GIVE A FAQ
What is Valhalla’s cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policies can be found further down on this page.
Do I need to sign a waiver?
Yes. All guests must agree to our waiver before booking a trip with us and provide a wet signature at first point of check-in.
How much snow does Valhalla receive annually?
Annual accumulations can amount to 7m (23 ft) at tree line with 9m (30 ft) at higher elevations.
What is the average temperature?
The average daily temperature ranging from -8ºC to -12ºC (17º-10º F).
When is Valhalla open?
Valhalla winter season is open from late December to mid-April. High season rates apply from January to mid-March. Some of our biggest snowfalls occur during the shoulder season (early January and late March).
What kind of snowcats do you have?
Pisten Bulley 400’s.
What mountain range will we be riding?
Valhalla is located in the Selkirk range in British Columbia’s West Kootenay area. The highest peak we access tops out at 8,000 feet (2,438 meters).
What is the longest run you access?
Runs vary from 1200 – 3000 vertical feet.
What is the total acreage Valhalla has access to?
21,500 acres of terrain (twice the size of Whistler Blackcomb combined!).
What is the average daily vertical I should expect to cover?
13,000 to 18,000 feet/day.
What certifications do your guides have?
All of our guides are certified with ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) or CSGA (Canadian Ski Guide Association), and Wilderness First Responder, CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association).
What does pricing include?
Prices include transportation from our check-in spots to the Valhalla tenure, medical insurance while you are with us, lunch, safety equipment, and skiing / riding with our certified guides. Not included in the trip cost are: ski/snowboard rentals.
Do I have to pay for the whole trip upon booking?
To confirm your reservation a 50% booking fee is required upon making a reservation. The balance is due on October 1st. Trips booked after October 1st must be paid in full. We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express.
Are there refunds for cancellations?
If you must cancel less than 120 days prior to your trip, we cannot provide a refund. We recommend guests research travel insurance options before arriving. Please review our cancellation policies prior to booking.
Is it customary to leave a tip for our Valhalla guides and staff?
If you have been well taken care of on your trip, tipping is customary in this industry and greatly appreciated by our staff. Our policy is to distribute all tips equally unless specified by the guest. There is a gratuity form distributed at the end of your shred day. Cash is accepted or you can use your credit card on file.
Do I need to bring my own safety equipment?
We supply all the safety equipment you need. Every guest carries a radio and wears a guest pack with probe and shovel in addition to an avalanche transceiver.
Do you require riders to be of a certain age?
Riders must be 19 years old
What time are we on-snow in the morning?
First day of shredding with us, guests can expect the first descent around 9:45am. Multiple day shredders will start a bit earlier (9:00am) after their initial training.
Are meals included? Where do we eat?
Lunches are locally crafted by Kootenay Bakery and Chez Totoche Charcuterie. Guests can expect a variety of tasty and savory goodies with only the freshest ingredients. Please note if you have special dietary requirements or allergies, substitutions are unavailable, please come prepared.
What ability level do I need to be to ski or snowboard at Valhalla?
Skiers and snowboarders should be VERY confident on black diamond runs, in powder and tight trees!
What do I need to bring?
Your passport if crossing the border. Bring all your own outerwear including goggles, helmet, ski/snowboard boots and winter walking boots. Please leave your alcohol at home.
Can I rent skis or snowboards at Valhalla?
No. Our preferred local outfitter for rentals is Sacred Ride . Let them know you will be Cat Skiing at Baldface, and they will get you set up on some powder specific gear. Make sure all rentals are handles the DAY BEFORE heading out with us, you will not have time to do this the morning of.
Is there internet or phone service while riding?
We are off grid! No cell coverage or WIFI.
What is the best way to travel to Nelson/Valhalla?
Check out our ‘Getting here‘ page
What time should I be ready for the shuttle?
The shuttle will pick up at the following locations. Please be ready to load the shuttle with all of your gear at the following times:
Prestige Lakeside Resort- 6:20 AM
Empire Coffee- 6:35 AM
Savoy Hotel- 6:50 AM
Playmor Junction Park & Ride- 7:20AM
All guests who are late and miss the bus, will NOT be refunded. Without exception, the bus waits for no one.
