TERMS OF SERVICE

Group Tours

These policies encompass tours where a Group Organizer has contracted with Backside Tours. The Group Organizer is financially responsible for filling the seats on the bus. Individual Participants sign up and make payment for Group Tours directly through the Backside Tours website (using our online ecommerce tool called MyTrips). The online tool that Backside Tours refers to as MyTrips is solely designed to make our Group Organizers job easier. Backside Tours acts as the agent/intermediary tour company that executes on the logistics of the adventure.

Payment Policies

• A minimum 50% deposit per person is required to reserve a seat aboard any Backside Tours' open/group trip. This deposit is non-refundable but transferable to a replacement person. Please see our Individual Participant Replacement Policy below.
• Backside Tours recommends that you pay in full at the time of initial payment. This will secure your spot on the tour.
• Full payment/remaining payment is due a minimum of one (1) calendar month prior to departure of your tour.
• If you have already provided the initial deposit, you will have to login again and reenter your credit card information to process your remaining payment. Backside Tours does not store your credit card information with your profile. Alternatively, you can call into the office to remit payment balance. 
• If full payment has not been received or is unable to be processed one (1) calendar month in advance, your seat will be released to someone else, and you will not be eligible for any refund. This policy is to help protect your group organizer who is financially liable for fulfilling their contract with Backside Tours.

Group Tour Rooming Policy

This policy applies for all tours booked through Backside Tours.

• Group organizers are responsible for room list creation and room allocation. Individual Participants clients are encouraged to find their own room and bed companions for tours. If you do not indicate your bed or room companion the Group Organizer will allocate you into a room regardless.
• Backside Tours is not responsible for finding your room companions.
• Our online sign up function allows for you to indicate the room name you wish to be in. If you are booking with friends, please create a room name so the organizer of your trip can place you with your friends.
• One (1) calendar month prior to departure: additional payments are due for less than max occupancy rooms.

Security Deposit (Group Tour - Organizer)

• A $500 per room security deposit may be required by the accommodation provider. Backside will provide the Group Organize an Express Check In Form that must be completed prior to arrival by the allocated Room Captain.
• The Room Captain is considered an occupant of the room who will take responsibility for the well-being of the room. It is up to the Group Organizer to ensure room captains are allocated for each unit.
• Any charges levied by the accommodator specific to a room, must be paid prior to check-out / departure from the destination.

Booking Policy General Terms and Conditions

1.  Any trip specific terms and conditions are to be added to the contract documents. 

2. Payments: 

a) An initial deposit of a minimum of $1000 per bus and the signed contract is required within seven (7) days of the Verbal Booking Date(the "Initial Deposit") in order to confirm your reservations. Package reservations will be released if contract and deposit is not received within seven (7) days of the Verbal Booking Date.

b) The Initial Deposit is refundable if notice of cancellation is received within seven (7) days of signing this contract. 

c) After seven (7) days of the signing of this contract, the Initial Deposit becomes non-refundable but is transferable as a credit valid for eighteen (18) months from the time of verbal booking. This credit must be used towards another group trip with BST of equal or larger contracted volume.

d) The Initial Deposit will be refunded at the time of account reconciliation within thirty (30) days of trip completion if there are no outstanding payments owed to Backside Tours Inc. by the Group Organizer, which includes, but is not limited to the following: charges for empty seats, property damage to the place of accommodation or the tour bus, or extra lift tickets requested.

e) A second deposit of $2500 per bus is required two (2) calendar months prior to departure. If your total group sign up payments via MyTrips exceed $2500, this second deposit will NOT be required.

f) Final payment must be received by the BST office at least one (1) calendar month prior to departure. 

g) Online payment for all credit card transactions in the MyTrips system will be subject to a $3 admin fee, which will be added to the cost of the trip upon checkout. Cash or cheque can be accepted at the BST office without the added fee.

3. Free Trip: One (1) complimentary organizer trips are provided based on 35 paid seats, making seat 36 your free seat. All empty seat charges must be paid 14 days prior to the trip. Free Trips are provided by Backside Tours deducting the retail rate of the lowest priced skiing person (max occupancy cost) from your final invoice.

4. Room List: The tentative rooming list must be provided at the time of final payment a minimum of 60 days prior to departure. Final rooming list must be received 14 days prior to departure. Room list changes within 14 days of departure will result in a $100 fee for each change. Within 1 month of departure, rooms may be requested on an As Per Needed basis, although there is no guarantee of availability.

5. Room Drop Date: Groups must drop any excess rooms not required a minimum of 60 days prior to departure. Any rooms dropped after these dates may be charged back to the group organizer, by the accommodation provider, upon check-in. 

