Participant Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions govern the purchase of and participation in activities organized by Valkyrie Adventures Inc. (hereinafter, “Valkyrie Adventures”). By booking and participating in a Valkyrie Adventures Activity, Participants acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Definitions

  • “Activities” (and each individually, an “Activity”) include, but are not limited to, any guided hiking and backpacking trips and tours of various lengths, outdoor confidence-building experiences, and other lodge-based adventure experiences, which are hosted by a Valkyrie Adventures Guide

  • “Guide” means any representative or employee of Valkyrie Adventures who is leading, supervising, and/or organizing an Activity

  • “Participant” means any person who participates in an Activity operated by Valkyrie Adventures

Full payment is required at the time of booking unless otherwise stated. A booking is considered confirmed once payment has been received and a confirmation email has been issued. Valkyrie Adventures reserves the right to refuse or cancel bookings where participation would present safety, logistical, or operational concerns.

Booking and Payment

Day Hikes

(Women's Hiking Foundations and The Confident Hiker)

If a Participant cancels their booking:

  • Cancellations received more than 5 days before the Activity are eligible for a refund less a $10 processing fee, or a full credit toward a future experience.

  • Cancellations received 5 days or less before the Activity are non-refundable.

If Valkyrie Adventures is able to fill the cancelled spot from a waitlist, a refund may be issued less a $10 non refundable processing fee.

Participants who fail to arrive at the designated meeting location and departure time will be considered a no-show and are not eligible for a refund or credit.

Trail Ready Woman

Due to limited group sizes, partner commitments, advance planning requirements, and the progression-based nature of the program:

  • Cancellations received more than 30 days before the program start date are eligible for a refund less the $100 non-refundable deposit.

  • Cancellations received 30 days or less before the program start date are non-refundable.

If Valkyrie Adventures and Journey to Wellness are able to fill the cancelled spot from the waitlist, a refund of payments made may be issued at the sole discretion of Valkyrie Adventures Inc. and Journey to Wellness. The $100 non-refundable deposit will be retained.

Participants who fail to arrive at the designated meeting location and departure time will be considered a no-show and are not eligible for a refund or credit.

Backcountry Warrior Experiences

Due to limited group sizes, partner commitments, advance planning requirements, and the progression-based nature of the program:

  • Cancellations received 15 days or more before the Activity are eligible for a refund less a $20 processing fee, or a full credit toward a future experience

  • Cancellations received 6 to 14 days before the Activity are eligible for a 50% refund (includes processing fee) or a full credit toward a future Valkyrie Adventures Activity.

  • Cancellations received less than 5 days before the Activity: Non-refundable.

If Valkyrie Adventures is able to fill the cancelled spot from the waitlist, participants will receive a refund of all payments made, less the $20 processing fee.

Participants who fail to arrive at the designated meeting location and departure time will be considered a no-show and are not eligible for a refund or credit.

Some Activities may include services provided by third-party partners. These services form part of the overall experience delivered by Valkyrie Adventures Inc. All refunds, credits, and rescheduling requests will be administered by Valkyrie Adventures Inc. in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.

Where an Activity includes third-party services, permits, accommodations, transportation, or other non-refundable components, Participants acknowledge that certain costs may not be recoverable. Any refund or credit issued may be reduced accordingly.

Cancellation by Participant

Valkyrie Adventures Inc. and Journey to Wellness reserve the right to cancel, postpone, reschedule, or modify the program due to insufficient registrations, severe weather, unsafe conditions, instructor illness, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

If the program is cancelled by Valkyrie Adventures Inc. and Journey to Wellness, Participants will be offered either:

  • a full refund of all amounts paid, or

  • the option to transfer their registration to a future Trail Ready Woman program, where available.

Valkyrie Adventures Inc. and Journey to Wellness are not responsible for any additional costs incurred by Participants, including but not limited to travel expenses, accommodation costs, lost wages, or other incidental expenses.

Cancellation by Valkyrie Adventures & Journey to Wellness for Trail Ready Woman

Valkyrie Adventures reserves the right to cancel any Activity, at any time, in its sole discretion, in instances of:

  • Severe or unsafe weather conditions,

  • Insufficient participant numbers,

  • Safety concerns or environmental conditions,

  • Guide illness or emergency, and/or

  • Circumstances beyond Valkyrie Adventure’s control.

Where Valkyrie Adventures cancels due to any of the above criteria, affected Participants will be offered either:

  • A full refund, or

  • A credit toward a future Activity with Valkyrie Adventures.

Whether a refund or credit is to be offered to a Participant will be determined in Valkyrie Adventure’s sole discretion.

Cancellation by Valkyrie Adventures

Participants must be at least 19 years of age.

Participants are responsible for ensuring they possess the fitness level, mobility, and experience appropriate for the difficulty rating of an Activity.

Participants must disclose any medical conditions, allergies, injuries, or physical limitations that could affect their ability to safely participate in an Activity.

The guide reserves the right to deny participation to any individual who appears unfit, unprepared, or unable to safely complete an Activity.

Eligibility

Required Documentation

Participation in any Activity organized by Valkyrie Adventures requires review and execution of the following documents prior to departure:

  • Release of Liability/Waiver of Claims and

  • Participant Readiness And Medical Disclosure Questionnaire

Participants who fail to complete the above and required documentation may be denied participation in an Activity and may not be eligible for a refund. All Participants acknowledge and agree that the information provided therein is true, accurate, and complete.

