BOOKING POLICY AND FAQ
- You are required to read and fill out the Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement located below prior to booking a trip with us. Please read it carefully.
- Private guiding and custom trips can be arranged by email or phone.
- Backcountry travel and adventure sports carry a degree of risk, each participant must complete a liability waiver. This waiver is sent to participants upon booking and must be completed online before the trip date.
- Arctos Guides reserves the right to adjust or cancel the itinerary to any trip due to poor conditions, inadequate participant enrollment, loss of guide, or other reasons without penalty to Arctos Guides. For this reason, we highly recommend appropriate insurance (See Trip Cancelation Insurance).
- Arctos Guides does not accept responsibility for costs incurred by persons or entities associated with the change or prolongation of any trips.
MINORS
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- All minors (under than age of 18) participating in courses and trips must have a waiver signed by a legal parent or guardian. Minors must be accompanied by a legal parent or guardian on all backcountry co
Liability Waiver
All trip participants are required to read, agree to the terms of the waiver and sign it prior to booking a trip with Arctos Guides. Please read the waiver below.
Trip Cancellation and Emergency Rescue Insurance
Upon confirmation of your trip, Arctos Guides enters into financial obligation and can’t refund payment or release you from your contractual obligation except for conditions stated above in “Cancellations.” In an effort to avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties, cancellation insurance is strongly recommended in the event you cannot participate or if your trip is interrupted “for any reason”. We recommend Global Rescue for trip cancelation and medical insurance while traveling within Canada.
- All participants must have personal internationally accepted medical insurance for all activities pertaining to your trip including emergency rescue and evacuation. With your insurance please ensure you will be covered for “roped travel” if booking a technical trip.
- Canada – Rescue insurance is not required
- USA – Required
- Argentina- Required
- Chile- Required
- Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding our policy or obtaining insurance.
PAYMENT
Unless otherwise indicated, all prices listed on our website are in Canadian Dollars. All prices are subject to an additional 5% Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will be applied to your booking at checkout. We accept cash, email transfer and credit card for payment. Cheque is only accepted 30 days prior to trip commencement.
When making a booking
Greater than 14 days from start date
- 50% deposit is required to secure your guides and or trip. Remaining trip cost is due 14 days prior to the start of the trip.
Less than 14 days from start date
- Trip cost must be paid in full
Longer and more involved trips may involve additional fees. Transportation, accommodation, ski passes, and food are not included in the trip cost unless specifically stated on trip page. Catering may be added upon request to any trip at additional cost.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations
Greater than 30 days from start date:
40% of the deposit will be refunded.
30 to 14 days prior to trip commencement:
Deposit amount will be forfeited.
Less than 14 days:
Full trip amount will be forfeited.
Details
- Cancelations must be submitted in writing by email, and will only be recognized once received by Arctos Guides.
- For larger trips where Arctos Guides is contracting third party companies such as huts, helicopter, and transportation, associated costs will be forfeited based on the respective cancelation policy of each third party.
- If Arctos Guides cancels a trip for any reason prior to the start date, a credit for the trip’s value, valid for two years will be issued. If Arctos Guides is forced to cancel a trip for any reason after the trip start date, a credit for the unused portion of the trip’s value, valid for two years will be issued.
WEATHER AND CONDITIONS POLICY
- Weather and conditions are unpredictable year-round dictate how we plan and execute each trip. In the event conditions are not appropriate complete a specific objective in your trip plan, we will have a contingency plan for an alternative objective. If your trip is affected by weather, you will be contacted as soon as possible.
- We do our best to provide the best experience possible. It is not feasible to issue refunds whenever a client is dissatisfied with the weather. If you have a specific objective in mind, you should understand that while we will do everything in our power to make this happen, your safety will be our priority and an alternate route/plan may be necessary.
Telemetry and Weather Data Loggers
Weather and avalanche forecasting resources
Telemetry and weather data loggers are a cornerstone of avalanche forecasting and backcountry trip planning. Here’s a resource list for real time weather and precipitation values in BC and Alberta. These are great resources for daily trip planning and avalanche forecasting.
THE BEST BACKCOUNTRY SKI GEAR
Conor Hurley- ACMG ski guide, explains his backcountry kit
Over the years, I’ve honed my kit for optimized performance, utility and efficiency; here’s an in-depth look into the gear I use on a daily basis while working in the mountains. In my opinion this is the best backcountry ski gear on the market.
Enjoy some discounts from our partners with these codes:
WNDR Alpine will give you 20% off with this code FF20-CONORH
Folkrm poles will give you 20% off with this code ARCTOS20
Raide will give you $50 a pack with this code CONORHURLEY10
Norrona will give you 5% off with this code PROCONORH
Ibex Wool will give you 20% off with this code arctosguides20
GEAR LISTS FOR OUR TRIPS
Click on the trips below to see the respective gear list.
