Meet the Collett’s Walks Teams: Italian Dolomites, Austrian Alps & Swiss Alps
Author : Lara Ehmler
27th May 2026
One of many things that genuinely sets a Collett’s centre-based walking holiday apart from the rest, is the people who comprise our resort Walks Teams.
Yes, there’s the comprehensive and user-friendly Walk Pack, carefully handpicked hotels, and the sheer quality of our walks. But the Collett’s Walks Teams enhance all of this – a small, passionate group of people based at each of our centre-based destinations throughout the season, available daily to ensure you get the very best from your time in the mountains.
Here’s who will be welcoming you this summer…
What are the Collett’s Walks Teams?
They are the icing on the cake during our centre-based walking holidays in the Dolomites, Austrian Alps and Swiss Alps. Based locally, they have an expert knowledge of the area and, in particular, each of our featured walks, from the easy strolls, to the challenging treks.
The beauty of our centre-based walking holidays in the Alps is their flexibility. You decide day to day which level of walk you fancy. Once decided, you enjoy it at your own pace, whilst we provide everything you need to self-guide effortlessly, whether you use our user-friendly route notes, or our navigation app – or a mix of both.
But even this kind of independent hiking can do with some occasional extra support. For example, to help you choose the right walk, you might want guidance on what differentiates two itineraries that take your fancy. This is where our Walks Teams can make the difference. We put them at your disposal daily, because they have a working knowledge of every trail. In addition, as passionate walkers themselves, they have a great enthusiasm for our routes. Their mission is to help you choose the walks that keep you in your comfort zone and simultaneously stimulate you. By listening to your feedback on a regular basis, they can ensure you put together a succession of inspirational days out on the mountain during your stay.
When will you meet our Walks Team?
In the Dolomites, anyone who uses our airport transfer service will first meet a member of our Walks Team on this journey. Between Venice Marco Polo Airport and Corvara, you can ask questions about your destination, or quiz us about our favourite walks etc. Either way, this time spent with someone so knowledgeable about the area will help you to hit the ground running.
Otherwise, it all happens at Office Hour, one of the most popular elements of the Collett’s experience, and a big reason so many people come back year after year. Taking place from 6pm (and usually lasting nearer 2 hours!) Office Hour is a delightful mix of walk-planning and social relaxation amongst like-minded people. It is an informal and optional ritual where the day’s adventures get shared, tomorrow’s routes get decided, and holiday friendships unfold. Indeed, it is not uncommon for guests to team up and arrange to walk together.
Our Italian Dolomites guests Neil and Heather, for example, teamed up with another couple they met during Office Hour for our more challenging Pinnacles Walk, a route they might not have chosen if venturing out on their own. It turned out to be one of the most memorable days of their holiday, featuring stunning panoramas across the Alta Badia, several close encounters with comical marmots, and some brilliant conversation.
Read the Guest StoryMeet the Collett's Walks Teams
In Summer 2026, we are excited that our Walks Teams in Austria, Italy and Switzerland are almost identical to the teams that excelled for us in Summer 2025. What better endorsement of our destinations and our guests? Also, it guarantees an even more impressive level of local knowledge, which can only have positive repercussions for your holiday with us.
The Italian Dolomites Walks Team: Ayelen, Karo & Eva
The Italian Dolomites are home to our longest-running and most popular centre-based walking holiday – and this season, three brilliant people will be on the ground to make your experience even more unforgettable.
Ayelen has been part of the Collett’s family since 2023, and her enthusiasm for the Alta Badia is matched only by her depth of knowledge of it. When she’s not in the Dolomites, she leads walking tours in Patagonia and beyond. So when she recommends a walk, you can trust she knows what she’s talking about!
Joining her for their second consecutive season are Karo and Eva, who fell completely in love with the Alta Badia – and of course, the Collett’s guests – last summer. Having spent a full season walking and improving the trails in our Walk Pack, they return in 2026 with insider knowledge that only a second year in the same destination can bring.
Together, all three have walked every route in your Walk Pack and are ready to share what they know, whether that’s the best viewpoint in the Alta Badia, which rifugio to book for lunch, or which trail is looking its finest this particular week.
Discover The Holiday
The Austrian Alps Walks Team: Connie & Ben
Our Austrian Alps holiday is based in the beautiful village of Ehrwald in Austria’s Zugspitz Arena. This summer, Connie and Ben are back for their second year on the ground.
Connie & Ben joined us in Austria for the first time in summer 2025, and quickly asked us to return for a second season. Our guests complimented their genuine enthusiasm and commitment, especially regarding hands-on walk recommendations and route planning. Collett’s long-standing guests Elaine & David highlighted that they were particularly impressed by the tailored advice about local flora & birds they received by Connie & Ben. They are the type of people who’ll go the extra mile – sometimes quite literally – to make sure your day on the trails is a good one.
Connie & Ben spent much of last summer walking the trails with fresh eyes and working with us to improve our Austria walks based on what they found and what guests told them. Several of this season’s routes are better because of their input. After a winter working as ski instructors in the Canadian Rockies, they are now excited to be welcoming Collett’s guests once more to the mesmerising peaks of the Zugspitz Arena.
Discover The Holiday
The Swiss Alps Walks Team: Taea & Autumn
Our Swiss Alps holiday is based in the gorgeous village of Sils, in the heart of the Upper Engadin Valley where teal-blue glacier lakes, 4,000m peaks, and some of the finest walking in Switzerland awaits you.
Taea is in her fourth season hosting Collett’s guests in Sils, which makes her something of a human Engadin directory! Over the past three years, she has helped hundreds of Collett’s guests plan their walks, discover local gems and navigate the valley’s extraordinary network of trails with confidence. With a Masters in Conservation Biology, she always has an interesting fact about the local flora & fauna at hand, too. She will also be hosting guests on our autumn walking holiday in Tuscany this year.
She’ll be joined this summer by Autumn, who feels most at home walking the South West Coast Path in the UK, taking on another solo adventure in her van or venturing out to visit new countries and cultures. From camping in the outback in Australia, rock climbing in Thailand and conducting bird surveys in the Isles of Scilly – Autumn revels in the experience of new opportunities and sharing her passion for nature and the great outdoors! She’s a friend of Taeas’ and excited to join her in welcoming you in the Swiss Alps this summer.
Together, they’ll be at the Office Hour each evening, ready to talk through the following day, answer any questions and help you make the most out of our complimentary Mountain Pass.
Discover The HolidayWalk at your own pace, with support every step of the way.
The unique aspect of our centre-based walking holidays – and the Collett’s Experience at large – is the blend of flexibility and support every step of the way. From our friendly UK office team supporting you in planning your perfect holiday, to providing detailed Walk Notes with unforgettable walks, and the local support of our Walks Team during Office Hour at the hand-picked hotels. It’s why so many of our guests come back year on year!
So, why not join us this summer and experience the Collett’s Experience for yourself?
