Policies

Our commitment to privacyProtecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information is fundamental to the way we do business at Snowhawks. To us, providing you with the best client service includes handling your personal information with great care and respect.Your privacy protection is assuredBy signing your Registration Form, you consent to provide us with your personal information. In turn, we agree to protect the privacy of that information in compliance with the Canadian Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Since January 1, 2004, this Act requires every organization to obtain the consent of individuals before collecting, using or disclosing personal information in the course of a commercial activity. The Act sets down the ground rules for how Snowhawks can collect, use or disclose your personal information.Using your personal information to your advantageAs a Snowhawks client, you have entrusted us with your personal information such as your name, address, phone number, birth date, medical information, etc. We use this information to communicate with you, provide medical information in the course of caring for our members, and act as required or authorized by law.How we protect your informationWe protect your information at all times with appropriate safeguards and security measures. Our strict security standards protect our systems and your personal information against unauthorized access or use. Access to your file is restricted to our personnel or select representatives.How we communicate with youWe will distribute program newsletters periodically via email. You will have the option to “unsubscribe” from promotional emails at any time. Further, Snowhawks will not share your email address with any other individual or business without your prior consent.

There are elements of risk that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. While out on the slopes, always show courtesy to others, and please adhere to the code listed below. We all share the responsibility for a safe outdoor experience:Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.People ahead of you have the right-of-way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.Before starting downhill or merging onto a trail, look up-hill and yield to others.If you are involved in or witness a collision or accident, you must remain at the scene and identify yourself to the Ski Patrol.Always use proper devices to help prevent runaway equipment.Observe and obey all posted signs and warnings.Keep off closed trails and areas.

At Snowhawks, we believe in respect for all, including members, Snowhawks staff, instructors, chaperons, chauffeurs, ski centre staff and the general public. In addition, safety is a concern to all and thus the General Rules, listed below, as well rules regarding safe skiing, snowboarding and general conduct (see Alpine Responsibility Code, below) must be respected.General RulesIf a member bullies others, jeopardizing their emotional and/or physical safety, we will contact the member (for adult programs) or parents/guardians (for all other programs) and follow up with consequences. Suspension or dismissal may result from bullying.Behaviour or actions that reduce the positive experiences of others will not be tolerated and may result in suspension or dismissal.Behaviour or actions that pose a danger to the participant or others will not be tolerated and may result in suspension or dismissal.Members are not permitted to possess and/or consume alcohol – adult (age 19+) programs excepted - or illegal drugs. Breaking this rule will result in immediate dismissal from the program.Children and teens may not smoke cigarettes on the program. So doing may result in suspension or dismissal from the program.If a member is suspended or dismissed from the program for breaking the aforementioned rules, there will be no refund of fees.

Helmets are mandatory for all participants (members & guests) on all Snowhawks Ottawa youth and adult programs. Helmets are also mandatory for instructors and chaperons. Wristguards are mandatory for beginner snowboarders and are highly recommended for all other snowboarders on all Snowhawks programs.

Youth (aged 9 & under): At Snowhawks we recognize that our youngest members, despite all the best intentions, may not be ready for the length of day or the physical nature of our sports. Consequently, all those aged nine and under on our Gatineau or Laurentian Traveller Programs may cancel after three sessions with no questions asked. A pro-rated refund will be returned, subject to an administration charge of 2.5% of amount refunded (+ HST), or $20 + HST, whichever is greater.Adults: Try before you buy - First-time adult members may register for a Flex Pack (4-Wednesday package) and pay for only their initial outing. Then, if choosing to continue with the program after the first outing (on week 1 of the program), the balance of payment is due to continue with the next three outings.

