Mountain Adventure Holidays
Working together is the way to create amazing adventures. At Tracks and Trails it is all about teamwork, and has been since 2006 when Lindsay Cannon and Julia Tregaskis-Allen were living and working in a village in the Swiss Alps. They decided joining forces was the way forward and in that spirit of co-operation Tracks and Trails was created. Today this ethos extends to the way we work with our guests, you talk we listen, with the aim of providing the very best mountain adventures.
As much as we would like to guide absolutely every trip ourselves, we simply can't do it! So, we have a team of some of the best guides and instructors in the Alps. We only work with people who are fully qualified as mountain professionals, and have the appropriate expertise, people skills and enthusiasm. Every one of them shares our passion for adventure, and we know you will be in good hands.
Julia adores a journey, always wanting to know what's around the corner or over the next mountain! For over 20 years she has indulged this curiosity first through her own adventures then as a work as a sports coach, personal trainer, International Mountain Leader and BASI Level 3 ISIA Nordic Ski Teacher. During this time she has guided and organised adventure holidays across Europe, directed courses for trainee instructors, led expeditions across Africa, South America and the Greater Ranges and set up a thriving triathlon club. Julia's love of travel, sport and adventure combined with her passion to share this with others has been the inspiration of many of our trips. In particular, the setting up and guiding of our trail running, cross country skiing and family holidays. She holds qualifications in rock climbing, nordic walking, mountain biking, canoeing and as a triathlon coach all of which she works with to create opportunities to inspire all levels of mountain adventure. As a Director of Tracks and Trails Julia is commited to both guiding and overseeing the management of our trips ensuring that they are run efficiently and professionally.
Lindsay is one of life's enthusiasts, and it is her passion to introduce our guests to the mountains and all that they offer. She has spent over twenty years exploring the Alps and during that time has collected a huge wealth of knowledge about all aspects of mountain life. Be prepared to stop and chat to farmers and shepherds along the trail as she catches up with her friends! She believes that being part of this wider mountain community is one of the joys of working as a guide. Lindsay is a fully qualified International Mountain Leader, BASI Level 3 ISIA Teacher, Nordic Walking Instructor, Trail Cycle Leader, and Yoga Teacher. In her previous life she worked for the BBC as a Presenter on adventure racing programmes. Her BBC radio and television career has enjoyed a worldwide audience. As a Director of Tracks and Trails her spring and autumn seasons are spent developing the company and scouting exciting new trips for our guests.
Born in Hungary, but now living and working worldwide, Robert works for Tracks and Trails as both an International Mountain Leader and BASI Level 2 Nordic Ski Instructor. Robert began his sporting career competing in orienteering representing Hungary at National and World Championship level becoming 5 times National Champion. This passion took him on to coach athletics and orienteering and then to find a love for trail running. This along with his Bachelors Degree in Education, Masters in Sports Science (specialising in high altitude physiology) and string of other outdoor qualifications means that he's most likely to be found guiding on our trail running trips and camps. Robert's vast experience working on expeditions around the world and his natural affinity with the mountains makes him a true asset to our team.
Joy is passionate about mountain adventure and has over twenty years of personal experience rock climbing, trekking, skiing and mountain running. Pursuing these passions has taken her to North America, the Indian Himalaya and the Karakorum, Pakistan, as well as closer to home in Europe. Originally a Chartered Physiotherapist in the UK, the pull of the mountains was too strong and in 2002 she relocated to Chamonix, in France. Now an experienced International Mountain Leader, she is enthusiastic about sharing her love of the mountains with our guests. Joy is a BASI Level 2 Nordic Ski Instructor and for the last two winters she has been based in Norway, just north of the Olympic town of Lillehammer in the mountains of the Rondane National Park. From here she often joins us to lead our Norwegian ski journeys, and offers our guests a wonderful insight into what it is like to live and work in Norway.
Ewen Martin is one of our most experienced ski instructors and ski guides. He has been a ski instructor since 1985, he has a great sense of humour and it is a real pleasure to share time in the mountains with him. Ewen, who is a Trainer for BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors) is one of the highest qualified Nordic Skiers in the UK. He is also a Telemark and Alpine Ski Instructor, and has extensive experience of cross country ski racing. He holds the International Mountain Leader award which means that he has worked as a guide in mountain terrain around the world. In addition he is a Heeresbergfuhrer, the German Army equivalent of a High Mountain Guide. So as you can see he is well qualified to be leading you on your ski trip, and has indeed led many ski tours and expeditions in Norway. Ewen speaks fluent Norwegian, and has lived in Norway for over 15 years. He will be well able to share his knowledge of Norway, its people, and culture.
