Mountain Leaders in Switzerland
Meet the people who lead your adventures in the Alps.
The mountains have a quiet way of bringing people together. At Mountful Hikes, your guides share that same calm love for nature, the slow rhythm of a day outside, and the simple joy of being on a trail with good company.
Below you’ll find the small team who sometimes join me on selected trips. Each of them brings their own story, skills, and connection to the mountains.
Whether you join a snowshoe outing, a multi-day trek or a summer hike, you’ll always be in experienced, steady hands.
Famke – International Mountain Leader
Founder of Mountful Hikes
I grew up dreaming of mountains from the flat beaches of the Netherlands. After years of skiing, dry-slope slalom races, guiding courses, and finally moving to Switzerland, I made Verbier my home.
I trained as an International Mountain Leader in 2018 and now guide year-round in the Swiss Alps, together with my golden retriever, Woody.
My background is in skiing, long mountain days with friends, and the belief that being outside is the best way to quiet the mind and recharge.
Mountful Hikes reflects everything I love: slow adventure, small groups, long days on the trail, and that feeling of being completely present in nature.
Christel – International Mountain Leader & Ski Instructor
Christel has lived in some of Europe’s most beautiful mountain areas, from Austria and France to Scotland, Spain, and finally Switzerland. Her love for wild places is deep and genuine. She skis, hikes, climbs and bikes with the kind of ease that only comes from a lifetime outside.
She began guiding in Austria as a ski instructor, then spent ten years in Scotland where she completed multiple UK and international guiding qualifications. Today she divides her time between ski teaching, hiking, climbing and leading groups across the Alps.
Christel brings warmth, big mountain experience, and a contagious sense of curiosity to every trip. She knows Verbier and its surroundings like home.
Sandy – Snowshoe Guide, Ski Instructor & Trail Guide
Originally from the UK, Sandy has called Switzerland home since 2010. He teaches skiing in winter, guides snowshoe outings in the forests and mountains around Verbier, and leads trail running and hiking trips in summer.
He lives here with his wife Emma, their two young daughters, and their Lagotto Romagnolo, Kima, making theirs a multilingual, outdoorsy household.
Sandy is calm, reliable and quietly confident in the mountains. He knows the local winter terrain inside out and brings a gentle sense of humour and reassurance to every group.
Woody- Trail Companion
Golden Retriever & morale booster
Woody has been exploring the Alps since he was a puppy. He’s happiest on a snowy trail, splashing through lakes, or napping in the grass during lunch breaks.
He walks at his own pace, keeps an eye on the group, and has an extraordinary talent for making everyone smile. On many trips he joins us, adding a warm and easy energy to the day.
Ready to explore the Alps with us?
If you’d like to join a guided hike, snowshoe trip or multi-day trek, you can discover our upcoming adventures below: