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The ultimate backcountry experience in the mountains of northwestern BC.

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A backcountry lodge in Canada that offers all the charm of a European mountain hut - all to yourself!

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The view is beyond anything you've ever seen.

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It's big. Much of it is alpine and glaciated. It appeals to stronger skiers.

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Cost

For the winter of 2022/ 2023, a week of skiing costs $3,050.00 per person plus $152.50 GST tax and $32.03 PST tax for a total of $3,234.53 Canadian dollars. This includes pick-up at the airport for those guests that fly in, and vehicles to drive to the staging area. Also included are: the helicopter flight to the lodge and back on the exchange day, all food and accommodation at the lodge, guide's services, and rental gear as required. Not included is your access to and stay in Smithers, alcoholic beverages at the lodge, emergency and medical evacuations, and tips.

If you have a smaller group, but want the lodge to yourself to stay in your bubble, please contact us to discuss how we can make that happen.

The lodge has been extended and renovated in the summer of 2022. For groups of ten guests, that means that there will be only two to a room. There is also considerably more seating.

We have changed our booking procedure. You now have to read and sign a waiver before proceeding to the actual booking and its conditions. We have had to make this change in response to recent court cases. Signing and submitting the waiver does not commit you to booking. It is to show that you are aware of the risks before sending us any money.

Availability

Please refer to our Google Calendar for availability. We try to keep that up to date. Or write us for the current status.

Rechtsverzichtserklaerung

Summer Self-Guided Waiver

Gear List

ACCESS AND LOGISTICS: If you drive to Smithers, please be sure to be at the Silver King Helicopters base at the Smithers airport (250-877-1989) no later than 1000 hours on the day your trip starts. You can leave your vehicle there. If you fly, we will pick you up on the afternoon flight from Vancouver on the Thursday before your trip starts. We will bring you to your hotel (most of our guests stay at the Stork Nest Inn, storknestinn.com) and back out to the heli base the next morning for your flight to the lodge. On the day your trip ends, you will be back in town before 1400 hours so you can catch the afternoon flight to Vancouver. Of course this cannot be guaranteed, but it is usually reliable.

BOOKING, RESERVATION, DEPOSIT: A deposit of 50% of the total price or private guiding fee is due with your booking unless otherwise indicated. Please do a bank transfer (account information on demand), send an E-transfer to info@bearmountaineering.ca or mail a cheque payable to Bear Mountaineering, Box 4222, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Canada. Final payments are due 60 days before your trip starts. If you wish to pay in a currency other than what our trips are quoted in, please inquire with us for a quote in your preferred denomination. Euro payments are only accepted by bank transfers in Euro denomination. We also accept bookings from minors; however we do require the signature of BOTH parents or ALL legal guardians on both Application Form and Waiver. CONFIRMATION / TRIP INFORMATION: Upon receipt of this registration form we confirm your booking and you agree to pay your deposit within 7 days. Each trip we offer has a detailed trip information page (available on our website) with the trip details, equipment list, proposed itinerary and logistics, etc. Read through this carefully before completing your registration.

TRIP (CANCELLATION / MEDICAL / EVACUATION / THEFT) INSURANCE: Once we you complete your registration, we enter into financial obligations on our side and we cannot refund payments or release you from your contractual obligations. Therefore, we highly recommend buying cancellation insurance to cover your losses for the case that you can’t participate or have to interrupt your trip “for any reason”. Also, all participants need to have internationally accepted health insurance for all activities pertaining to the trip, including coverage for emergency rescue and evacuation. If you already have insurance, please make sure that you will be covered for “roped travel” booking a technical trip including “Via Ferrata” trips. We gladly refer you to a travel insurance provider who offers “adventure travel insurance packages” and with whom our clients have had positive claims experiences in the past. Generally, you will receive the best benefits if you buy your insurance within 10 days of our booking confirmation. We strongly urge you to read our Insurance Information page carefully before booking your trip.

CANCELLATIONS: If you need to cancel a reservation, please do so in writing (best by e-mail). Please see the trip information package for details on your trip's Cancellation Policy.

CANCELLATIONS DUE TO COVID 19 OR OTHER EPIDEMICS: If your trip has to be cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the following policy applies. If the lodge is shut down by order of civic or health authority more than 1 month before commencement, we will refund all money paid, but retain $300 per person to cover our preparation and maintenance costs. If the cancellation for those reasons occurs less than 1 month but more than one week before commencement, we will refund 75% of the money paid. If the cancellation occurs less than one week before commencement, no money will be refunded. Before traveling to the lodge, all guests will have to state whether they have been in an area with a pandemic outbreak within two weeks of their trip, and whether they have any symptoms that could be linked to Covid 19. Guests who meet those criteria will not be allowed on the trip and there will be no refund. Guests who develop Covid 19 symptoms at the lodge will be evacuated and quarantined at their expense.

CANCELLED PROGRAMS: Once we confirm your booking, we guarantee your trip departure. However, we do reserve the right to change guides, particular lodging or the itinerary should unforeseen circumstances (guide sickness, hut or route closing etc.) force us to do so or should the physical condition of the participants (see below), weather or mountain conditions make a continuation as planned too risky. We will not be deemed to be in default for any delay or failure to perform our obligations under this Agreement resulting from acts of God, the elements, war, acts of government, civil or military authorities, natural calamities, catastrophe, fire, flood, accidents, epidemics, shortage of transportation, or any other like events beyond our reasonable control.

