{field_banner-alt}

Northern BC is like nothing you've ever experienced - big mountains, rich culture & more bears than people!

{field_banner-alt}

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

{field_banner-alt}

Burnie Glacier Chalet is easy to get to - leave Vancouver in the morning and ski in the afternoon!

{field_banner-alt}

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

Book a Summer Trip

Cost

Summer trips are usually more customized than our winter weeks. Costs may vary, but generally it is $150 per day (not per night) to stay when you do your own cooking and $250 per day when it’s catered. Guiding, if requested, will be at the current day rate of $550 per day.

Guiding and flights are not included. Book your own flight with Alpine Lakes Air (250-846-9488, info@alpinelakesair.com) or Silver King Helicopters (250-877-1989, info@silverkingheli.com). Please note that you need to leave a seat for the guide or caretaker who goes with you. They do not pay for that seat.

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.

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.

 
 

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 THIS SEASON

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 respective directors, officers, employees, guides, apprentice guides, agents, independent contractors, subcontractors, volunteers, representatives, successors, assigns and other guests or participants (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: hiking, nature study, snow sports, touring, mountaineering, rock or ice climbing, expeditions, trekking, glacier travel, mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming, boating, fishing, watersports, 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 and loaning of equipment and all travel by or movement around helicopters and other aircraft, horses and pack animals, all-terrain vehicles, watercraft or other vehicles, and all other activities and services in any way connected with or related to wilderness activities.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS – UNSTABLE SLOPES, MOUNTAIN TERRAIN, WILDERNESS TRAVEL, WEATHER

I am aware that participation in wilderness activities, involves many risks, dangers and hazards. Rock, snow, or ice falls and mudslides 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 or current weather conditions are safe for use or travel. The terrain used for wilderness activities is uncontrolled, unmarked, not inspected, and involves many risks, dangers and hazards. These may include, but are not limited to: snow cornices; crevasses; cliffs; falling trees; creek or river crossings; cold water; high winds; lightning; loose or unstable rocks, boulders, ice, snow, roots and fallen logs; forest fires; slippery and difficult ground and travel conditions; hypothermia; snow immersion; 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; slips, trips and falls and impacts or collision with other persons, animals, equipment, or objects; becoming lost or separated from one’s party or guide; negligent first aid; negligence of other persons, including other guests 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 wilderness 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. Mountain 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.

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.

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 THIS SEASON

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 I AGREE TO THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT. 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 THIS SEASON.

Thanks Christoph for a few days of great adventures, saunas, erudite conversation and great food.

Andre Kovacs, Vancouver, BC