By submitting a deposit or payment, you agree — on behalf of yourself and everyone you are booking for — to be bound by the terms below. You confirm you are acting as an agent for those individuals, and that these terms apply to them as well.

These Terms and Conditions cover all programs offered by White Grizzly Adventures Ltd., operating as Kootenay Backcountry Guides ("Kootenay Backcountry Guides," "we," "us"): Backcountry 101 courses, Lodge-Based Ski Touring (including Lodge-Based AST), Avalanche Education Courses, Private Guiding, Remote Base Camp Touring, Guided Traverses, Day Hiking, Multi-Day Backpacking, and Bike Tours.

Guided Trips, Lodge Programs & Day Tours — Payment Terms

(Ski touring, splitboarding, telemark, lodge trips, traverses, base camps, day hikes, multi-day hikes, bike tours, private guiding, private group bookings)

• A 50% deposit is required at time of booking.
• The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to the trip start date. If you book within 60 days of departure, full payment is due at time of booking.
• If full payment is not received by the deadline, Kootenay Backcountry Guides will considerl the booking to have been cancelled by the guest and retain all funds paid. Guests may request a refund on a portion of the first deposit - please see our cancellation and refund policy..

Pricing: All prices are in CAD, with 5% GST added to every booking. Accepted payment methods: Mastercard, Visa, Discover, bank/e-transfer, and cash. A credit card fee applies. If a third-party provider (e.g. a lodge or helicopter operator) raises their price after you've paid, you can either pay the increase or request a refund minus a 10% admin fee.

Your responsibility: Delays getting to/from a lodge (extra nights, food, fuel, missed flights) are at your own cost, with no refunds for resulting costs or losses. We are not responsible for vehicle break-ins at a lodge or trailhead — leaving your vehicle and/or valuables at these locations is at your own risk.

Avalanche Education Courses — Payment Terms

(AST courses, Backcountry 101, Mountain Rescue, and other avalanche education)

• The full balance is due at time of booking and GST (5%) applies.
• Accepted payment methods: Mastercard, Visa, Discover, bank/e-transfer, and cash. A credit card fee applies.
• You can reschedule  your course to another date up to 60 days before the course. The first transfer is free of administration charges, but other rescheduling will be charged with a $50 administration fee, provided you request the transfer 60 days or more before the course. If you are in the 60 days window and want to rescheduleyour course, you will need to provide us with a suitable replacement for the course you booked, subject to Kootenay Backcountry Guides’ approval. 

Cancellation & Refund Policy — Guest-Initiated

To cancel, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in writing. Your cancellation only takes effect once we confirm it in writing.

Lodge trips, traverses, base camps, day hikes, multi-day hikes, bike tours, private guiding, private group bookings:

• Cancel 60 days or more before your trip: you forfeit 20% of the purchase price or  your pro rata portion of any expenses related to your booking (e.g.  lodge/hut fees, food etc.) already incurred by Kootenay Backcountry Guides, whichever is higher; any payments already made over and above this amount are refunded.
• Cancel less than 60 days before your trip: you forfeit 100% of the payments made to date.
• Private group bookings are charged a single flat fee for the group, regardless of participant count. The group leader submits one payment and is responsible for collecting from individual members. If one member cancels or drops out, this does not change the total amount owed and does not trigger a refund — it's up to the group to handle that member's share internally; Kootenay Backcountry Guides does not mediate this. If the entire group cancels, the terms above apply.

Avalanche Education Courses (including lodge/hut based courses): No refunds are provided for Avalanche Education Course cancellations initiated by a guest.

We strongly recommend cancellation insurance to cover circumstances outside these terms.

