50% at time of booking for Individual Seats  OR  5% down for Private Trips, with 50% of balance due within 7 days of booking.

100% of trip cost due 60 days before your trip.

Our online booking system will auto-charge the card on file on date due if the required payments have not been made.

All guests are required to sign our waiver. Any refusal to sign our waiver will result in a cancellation of the guests trip without a refund.

Expect a 2% Credit Card Fee, with an additional charge for American Express. There is a 2% booking fee with our online booking platform that goes to an external provider. You can avoid these fees by booking over the phone and paying with a bank transfer.

Please note, we keep a credit card on file for all trips and your dates are not confirmed until trip is completed.

At High Sierra Snowcat, we strive to deliver exceptional mountain experiences while managing the complex logistics of backcountry winter operations. To ensure clarity and fairness for both our guests and our guiding team, we adhere to the following policy:

1. Guest Cancellations & Rescheduling

• Cancellations 60+ Days Out: Cancellations made more than 60 days prior to your scheduled trip are eligible for an 85% refund of the total tour cost or 100% Credit

• Cancellations Within 60 Days: No refunds will be issued for guest cancellations made within 60 days of the scheduled trip. But we do offer a 100% Credit to dates within the same season.

• Rescheduling Windows: We understand plans change. You may reschedule your trip for a later date in the same winter season under the following timelines:

  • Day Trips: Rescheduling requests must be made at least 48 hours prior to your trip departure.

  • Overnight Yurt Trips: Rescheduling requests must be made at least 4 days (96 hours) prior to your trip departure.

  • Note: Rescheduling is subject to guide and cat availability. Requests made outside of these windows will be treated as short-notice cancellations and are non-refundable/non-transferable.

2. Guide Service Cancellations

• Weather, Safety, & Operations: In the rare event that High Sierra Snowcat must cancel a tour due to severe weather, avalanche hazard, mechanical issues, or other safety concerns, guests will receive a 100% refund(minus any non-refundable booking or transaction fees) or a 100% credit for another available date during the current season.

• Itinerary Changes: High Sierra Snowcat reserves the right to modify trip itineraries at any time to prioritize the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. Field decisions are entirely at the discretion of the lead guide.

• Minimum Booking Thresholds: Day trips require a minimum of 5 guests to operate. If a trip does not hit this minimum, we reserve the right to cancel it. Impacted guests will receive a 100% refund (minus any non-refundable booking or transaction fees) or a 100% credit toward another date.

3. Refund Process & Administration

• Transaction Fees: Please note that all refunds and credits are issued minus any non-refundable booking, credit card processing, or software platform fees incurred during the initial transaction. Guests are responsible for any external transaction fees incurred during the refund process.

• Notification: To cancel or request a reschedule, guests must contact our office directly via email or phone. The official request time will be determined by the timestamp of the email or voicemail received by our team.

• Exceptional Circumstances: Medical emergencies or severe unforeseen events may be considered for credit or refunds on a case-by-case basis. Documentation (such as a physician's note) may be requested.

4. Policy Modifications

High Sierra Snowcat reserves the right to update this policy at any time. Updates will be posted directly to our website and apply to all bookings made after the publication date. By finalizing your booking, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

Protect Your Trip: Travel Insurance Because mountain weather and life can be unpredictable, we strongly recommend purchasing third-party travel insurance to protect your investment. We recommend checking out specialized medical and trip protection providers like Global Rescue.