6. Security Deposit: A $500 per room security deposit may be required by the accommodation provider. BST will provide the group organizer an Express Check-In Form that must be completed prior to or at the time of departure by the allocated Room Captain. The Room Captain is considered an occupant of the room who will take responsibility for the well-being of the room. Any and all other outstanding charges including damages incurred by the Group are the responsibility of the Group and must be paid prior to check-out.

Liquor License: A liquor license will only be available in ALBERTA and based on approval from Backside and the Transportation Company. The liquor license can be revoked by the driver of the motor coach and/or Backside representative(s) at any time during the trip. Group Organizer is responsible for obtaining the Liquor License from the Alberta’s Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) and must provide a copy to Backside as well as have the original license at the time of boarding.

7. Disclaimer

a) BST is not responsible for injury, damage or loss to persons or property as a result of the

consumption of alcohol on the bus or at any point in the tour.

b) BST accepts no responsibility for the actions of persons and/or companies supplying goods and/or services as part of the Package, or for any additional costs arising from the cancellation, complication or prolongation of the Package for any reason..

c) Each Participant will be required to sign a waiver before being allowed to participate in the Package booked through BST.

d) BST acts as an agent on behalf of the Group and makes arrangements with transportation companies, accommodation suppliers and ski areas ("our Suppliers") for the group adventure of the Participants. BST is unable to directly control the service provided by our Suppliers and, as such, BST is not liable for any acts or omissions, including any negligence, gross negligence, or reckless or willful acts on the part of our Suppliers.BST., its owners, agents, directors, shareholders, employees and guide representatives assume no responsibility for any injury, loss, damage, delay, or death to persons or property arising from the negligent or willful act or failure to act of any person who is or does provide goods or services for the Package.

e) BST is not responsible for acts of God, ROAD CLOSURES, equipment failures, vehicle accidents, illness, detention, assaults, theft or criminal activity, annoyance, delays, quarantine (due to COVID-19 or related pandemic or epidemic) , strikes, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well being of the Participants. The right is reserved to substitute accommodations, alter the itinerary, and reverse the order of places to be visited. The Group Organizer will be informed of any necessary changes. Refunds will solely be at the discretion of BST.

f) BST is not responsible for property loss or damage over the duration of the Trip Package. Participants alone are responsible for the well fare of their property and property they are interacting with.

g) Participation includes possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases, including but not limited to COVID-19. While particular rules and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious illness and death does exist. Participants knowingly assume responsibility to follow any and all requirements, advisories, policies, procedures, and protocols of the service providers and any other governmental authority, for the duration of their participation. Participants knowingly assume the risk of injury, harm and loss associated with participation in the activities, including any injury, harm and loss caused by the negligence, fault or conduct of any kind on the part of Backside Tours.

We recommend all travelers purchase trip insurance.

8.  Cancellation Policy 

a) General Group Travel

• Backside Tours will not refund on ANY trip that is within 30 days of departure.
• All cancellation requests MUST go through the Group Organizer that Backside Tours is contracted with unless the trip is an Open Trip
• All cancellations outside (1) calendar month will be subject to a $50 administration fee, plus any supplier specific charges.
• Inside 30 days to departure: No refunds available to individual participants.
• Group Organizers who cancel their Packages outside of the 7th day of the date of the signed contract will have their initial deposit of $1000 transferred (as a credit) towards a Package with Backside, that is equal to or larger than the current contracted package and is valid for eighteen (18) months from the date of the Signed Contract. After this time the deposit becomes non-refundable.

b) General UDrive (FIT) Travel*

• Outside 30 days full refund minus a $50 administration fee per order.
• Inside 30 days, no refunds, name changes only. Name changes subject to a $50 administration fee per name change.
• No changes inside 72 hours from trip date.

*These policies are subject to destination and time of travel.

c) Replacement for Group Travel

• Any Replacements will be subject to a $100 administration fee. This fee is to be paid prior to the bus departure. The individual who initially purchased the package is responsible to pay this fee.
• Replacements are not accepted by the suppliers within 7 days of departure.
• It is solely up to the Group Organizer to provide/advise Backside Tours of replacement names for Individual Participants.

9. Group Amalgamation: If at the time of cancellation, the Group A (represented by this contract) has 20 or more financially committed participants, BST reserves the right to match the group with another group traveling to a resort on the same weekend. In this event, Group A participants will not incur additional costs if Group A’s listed trip price is within $20 of the listed two-head per bed rate of Group B (the group being joined). Group A will be provided a refund if the listed two-head per bed package rate price is $20 or more lower than the price Group A paid. Group A will be governed by Group B itinerary including departure times.

10. Self-Drive in Relation to Group Tour: Any individual not traveling with the group on the bus will be subject to FIT (Fully Independent Traveler) rates and will NOT be considered a part of the group tour nor count toward the fulfillment of the group contract.

