Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Alpaka Maps website (www.alpakamaps.com) and/or the Alpaka Maps mobile application (collectively, the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Alpaka Maps. Please read them carefully.

2. Description of Service

Alpaka Maps provides:

• Backcountry navigation and mapping tools
• Real-time slope angle analysis and visualization
• Avalanche safety information and forecasts from third-party providers
• Offline map functionality
• GPS tracking and route recording
• Safety checklists and emergency tools

The Service is designed to assist with risk assessment and route planning but does not replace professional avalanche education, training, or judgment.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 16 years of age to use the Service. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

4. User Accounts

4.1 Account Creation

To access certain features, you may need to create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update this information as necessary.

4.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.

4.3 Account Termination

You may delete your account at any time through the app settings or by contacting us. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

5. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use the Service for any unlawful purpose
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or other users' accounts
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Service
• Copy, modify, or distribute our content without permission
• Use automated systems to access the Service without our consent
• Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Misrepresent your identity or affiliation
• Use the Service in a way that could harm other users

6. Safety Disclaimer and Assumption of Risk

6.1 Inherent Risks

By using the Service, you acknowledge that backcountry activities involve serious risks including but not limited to:

• Avalanches
• Terrain traps (cliffs, crevasses, tree wells)
• Rapidly changing weather conditions
• Equipment failure
• Physical exhaustion and altitude-related illness
• Getting lost or stranded
• Collisions with obstacles

6.2 Not a Substitute for Training

The Service is an informational tool only. It is NOT a substitute for:

• Formal avalanche safety education and certification
• Rescue training (transceiver, probe, shovel skills)
• Professional mountain guide services
• Personal experience and judgment
• Proper safety equipment

6.3 Limitation of Information Accuracy

We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of:

• Slope angle calculations
• Avalanche forecasts and bulletins
• Weather data
• Map data and elevation information
• GPS coordinates and positioning
• Third-party data integrated into the Service

Always verify information from multiple sources and make your own assessment of conditions.

6.4 Assumption of Risk

BY USING THE SERVICE, YOU EXPRESSLY ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BACKCOUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND AGREE THAT ALPAKA MAPS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DECISIONS YOU MAKE OR ACTIONS YOU TAKE BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE SERVICE.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 Our Intellectual Property

The Service, including its design, features, content, and code, is owned by Alpaka Maps and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not use our trademarks, logos, or branding without prior written consent.

7.2 Third-Party Content and Licenses

The Service incorporates content and data from third-party providers. We acknowledge and respect the intellectual property rights of our data providers:

Map Data and Imagery

• Mapbox: Map tiles and navigation data © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap contributors
• Swiss Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo): Swiss topographic maps and aerial imagery © swisstopo
• MapTiler: Map tiles and data © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors
• OpenStreetMap: Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL)
• Sentinel Hub / Copernicus: Satellite imagery © European Space Agency (ESA), Copernicus programme

Geographic Data

• GeoNames: Geographic database available under Creative Commons Attribution License

Avalanche Bulletins

Avalanche forecasts are provided by regional avalanche centers and are subject to their respective terms and attribution requirements. These include but are not limited to:

• SLF (WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research), Switzerland
• EAWS (European Avalanche Warning Services) member organizations
• Regional avalanche centers in various countries

Open Source Software

The Service uses open source software components. A list of these components and their licenses is available within the app settings under "Open Source Licenses."

7.3 User Content

You retain ownership of any content you create (such as recorded tracks). By using the Service, you grant us a limited license to store and process this content to provide the Service to you.

8. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

• THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY.
• WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
• WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE.
• IN NO EVENT SHALL ALPAKA MAPS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR LOST PROFITS.
• OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, OR €100, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitations of liability, so some of the above limitations may not apply to you. In such cases, our liability will be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Alpaka Maps and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another party
• Your backcountry activities

10. Third-Party Services and Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with third-party services. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or availability of these third parties. Your use of third-party services is governed by their respective terms and policies.

11. Modifications to Service and Terms

11.1 Service Modifications

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Service at any time, with or without notice. We shall not be liable for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation.

11.2 Terms Modifications

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated Terms on our website and/or through the app. Your continued use of the Service after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

12. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your access to the Service immediately, without prior notice, if you breach these Terms or for any other reason at our sole discretion. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will cease immediately.

Sections that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including but not limited to: Intellectual Property, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, and Governing Law.

13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

13.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Switzerland, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

13.2 Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or the Service shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If a resolution cannot be reached, disputes shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Zurich, Switzerland.

13.3 EU Consumer Rights

If you are a consumer in the European Union, you may also have the right to bring proceedings in the courts of your country of residence. Additionally, you may use the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr

14. General Provisions

14.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Alpaka Maps regarding the Service.

14.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

14.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

14.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms without restriction.

14.5 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure to perform our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, terrorism, or government actions.

15. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, please contact us:

Alpaka Maps
Email: hello@alpakamaps.com