Please dress appropriately as you will be spending some time outside in the elements as soon as you step off the bus.
If you are unexpectedly late, please call the office at 250-352-0006.
What if I am late?
The bus waits for nobody! If you are going to be late, call 250-352-0006. Passengers who miss the bus will not be refunded. No exceptions.
Can Valhalla help with custom travel plans?
For those who require travel arrangements outside of our regular program please call the office. 250-352-0006
Are there any local ski areas worth checking out while I’m in the area?
Yes! Try Whitewater (20 minutes) or Red Mountain (1 hour) from Nelson.
How many people per cat?
Our cats seat 14
How many days to explore the tenure?
3 days will give you a really great chance to check out most of our terrain. You may end up doing some of the same runs again depending on conditions, but that just means you will know where all of the features are!
How are groups separated?
We do our best to separate groups by ability based on the information provided to us. The only sure fire way to guarantee a cat full of rippers is to book the whole cat with people you know!
Is there a Mutli-day discount? Or a stand by rate?
No there is not.
Do I have to do the avalanche training every day on a multi day trip?
No! If it is within the same week you will be able to go and do a run (or two) while the rest of the group get their training.
POLICIES
CANCELLATION POLICY
If we receive a cancellation 120 days prior to your arrival, you will get a full refund minus 25% of the trip cost per seat cancelled. Cancellations within 120 days of your trip date are 100% non-refundable. This includes trips cancelled due to any issues you encounter crossing the border. Please also note that most trip cancellation insurance policies do not cover this type of situation.
Guests who cancel have the option of finding a replacement to fill their seat. If the guest or Baldface is able to fill the seat, the cancelling guest will be refunded in full minus a $105 cancellation fee deducted from each refund made.
If final payment has not been received by October 1st, Baldface reserves the right to cancel the booking without notice and re-sell the space. There are no exceptions to this policy. All cancellations must be received in writing. Reservations will not be held until payment is received.
We understand that occasionally events occur that prevent you from joining us on your ski vacation. Please pay special attention to our Cancellation and Refunds Terms above. To avoid any financial hardship that an unexpected cancellation and interruption could cause, we strongly recommend purchasing Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance to protect your trip investment. Trip Cancellation/Interruption costs about 5% of your trip cost and it’s well worth the peace of mind. Contact our preferred provider ‘Lifestyle Financial’ and they can provide you with a quote for Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance.
There are no exceptions to our policies so we strongly suggest that all guests purchase trip cancellation insurance.
BOOKING POLICY
All prices are in Canadian dollars and require a 25% deposit to reserve the space, 25% on May 15 with the remaining 50% due on October 1. For bookings made after October 1, the full amount is due. We accept American Express, MasterCard, VISA, or wire transfers. If you combine trips for a longer stay, you will be credited the transportation cost on the second portion of your trip.
Upon making a reservation at Baldface, all guests agree to these terms and conditions:
All guests are required to sign a waiver before being allowed to ski with us. By signing this document, guests will waive certain legal rights, including the right to sue. Please read this form carefully before signing. If you do not have access to the Internet and would like to see a copy of this waiver prior to arrival, please contact us by phone at (250) 352-0006, or by email at info@baldface.com, and we will be happy to send one to you.
Alcohol or non-prescription drugs are not permitted while skiing or snowboarding.
All participants must be 19 years of age or older.
REFUND POLICY
No refunds will be provided for a trip cancellation made by either Baldface Lodge or a guest for any of the following circumstances: weather and/or snow conditions, family or workplace obligations/
We may, at any time, and at our sole discretion, modify these Terms and Conditions, including our Cancellation Policy, Booking Policy, and Refund Policy, with or without notice to you. Any such modification will be effective immediately upon public posting. It is your responsibility to review the Terms and Conditions for updates or changes. Your use of our services following any such modification constitutes your acceptance of these modified Terms.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL INSURANCE
Baldface Lodge/Valhalla provides Emergency Medical Coverage including Ambulance/Evacuation insurance as part of your package. This coverage is only in place while you are our guest and in Canada. All claims require that you be seen by a physician at the time of injury.