All Participants must follow the instructions from the Guide at all times.

The Guide has full authority to modify the itinerary, adjust pace, alter the route, or terminate an Activity where environmental or situational conditions present safety concerns.

The Guide may remove a Participant from an Activity if their behavior compromises anyone’s safety, disrupts the group, or violates these Terms and Conditions. No refunds will be issued in such circumstances.

Safety and Guide Authority

Equipment and Preparation

Participants are responsible for bringing all required personal equipment as outlined in the trip gear list. The gear list will be provided at least 7 days prior to the Activity, and may be provided earlier at the discretion of Valkyrie Adventures.

Required gear may include appropriate footwear, weather appropriate clothing, water, food, and safety equipment. Failure to arrive with appropriate equipment may result in a Participant being refused permission to join the Activity by their Guide. In this situation, the Participant may not be eligible for a refund.

The Guide may also refuse permission for a Participant to join an Activity if their equipment is deemed unsafe or inadequate. In this situation, the Participant may not be eligible for a refund.

Valkyrie Adventures does not provide, sell, or distribute alcohol or controlled substances during any experience. Participants are expected to arrive ready to participate, clear headed, and physically prepared for the demands of the activity.

For the safety of the group, the consumption of alcohol or any substance that may impair judgment, coordination, or physical ability before or during an experience is not permitted.

If a participant appears impaired or unable to participate safely, guides may limit or decline participation at their discretion. No refunds will be issued in such circumstances.

Illegal substances are not permitted at any time during Valkyrie Adventures experiences.

Alcohol and Substance Policy

Group Pace and Participant Responsibility

Participants acknowledge that Valkyrie Adventures experiences are conducted at a planned group pace appropriate for the route, terrain, distance, and daylight conditions.

Participants are responsible for ensuring they have the physical fitness and endurance necessary to maintain the general pace of the group.

If a Participant is unable to maintain the required pace or safely continue an Activity, the Guide may require the Participant to turn back, return to the trailhead, or withdraw from the Activity.

Where possible, reasonable efforts will be made to assist the participant in safely exiting an Activity. However, Participants acknowledge that Guides must prioritize the safety and progress of the entire group.

No refunds will be issued if a participant is unable to continue with an Activity due to inadequate fitness, inadequate preparedness, or inability to maintain the group pace.

Environmental Conditions and Terrain

Participants acknowledge that outdoor Activities may occur in environments that include uneven terrain, exposed coastal areas, cliffs, rocks, roots, mud, wet surfaces, and other natural obstacles.

Participants understand that trails may involve steep ascents and descents, narrow paths, loose footing, and natural hazards that require balance, coordination, and physical effort.

Participants accept that environmental conditions such as wind, rain, fog, temperature changes, and rapidly changing weather are common in coastal and wilderness environments in Nova Scotia.

Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically capable of safely navigating these conditions.

Routes may involve travel near or along coastal environments where tides, waves, and ocean conditions can change rapidly.

Participants acknowledge that coastal terrain may present hazards including slippery rocks, unstable footing, wave exposure, and changing tide levels that may affect route access.

Participants agree to follow all instructions provided by the Guide regarding safe travel in coastal areas.

Tides, Water Exposure, and Coastal Hazards

Participants understand that some Activities may take place in areas where immediate emergency medical assistance may not be available.

Response times for emergency services may be delayed due to the remote nature of certain locations.

Participants acknowledge that evacuation from a trail or wilderness location may require hiking, assistance from other Participants, or rescue services.

Participants agree to cooperate with Guides and emergency personnel in the event of any incident.

Emergency Response and Remote Locations

Outdoor Activities are subject to changing conditions including weather, trail conditions, tides, access restrictions, and other environmental factors.

Valkyrie Adventures reserves the right to modify routes, destinations, timing, or Activities wherever necessary for safety, operational, or other reasons, to be determined in Valkyrie’s sole discretion.

Such changes do not constitute grounds for a refund.

Changes to Itinerary

Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the designated meeting location and time scheduled for an Activity, unless otherwise specified.

Valkyrie Adventures is not responsible for a Participant’s delays, missed departures, or travel disruptions.

Transportation

Photography and Media

Photographs and video recordings of Participants may be taken during an Activity organized by Valkyrie Adventures or its authorized representatives. By participating in an Activity, Participants consent to the use of their image, likeness, voice, and appearance in photographs or recordings (“Image”) for promotional, marketing, educational, or informational purposes. This may include Image use on websites, newsletters, social media platforms, print materials, and other media. Participants acknowledge that Images may be edited, combined with other content, and used without further notice or compensation to the Participant. This consent will remain in effect in perpetuity.

Participant hereby fully releases, discharges, and agrees to save Valkyrie Adventures harmless from any and all claims, demands, actions, damages, losses or costs that might arise out of collection, use or disclosure of the Images or taking, publication, distortion of the Images, negatives, and masters or any other likeness or representation of the Participant that may occur or be produced in the taking of Images or any subsequent processing thereof, including without limitation any claims for libel, passing off, misappropriation of personality, or invasion of privacy.

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Participants are responsible for their own personal belongings and equipment.

Valkyrie Adventures is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal property during an Activity.

Personal Property

Participants are responsible for their own personal health, travel, and accident insurance coverage.

Participation in outdoor Activities carries inherent risks and participants should ensure they have appropriate insurance coverage if desired.

Insurance

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia and the laws of Canada applicable therein.