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FAQ

PAYMENT POLICY

Payment
  • Credit card information is collected in the Guest Agreement.
  • Each person will receive an email with a link to complete the Guest Agreement.
  • Payment is automatically be charged to the credit card on file or instructions provided in the Guest Agreement.
  • Should Guest Agreements and/or payment(s) not be received within the timelines, the reservation is unconfirmed.
  • Unconfirmed reservations can be sold to someone else and/or the outstanding amount(s) charged to the trip leader.
  • Summer rates: click here
  • Winter rates: click here
Non-refundable reservation fee
  • $200.00 per person
  • The reservation fee is included in the package price and covers the costs associated with registration for the intended stay. These costs are incurred whether the trip is utilized or not, for whatever reason. As such, once these funds are received, these services are deemed to have been rendered and that portion of the service agreement concluded. The reservation fee is not a deposit and is not transferable. It is a cost of business rendered on your behalf and is not refundable or transferable in any event.
  • Due: within five business days of booking.
Trip payment
  • Winter: Due first Monday in December.
  • Summer: Due first Monday in May.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations -Cancellations must be received in writing.
-All payments(s) are non-refundable and final.
Transfers Payments, less the $200.00 per person non-refundable reservation fee, can be transferred to a replacement, provided that the following is received no less that two weeks prior to departure;
-a written notice of cancellation and contact information for the replacement.
-amounted owing and completed Guest Agreement and Waiver of the replacement.
-payment (less the non refundable reservation feee) is transferred exchanged directly between group members.
Cancellations due to Talus Lodge closures Payment(s), less the $200.00 per person non-refundable reservation fee, can be transferred to a future booking.
Cancellations or delays due to access challenges No refunds will be issued for cancellation and/or delays due to access transportation. Talus Lodge is not responsible costs incurred due to delayed and/or cancelled access transportation. Talus Lodge will accommodate guests delayed at Talus Lodge as a result of delays or cancellations, however, clients delayed coming into Talus Lodge will not be refunded the lost night(s) of accommodation at Talus Lodge. Delayed incoming clients are responsible for their own full expenses (such as meals and accommodation). Talus Lodge recommends not booking commercial flights on your departure day from Talus.

INSURANCE

Cancellation/interruption/emergency medical/evacuation insurance To avoid any financial hardship that an unexpected cancellation or interruption could cause, we strongly urge our clients to purchase appropriate trip cancellation/interruption/emergency medical and evacuation insurance through a reputable insurance provider to protect your investment before first payment. Refunds for cancelled reservations can only be collected from your own cancellation/interruption insurance provider. Some credit cards provide this type of insurance, others do not. For a free no obligation quote for trip cancellation/interruption/emergency medical and evacuation insurance from Lifestyle Insurance: click here

Talus Lodge is accessible by guided hiking and provided transportation from Canmore, Alberta.  Due to safety reasons, including active mining and logging in the area, absence of marked trails, difficult terrain that requires skilled navigation, access is only possible with the provided guide and transportation.

A comparable hike in terms of elevation gain and distance is the hike from the Sulphur Mountain gondola station to the top of Sulphur Mountain. The route is not a fluffed and buffed trail. Don’t expect hands in the pocket walking!

GUIDED HIKING ACCESS

Distance Elevation gain Elevation loss Approximate time
Hiking route to Talus 7 km 700 m 134 m 3-5 hours
Hiking route from Talus 7 km 134 m 700 m 3-4 hours

SCHEDULE

Incoming 7:45 am Meet in Canmore
8:00 am
Provided transportation departs
11:30 am Hiking
12:00 pm Trail lunch provided
3:00-4:30 pm  Arrive at Talus
Outgoing

7:00 am Breakfast at Talus
7:45 am Hiking
11:30 am Provided transportation departs. Lunch provided.
4:00 pm Provided transportation arrives in Canmore.

