1. Acceptance of terms
By using our website or booking a tour, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms, along with our Privacy Policy and Cancellation Policy.
2. Eligibility
To book with Banff Elite, you must be:
- At least 18 years old, or
- Under 18 with the consent of a legal guardian.
By booking, you confirm you meet these requirements.
3. Use of the website and services
Banff Elite grants you a non-exclusive, revocable license to use our website for personal, non-commercial purposes.
You may not:
- Use the website for unlawful or fraudulent activities.
- Scrape, copy, or extract data.
- Use automated bots or harvesting tools.
- Attempt to disrupt website functionality.
- Reproduce or distribute any content without permission.
All website content is the property of Banff Elite.
4. Booking and payment
Booking a custom experience follows these steps:
- Enquiry: submit a form or contact us directly.
- Quote: we send a customized experience proposal.
- Approval: you confirm the tour details and pricing.
- Payment: pay by credit card, e-transfer, or PayPal.
- Confirmation: you receive a confirmed itinerary and instructions.
For deposits, balances, and refunds, see the Cancellation Policy.
5. Cancellations and refunds
All cancellations are governed by our 72-hour policy, with specific terms for large group bookings.
Groups of 1 to 6
- Full refund if cancelled 72 hours or more before the tour start time.
- No refund if cancelled within 72 hours of the tour start time.
Groups of 7 or more
- A 20% deposit, or 20% of the total payment, is non-refundable once the booking is made.
- The remaining balance is refundable if cancelled 72 hours or more before the tour start time.
- No refund of any amount if cancelled within 72 hours of the tour.
Late arrivals, no-shows, and partners
- Late arrivals and no-shows: tours are fully chargeable if you are late or do not show up at the scheduled pickup time.
- Third-party activities: experiences involving other providers, such as gondolas, lake cruises, and Ice Explorers, follow the cancellation rules of those providers.
6. Customer responsibilities
Punctuality. Customers must be on time for pickup. Arriving 10 minutes or more late may be marked as a no-show. On shared tours, returning 15 minutes or more late at a stop means the tour continues without you.
Conduct
Customers must behave respectfully towards guides, other guests, wildlife, and the environment. Banff Elite may remove a disruptive guest without a refund.
Belongings
You are responsible for your personal items. Banff Elite is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged belongings.
Health and fitness
You must be physically able to take part in the activities included in your tour. Any medical, mobility, or health concern must be disclosed during booking.
Alcohol and substance use
Guests under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be refused service with no refund.
7. Changes to itineraries
Travel in the Rockies can be unpredictable. Banff Elite may adjust an itinerary because of:
- Weather.
- Road closures.
- Wildlife encounters.
- Safety concerns.
- Third-party availability.
When a change is needed, we will provide a reasonable alternative.
8. Adventure activities and assumption of risk
Some tours include physical activity and natural hazards, such as:
- Uneven terrain.
- Slippery surfaces.
- Wildlife.
- High altitude.
- Changing weather.
- Snow, ice, or wind.
- Water-based activities.
Participation is at your own risk. A waiver may be required for certain experiences. Failure to sign means you will not take part in that activity, and that activity is not refunded.
9. Third-party providers
Some experiences are operated by trusted partners. Banff Elite acts as a facilitator and is not responsible for:
- Third-party cancellations.
- Delays.
- Safety measures implemented by other operators.
- Service quality or availability.
You are subject to the third-party provider’s terms.
10. Intellectual property
All logos, branding, images, videos, text, and content on the Banff Elite website are owned by Banff Elite. Unauthorized use may result in legal action.
11. Reviews, photos, and feedback
If you submit a review, photo, or feedback, you grant Banff Elite a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use that content for marketing or promotion unless you request otherwise.
12. Photography and media
By joining a Banff Elite tour, you consent to photography and video taken during the experience being used for promotion, unless you tell us otherwise in writing.
13. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law:
- Banff Elite is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
- You agree to participate at your own risk.
- Banff Elite is not responsible for injuries caused by a failure to follow guide instructions, wildlife interactions, weather conditions, or natural terrain.
14. Events beyond our control
We are not liable for cancellations or delays caused by events beyond our control, including:
- Extreme weather.
- Natural disasters.
- Road or park closures.
- Pandemics.
- Accidents.
- Government restrictions.
- Transportation disruptions.
Refunds or a new date follow the Cancellation Policy.
15. Environmental responsibility
We follow Leave No Trace principles and expect guests to respect national park rules, wildlife guidelines, and natural spaces.
16. Privacy
Your use of our website and services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect and protect personal information.
17. Changes to these terms
Banff Elite may update these terms at any time. Updated versions will be posted on this page. Continued use of our services means you accept the updated terms.
18. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Alberta, Canada. Any dispute falls under Alberta jurisdiction.
19. Alcohol, drugs, and intoxication
To protect the safety and comfort of every guest, Banff Elite enforces a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol on all tours.
- No alcohol or drugs of any kind, including cannabis, edibles, vape pens, and other recreational substances, are permitted at any time during the tour.
- This rule applies even when the substance is legal in Canada, including cannabis.
- A guest may not board the vehicle or join the tour if they show signs of intoxication, including impairment from alcohol, cannabis, edibles, or another substance.
- If a guest becomes intoxicated during the day, the guide may remove that guest from activities, end the tour for that guest, or cancel their participation immediately.
- No refund is issued when a guest is removed, or a tour is cancelled for that guest, because of intoxication, possession of a prohibited substance, or a refusal to follow this policy.
These rules protect you, other travellers, wildlife, and public safety.
20. Copyrights and trademarks
All content and branding associated with Banff Elite is the exclusive property of Banff Elite and is protected under Canadian and international copyright and trademark laws. That includes:
- The Banff Elite name.
- The Banff Elite logo, icons, graphics, and design.
- Website content, including text, descriptions, itineraries, and pricing structures.
- Photos, videos, and digital media.
- Marketing materials, guides, and brochure content.
- Website layout, visuals, and custom tour descriptions.
Trademarks
The Banff Elite name and the Banff Elite logo are trademarks owned solely by Banff Elite.
No person or business may copy, reproduce, distribute, display, or use our name, logo, or brand elements without written permission from Banff Elite.
Use of our trademarks in a way that creates confusion, competition, or misrepresentation is prohibited and may result in legal action.
Copyright
All original content published by Banff Elite, including tour descriptions, blog content, experience details, images, videos, and original media, is protected by copyright.
You may not, without prior written permission from Banff Elite:
- Copy or republish our content.
- Reproduce tour descriptions or itineraries.
- Use our photos or videos for commercial use.
- Create derivative works.
- Use our content on a competitor website or for another agency.
Prohibited use of the name
You agree not to:
- Use or imitate our branding for any commercial purpose.
- Register a domain name, business name, or social media handle containing “Banff Elite” or a confusingly similar variation.
- Create misleading ads, posts, or listings using Banff Elite branding.
- Use our images, logo, or content to sell travel services elsewhere.
Breaking these conditions may result in legal action, including claims for damages and an order to stop the use.
21. Contact us
Questions about these terms can be sent to info@banff.com or +1 (403) 555-0100.