Cancellation Policy
Sierra Nevada Backcountry Guides — Cancellation & Refund Policy
At Sierra Nevada Backcountry Guides, we understand that plans can change and that mountain conditions are variable. Our cancellation policy is designed to be fair to both our guests and our guides, who commit their time and resources in advance of each trip. Please read the following terms carefully before booking.
Guest Cancellations
Cancellations made by the guest are subject to the following terms:
30+ days prior to trip start: Full refund minus a 10% administrative fee, or a 100% credit toward a future course or trip within 12 months.
14–29 days prior to trip start: 50% refund or a 75% credit toward a future course or trip within 12 months.
Less than 14 days prior to trip start: No refund or credit will be issued.
No-shows: No refund or credit will be provided.
Credits are non-transferable and may only be applied to future SNBG programs by the original participant.
Cancellations by Sierra Nevada Backcountry Guides
We strive to operate all trips as scheduled, but mountain weather and conditions are dynamic. SNBG reserves the right to cancel or modify any program for reasons including, but not limited to:
Unsafe weather, avalanche hazard, or environmental conditions
Guide illness or injury
Minimum participant numbers not met
Permit or land management restrictions
If SNBG cancels a trip, guests will be offered the choice of:
A full refund, or
A 100% credit toward a future course or trip within 12 months.
SNBG is not responsible for any personal expenses related to a cancelled program (e.g., airfare, lodging, or transportation).
Sierra Nevada Backcountry Guides reserves the right to cancel or reschedule trips for any reason. These reasons include inadequate sign-ups (under-booked trip), guide injuries, or other unforeseen circumstances. Participants who have signed up for an under-booked trip will be given the option of making it a private trip for an additional cost, given credit to apply to another trip, or be refunded in full.
Trip Modifications & Weather Delays - No refunds can be given due to weather, environmental conditions or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control that causes a trip to be cancelled. These events include: severe weather, political unrest, health pandemics, airline/transportation strikes, etc.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control - We reserve the right to reschedule, alter the trip's itinerary, or cancel the trip. Trip cancellation is the last resort and every effort will be made to run the trip in some facility.
WE OPERATE TRIPS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER! Do not expect a trip to be cancelled due to weather. Unless we specifically cancel the trip, please assume the trip will run regardless of weather. It is your responsibility to plan accordingly and arrive at the program venue on time. California and Washington State have severe weather that can make travel extremely difficult. It is up to you to make sure that you can make it to our trips ON TIME. No refund can be issued for participants who are unable to attend or who cause a major disruption to the program itinerary due to tardiness.
If weather or conditions require modifying an itinerary - The trip will still be considered fully delivered as long as SNBG provides an equivalent level of instruction or guiding service. No refunds will be issued for weather-related adjustments once a program has begun.
Participant Responsibility
Participants are responsible for:
Arriving on time with all required gear
Meeting stated fitness and skill prerequisites
Reading and understanding all pre-trip materials and waivers
Failure to meet these expectations may result in removal from the course without refund.
WILDFIRE SMOKE POLICY
In some cases, poor air quality from wildfire smoke might warrant the need to issue a refund or offer a credit for your trip. We will do so under the following conditions when the Air Quality Index (AQI) gets within a certain level:
AQI 151-200: If you have a pre-existing medical condition, we will reschedule or issue a credit.
AQI 201-300: If you don’t want to climb in the smoke, we will reschedule or issue a credit
AQI >301: As this AQI is considered unsafe, we will cancel the activity for the day and issue a credit. Refunds can be requested as necessary.
Travel & Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance to protect against unforeseen cancellations, injuries, or travel disruptions.TRIP INSURANCE
Trip Insurance is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DOMESTIC TRIPS.
Trip Insurance may cover a wide variety of unforeseeable circumstances that might make it impossible for you to participate in a trip. If you cannot afford to lose the Trip Fee, Trip Deposit, or other associated costs, please research and purchase trip insurance that will cover you adequately.
Domestic Trips
We recommended trip insurance for all programs.
Purchase the plan the best meets your needs.
Consider "Cancel for Any Reason" Plans that can cover wider range of circumstances.
World Nomads Explorer Plan has worked well for customers for many circumstances, including trips cancelled by Sierra Nevada Backcountry Guides due to extreme weather, but please make sure that you understand the policy you're buying and are covered for any circumstances that might affect your trip, including cancellations by Sierra Nevada Backcountry Guides.
Cancel for Any Reason Insurance
In many states, "Cancel for any Reason" insurance provides partial coverage for trip fees, airfare and other non-refundable trip costs and might be a good way to cover yourself against changing plans or other unforeseen circumstances.
Age limits for guided trips & courses:
Participants must be 15 years old or above and have a Medical Waiver completed by a parent or guardian to participate in a group course. Participants under 15 years old who are interested in a trip or course will need to do a private booking, which can accommodate up to 6 participants. One of those 6 participants must be an adult.