Fran is based in Scotland and spends the winters 'down south' in Antarctica working as a kayak guide and cruising around with the penguins and whales. A self-confessed globetrotter with far too many air-miles under her belt, in the summer however, she exchanges a paddle for a pair of walking boots and heads for the Alps where she works with us as a hiking guide. A qualified International Mountain Leader she is passionate about being in the mountains both in summer and winter, particularly ski touring, walking and mountain biking. She is a dedicated 'people' person and her background in outdoor education and ten years working for The Cairngorms National Park gives her a broad knowledge of mountain areas and the issues they face world wide. You probably won't find her competing in an ultra marathon, but you will find her getting excited about mountain flora and fauna.
After spending 23 years in HM Royal Marines as a physical training instructor, Si has taken to the hills and spends his days passing on his experience and stories to those who are willing to listen! He adores the freedom of the trails in the Alps, and in particular enjoys sharing them with like-minded individuals. Don't worry your trip won't be a boot camp, he's learned to chill out! Each summer he leaves Scotland to head to the Alpine ranges where he works as an International Mountain Leader, and in winter as a Ski Instructor. He is constantly looking for opportunities to enhance his life choices, and this includes sitting on the Board of Directors for the British Association of International Mountain Leaders which overseas our International Mountain Leader qualifications. In this respect we are fortunate to have Si working with our team and able to share his insights into how our 'mother ship' is developing and fine-tuning our certification. He is also a passionate trail runner, and is regularly found trotting around the mountains guiding a team of runners.
Gary is the one with the cheeky smile, and an enthusiasm for the mountains that is way beyond the call of duty! He has traveled, climbed and trekked all over the world for work and pleasure including South America, Central Asia, The Himalaya and Africa. He has so many tales to tell of his exploits and adventures that he can entertain you all day long. He has lived in France for the last 10 years mainly in Chamonix, but has recently moved to the French Pyrenees where he is enjoying life by the sea. He travels frequently from his base there as he works worldwide. As well as being an International Mountain Leader he is also a Nordic Walking coach and Instructor, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme accredited expedition assessor up to Gold level and a SPA Climbing Instructor. Gary has an extensive wealth of knowledge and experience leading youth and adult expeditions worldwide. His passion is taking people trekking around beautiful mountain areas in both the summer and winter seasons. In his free time, when he has any, he loves to run the mountain trails.
Alex is a great example of the kind of guide we like to work with. Always a smile, and a fabulous attitude when it comes to encouraging and helping our guests to get the most out of their trip. Like all our guides she is a fully qualified International Mountain Leader with the skills and expertise to make sure that you have an enjoyable, and safe time in the mountains. She is also qualified as a Mountaineering Instructor having spent more than three decades playing in the mountains. She divides her working life between the Alps, the UK and some far flung corners of the world, such as the Himalaya where she regularly leads mountaineering or trekking expeditions. When not working, Alex enjoys summer mountaineering or winter ski-touring in the Alps and dog-walking. She has been known to do some trail running, having completed the full Ultra Trail Mont Blanc in 2006 & 2007. Oh, and she enjoys a good book with a large glass of wine of any colour!
When it comes to helping others achieve their aspirations then Keith puts his heart and soul into providing energy and enthusiasm to the job in hand. He built a successful career in the British Military where he was employed as a specialist, delivering mountain leadership skills to the Armed Forces and Special Forces world wide, from Bavaria to Belize. Keith has been a member of the British Nordic Ski Team representing his country at 2 World Championships and 11 World Cups. He currently manages and is a squad member of the British Winter Triathlon team. Needless to say we are more than happy to have him working on our cross country ski trips! He is a BASI Level 3 ISIA Teacher, and an International Mountain Leader, and holds other qualifications too numerous to mention, including a Diploma in Management and Leadership, Sports Science & Therapy. He has climbed all over the world, including 4 expeditions to the Himalayas’ and was a supporting leader on the Military’s 2006 West Ridge of Everest Expedition junior team. He's a great guy and loads of fun to ski with.
