Please read the following policies and contact the NCH office with any questions.
RESERVATIONS & PAYMENTS
In order to reserve a space on any North Cascade Heli program, full payment is required along with a Reservation Form completed by each participant or their guardian. If full payment has not been received 60 days prior to the first scheduled date, the reserved space may be filled and no refund is made. Your fees are transferable if someone can take your place. A Registration Form for the new participant will be required.
Payment for additional runs or flight time will be collected at the end of each program. Specific deposit and payment policies are described below for each type of program.
CANCELLATIONS
In the event of a cancellation, 50% of the deposit is refundable up to 60 days prior to the first scheduled date. No refunds are made on cancellations within 60 days of the trip, with the exception of health-related cancellations. Please contact us in the event of a health-related cancellation.
WEATHER & SNOW CONDITIONS
Mountain weather and avalanche conditions largely determine the selection of the terrain which we will ski on a daily basis. On the day of their program, guests must be prepared to ski in all conditions found in the mountains, including powder snow, corn snow, windcrust, treed or lower angle slopes. No refunds will be given due to poor conditions.
We sometimes experience a delay in departing the heli barn in the mornings to wait out weather. As such we require guests to be available until 12 PM of the day of their program unless staff clearly indicates it is a "no-fly" day. Rainchecks will be issued as outlined below for partial or complete no-fly days.
RAINCHECKS
Credit will be made only in the event that North Cascade Heli is not able to provide any portion of the guaranteed skiing. No credit will be given for missed skiing due to poor ability, fitness, equipment failure, injury, or personal choice. Rain checks expire at the end of the second season after they were issued and can only be applied to future skiing or riding programs.
We reserve the right to cancel guests programs if we deem snow conditions or terrain exceeds your ability or fitness level. Injured guests or guests wishing to return from a day of skiing earlier than the rest of the group will be required to pay additional ferry time costs, unless an entire helicopter load wishes to be flown out.
3-DAY HELI-SKI PROGRAM OR PACKAGE:
Full payment is required at the time of the reservation, plus Washington State sales tax (8.4%), for each guest. 21 runs are guaranteed over the course of this program. For guaranteed skiing not received, credit will be issued at the rate of $100.00 per run not skied.
1-DAY HELI-SKI PROGRAM:
Full payment is required at the time of reservation for each person, plus Washington State sales tax (8.4%). 7 runs are guaranteed for this program. For guaranteed skiing not received, credit will be issued at the rate of $100.00 per run not skied.
EXCLUSIVE HELICOPTER USE:
A deposit of $6,000 is required to reserve dates for this program. The balance is due 60 days prior to the start of your scheduled program. For daily minimum flight times not utilized due to weather, 60 percent of the unused flight time will be credited at the rate of $6,500 per flight hour for two groups or $7,000 per flight hour for three groups.
3-DAY or 4-NIGHT YURT TOUR:
To reserve the yurt, 4 guests must make a full payment, which is either $1,600 for a 3 day program or $1,800 per person for a 4 day program, plus Washington State sales tax (8.4%). If the remaining 4 seats are not booked 60 days from the start of your scheduled program, we reserve the right to offer the remaining 4 spots to another public group. In the event that we are unable to fly for the entire reserved period, a full credit will be issued that may be used the same season or the following season, based on availability. If we fly in one day late, no refund will be issued for the 1st day missed.
1-DAY HELI-ASSISTED BACKCOUNTRY TOUR:
Full payment of $850.00 is required for each person, plus Washington State sales tax (8.4%). In the event that we are unable to fly on your scheduled day, full credit will be issued for the current or following season. Additional charges may be required for ferry time to remote areas.
3-DAY HELI-ASSISTED BACKCOUNTRY TOUR:
Full payment of $2,400 is required for each person, plus Washington State sales tax (8.4%). In the event that we are unable to fly for the entire program, full credit will be issued for the current or following season. Additional charges may be required for ferry time to remote areas.
GUESTS UNDER 18:
Guests under the age of 18 must have their Reservation Form and Participant Agreement, Release and Assumption of Risk form signed by a parent or legal guardian before beginning their program with us. Guests under 18 must be able to quickly and accurately follow their guide's instructions. If we deem a minor guest to be a risk to themselves or others, we reserve the right to return them to the heli barn with no refund. We do not recommend that guests under the age of 14 fly with us.
WEIGHT LIMITATIONS:
Loading the helicopter requires an accurate assessment of peoples "dressed weight." Prior to beginning your program with us you will be weighed in with your ski clothing and equipment. People over 250 pounds dressed weight may have to purchase all or part of an additional seat.
