Cancellation & Refund Policy

Cancellation and Refund Policy

COVID-19 UPDATE

We recognize that you might be keen to join us for some epic heli-skiing, however, you may be hesitant in these uncertain times. We want to allay your fears and make booking a trip with us RISK FREE.

It is important to note that these more flexible terms and conditions have been implemented for a limited time only. When travel restrictions ease, we will update our policies.

For information on how we are dealing with the pandemic, visit the COVID-19 Safety Protocols page.

Bookings For 2022 & Onward

PAYMENTS

Deposit payment - To secure your reservation, a 25% deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit is fully refundable or creditable for COVID-related cancellations, and non-refundable in non-COVID related circumstances (in this latter case, see your options below).

Balance payment - Due 90 days prior to the start date of the program. If within 90 days, circumstances related to COVID-19 prevent you from joining us, payment will be postponed until it looks certain that you will be able to travel to us and we will be able to host you (for example, travel restrictions between your home to us have been lifted).

**CANCELLING - DUE TO COVID-19 RELATED CIRCUMSTANCES**

We will offer you the following two options if you are unable to travel to us, or we are unable to host you due to COVID-19 related circumstances, including but not limited to;

- The Canadian international border remaining closed for non-essential travel
- A governmental travel ban prohibiting you from leaving your home country, province, or community
- Guidelines issued by the Provincial Health Officer advising you not to travel
- A mandatory self-isolation period that is not feasible for you to adhere to
- Bella Coola being closed to non-essential travel
- You, or someone you have been in close contact with, has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus

The Options:

1) Receive a full credit to be used towards a trip in the next two winters. As an incentive to leave your payment on file, we will price match your package, meaning you do not need to pay the yearly rate increase upon rebooking! Note: if you originally booked a trip in 2021 that was cancelled, and your rescheduled 2022 was cancelled due to COVID, then we will offer you a price match of the full retail value of your 2021 package (works out to be about 6-10% savings).

2) If rebooking is not possible, you also have the option of a full refund, no questions asked. Note: If you choose to accept a full refund and decide to rebook at a later date, you will not be entitled to the price freeze and will need to pay the new season’s rate.

**CANCELLING - FOR REASONS OTHER THAN COVID-19**

Cancelling after the deposit is paid, but prior to submitting the balance payment;

Deposits are non-refundable for cancellations not due to COVID-19 related circumstances.

Having said that, you have the following options;

You can reschedule to a later date within the season in which you are booked (you will be required to pay the seasonal rate difference, if applicable)
You can find someone to take over your booking and reimburse you privately. Any funds paid will be credited towards your substitute's reservation, and they will be responsible for making the final balance payment.

Cancelling after submitting the balance payment;

If, within 90 days of your trip start date and after the balance payment has been paid, you need to cancel for reasons not related to COVID-19 circumstances, your full payment is non-refundable. In this situation you have a couple of options;

We can attempt to sell your seat on your behalf. If we are able to sell the seat, we will credit your account for the amount we sold it for, minus an administration fee, which you can use towards a trip in the next two winters.
You can find someone new to take over your booking and they reimburse you.

Other considerations;

Bella Coola Heli Sports reserves the right to cancel your reservation. If this happens, we will give you the opportunity to reschedule your trip for a future date.
In the event that you cancel your seat after the deposit has been paid, we also reserve the right to retain the deposit and resell your seat (with the exception of cancellation requests due to COVID-19, in which case we will refund your deposit).
If your trip looks certain to go ahead (i.e there are no travel restrictions in place), we will consider that you have cancelled your seat if we do not receive the balance payment 90 days before your trip start date.

Bookings Made BEFORE March 15, 2020

Reservations made prior to the COVID-19 virus becoming a known global concern (i.e. prior to March 15th, 2020) are subject to the terms and conditions that were agreed upon at the time of booking. If you are unsure of the policy that applies to your reservation, please reach out to us.

Please note: Credits offered for reservations made prior to March 15th, 2020 which were unable to take place due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in the Winter 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons are non-refundable, but maybe be used for a future trip.

Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend purchasing Cancellation Insurance. Once a booking is made significant expenses and long-term commitments are incurred on your behalf. For this reason, we do not offer refunds if you are later forced to cancel for reasons other than COVID-related circumstances (as outlined above).

In addition, we recommend buying Medical Evacuation Insurance. If you are injured while skiing and need to be flown to the hospital or back to the lodge, the cost of the flight will be billed to your account.

