I am afraid of heights. Are there cliffs or drop offs?
FAQs
Policies & Accessibility
Can I bring young children?
Sure! Our bucket seats accommodate car seats and booster seats. Some parents prefer a private tour in one of our Jeeps for children under 3. Our Jeeps have an elevated rear seat for kids or smaller folks to give them a great view.
Are pets allowed to join?
Yes! We love well behaved furry friends here at Alpine.
Group tour guidelines for pets:
You may bring a small lap dog free of charge along with you on all of our group tours. Your lap dog must be under 30lbs. You must be comfortable with your pet seated in your lap for the entire 4 hour tour. No dogs are allowed on the steel deck of the tour truck as it is not safe nor comfortable for your pet. Please be aware that you are taking a four wheel drive tour. This means that your tour truck will be driving over uneven terrain and there will be more pitch and roll than your average Sunday stroll. It can be fatiguing for some passengers to have a 30lb pet on their lap for 4 hours. Please plan accordingly and do not underestimate your ability level. 30lbs is the limit for free lap seats, no exceptions.
Pets over 30lbs are also welcome on our group tours. You can purchase a “child” seat for them at the time of your booking, and they will have their own seat on the truck.
Private tour guidelines for pets:
You may bring your pets along with you on a private tour free of charge irregardless of their size. Lap dogs are allowed inside the cab of the vehicle. Dogs over 30lbs are required to ride outside, near their owner. The Jeep gladiators come equipped with 2 bucket seats in the back bed and this is where larger dogs will ride with their owners. It is recommended that you bring some type of dog bed or padding for your larger dog to rest in while touring.
Dog expectations:
- Your dog must be well behaved
- Your dog must be friendly to humans and other dogs
- You must be able to maintain control of your dog at all times
- You must be able to load/unload your dog out of your tour vehicle safely
- You must be able to control excessive barking
- You are responsible for cleaning up after your dog
- Recommended to bring water, leash and wag bags
What is the largest group size Alpine can accommodate?
Alpine can typically accommodate groups up to 30 passengers. We have partnered with other tour companies in town to provide tours for groups exceeding 50 guests. Please call well in advance to discuss these options and to start the planning process.
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Guided 4×4 Adventures
We’re a family-run business offering GUIDED 4×4 TOURS in Ouray, Colorado, with expert guides sharing insights on local history, wildlife, and attractions. Whether it’s a 4-hour Group Tour or a customizable Private Tour, safety and comfort are our top priorities.
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