Updated December 18, 2022

Talus Lodge is taking a systematic and collaborative approach to operate amongst the current climate of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. This includes vaccinations (highly recommended),  updates to staff training, operating procedures, risk management, staff and guest health screening, alongside communicating with all our partners to ensure that we are complying with industry standard.

To ensure the health and safety of our clients, staff and partners, we have developed a communicable disease prevention plan which is designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and other communicable disease transmission and to do everything we can to protect our community.

The principles, which have been used to guide our operating protocol pertaining to staff and guests include:

  • Stay at home if you are sick
  • Vaccinations are not required but highly recommended.
  • Onsite plan should anyone develops signs/symptoms at Talus
  • Personal hygiene
  • Environmental hygiene
Communicable disease prevention plan The Talus communicable disease prevention plan will be modified to comply with active COVID-19 guidelines and regulations as set out by British Columbia Health Authority, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, Backcountry Lodge Association of BC and Worksafe BC. For more details: click here.
Vaccination Talus Lodge recommends full vaccination against COVID-19 virus and the flu. Full vaccination means full doses of the vaccine for COVID-19 virus, which has been approved by Health Canada on an interim or permanent basis.
Travel recommendations/ restrictions Adhering to travel recommendations/restrictions is the responsibility of the traveler. Please respect the most current public travel guidelines when booking, re-evaluate at the final payment deadline and on trip departure.
Everything subject to change We place absolute priority on the health and safety of our community. Things can and probably will change; we appreciate your patience as we determine the right thing to do. It is your responsibility to check this website and keep informed. 

Staff and guests The health and safety of our guests, staff, and community is our priority. We are all in this together and we all need to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.
Acknowledgement of risk There is undeniably an ‘Assumption of risk’ for guests wishing to pursue this adventure amidst a global pandemic.  No matter how many precautions and measures are taken, we cannot guarantee with certainty that COVID-19 and other communicable diseases will not find its way into the lodge. Please deeply consider your personal level of vulnerability AND that of your co-vulnerability before booking.
Personal accountability We all need to do our part by following health guidelines, minimizing social contacts prior to the trip and following the measures we have implemented at the lodge. Coming to the lodge is a financial commitment for everyone and we encourage everyone to manage their own exposure in their personal lives and make responsible choices.
 Mandatory trip cancellation Stay home if ;

  • tested positive for COVID-19 in the last seven days leading up to your Talus departure.
  • you are feeling unwell.
Health screening Should anyone experience symptoms,  immediate mask wear is required as well as alerting a staff member of your symptoms.
Lodge life
  • Masks may be recommended in indoor public places.
  • Diligence with personal hygiene.
  • Hand sanitizers stations throughout.
  • Meals are prepared and served in accordance to BC health regulations.
Orientation Following health and safety guidelines provided by Talus during orientation and adhering to the guidelines outlined in the on-site manual administered by the Provincial Health Officer for staff, guest and facility health and hygiene procedures.
Symptoms at Talus Should anyone feel unwell at Talus, a venue will be provided for immediate self isolate. Talus staff will perform a rapid COVID-19 test on site. In the event of a positive COVID-19 test and/or the signs and symptoms listed above do not resolve, get worse, or deemed a risk to you and others by Talus Lodge staff, arrangements will be made for a safe evacuation. The cost of evacuation, in the case of medical emergency, is the responsibility of the guest from an insurance provider is recommended. 

CLEANING

Best practice sanitization The lodge and shower house has been, and will always be, cleaned to meet public health guidelines. We are taking additional steps to ensure guest and staff safety;

  • Enhanced cleaning with a focus on high touch areas including: door handles, light switches, handrails, faucets and knobs.
  • Linens and towels washed in a Miele washing machine sanitized at 70 C.

TRANSPORTATION

Transport Transportation services will follow Transport Canada guidelines for air and surface transport.

Talus Lodge is accepting entire lodge group bookings, in which everyone has assumed the collective risk to being together. Call it your cohort, pod, bubble, squad or your quaranteam. We can offer togetherness between members of your inner circle.