For all programs: When an outing is cancelled by Snowhawks owing to weather or road conditions, a make-up day will be scheduled to replace the cancelled outing. There is no refund or credit for missed days, including scheduled make-up days. On Skiing + Snowboarding in Schools programs, there are no make-up days offered for missed outings. On Saturday, Sunday & Spring Break Youth programs, make-up days are available where space permits. This requires a participant to attend on a Sunday in place of a Saturday, or vice versa, or double up on both a Saturday and a Sunday one weekend, or participate on a single-day recreational program, or one day over the Spring Break. Upon request, a missed day may also be made up by bringing a guest on a subsequent outing (Beginners excluded). However, all of these options are only available if space (on the motor coach) permits. A small charge may apply to cover lift ticket differential should a missed trip be made up at a significantly more expensive ski hill. For a missed Single-Day Recreational program, a make-up day on another Snowhawks program is available where space permits, subject to approval from Snowhawks. This option is only available if space (on the motor coach) permits. A small charge may apply to cover lift ticket differential should a missed trip be made up at a significantly more expensive ski centre. Wednesday Adult Getaway members may replace themselves with an alternate if they plan to miss an outing. Or they may bring along a guest on a subsequent outing. However, other registered program members may not serve as alternates or guests. Also, these make-up options are subject to availability of space on the motor coach. A small charge may apply to cover lift ticket differential should a missed trip be made up at a significantly more expensive ski centre. Members seeking a first make-up day will be given priority over those requiring second or third make-up days. There is no carry over to future years for make-ups.

Payment: For Saturday, Sunday or Spring Break youth programs; and for Wednesday or Mid-winter Getaway adult programs: Payment in full may be made by cheque, Interac email transfer, eCheck (electronic funds transfer), credit card or debit card. If paying by eCheck only, a deposit will secure registration and the balance may be paid in installments. If paying by cheque or Interac email transfer, payment in full must be received by Snowhawks within five business days of submission of registration. For Skiing/Snowboarding-in-Schools (after-school) programs: Payment in full may be made by eCheck (electronic funds transfer), credit card or debit card. For payment by eCheck only, a deposit followed by installements is available. For after-school programs, cheques and Interac email transfers are not acceptable forms of payment. For Single-day Recreational programs: Payment in full may be made by eCheck (electronic funds transfer), credit card or debit card. Cheques and Interac email transfers are not acceptable forms of payment for Single-day (including PD Day) programs. Returned cheques or eChecks will be subject to a $15 + HST administrative fee. Late Fee: For those registering on the Gatineau or Laurentian Traveller after December 15, a $25 surcharge will be applied. Refunds:For Saturday, Sunday and Spring Break youth programs; and for Wednesday or Multi-day Getaway adult programs: There is a $100 + HST administration charge for cancellations prior to Dec. 1 (Feb. 15 for Spring Break Programs). No refunds after these dates (although the value of unused lift tickets may be credited on account and applied to a future registration) unless Medical Cancellation Protection is purchased.For Skiing/Snowboarding-in-Schools (after-school) programs: Refunds are available for cancellation in advance of 21 days before program start; however, this will incur a $25 + HST administration charge. There are no refunds for cancellation within 21 days of program start, and no refunds for missed outings or make-up days for any reason, except for withdrawal from the program for medical reasons (note from physician required); withdrawal from the program for medical reasons is subject to a $36/day + HST hold-back to defray bus and other fixed program costs.For Single-day Recreational programs: Refunds are available for cancellation in advance of 7 days before program start; however, this will incur a $15 + HST administration charge. No refunds for cancellation within 7 days of program start, and no refunds for missed outings for any reason.All other refunds (such as cancelling a lesson or equipment rental option on an After-school or Single-day Rec program) are subject to an administration charge of 2.5% of the amount refunded (+ HST), or a minimum administration charge of two dollars ($2.00 + HST), whichever is greater.Note: Refunds are generally processed after the conclusion of the program. Medical Cancellation Protection (MCP) may be purchased as a recommended Option during registration for a Saturday, Sunday, or Spring Break youth program; or the Wednesday Flex Pack adult program. MCP allows for a full, pro-rated refund in the event that a member is unable to commence or continue with a program for medical reasons. Conditions: a note from a physician is required; colds, flu and Covid are excluded (see Missed Days below); MCP must be purchased at the time of registration, and the MCP refund is subject to a deductible amount of 2.5% of the amount refunded + HST, or a minimum charge of $25 + HST, whichever is greater. Medical Cancellation Protection does not apply to Skiing + Snowboarding in Schools programs nor Single-day Recreational programs, nor the Mid-Winter Getaway.. If a member makes use their own season lift pass on any outing and on any program, a refund or credit valued approximately at the cost of a group rate lift ticket will be issued after the conclusion of the program. Rental equipment not returned will be charged to the member at replacement cost.

Registration acceptance is on a first come basis. Online registration is required, along with the appropriate payment. For single-day recreational programs, participants aged 9 and under must be accompanied on the program by a registered participant aged 16 or older.

Yes, all participants/members/guests must sign the waiver as a condition of registration and participation. Click here to review the waiver.