Terms & Conditions | Van Isle Treks
A legal disclaimer
Last Updated: October 29, 2026
IMPORTANT NOTICE
ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
BY ACCEPTING THIS AGREEMENT, PARTICIPANTS GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE VAN ISLE TREKS AND ITS OWNERS, EMPLOYEES, GUIDES AND REPRESENTATIVES FOR NEGLIGENCE.
Outdoor activities involve risks of serious injury, permanent disability and death.
Welcome to Van Isle Treks. These Terms & Conditions govern all bookings, guided hikes, trekking excursions, wilderness activities, equipment rentals and related services offered by Van Isle Treks.
All participants must review and accept these Terms & Conditions and complete the separate Waiver and Release of Liability before participating.
1. BOOKING & PAYMENTS
Full payment is required at the time of booking unless otherwise stated. All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD).
Bookings are non-transferable without prior written authorization from Van Isle Treks.
Participants are responsible for reviewing activity descriptions, distances, elevation gain, difficulty ratings, terrain, duration and equipment requirements before booking.
Booking confirmation does not establish that a participant possesses the physical fitness, experience or equipment necessary to complete an activity.
Van Isle Treks reserves the right to refuse or cancel bookings based on participant preparedness, conduct, operational requirements or other legitimate considerations.
2. CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS | PARTICIPANT CANCELLATIONS
• More than 7 days before departure: Full refund minus applicable non-refundable processing fees.
• Between 7 days and 48 hours before departure: 50% refund.
• Less than 48 hours before departure: No refund.
No refunds will be issued for missed departures, late arrivals, inadequate preparation, unsuitable equipment, voluntary withdrawal or inability to complete an activity.
VAN ISLE TREKS CANCELLATIONS
Van Isle Treks reserves the right to cancel, postpone, reschedule or modify activities due to severe weather, hazardous conditions, trail closures, government restrictions or operational circumstances.
If Van Isle Treks cancels an activity before departure, participants will be offered a full refund of the activity fee or the option to reschedule.
Van Isle Treks does not assume responsibility for transportation, accommodation, equipment purchases, lost wages, travel arrangements or other incidental expenses incurred by participants.
3. PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS & PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Every participant is responsible for assessing their physical fitness, health, hiking experience, equipment and ability to participate.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST:
• Arrive properly equipped with suitable footwear, clothing, food, sufficient drinking water, personal medications and necessary equipment.
• Understand the distance, elevation gain, terrain, duration, weather exposure and physical demands of their selected activity.
• Disclose relevant medical conditions or limitations that may affect participation.
• Monitor their own physical condition, hydration, nutrition, fatigue and ability to continue.
• Make independent decisions concerning personal abilities, limitations and preparedness.
• Accept responsibility for their personal equipment, conduct and decisions.
Van Isle Treks does not undertake to supply personal equipment, food, drinking water, medications, continuous individual supervision or medical monitoring.
General information or assistance provided by Van Isle Treks does not replace personal preparation or independent judgment.
Participants arriving inadequately prepared may be refused participation without refund.
Participants under 19 require advance authorization and written parental or legal guardian consent. Additional participation requirements may apply.
4. ASSUMPTION OF RISK, RELEASE OF LIABILITY & INDEMNIFICATION
IMPORTANT: THIS SECTION AFFECTS PARTICIPANTS' LEGAL RIGHTS.
Participants acknowledge that hiking, trekking and wilderness travel involve inherent, foreseeable and unforeseeable risks, including serious injury, permanent disability and death.
RISKS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• Falls, slips, unstable terrain, steep slopes and falling rocks.
• River crossings, lakes, streams and natural water hazards.
• Wildlife encounters, insects and environmental hazards.
• Extreme temperatures, adverse weather and exposure.
• Dehydration, exhaustion, illness and physical overexertion.
• Equipment malfunction, failure or improper use.
• Navigation difficulties, isolation and remote wilderness conditions.
• Limited communications and delayed or unavailable emergency services.
• Actions or omissions of other participants or third parties.
• Negligence, errors, omissions or decisions by Van Isle Treks or its representatives.
• Other known, unknown, anticipated or unexpected hazards.
Participants voluntarily assume the risks associated with participation.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY
In consideration of being permitted to participate, each adult participant agrees to waive all claims against, and release and discharge, Van Isle Treks and its owners, operators, directors, officers, employees, guides, contractors, volunteers, agents, representatives, successors and assigns from liability for personal injury, illness, disability, death, property damage or other losses connected with participation.
THIS RELEASE EXPRESSLY INCLUDES CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF VAN ISLE TREKS AND ANY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, INCLUDING NEGLIGENT ACTS, OMISSIONS, DECISIONS, INSTRUCTIONS, SUPERVISION, ROUTE SELECTION, EQUIPMENT PROVISION OR OTHER OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
Participants acknowledge that Van Isle Treks does not guarantee personal safety, favourable conditions, successful completion, rescue, evacuation or immediate medical assistance.
