Rates and terms of use

 Please read the following information to ensure that you fully understand how booking a private group adventure with North Star Mountaineering works. 

Prices

Prices are in Canadian Dollars and reflect the cost before taxes (5% GST) are applied. 

If you find the following complicated, don't worry, when we build your custom trip we will provide a no-obligation quote outlining trip costs prior to your adventure.

Base Daily Rates and common trip expenses

• Base Rate for Certified IFMGA or ACMG guide $700/day, For additional guests add $50 per guest to the base rate.

Base daily rate per guest breakdown:

• 1 guest: $700

• 2 guests: $375

• 3 guests: $266.66

• 4 guests: $212.50

• 5 guests: $180.00

• 6 guests:  $158.33

Included in Base rate:

• Fees for certified IFMGA or ACMG professional guides and instructors. 

• Group technical gear (Ropes, rack, guides gear etc...)

• All climbing equipment, harness, helmet, ice axe etc...

• Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, probe and shovel)

• Be aware that different routes or trips require different Guide : Guest ratios. For example multi-pitch rock climbs must maintain a 1:2 ratio while some ski or glacier mountaineering trips can be conducted at a ratio of 1:6. This will be clarified prior to your booking.

Not included in day rates:

• Porter, or cooks fees if these are utilized

• Personal clothing for participants

• Sleeping bags (Available to rent - most people like to use their own.)

• Ski boots or skis for touring trips.

• National park entry and other entry fees

• Accommodation fees for pay campsites or hotels

• Mountaineering boots: $25/day (Please let us know your shoe size ahead of time).

• 4x4 transport to objective is $0.65/km (Per truck - Includes guide travel to starting location)

• Highway transport: $0.35/km (Per Truck - Includes guide travel to starting location)

• Porter fees, helicopter fees, Horse fees etc... (varies by trip) 

• Bivi gear rental/camp fee: (Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad.) $50per night (Per guest)

• Backpacking food: $16 per breakfast, $16 per Lunch, and $27 per dinner (Per guest)  

Portering:

• This varies with the destination but expect to pay between$2.00 - $5.00 per pound depending on the carry.

Other gear rentals

• If your adventure requires specialized rental equipment for your ascent this will be discussed prior to your trip

Methods of Payment

E-transfer is preferred. We also accept Cash, MasterCard, Visa, Money Orders and Electronic Fund Transfers. 

Booking Conditions

1. There is a degree of hazard in all mountain activities. All participants must sign the waiver of liability prior to commencing any program. All participants must read and agree to the terms of the waiver prior to making payment and must sign a paper copy of the waiver prior to the trip commencing. 

2. North Star Mountaineering reserves the right to change or cancel any itinerary or service at any time due to insufficient enrollment, bad weather conditions or other reasons without penalty to North Star Mountaineering. We do our best to keep guests informed of any changes.

3. The participation of any person on any program is continually subject to the discretion of the program leader and North Star Mountaineering.

4. North Star Mountaineering accepts no responsibility for the actions of persons and/or companies supplying goods and/or services as part of these packages or for any extra costs that may arise from the complication or prolongation of any program for any reason.

5. Your physician should clear any health problems that may affect your participation in any program. It is imperative you disclose any medical condition that could put you, your guide or others safety at risk.

6. In the unlikely event of an emergency, participants may, depending upon program location be liable for any rescue or evacuation costs incurred either on their behalf or as a result of their actions.

Cancellation and Refund Policies:

In the event that North Star Mountaineering cancels a program your full payment will immediately be refunded. Should you need to cancel from a program and if you have purchased independent cancellation insurance please refer to the terms of your policy provider.

If you opt not to purchase cancellation insurance, the following terms will apply:

1. You have 24 hours from when you make your booking to change or cancel with no charge to you (provided your booking does not depart within 15 days).

2. If cancelling your program up to 30 days before the program start you will receive a full refund less any expenses incurred for expeditions which may be withheld. Amounts will vary with each expedition.

3. Cancellations less than 30 days before the program start and during the program are not eligible for refunds.

Cancellations must be received in writing (Email). Cancellations are only effective once your notification is received by North Star Mountaineering.

We ask that you thoroughly understand and consider the booking and cancellation policy prior to booking as we make financial commitments to our guides (and food and accommodation and transportation providers for longer trips) once you have booked and we have confirmed a trip.  We take your booking in good faith and begin incurring costs upon confirmation.

Covid-19 Cancellation Policies:

In the event that you or a dependant family member contract COVID-19 or are required to self isolate due to close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 you will receive a full refund less any expenses incurred for the expedition which NSM  can not recuperate.

Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:

You should ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is typically no charge for rescue in the National and Provincial parks, however costs such as air or ground transportation, long term care, and other services are not covered.

Weather and Mountain Conditions Policy

Mountain weather is unpredictable in all seasons and is a constant factor that shapes the decisions we make before and during our programs.  It would not be practical for us to refund every situation where our guests do not get the weather conditions they hope for so we make every effort to develop alternative plans. If you have a single objective in mind (such as a peak or route) we cannot guarantee that the conditions or weather will allow an attempt of that objective. For objectives where weather conditions are often problematic we may recommend booking additional days on your trip to ensure the greatest chances of success. For example a peak may require 3 days to climb in perfect weather yet it may be wise to set aside 4 or 5 days for this peak to give a greater opportunity for success . We will work diligently to give you the best experience with the conditions we face at the time.