11. Resort Switch and Distress Rates: In the event of road closures preventing arrival or departure, Backside Tours will work with Group Organizer(s) to determine best course of action. If another resort and accommodation is available the tour will continue despite the resort switch. In the event of road closure preventing return from the resort to point of origin, BST will cover the additional transportation costs; however, additional accommodation costs will be covered by the participants or Group Organizer. BST has organized Distress Rates specifically for accommodations in the event of this occasional occurrence and your BST Account Manager can advise on this rate. Refunds are at the sole discretion of BST.

12. USA Destined Groups - Passport Information (for USA group destinations)

• All requested passport information MUST be received by Backside Tours no less than 14 days prior to trip date.
• If information is not provided prior to 14 days, Backside Tours reserves the right to remove the individual from the trip with no refund.

13. MyTripsUse: BST has developed an online promotion, communication, organization and payment system that has been termed MyTrips. Our system is designed to assist our Group Organizers in marketing and tracking sign ups and payments for their packaged tours. Although careful planning has went into this system, BST can not be held liable for any for any errors, omissions or damages that may result from MyTrips system use.

General Operating Policies

Online Payments

Online payment for all credit card transactions in the MyTrips system will be subject to a $3 admin fee, which will be added to the cost of the trip upon checkout. Cash or cheque can be accepted at the BST office without the added fee.

Security Deposit

Trip participants are responsible for any damages to accommodation properties or damages to any equipment, while on the tour. All tours are responsible to provide a credit card deposit to the accommodation property at the time of check in. Room occupants as outlined on the final rooming list accept responsibility on an equal basis for any damages to their rooms.

Non-Suitable Funds (NSF) Cheques

A one time $25 NSF fee will be applied to all returned cheques, whether personal or for a group tour payment.

Credit Card Consent

The cardholder's online authorization of the use of their credit card indicates consent has been provided for Backside Tours to process deposits, full payments and any administrative fees as per Backside Tours' payment, cancellation and replacement policies.

GST Policy

All pricing on our website and promotional materials is inclusive of National Park fees and municipal taxes. All prices are subject to Goods & Services Tax.

Waiver

All participants must sign a waiver prior to departure and generally are signed digitally the week of departure or are completed on the bus at the time of departure. Group Organizers may facilitate the completion of the waiver copy prior to departure.

Passport Information (for USA group destinations)

• All requested passport information MUST be received by Backside Tours no less than 14 days prior to trip date.
• If information is not provided prior to 14 days, Backside Tours reserves the right to remove the individual from the trip with no refund.
• Click here to download required passport information form.

Unused Tour Services

The nature of travel involves risks and unpredictable weather and therefore Backside Tours can not assure departure times, arrival times or conditions. Backside Tours travel packages are inclusive packages and can not be separated into individually priced components, unless services are agreed upon, by contract, to be split. Backside Tours can not guarantee that refunds or exchanges can be made for unused travel services, services that may be cancelled after your departure or for any other circumstances beyond the control of Backside Tours. This includes road closures resulting in groups being rerouted to other destinations.

Damaged or Lost Property

Backside is not responsible for property loss or damage over the duration of the tour. Individual Participants alone are responsible for the well fare of their personal belongings including ski and snowboard equipment.

Liability

Backside Tours Inc. is solely acting as an agent for the suppliers who provide all accommodations, transportation, snow sport activities and other services for the adventure package. Although we carefully select our suppliers, the suppliers are independent parties over which Backside Tours exercises no control. Therefore, we are not responsible for their acts or omissions and all services provided are subject to the conditions imposed by the suppliers. The participants acknowledge that Backside Tours' representatives are not chaperones but merely facilitators of the package. Backside Tours' representatives do not instruct or otherwise accept responsibility for the participant while he/she is engaged in snow sport activities or during any portion of the tour.

Undesirable Behaviour

Backside Tours reserves the right to remove participants from a package if he/she engages in behaviour that is deemed by Backside Tours to be detrimental to the safety of himself/herself or others, or if the participants behaviour causes damage to the property of a supplier or if the participant refuses to sign the mandatory waiver at the time of departure. If a participant's continuation in a tour is terminated, no refund will be granted and the participant will be responsible for any and all costs associated with his/her return to the place of departure. Reasons for immediate removal include engagement in illegal activities, verbal or physical abuse of guides, staff, suppliers or patrons, or engagement in property damage.

Injuries

The Backside Tours guide(s) must be notified of all injuries. If required, the guide(s) will assist the ski patrol or EMS. If the injury requires hospitalization, an ambulance will be called to transport to a local hospital. If possible, the guide(s) will arrange to have the coach pick up from the hospital on the way home. If a longer stay is required at the hospital, guides will ask to have a friend stay at the hospital with the injured person. The guide(s) will assist to arrange hotel accommodation and transportation home, if necessary. However, the individual is responsible for all expenses that may be incurred due to the injury.