Terms of Booking

Booking conditions including mountain rescue and trip cancellation

New Venture Guiding – Booking Conditions

Payments

Single-Day Trips & Courses

Full payment is required at the time of booking. All single-day trips and instructional courses are non-refundable.

Multi-Day Trips

A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking. This deposit is non-refundable. Clients are strongly encouraged to purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.

The remaining balance is due four (4) weeks prior to the trip start date. Once paid, the full balance is non-refundable.

Greater Ranges & Long Expeditions

For expeditions to the Greater Ranges and for trips lasting more than twenty-one (21) days, full payment is due six (6) weeks prior to the expedition start date.

Due to the complexity, advance logistics, staffing, permits, and third-party commitments required for these expeditions, all payments are non-refundable once made. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive trip cancellation insurance.

Responsibility & Third-Party Services

New Venture Guiding accepts no responsibility for additional costs arising from the actions, delays, or omissions of third-party providers, including (but not limited to) transportation companies, accommodation providers, porters, cooks, or logistical partners.

We also assume no responsibility for costs resulting from delays, route changes, or the modification, interruption, or extension of any program for any reason beyond our direct control.

Weather, Conditions & Program Modifications

Mountain environments are inherently unpredictable. Weather, snowpack, terrain conditions, natural events, or external factors may require changes to objectives or itineraries.

If conditions prevent safe operation, our first priority is to reschedule the trip where possible. If rescheduling is not feasible, New Venture Guiding will work with the client to determine an appropriate resolution based on the specific circumstances, which may include a partial or full refund. Cancellations due to weather or conditions are rare.

For safety reasons, New Venture Guiding reserves the right to modify routes, objectives, or itineraries at any time. Changes made in the interest of safety do not constitute grounds for a refund.

Cancellations & Refunds

  • Cancellations initiated by New Venture Guiding will result in a full refund.

  • All deposits are non-refundable.

  • Within four (4) weeks of the trip start date, all payments are non-refundable.

  • For Greater Ranges and long expeditions, all payments are non-refundable once made.

Weather & Operating Conditions

We operate in a wide range of weather and mountain conditions.

  • Instructional trips run regardless of weather, and alternative venues or activities are available in poor conditions.

  • Private guiding trips may be modified depending on weather, conditions, and objective safety. Clients must be prepared for itinerary changes and flexible objectives.

Mountain Rescue & Insurance

Alberta Provincial Lands

Mountain rescue services are provided free of charge.

Canadian National Parks

Mountain rescue is free in Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Jasper, and Glacier National Parks (Rogers Pass), provided the participant has purchased a valid Parks Canada entry pass.

British Columbia & International Destinations

Mountain rescue may not be free outside Canadian National Parks or internationally. Mountain rescue insurance is strongly recommended for trips in British Columbia (outside National Parks) and for all international destinations. Participants may be held financially responsible for rescue costs.

BIG Route Surcharge

Certain objectives involve increased commitment, hazard exposure, technical difficulty, or duration. For these BIG routes, an additional surcharge may apply.

Examples include:

  • Mountaineering or alpine rock routes exceeding 10 hours

  • Rock climbs longer than 400 meters

  • Ice climbs graded WI5 or higher

Participants may be required to demonstrate appropriate skills, fitness, and experience. Preparation or training days are often recommended and can be arranged in advance.

BIG route surcharges typically begin at $200 CAD per day and may increase depending on objective complexity and risk.

Final Note

By booking a trip with New Venture Guiding, you acknowledge that mountain activities carry inherent risk and agree to the terms outlined above. These conditions are designed to ensure clarity, fairness, and the highest possible safety standards for all participants.

Waiver & Risk Acknowledgement

Mountain guiding and outdoor instruction inherently involve risk. While New Venture Guiding takes risk management seriously and operates to highest professional standards, participation in mountain environments can involve hazards that may result in injury or worse.

All guests are required to read and sign a digital waiver before making any payment or confirming a booking. The waiver explains the risks associated with guided activities and outlines the legal rights you are agreeing to waive by participating.

The risks described in the waiver are not exhaustive. Conditions in mountain environments can change rapidly, and not all hazards can be predicted or avoided. Although New Venture Guiding follows established safety protocols and best practices, it is not possible to guarantee complete safety.

Signing the waiver confirms that you understand and accept these risks and agree to participate responsibly. Please ensure the waiver is completed prior to submitting any deposits or payments.

Please both read and sign our digital waiver before sending any payments or deposits to confirm your trip with us.

A pdf version and printable copy of our waiver can be found HERE