COVID-19 Operating Procedures

At Snowcats, guest safety has always been our number one priority. This season is no different. We will be instituting additional measures to ensure that all of our guests can enjoy their time at the lodge safely.

The biggest change is that we have reduced our maximum group size for the season from 12 to 10. This will allow for ample social distancing in the lodge and the snowcat. For a guaranteed “bubble” experience, we encourage you to call up your 9 closest friends and reserve your trip for a private stay at the lodge! 

Book with Confidence

We want to make it clear that anyone booked on a 2021/22 trip will not be penalized (financially) for a Government-issued travel ban due to COVID-19. This means you should book early to lock in your preferred dates for the season.

Pre Trip

A couple of days before your trip we will call you to confirm the details of your trip with you and answer any questions you have. We also will inquire about your current state of health at that time to ensure that everyone that comes to the lodge is not experiencing any symptoms, and confirm your proof of vaccination. For the safety of guides, staff and other guests, we ask that all of our guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and can provide a proof of vaccination.

In Pemberton

Upon arrival in Pemberton and before the trip departs, all participants will be screened (temperature check & questionnaire) for any COVID-19  symptoms that would prevent them joining the trip. Guests will meet at the Pemberton Community Barn in the center of Pemberton where they will have the opportunity to make any purchases they should want prior to departing Pemberton. 

During your Trip

Nobody other than assigned guests will enter the guest rooms during the stay. 
Physical distancing will be observed while in the lodge. Any time it is not possible appropriate PPE will be worn. 

Snowcats will institute daily cleaning of common areas and frequent cleaning of high-touch areas above and beyond our regular protocols. There is ample room to maintain physical distancing while in the lodge with 3 separate social rooms for guest use.  

The Ski Day 

In addition to regular safety protocols our day will begin with a daily staff health self-assessment before starting work. Guests will also be asked to perform a daily health self-assessment. Anyone that is visibly unwell at any point in their trip will not be permitted to join activities.

We will be using our passenger snowcat with reduced seating to 10 passengers with clear barriers between the rows. Each passenger will be assigned their seat in the cat each day to reduce the number of people touching the same surface. 

The passenger cab is fully sanitized each day and high-touch areas will be cleaned multiple times daily.

Face coverings will be used during the cat ride. On the slope, extra care from our guides will help maintain physical distance while skiing.

In the event of guests showing symptoms during the trip

If a guest starts to show symptoms of COVID-19 while on a ski trip that guest would be sent out for medical advice. The local public health officer would be notified and depending on the circumstances, the remaining group would either continue or have the option to leave to start self-quarantine as per the British Columbia Provincial Health Authority.

After your Trip

In the event of a guest showing symptoms within 14 days after a ski trip

Backcountry Snowcats will maintain contact with the outgoing group for 14 days. All guests will be notified if anyone is confirmed covid positive after the trip. Contact documentation info may be passed on to the Provincial Health Authority if requested.

The Snowcats team is dedicated to making a safe environment for our guests to enjoy

This is a challenging time for all tourism operators. We appreciate that guests will notice some procedural changes this winter, but what will remain the same is our passion for ensuring you have a fantastic riding experience and a continued focus on guest safety. 

We will work in cooperation with our public health authority and our industry association HeliCat Canada.