 

 

 

 

It doesn’t have to be pretty but backcountry skiers are expected to be able to ski up and down in a variety of terrain and in all conditions. You should be able to navigate a black diamond ski run and find the concept of an all day winter outing pleasant. Talus is a great place for an introduction to backcountry skiing. If you are new to backcountry skiers, we recommend getting familiar with your binding system in advance and spending time practicing transitions.

 

A big day at Talus is 1000 metres of elevation. Average runs range between 100-300 meters. The longest tree run is 650 meters. The terrain is a mix of high alpine, gladed trees and tree skiing.  The historical average height of snow is 1.5-2.0 meters. Talus runs a safety conscious ski program led by ACMG ski guides for alpine touring, telemarking and split boarders. Split boarders must be prepared for transitions and flats.

At Talus, we specialize in exploratory backcountry skiing with incredible vistas. We count wolverine tracks, not vertical feet. We promise, the skiing is either going to be fun, funny or both! Mother nature is the boss of winter.  We can’t predict snow conditions but for skier with the right expectations, we can guarantee a whoop worthy good time. We are not humble braggers and might be easy to please but when we ski at Talus, we can’t get the smile off our faces.  Our goal, whether you are a beginner with grit or a relaxed powder hound, is for you to have your best day, everyday.

 

Talus Lodge is situated at tree line and surrounded by a rocky plateau. Talus is aptly named as there is an 100% chance of walking on and/or traversing talus slopes or scree. Talus has few established trails and no marked trails. We often follow routes as opposed to established trails. Due to the natural topography, don’t expect a fluffed and buffed trail network or hands in the pocket walking. The hiking is considered challenging as it involves moving over uneven terrain. The hiking terrain includes meadows, high plateau walking and, if the conditions permit, ridge walking.

Depending on the groups ability and energy levels, the guided hikes range from 5 kilometers to 20 kilometers. Elevation gain ranges are from 200 meters to 1000 meters. The guiding program caters to the average level of the hiker in each group. There are often turn back options for those who want shorter days or aren’t keen on ridge walking.

 

No. Talus Lodge provides an ACMG ski guide led experience. We do not allow guests to be self-guided.

 

ACMG led hiking guide experience is included in the summer rate. If guests chose to hike without a guide, hiking must within sight of the lodge and under the direction of the guiding team. Guests hiking without a guide must be with one other person, carry a radio and bear spray.

It’s best if the group has relativity the same ability and/or understands that the guiding team guides to the average level of the group.

The guiding program is determined each morning based on weather, conditions and the groups ambitions. There is often a group that goes longer, farther and higher. The other group might have a nap in a meadow after lunch with turn around points for folks who want to stay closer to home. The guiding program caters to the average level of the hiker in each group. Please keep in mind that we prioritize the groups needs and safety over individual aspirations. There are often turn around points for folks who want a shorter day.

Below are recommended maps if you wish to purchase a map prior to arrival.  A heads up. There are no established trails at Talus.  As a result, the maps have no marked trails.  A map is not required for your trip to Talus as we offer a fully guided experience. For those wanting to get the lay of the land, we also have maps for guest use.

Recommended Map:
Kananaskis Lakes Topo Map 82J11: click here
This map is often not available for purchase in the Bow Valley. We recommend purchasing this map well in advance of your trip departure.

Gem Trek Banff/Assiniboine: click here
Easily purchased in the Bow Valley. Due to the scale of this map, the detail of the Talus area on this map is limited.

 

 

 

Wine and beer is available for purchase at the lodge. Payment for wine and beer can be made with the credit card on your booking file or cash.

Winter: Due to space restrictions on the helicopter, please do not bring your own beer and wine.  Feel free to bring your own spirits but transfer to a plastic container for the helicopter flight.