INDEMNIFICATION
Each adult participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Van Isle Treks and the released parties against third-party claims, damages, losses and reasonable legal expenses arising from the participant's negligent or wrongful conduct, breach of these Terms & Conditions or damage caused by the participant.
SEPARATE WAIVER REQUIREMENT
Every participant must complete the applicable Van Isle Treks Waiver and Release of Liability before participating. Adults must sign for themselves. Additional requirements apply to minors.
5. SAFETY, EQUIPMENT & OPERATIONAL DECISIONS
Participants are personally responsible for arriving properly equipped and prepared for their selected activity.
PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
• Supplying and maintaining appropriate personal equipment.
• Carrying sufficient food and drinking water.
• Wearing suitable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing.
• Carrying necessary medications and personal supplies.
• Understanding the route, terrain, elevation and physical demands.
• Monitoring their own health, fatigue, hydration and physical limitations.
• Following reasonable operational instructions.
• Communicating any inability to continue.
Van Isle Treks may provide general route information, preparation guidance, scheduling coordination and operational directions.
Van Isle Treks reserves the right to modify routes, adjust schedules, refuse participation, terminate activities or remove participants when reasonably necessary.
The provision of guidance, information, equipment or assistance does not constitute a guarantee of personal safety or replace individual preparation and judgment.
Participants acknowledge that wilderness emergencies may occur where transportation, communications, rescue services and medical assistance are limited, delayed or unavailable.
6. WEATHER, TRAIL CONDITIONS & ITINERARY CHANGES
Outdoor environments are unpredictable. Weather, terrain, water levels, wildlife activity and trail conditions may change rapidly and without warning.
Van Isle Treks reserves the right to modify, postpone, cancel or terminate any activity due to environmental conditions, operational circumstances or other factors affecting the itinerary.
PARTICIPANTS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT:
• Weather forecasts do not guarantee actual conditions.
• Trails may be slippery, unstable, obstructed or inaccessible.
• Natural water sources may be unavailable or unsuitable for consumption.
• Routes, schedules, destinations and activity duration may change.
• Activities may proceed during ordinary rain or expected outdoor conditions.
• Participants are responsible for their own clothing, equipment, abilities and personal readiness.
Van Isle Treks does not guarantee that trails, routes, campsites, destinations or environmental conditions will be free of hazards.
Participants remain responsible for assessing their ability to begin and continue an activity.
The cancellation and refund provisions govern applicable booking adjustments.
7. CODE OF CONDUCT
All participants must demonstrate responsible conduct and respect for other participants, staff, wildlife, the environment and applicable park regulations.
PARTICIPANTS MUST:
• Respect wildlife, natural habitats and protected areas.
• Follow Leave No Trace principles.
• Remove their own garbage and belongings.
• Avoid reckless, aggressive, disruptive or dangerous behaviour.
• Refrain from participating while impaired by alcohol or other substances affecting judgment or physical ability.
• Follow reasonable operational instructions.
• Respect guides, staff and other participants.
• Accept responsibility for damage or loss caused by their conduct.
Van Isle Treks reserves the right to refuse, suspend or terminate participation where conduct violates these requirements or interferes with the activity.
Removal for misconduct or inadequate preparation does not qualify for a refund under the participant cancellation policy.
8. PRIVACY & PERSONAL INFORMATION
Van Isle Treks collects personal information necessary to administer bookings, communicate with participants, coordinate activities and manage relevant participation requirements.
INFORMATION MAY INCLUDE:
• Names and contact information.
• Booking and payment details.
• Emergency contact information.
• Relevant medical disclosures.
• Participation requirements and registration information.
Personal information is handled in accordance with the Van Isle Treks Privacy Policy and applicable privacy legislation.
Information may be processed through authorized website, booking, payment and administrative service providers.
Relevant information may be disclosed to emergency responders when necessary to respond to an emergency.
Van Isle Treks does not sell participants' personal information.
Participants must provide accurate information and communicate relevant changes before participation.
9. GOVERNING LAW, AGREEMENT & ENFORCEABILITY
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia and applicable federal laws of Canada.
Disputes arising from these Terms & Conditions or participation in Van Isle Treks activities shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of British Columbia.
Van Isle Treks reserves the right to update these Terms & Conditions. Updated provisions apply prospectively to bookings made after their effective date.
These Terms & Conditions operate together with the separate Van Isle Treks Waiver and Release of Liability and the applicable booking policies.
PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGMENT
By accepting these Terms & Conditions, each participant confirms that they:
• Have read and understood the agreement.
• Understand that outdoor activities involve significant risks, including serious injury and death.
• Accept personal responsibility for fitness, equipment, preparation, conduct and participation decisions.
• Understand that Van Isle Treks does not guarantee safety or successful completion.
• Understand that the agreement includes an express release of claims arising from negligence.
• Agree to complete the required separate waiver before participation.
• Agree to comply with Van Isle Treks operating requirements.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Van Isle Treks
Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
VanIsleTreks@gmail.com
www.vanisletreks.com