Born and bred in Chamonix, France, often described as the mountaineering capital of the world, Sebastien Gros fell in love with the mountains at a young age. Following in his grand-father's footsteps as a 'guide' he started skiing before he could walk and competed in cross-country ski races in his teens. He moved to the south of France to study and has travelled extensively around the world. He has a Masters in Sport, Tourism and Local Development and is qualified as both an 'Accompagnateur en Moyenne Montagne', which is the French version of the International Mountain Leader, and as an Alpine Ski Instructor. He is passionate about trail running as it allows him to explore new places, and he has run the famous GR20 in Corsica, in the Swiss Alps, Mallorca, the South of Spain, and off the beaten track in France. Seb also lectures in 'mountain environment' to high school students to prepare them to become hiking guides. He is well qualified to enhance your mountain adventure with his knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Alps.
Elaine has spent her whole life exploring the outdoors, from family holidays to the Alps as a child right up until today when nothing inspires her more than a mountain vista seen from on high. She qualified as an International Mountain Leader in 2004, and since then has guided trips to Africa, Mongolia and the Alps. Each outing brings new pleasures, and she just loves to introduce people to new places and experiences. As well as walking, she is an enthusiastic skier, rock climber and cyclist, enjoying the latter two activities from her home in the English Peak District. Her other passion is yoga, which she began as a counter balance to her outdoor activities, but which has since become much more. Elaine studied to become a Iyengar Yoga Teacher 10 years ago and teaches regular yoga classes near her home in England. She has recently begun to lead trips oversees which combine yoga with days out in the mountains, two passions combined into a great mountain experience for her guests.
Ten years ago Arno decided the flatlands of Holland were simply 'too flat'! He decided he wanted more adventure in his life and ran away to the Alps. He made his home in the lovely Savoyard village of Samoëns where his 'new life' was filmed for a series on Dutch television. However, fame hasn't gone to his head, and he's to be found guiding our Samoens Snowshoe Summits trips, amongst others. Arno trained as an 'accommpagnature' which is the French version of the International Mountain Leader, and also works as a professional Mountain Bike Guide during the summer months. He speaks fluent English, French and, of course, Dutch! As well as working year round in the mountains, like all of us, he also spends every spare moment either hiking, biking or skiing, this guy is an all round mountaineer.
Vic formed a love of the outdoors at a young age, and from sixteen years old she worked towards a career in the outdoors experiencing Scottish winters walking and climbing, while her summers were spent instructing rock climbing in North Wales. In 2007 she moved to Chamonix, France and has made the valley her home, pursuing her career as an International Mountain Leader. She has recently discovered the joys of trail running and has competed in the Marathon du Mont Blanc, Chamoinx, The Aiguilles Rouge Race, and the CCC which is part of the world famous Ultra Trail Mont Blanc weekend. We know Vic as a 'live wire' always full of enthusiasm for her work, and happy to share her knowledge. She is definitely an 'achiever' and holds the top level of UK Mountaineering Instructional Award (MIC). She has also worked as a trainer and assessor both for the National Governing Body (MLA Scheme) and the British Military. Today her energy is put into her main work as a trekking and expedition leader.
Al has spent the past two decades devoted to climbing and running in the mountains, and has a great passion for the outdoors in general. He is a qualified International Mountain Leader, and works on our hiking trips, as well as our Trail Running camps and tours. Having worked as an outdoor educator and facilitator in the UK and on several overseas expeditions, Al brings a great deal of experience in group management to ensure your trip is an enjoyable and safe one. He now spends his time mainly in the European Alps where he has an immense 'playground' on this doorstep. He's also an avid runner, and a racer of distances on road and trail from 5 kms-168 kms, having pushed his limits to achieve a number of top 10 finishes in many mountain races in the Alps. But don’t let his 'fit as a flea' reputation worry you, if you join Al in the mountains either on a hiking or running trip, he will support, encourage and inspire you!