Winter Backcountry Ski Trips
Winter Backcountry Ski Trips
- Shovel
- Probe
- Transceiver (3-antenna)
- Ski Touring Skis or Splitboard
- Skins
- Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
- Ski poles
- Headlamp
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Personal first aid supplies
- Toque
- Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
- Puffy jacket
- Warm layers for upper and lower body— adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
- Thick gloves
- Spare gloves
- 40L backpack
- Harness
- Triple action captive eye Locking carabiner
- Harness and carabiners are required for glacier travel.
- Ski crampons (Only if we advise bringing them prior to the trip)
Winter Backcountry Lodge Trips
Winter Backcountry Lodge Trips
- Shovel
- Probe
- Transceiver (3-antenna)
- Ski Touring Skis or Splitboard
- Skins
- Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
- Ski poles
- Headlamp
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Personal first aid supplies
- Toque
- Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
- Puffy jacket
- Warm layers for upper and lower body— adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
- Thick gloves
- Spare gloves
- 40L backpack
- Harness
- Triple action captive eye Locking carabiner
- Harness and carabiners are required for glacier travel.
- Ski crampons
- Comfortable lodge clothes
- Please pack light as space is limited in the helicopter.
Spring Gear List
Gear List
Spring
- Shovel
- Probe
- Transceiver (3-antenna)
- Ski Touring Skis or Splitboard
- Skins
- Personal repair kit specific to your equipment
- Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
- Ski poles
- Headlamp
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Personal first aid supplies
- Toque
- Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
- Puffy jacket
- Warm layers for upper and lower body adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
- Thick gloves
- Spare gloves
- Lightweight harness
- 2 locking carabiners or one triple action captive eye locking carabiner
- 40L backpack
- Ski crampons
- Skin wax
- Lightweight Crampons
- Ice Axe
Crevasse Rescue Equipment list
Crevasse Rescue
Equipment list
- Shovel
- Probe
- Transceiver (3-antenna)
- Ski touring skis or splitboard
- Skins
- Personal repair kit specific to your equipment
- Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
- Ski poles
- Headlamp
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Personal first aid supplies
- Toque
- Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
- Puffy jacket
- Warm layers for upper and lower body adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
- Thick gloves
- Spare gloves
- Lightweight harness (if possible otherwise climbing harness will work)
- 3 locking carabiners
- 1 triple action captive eye locking carabiner
- 3 non-locking carabiners
- 240cm sewn sling (or 5m of webbing)
- 5m x 6mm accessory cord
- Personal prussik
- Micro-traxion (optional)
- Tibloc (optional)
- Ice screw (between 12-22cm)
- 40L backpack
- Ice Axe
Basecamp/ Ski Traverse Equipment list
Basecamp Equipment list
- Shovel
- Probe
- Transceiver (3-antenna)
- Ski touring skis or splitboard
- Skins
- Personal repair kit specific to your equipment
- Ski touring boots/snowboarding boots
- Ski poles
- Headlamp
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Personal first aid supplies
- Toque
- Minimum 1L water bottle or Thermos
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
- Puffy jacket
- Warm layers for upper and lower body adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
- Thick gloves
- Spare gloves
- Lightweight harness (if possible otherwise climbing harness will work)
- 3 locking carabiners
- 1 triple action captive eye locking carabiner
- 3 non-locking carabiners
- 240cm sewn sling (or 5m of webbing)
- 5m x 6mm accessory cord
- Personal prussik
- Micro-traxion (optional)
- Tibloc (optional)
- Ice screw (between 12-22cm)
- 40L backpack
- Ice Axe
- Ski crampons
- Lightweight crampons
- Puffy pants (recommended for around camp)
- Warm layers for upper and lower body
- Socks x 2-3
- Spare underwear
- Sleeping Bag (at least -18 degrees)
- Inflatable sleeping pad
- Foam sleeping pad
- Inflatable sleeping pad
- Down/synthetic booties for wearing around camp
- Fork/spoon
- Large bowl
- Drinking mug with lid
- Toiletries
- 4-season tent (rentals available)
- Cloth grocery bags (or stuff sacks) to anchor tent in snow
- Guy lines for tent
BC Powder Highway Snowpack Update
Welcome ski / split tourers of the BC Powder Highway! As professional ACMG ski / split guides and avalanche forecasters, we’re excited to share our insights on current snowpack and mountain conditions. We’ll be sharing our observations on a weekly basis, please subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date.
Check out our weekly Powder Highway Backcountry Update Here
Disclaimer: Use this information at your own risk! We are not responsible for your actions in the backcountry, and conditions can change rapidly from when this report is written.
Stay safe and enjoy the powder!