GETTING PREPARED
Why travel with Mint Tours?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we can take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
Where do I get more information about a tour?
For further information, including a tour itinerary send us an enquiry. If you’ve still got questions, feel free to get in touch with one of our tour specialists.
EnquireWhat should I pack?
Once you’ve confirmed your booking we will send out a detailed pre-departure guide which covers all sorts of practical information, including a packing list and any other special items you may need to bring.
How much luggage can I take?
As a general rule you should pack light but bring all the essentials. You will be required to carry your own bags, and sometimes you will need to lift it on and off our transport, so you should consider using a backpack or soft duffel bag. Suitcases are okay on some of our trips, but not always practical. Each airline has specific rules about luggage allowances – check directly with them or ask your travel consultant to confirm for you.
Do I need to take out Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is mandatory for all our travellers and must be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation. We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide your travel insurance policy number and the insurance company’s 24-hour emergency contact number on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without these details. If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number and emergency contact number with you rather than the bank’s name and credit card details.
Do I need a visa for my trip?
Many countries require you to have a visa before arrival. After you’ve booked your trip we will send you a pre-departure guide containing all the visa information. It’s best to get visas sorted in advance because the processing time can be quite long.
How fit do I need to be?
Our tours are designed to be enjoyed by anyone who is reasonably fit. When selecting your tour please make sure you have read through the ability guide and itinerary carefully to assess your ability and to cope with our style of travel. Some trips visit remote areas with limited or non-existent medical facilities so you must be in good health. Factors such as altitude, cold temperatures, delays, unfamiliar food and different customs and cultures also add to the physical toll. Keep in mind you will sometimes need to carry your own bags. Please note that if, in the opinion of our Mint guide or local guide, any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, Mint Tours reserves the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses) as they may not easily be obtained at the locations on this trip. For legal reasons our guides are prohibited from administering any type of drugs including headache tablets and antibiotics. Please ensure that you are adequately prepared.
What are the ability requirements for a tour?
Each tour is different. You’ll find that each tour states the minimum ability level required for the tour. If you’re not sure, give us a call. Our tour specialists will be able to recommend the perfect trip to suit your ability and skiing or snowboard style.
BOOKING THE TOUR
Do I have to book online?
No. While our site is designed to make booking as easy as possible, we appreciate that sometimes it’s nice to talk to a human being, so give us a call! Our tour specialists are a wealth of knowledge, and are always happy to help. We can do the whole booking procedure over the phone, over email or you can make an appointment to see us.
Can I book through a travel agent?
To get the best deal and the right information, it’s best to book direct with us. We’re a full service travel agency with no hidden fee’s and charges. We’re a one stop shop for your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
How do I know which tours are available?
We provide the booking status details for each trip, ie. whether the trip is closed, if places are still available and how many spots are remaining on each tour. Our more popular tours can fill up fast, so it’s best to call our tour specialists to find out up to date availability.
Most of your tours are 6 nights but I want a longer tour. Is this possible?
Yes. A lot of our tours are 6 nights and run from Sunday to Saturday. This ensures that you’ll ride every resort mid-week to maximise your time on-snow and avoid the weekend day-trippers. If 6 nights isn’t enough, then book one of our multi-tour combo’s. Our tours are designed to run back-to-back, making it easy to finish one tour, then start a new tour in a different destination the following day. Ask us about tour combo ideas and multi-tour discounts.
Can I just do part of the tour?
Unfortunately it is not possible to do parts of our tours. However, some of our longer tours are made up of smaller tours completed back-to-back, so it might be possible to book a shorter trip separately.
Does the tour price include flights?
The prices quoted on the site do not include flights. But our partnerships with the major airlines means we can get you the best price on flights for your intended travel dates. Just ask.
How far in advance do I need to book?
This is a tricky one. We don’t know when other people will book, so it’s hard to know if and when the tour will fill up. Our advice is to book as soon as you’ve made the decision to travel, that way you won’t be disappointed.
How much is the deposit?
A 50% deposit per person is required to secure your booking.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Electronic Funds Transfer, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
When is the final payment due?
Generally the final payment is due in full 90 days before the departure of your trip. If you’ve booked your trip within 90 days of the departure date, full payment is needed at the time of booking. Last minute bookings require payment up front before confirmation.
What happens once I’ve booked?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure. During the tour we will invite you to a group chat which is managed by your tour manager and guides.
Can I arrive early or stay on after a tour?
Yes. In all cases, we can organise extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour. Just let us know and we’ll get a quote for you. We also have trip extensions in many of the destinations we travel to, meaning you can take a short break after the main event.
GUESTS AND OTHER TRAVELLERS
Is this a typical group tour?
Mint doesn’t offer typical group tours, and our customers aren’t typical group travellers. Along with finding you the best snow a destination can offer, Mint travellers will see a side of a destination they wouldn’t see on their own. It’s all about authentic experiences with highly experienced leaders who are destination experts. You will mostly travel in private transport and you will stay in comfortable accommodation with private amenities.
What if I’m travelling solo?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. The majority of our tours offer single or twin share accommodation. If you are booked on a twin share tour and you’re travelling solo, you will be paired with another guest to room with. Of course if you’d prefer to have your own room (at a little extra cost) we can arrange this on most trips, simply let us know when you book.
Are there any age limits?
The minimum age to join our tours is 18. Our tours are designed to be enjoyed by anyone who is reasonably fit. When selecting your tour please make sure you have read through the ability guide and itinerary carefully to assess your ability and to cope with our style of travel.
Who will be on my tour?
While every group is different, Mint Tours are generally an international crowd with people often coming from Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowsports and an eagerness to explore all that a destination has to offer.
DO YOU TAKE SKIERS & SNOWBOARDERS?
We are ski and snowboard friendly. Please note that the majority of our tours are led by snowboard guides.
ON TOUR
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All of our tours are led by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. Most of our guides work for us season after season. If you have a preferred Mint guide, just let us know and we’ll be able to tell you which tours they are leading.
What type of hotels do we stay in?
We make sure that you stay in quality accommodation, that’s in the best location. We generally choose smaller hotels rather than large chains where possible to offer more authentic accommodation that reflects a region. Read the ‘Accommodation’ section of the tour information for a detailed breakdown on the style of lodgings used on your tour.
What type of transport is provided?
Our itineraries indicate travelling time and mode of transport. We typically use 9 seat, 4WD vans. Although there are some days where we travel relatively long distances, our trips are organised to make travelling as convenient and efficient as possible. Our travel days are sometimes a highlight of a trip, with interesting communities and spectacular landscapes encountered en route.
How much free time is there?
All our tours are a combination of organised activities and free time. Our detailed itineraries give you an idea of how much free time to expect. It also depends on the trip, eg. some of our road-trip’s may have less free time than other trips. We know it’s important that you have time to yourself. If you have any questions just ask one of our tour specialists.
What will the snow / weather conditions be like?
You’re best to contact one of our tour specialists for an indication. More information on climate and seasonal weather is contained in the itinerary which you will be sent on confirmation of your booking.
What type of food will we eat?
We love introducing you to the flavours of the world. Our guides are destination experts to the regions you visit, meaning they can take you to out of the way places for the most interesting cuisine. Their local knowledge comes in handy for deciphering menus and getting tips on local delicacies.
I’m vegetarian. Will there be options for me?
No problem. Just let us know in advance so we can inform our guides. That way they can make sure you are looked after in the local restaurants. Keep in mind that in some places your diet might be slightly limited, as meat often forms an integral part of the local diet.
MORE QUESTIONS?
Feel free to get in touch with us for any questions you might have about travel ideas, planning or anything else!