As a keen mountaineer, trail runner, road cyclist and all-mountain skier 'Suze' has been in Chamonix, in France for seven years learning as much as she can about her local environment as well as mountainous regions further a field. After organizing a ski mountaineering expedition to Tajikistan in 2014 she qualified as an International Mountain Leader and now enjoys leading both walking, trail running and snowshoeing groups. Suze is also a qualified 'Rolfer' and has a clinic in central Chamonix where she helps people with their postural alignment and movement patterns through the hand-on bodywork practice of Structural Integration. As an avid bird watcher (she can identify most bird call's in the Chamonix valley) and all round nature enthusiast she is just as happy wandering through a magical forest as she is ski-touring and climbing in the steep peaks of the Alps.
Stefano is from Tuscany, in Italy a landscape famous throughout the world for its beauty and nature, and one which Stefano loves to share with our guests. He was born in the celebrated town of Lucca, birthplace to Puccini, in 1991. He loves local history and is something of an expert on the Garfagnana region which is where he lives and works and for this reason he guides on our "Hiking in Hidden Tuscany' walking weeks. Stefano will explain to you that it is the ruins, ancients legends, and folklore of the region that hold the greatest fascination for him. In 2013 he became a professional Italian hiking guide "Guida Ambientale Escursionistica" and now leads groups through the area including the National Park of Tuscan Emilian Apennines which is a UNESCO Reserve. Since 2019 Stefano is working as a trainer and sharing his expertise with those who are hoping to qualify as hiking guides in Tuscany under the Italian guides programme. Our guests love being with Stefano and learning about Tuscany from a true local.
Emma is a hugely experienced guide, a qualified International Mountain Leader, who has been leading expeditions and treks around the world for nearly 20 years. When asked about her favourite locations she lists Nepal, Corsica and the Alps as her top 3 trekking destinations. We are often asked if we ever get bored of a route, and Emma is testament to the answer that it is hard to get too much of stunning mountains views. She has guided the world famous Tour du Mont Blanc over 50 times and still it is one of her favourites. Given that she speaks fluent French, Russian and Spanish, and she loves to chat, you can expect some interesting conversations with other people on the trail. She is also a qualified Trail Cycle Leader, and a BASI Level 2 Nordic Ski Instructor. Her main passion is alpine skiing, and in 2009 she made the first ever ski descent of Manaslu 8163m, in Nepal, the 8th highest mountain in the world.
Jason guides our Nordic 'off-track- trips and is the T&T equivalent of explorer 'Ranulph Fiennes'. His passion is experiencing, exploring and sharing the beauty and remoteness of snowy landscapes while 'breaking' trails in the backcountry. He is a BASI Nordic Instructor, Telemark Instructor, and Winter Mountain Leader. He is a former Royal Marines Commando Officer and developed a passion for snow during winter deployments in Norway. He has skied and ski-toured in the Alps, Europe, Scandinavia, and United States, as well as extensively in Norway, Scotland and the Jura Mountains. He is a Nordic ski tour leader for the UK military, but do not worry your trip with Jason will not be a boot camp! He has a relaxed attitude to guiding. During the summer he is at sea using his various yachting qualifications, as well as in the sea as a PADI diving Instructor; or in the air as a CAA Helicopter Flying Instructor and Commercial Pilot. Jason has a PhD in International Relations and works in academic research, and consultancy. You will be in safe hands with Jason at the helm.
The British Army has a very strong tradition of supporting and encouraging Nordic ski-ing, and that is exactly how Dave go into the sport over 30 years ago! He went on to become a high performance competitor, and a top coach who helped various individuals reach a standard where they were representing their country. We are delighted he brings his expertise to Tracks and Trails. By way of reassurance we would like to stress that he may have been in the military, but your holiday will not be a boot camp! His coaching style is a lovely mix of enthusiasm and patience, combined with a liberal dash of humour. Dave is a BASI Level 2 Nordic Instructor, as well as an NLP Master Practitioner, Personal Trainer, Sports Massage Therapist and Nutritional Adviser. Triathlon is his other passion and over the years he has represented Great Britain as an age group athlete at World Championship competitions in Canada and Australia. All in all he has a wealth of experience and many years of coaching and competing which contribute to his vast knowledge of cross country skiing, fitness and wellbeing.