For both your protection and ours, we strongly recommend that you book Cancellation and Evacuation Insurance online with Lifestyle Financial. Their policy covers both Canadians and Non-Canadians (Note - if you are Non-Canadian, the information pertaining to you in their policy is after the information for Canadians).

Please note that Bella Coola Heli Sports reserves the right to cancel your reservation. If this happens, you will be able to reschedule your trip for a future date.

Special note on all flight changes: If you are unable to arrive/depart on our scheduled flights for the start or end date of your package, the cost to re-book you on another flight is $500.

Refund Policies and Amounts

The helicopter costs of operating your heli-skiing week are by far the most expensive part of your package. We cannot afford to fly with an empty seat. This necessitates a strict policy: EACH GUEST IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS OF THEIR SEAT.

If you decide to sit out a run in order to rest, or get injured and are unable to continue skiing/boarding, your vertical account will register the amount skied by the group you were assigned to, not the vertical you actually skied. We sympathize with those that miss out on skiing, but this policy ensures that we are able to continue flying and are able to fulfill our obligations to the other guests.

By way of further explanation, imagine that your helicopter is a taxi and you are four friends taking a ride. If one or two people ask to be dropped off halfway to the destination, the overall cost of the taxi ride does not change.

Similarly, if for whatever reason you request to fly back to the lodge or your guide deems it necessary for you to be flown out; you will be billed for the costs of the extra flying time incurred by the company in returning you to the valley before the heliski day is finished. The costs will vary depending on the amount of flight time required. If it does become necessary for you to be flown out because of an injury, we suggest that you submit the costs of the evacuation to your insurance company.

There is also no refund for down days per se; however, if bad weather or mechanical breakdown prevents us from providing you with the total vertical or the flying time included in the program, we will refund according to the formulas listed below.

Private at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, Eagle Lodge, and Mystery Mountain Lodge

3-Night Private: includes 4 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 3.2 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 3.2 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 3.2 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,780 per hour.

4-Night Private: includes 5 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 4.0 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 4.0 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 4.0 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,780 per hour.

5-Night Private: includes 6 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 4.8 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 4.8 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 4.8 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,780 per hour.

7-Night Private: includes 8 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 6.4 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 6.4 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 6.4 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,780 per hour.

**Private PLUS at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, Eagle Lodge, and Mystery Mountain Lodge**

3-Night Private PLUS: the rate for this package is about the same as the regular 2 night "Private program" and includes that packages' flying time of 3 hours (of which 2.4 hours are guaranteed), plus we give you the 3rd night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 2.4 hours over the course of the package, we will refund all unused hours below the 2.4 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,780 per hour.

4-Night Private PLUS: the rate for this package is about the same as the regular 3 night "Private program" and includes that packages' flying time of 4 hours (of which 3.2 hours are guaranteed), plus we give you the 4th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 3.2 hours over the course of the package, we will refund all unused hours below the 3.2 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,780 per hour.

5-Night Private PLUS: the rate for this package is about the same as the regular 4 night "Private program" and includes that packages' flying time of 5 hours (of which 4 hours are guaranteed), plus we give you the 5th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 4 hours over the course of the package, we will refund all unused hours below the 4 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,780 per hour.

7-Night Private PLUS: the rate for this package is about the same as the regular 6 night "Private program" and includes that packages' flying time of 7 hours (of which 4.8 hours are guaranteed), plus we give you the 7th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 4.8 hours over the course of the package, we will refund all unused hours below the 4.8 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,780 per hour.

Private at Pantheon Heli Ranch and Terra Nostra Guest Ranch

4-Night Private: includes 5.5 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 4.4 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 4.4 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 4.4 hour guarantee at a rate of $4,880 per hour.

5-Night Private: includes 6.5 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 5.2 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 5.2 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 5.2 hour guarantee at a rate of $4,880 per hour.

7-Night Private: includes 9 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 7.2 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 7.2 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 7.2 hour guarantee at a rate of $4,880 per hour.

Semi-Private at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge & Eagle Lodge

3-Night Semi-Private: includes 6 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 4.8 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 4.8 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 4.8 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,680 per hour (for the two heli loads).

4-Night Semi-Private: includes 8 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 6.4 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 6.4 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 6.4 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,680 per hour (for the two heli loads).

5-Night Semi-Private: includes 10 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 8 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 8 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 8 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,680 per hour (for the two heli loads).

7-Night Semi-Private: includes 14 hours of flying time, of which we guarantee 11.2 hours. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 11.2 hours over the course of your package, we will refund all unused hours below the 11.2 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,680 per hour (for the two heli loads).