PERSONAL FITNESS and GROUP TRAVEL: Our programs rely heavily on the integrity of each individual to assess his or her skill level and physical condition accurately. It is the responsibility of each participant to be aware of the necessary skill and fitness level for a particular trip. When in doubt, please call and discuss this with us! For the protection of yourself and other group members, we reserve the right to deny participation to any unprepared participant at any time of the trip, in which case we cannot offer a refund! In order to accommodate diverse levels of ability and ambition as well as diverse personalities, the decision making of the guide has to be geared towards safety and finding a consensus within the whole group, which may not please each individual participant at all times.

 
 

Registration is a two-part process. First, you need to sign and submit the waiver (below); then you need to fill out the Application Form that follows.

Part 1: Waiver

Before completing this waiver, please ensure you have read carefully through our Payment and Booking Conditions page. This tells you how you can pay, and explains our policies on deposits and cancellation. It also provides links to trip cancellation insurance and other helpful resources. Also, make sure you’ve read carefully through your trip’s information page.

Please contact us if you have any questions about any of this before completing the waiver.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the “Release Agreement”) BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR BREACH OF THE OCCUPIERS LIABILITY ACT OR CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT SHALL APPLY TO ALL FUTURE PARTICIPATION IN WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES AND USE OF THE LODGE

TO: Bear Enterprises Ltd., carrying on business as Bear Mountaineering and the Burnie Glacier Chalet, His Majesty the King in the Right of the Province of British Columbia, Christoph Dietzfelbinger, Backcountry Lodges of BC Association, Silver King Helicopters Ltd., Alpine Lakes Air, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, Canadian Avalanche Association and their directors, officers, employees, guides, agents, independent contractors, subcontractors, volunteers, representatives, successors, assigns and guests (all of whom are hereinafter collectively referred to as "the Releasees")

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term "wilderness activities" shall include but is not limited to: alpine skiing, nordic skiing, telemark skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, touring, ski and snowboard touring, mountaineering, ski and snowboard mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, expeditions, trekking, glacier travel, and all activities, services and use of facilities (including the lodge and all other buildings), either provided by or arranged by the Releasees including orientation and instructional sessions or classes, transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, water supply, rescue and first aid services, renting or loaning of equipment and all travel by or movement around helicopters, other aircraft, snowcats, snowmobiles or other vehicles, and all other activities and services in any way connected with or related to wilderness activities.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS – AVALANCHES, ALPINE TERRAIN, WILDERNESS TRAVEL WEATHER

I am aware that participation in wilderness activities, involves many risks, dangers and hazards. Avalanches occur frequently in the terrain used for wilderness activities and may be caused by natural forces or by persons travelling through the terrain. I am aware that the Releasees may fail to predict whether the terrain is safe or whether an avalanche may occur. The terrain used for wilderness activities is uncontrolled, unmarked, not inspected, and involves many risks, dangers and hazards in addition to that of avalanche. These may include, but are not limited to: cornices; crevasses; cliffs; trees, tree wells; tree stumps; forest dead fall; creeks; rocks; rockfall; boulders; holes and depressions on or below the snow surface; variable and difficult snow conditions; hypothermia, snow immersion; slips trips and falls; effects of high altitude including pulmonary edema and cerebral edema; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; equipment failure; encounters with domestic and wild animals; impact or collision with other persons including other guests; becoming lost or separated from one’s party or guide; negligence of other persons; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES. Communication in the alpine terrain may be difficult, and in the event of an accident or illness, rescue, medical treatment and evacuation may not be available or may be delayed. Alpine weather conditions may be extreme and can change rapidly and without warning.

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

NOTICE TO SNOWBOARDERS, SNOWSHOERS AND TELEMARK SKIERS - INCREASED RISK

Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard, snowshoe and some telemark boot/binding systems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances, thus increasing the risk of not surviving an avalanche.

NON-SCHEDULED OR EMERGENCY EVACUATION, RESCUE OR FIRST AID

I acknowledge and agree that all expenses associated with non-scheduled or emergency evacuation, rescue or first aid will be my responsibility and will not be covered by the Releasees.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR BREACH OF THE OCCUPIERS LIABILITY ACT OR CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT SHALL APPLY TO ALL FUTURE PARTICIPATION IN WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES AND USE OF THE LODGE

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in wilderness activities as defined in this Release Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expense or injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in wilderness activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE, INCLUDING ANY DUTY OF CARE OWED UNDER THE OCCUPIERS LIABILITY ACT, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 337, ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES;
  2. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in wilderness activities;
  3. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  4. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of British Columbia and no other jurisdiction; and
  5. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within British Columbia and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of British Columbia.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of participating in wilderness activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

Digital Signature

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT AND I AM AWARE THAT BY SIGNING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT SHALL APPLY TO ALL FUTURE PARTICIPATION IN WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES AND USE OF THE LODGE.

There is nothing like being sucked uphill in the vortex of Christoph’s mountain love.

Gary Maltin, Terrace BC