Operator-Initiated Cancellations

If Kootenay Backcountry Guides is unable to operate a program due to events beyond our control (including but not limited to weather, wildfire/smoke, avalanche conditions, natural disasters, pandemics, border closures, or government restrictions) then a refund may be requested as per the Guest Initiated Cancellation Policy

If a guide or instructor becomes unavailable due to illness or injury and a replacement cannot be found, or a course cannot run due to not reaching the stated minimum participant number,  then a full refund will be initiated by Kootenay Backcountry Guides

FAQs

• Third-party costs (flights, car rentals, accommodations) are never refunded under any circumstances.
• The following reasons for guest initiated cancellation are treated identically to all other instances: 
• Cancellations due to personal or family emergencies, illness or injury, including illness on your activity date.
• Cancellations due to border crossing delays, denials, restrictions, or documentation issues.
• Cancellations due to vehicle or road problems, or other travel disruptions.
• Late arrival, forgotten or faulty gear, or ending your day early.
• Being pulled from an activity because we determine you're not fit enough or able to continue.
• Your ability level not matching your group's, in mixed or private groups.
• Failing or declining to complete a required waiver.

General Terms & Conditions

• Participation in all programs is at the sole discretion of Kootenay Backcountry Guides and its trip leaders.
• Kootenay Backcountry Guides reserves the right to cancel any reservation at any time.
• Participants must disclose any medical conditions that could affect safety. Medical clearance may be required.
• Kootenay Backcountry Guides is not responsible for travel disruptions, delays, or associated expenses.
• Kootenay Backcountry Guides assumes no responsibility for the actions or omissions of third-party providers.
• We treat all cancellations equally regardless of cause — family, health, travel, world events, or otherwise. Trip cancellation insurance is advised.

Waiver & Participation Requirements

All participants must:

• Review and agree to the applicable waiver(s) and these booking terms before making any payment.
• Sign the required waiver(s) digitally in advance where applicable.
• Sign any remaining waiver in person before participating in activities.

Specifics by program:

• Guided trips, day tours, hikes, and bike tours: the Summer Activity Waiver.
• Avalanche Education Courses: both the Avalanche Skills Training Program Waiver and the Winter Wilderness Activities Waiver (completed electronically in advance); your guide provides the AST waiver on paper at the start of the course.
• Participants under 19: a parent/legal guardian must sign the Winter Wilderness Activities Waiver and the Avalanche Canada Informed Consent & Acknowledgement of Risk on the minor's behalf. The minor also signs a waiver dated for the day they turn 19.

If a waiver isn't completed, that person cannot participate and no refund is issued — including for anyone added or substituted after the original booking. By signing, you give up certain legal rights, including the right to sue for negligence, breach of contract, or breach of the Occupiers Liability Act, or to claim compensation following an accident. If you're booking on behalf of others, it's your responsibility to bring the waiver requirement to their attention before you book; by booking, you confirm you've done so.

Guest Responsibilities

You're responsible for making sure that you (and everyone in your group):

• Complete the registration form accurately and hold a valid passport/visa if needed to enter Canada.
• Arrive on time and prepared, regardless of weather or road conditions.
• Are healthy and symptom-free on the day — arriving sick means you can't participate, with no refund.
• Meet the baseline skill and fitness level for your program.
• Bring gear that's in working order.
• Are not impaired by drugs, alcohol, or medication.

Minors

Guests 18 and under are welcome under the following conditions:

• Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian, with at least one guardian per minor in the group.
• Minimum age is 12, and minors must meet the same fitness/skill requirements as adult participants.
• A guardian must sign the required waiver on the minor's behalf and stay with the minor at all times during the activity.

Trip Insurance

We strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation/interruption and medical insurance — coverage is available for both Canadian and international travelers. For quotes and options, we suggest contacting Acera Travel Insurance.

BC's provincial health coverage may not include medical or rescue costs, especially for out-of-province or international guests. Kootenay Backcountry Guides is not responsible for personal costs arising from an accident on any trip or course.

Image Release

By booking, you permit Kootenay Backcountry Guides to use photos or video of you for promotional purposes. Your personal information, including images, is collected under Section 26 of BC's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Questions about this policy? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..