 

The closest weather forecast for the Talus area is the Kootenay National Park Weather Forecast. The overall weather in the mountains can be extremely variable. Expect temperatures from -5  °C to 30°C. Come prepared for hiking in the snow, wind, sun and bugs! We recommend bringing layers that will keep you warm and dry and clothing that offers sun and bug protection. For a summer gear list: click here

Cancellations due to Talus Lodge closures Cancellation(s) in which Talus Lodge is required to cancel reservations
-Non-refundable reservation fee: 100% non-refundable, non-transferable and final.
-Trip payment: 100% non-refundable. Payment(s), less the reservation fee, can be transferred to a Talus Lodge credit for a future stay.
Reservation fee  100% non-refundable, final and not transferable.
Trip payment 100% non-refundable and final. Payment(s), less reservation fee, will be transferred to a Talus Lodge credit for a future stay.

INSURANCE

Cancellation/Interruption and Emergency Medical Insurance To avoid any financial hardship that an unexpected cancellation or interruption could cause, we strongly urge our clients to purchase appropriate Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Emergency Medical Insurance through a reputable insurance provider to protect your investment. Refunds for cancelled reservations can only be collected from your own cancellation/interruption insurance provider.  Some credit cards provide this type of insurance, others do not. For a free no obligation quote for trip cancellation/interruption and emergency medical insurance from Lifestyle Insurance: click here
Evacuation insurance The cost of a helicopter evacuation, in the case of medical emergency, is the responsibility of the guest. Helicopter evacuation coverage can either be purchased from Talus Lodge for $50 per person or an insurance provider at the time of booking your trip.

Drones can pose risks to visitors, disturb wildlife and lead to negative experiences for other visitors. For these reasons, Talus Lodge strictly limits the use of drones.

Until further notice, we are unable to accept single occupancy reservations. Entire lodge group bookings are possible. Call it your cohort, your pod, your bubble, your squad, or your quaranteam. Whatever you call it, all group members must accept the collective risk of being with each other. Group size is a minimum of 10 people or equivalent pricing.

 

Lunch is provided on arrival. It is a good idea to bring snacks and water to the Mount Shark Helipad in case of flight delays. Lunch is not provided on departure day.

There is no guest access to WiFi. Enjoy being unplugged for your Talus Lodge visit.

No refunds will be issued for cancellation and/or delays due to access transportation. Talus Lodge is not responsible costs incurred due to delayed and/or cancelled access transportation. Talus Lodge will accommodate guests delayed at Talus Lodge as a result of delays or cancellations, however, clients delayed coming into Talus Lodge will not be refunded the lost night(s) of accommodation at Talus Lodge. Delayed incoming clients are responsible for their own full expenses (such as meals and accommodation). Talus Lodge recommends not booking commercial flights on your departure day from Talus.

INSURANCE

Cancellation/Interruption and Emergency Medical Insurance To avoid any financial hardship that an unexpected cancellation or interruption could cause, we strongly urge our clients to purchase appropriate Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Emergency Medical Insurance through a reputable insurance provider to protect your investment. Refunds for cancelled reservations can only be collected from your own cancellation/interruption insurance provider.  Some credit cards provide this type of insurance, others do not. For a free no obligation quote for trip cancellation/interruption and emergency medical insurance from Lifestyle Insurance: click here
Evacuation insurance The cost of a helicopter evacuation, in the case of medical emergency, is the responsibility of the guest. Helicopter evacuation coverage can either be purchased from Talus Lodge for $50 per person or an insurance provider at the time of booking your trip.

Helicopter flights are more often delayed, than cancelled. Since 2001, two helicopter flights days have been cancelled in the summer and three helicopter flight days cancelled in the winter. Talus Lodge recommends not booking commercial flights on your departure day from Talus.

 

The wash house is attached to the main lodge by a ten meter wooden pathway. The wash house has watering can showers, sinks, sauna and the urine diversion toilets. There are no toilets in the main lodge. We provide pee buckets for night time use.

Talus provides the bedding, towels, down duvets and Rocky Mountain Soap Company products (Bodywash, Shampoo and Conditioner). For a gear list, click here

NO. Our solar panels generate power for low wattage items such as camera batteries. Our system is not able to generate the high power required to run hair dryers/curlers.