Michelle works on our cross country ski trips where her experience as a ski instructor combined with her background in sports science is a true asset for our guests. She has a real love for the outdoors and she says the best part of her job is being able to help others to also get out and enjoy the mountains as much as she does. She is based in France, but spends her winters in Austria where she teaches Telemark and Nordic skiing. She is a qualified BASI Level 2 Telemark Instructor and also a Norwegian qualified Nordic Instructor. Michelle is also a Sport Therapist and Remedial Massage Therapist with a degree in Physical Education & Sports Science from Loughborough University. All of this means she is well placed to provide the very best learning experience for each individual so that they get the most from their holiday. In particular she has a lot of experience in working with veteran athletes. Remember you are never too old to learn! In the summer she is to be found running on the mountain trails, or trekking in the Alps, Corsica, UK and Himalayas. To quote Michelle, "What matters to me is that my guests enjoy the whole experience and become skiers for life."
Stoyan is from Bulgaria and guides our snowshoe trips in the Balkans. He has an amazing depth and breadth of knowledge of all things Bulgarian and to spend time with him is like being with a walking encyclopaedia! He will enthral you with tales of ancient civilisations, architecture, folklore, plant lore, and provide an insight into the turbulent political past of his country. Stoyan speaks fluent English, Russian, and Spanish and you will be glad to have a local guide who can translate any items in Bulgarian as the alphabet is not the easiest. He has been a qualified guide since 2003, and is a member of UIMLA (Union of International Mountain Leader Associations). He also qualified under the AEB scheme (Association of Excursion Guides in Bulgaria) in 2004. As well as guiding in Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey, he is an experienced rock climber and mountaineer and has climbed for his own pleasure in Switzerland, Austria, Italy and the Caucasus. He has summited the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc not once, but twice.
Daniele clearly likes to be out in the mountains studying the flora and especially the fauna! He guides on our 'Hiking in Hidden Tuscany' walking weeks and being a true 'local' he is well placed to share his vast knowledge of the area. Daniele was born in 1983 in the Garfagnana area, a landscape which contains the highest peaks in Tuscany. Since he was a child he is at his happiest when exploring the the mountains. In 2013 he gained a bachelor degree in Sociology from Pisa University which has encourage him to explore the cultural relationship between humans and their environment. This led him, in 2015, to combine his intellectual curiosity with his passion for the outdoors and he began the process to become a professional Italian hiking guide a "Guida Ambientale Escursionistica". Daniele now guides throughout the National Park of the Tuscan Emelian Apennines, and the Regional Park of the Apuane Alps. Tracks and Trails loves working with Daniele who truly has an amazing repertoire of stories and folklore associated with this wonderful part of Tuscany. As you can see from his photo he also has a good sense of fun!
For a true French experience you will be delighted to have Nicole guiding your trip. Nicole was born in the Vosges region of France, but she moved to Chamonix in 1984 with her husband, a High Mountain Guide, when he joined the PGHM perhaps the most famous mountain rescue service in the world. Nicole followed her own guiding path when she become an 'accompagnatrice' which is the French version of the International Mountain Leader. Since 1996 she has been leading popular trips such as the Tour du Mont Blanc, and also exploring other lesser known routes such as the Gran Paradiso Circuit in Italy. In the winters she works as a snowshoe guide in Megève in the Haute Savoie region of France. She lives in Chamonix Valley with their 3 boys, and when she gets time away from the family she hikes, skis, ski tours, and cycles. She has travelled extensively, but is still happy to be home and joining her friends each autumn to harvest grapes!
Richard was born and raised in Chamonix, France, a beautiful mountain environment which has fuelled his passion for mountain sports. He qualified as an 'Accompagnateur en Moyenne Montagne' in 2002, which is the French version of the International Mountain Leader, and as a Nordic Ski Instructor in 2001. He works a lot with young people and is a Biathlon Coach at the local Frison-Roche High School for the Biqualification. A passionate mountain biker he qualified as a Mountain Bike Guide in 2003. When he does get some free time he loves to race and has finished various UTMB trail races and 3 times the Marathon du Mont-Blanc. He has also participated in some of the most famous cross country ski races in France such as La Transjurassiene, la Foulée Blanche, le Marathon International de Bessans, la Run and Skate. Richard, who is French, speaks fluent English. He has to, he's married to a Welsh girl! He has two young boys and has built his own traditional Savoyard Chalet. He is to be found pottering in the garden cultivating his fruit and vegetables, and raising a flock of chickens!