Semi-Private PLUS at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge & Eagle Lodge

3-Night Semi-Private PLUS: the rate for this package is about the same as the regular 2 night "Semi-Private program" and includes that packages' flying time of 4 hours (of which 3.2 hours are guaranteed), plus we give you the 3rd night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 3.2 hours over the course of the package, we will refund all unused hours below the 3.2 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,680 per hour (for the two heli loads).

4-Night Semi-Private PLUS: the rate for this package is about the same as the regular 3 night "Semi-Private program" and includes that packages' flying time of 6 hours (of which 4.8 hours are guaranteed), plus we give you the 4th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 4.8 hours over the course of the package, we will refund all unused hours below the 4.8 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,680 per hour (for the two heli loads).

5-Night Semi-Private PLUS: the rate for this package is about the same as the regular 4 night "Semi-Private program" and includes that packages' flying time of 8 hours (of which 6.4 hours are guaranteed), plus we give you the 5th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 6.4 hours over the course of the package, we will refund all unused hours below the 6.4 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,680 per hour (for the two heli loads).

7-Night Semi-Private PLUS: the rate for this package is about the same as the regular 6 night "Semi-Private program" and includes that packages' flying time of 12 hours (of which 9.6 hours are guaranteed), plus we give you the 7th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent your group from achieving the guaranteed 9.6 hours over the course of the package, we will refund all unused hours below the 9.6 hour guarantee at a rate of $3,680 per hour (for the two heli loads).

3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Night Classic Vert and Classic PLUS Programs

3-Night Classic Vert: includes 42,500 vertical feet (12,954m), of which we guarantee 34,000 vertical feet (10,400m). If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 34,000 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 34,000 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

3-Night Classic PLUS: includes the 2-night "Classic Vertical" amount of 28,000ft (of which 22,400ft is guaranteed) and we give you the 3rd night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 22,400 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 22,400 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

4-Night Classic Vert: includes 57,000 vertical feet (17,373m), of which we guarantee 45,600 vertical feet (13,920m). If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 45,600 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 45,600 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

4-Night Classic PLUS: includes the 3-night "Classic Vertical" amount of 42,500ft (of which 34,000ft is guaranteed) and we give you the 4th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 34,000 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 34,000 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

5-Night Classic Vert: includes 70,500 vertical feet (21,488m), of which we guarantee 56,400 vertical feet (17,200m). If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 56,400 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 56,400 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

5-Night Classic PLUS: includes the 4-night "Classic Vertical" amount of 57,000ft (of which 45,600ft is guaranteed) and we give you the 5th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 45,600 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 45,600 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

6-Night Classic Vert: includes 85,000 vertical feet (25,908m), of which we guarantee 68,000 vertical feet (20,725m). If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 68,000 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 68,000 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

6-Night Classic PLUS: includes the 5-night "Classic Vertical" amount of 70,500ft (of which 56,400ft is guaranteed) and we give you the 6th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 56,400 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 56,400 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

7-Night Classic Vert: includes 100,000 vertical feet (30,500m), of which we guarantee 80,000 vertical feet (24,500m). If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 80,000 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 80,000 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

7-Night Classic PLUS: includes the 6-night "Classic Vertical" amount of 85,000ft (of which 68,000ft is guaranteed) and we give you the 7th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 68,000 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 68,000 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

8-Night Classic PLUS: includes the 7-night "Classic Vertical" amount of 100,000ft (of which 80,000ft/24,500m is guaranteed) and we give you the 8th night of accommodation and meals for free. If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 80,000 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 80,000 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

Classic XL

5-Night: includes 85,500 vertical feet (26,060m), of which we guarantee 68,400 vertical feet (20,848m). If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 68,400 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 68,400 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

7-Night: includes 120,000 vertical feet (36,575m), of which we guarantee 96,000 vertical feet (29,260m). If mechanical issues or weather conditions prevent you from achieving the guaranteed amount of 96,000 vertical feet over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 96,000 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

Rod & Ski Club

3-Night: If you do not attain a minimum threshold of 20,000 vertical feet (6,096 vertical metres) skied over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 20,000 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

4-Night: If you do not attain a minimum threshold of 27,000 vertical feet (8,231 vertical metres) skied over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 27,000 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.

5-Night: If you do not attain a minimum threshold of 33,500 vertical feet (10,213 vertical metres) skied over the course of your package; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 33,500 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $60 per 1,000 feet.