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Organizing your ski, surf, or golf trip will have never been easier! Contact Backside Tours to organise your trip now!
How do I go about organizing a trip? If you are interested in organizing a trip, contact our office at 780-454-7669 or at Edmonton@Backsidetours.com. In order to help us find the right resort destination for you, please provide as much information as possible including what style of group you want and skiing-riding ability to help us help you make the right resort choice and choose the best possible dates for your adventure. We have options for trips from 20 people to 600 people.
I have only enough people for half a bus, what do I do now? If you only have enough people for half a bus please contact us as we usually have other groups in the same situation. We will try our best to match you with another group similar in demographics. We can also help to promote your trip through our monthly Backside Buzz newsletter, our group contacts, and through our website.
Are Backside Tours buses licensed for alcohol consumption? Buses can be licensed for alcohol consumption during travel in Alberta. Backside will arrange your license at designated liquor stores but it is the responsibility of the group organizers to go in and pick up the most common "Special Event, Non-Resale" liquor license. For the 2009-10 season, it is a $10.00 license fee + service charge usually around $3.00. Consumption is only allowed within the hours permitted on the liquor license.
Can we drink in BC during travel? Once we hit the Alberta/BC border, the bus will stop and all alcohol must be placed underneath the coach. Your guide will have access to a compartment underneath where we will store any alcohol on the coach. Bottles will be labeled with your name and you can get it upon arrival. Please note - alcohol must have a resealable top on it, and not be an open bottle or can.
Are kegs allowed on the bus? Absolutely not. It is the policy of our charter bus companies and Backside tours to not allow kegs onto the bus to ensure the safety of patrons.
Does everyone have to sign a waiver? Yes. Everyone must sign a waiver. The waivers will be passed out at the beginning of your trip by the guides. The waivers must be completed and signed with valid and legible name matching the names on the bus list.
What do Backside Tours guides do? Part of the Backside philosophy is that we want our clients to know they are travelling with a tour operator that really cares about service - this will be evident from the time we load your bags to the time when we arrive home. BST guides are uniformed and are actually paid to provide the higher level of service we are becoming known for. Our guides work with the group organizers to ensure a smooth check-in and provide specific information about each destination you are visiting.Guides are also availalbe to assist with entertainment options during the bus ride - and we have plenty!
Who organized my room? Room occupants are arranged by the Group Organizer - not by Backside Tours. Unless specifically indicated, the money you paid was based on maximum occupancy, which is two heads per bed including pull-out sofas or hide-a-beds.
Why do I need a damage deposit? The damage deposit is to ensure any damages caused by patrons are paid for whether they occur in the room or bus. Any and all damage charges are at the discretion of the accommodation property or bus company and NOT Backside Tours. Collected accommodation damage deposits are held in trust and passed onto accommodation providers as soon as the group arrives at the destination. Damages deposits can be collected per group or per room; the choice is up to the organizer. Most groups chose to use the per room damage deposit and thus, each room must put down a credit card number. The card will not be charged unless damages occur. The resort accommodation provider will inform the guides of any damages and what the charge will be. IF there is a discrepancy in the charges, it is up to the room occupants to commuicate directly with resort accommodation provider.
What types of things can result in the loss of my damage deposit?
Typical charges can range from hot tub cleaning, extra cleaning time by the housekeepers upon departure, broken furniture, broken glasses, holes or damages to the room (doors, fixtures, windows). It can also include any damages that may occur outside of the room (hallways, elevators, etc.).
How many bags should I bring? Each person should bring one medium sized bag consisting of ski and snowboard clothing for weekend, regular clothes and the all important bathing suit for hot tubing (if available) and one set of ski and snowboard equipment. Remember most groups are only going for 3 days and 2 nights, so please pack appropriately to ensure there is ample storage space. If you are bringing food with you please do not bring large coolers as there is limited space under the bus. Stick to one grocery bag or a small (15 litre) duffel bag.
What happens if I have to cancel my trip?
Organizer:
Please review the policies (small print) section on this website. Or if you have already started trip planning, review your organizer terms & agreement package.
Individual:
Outside 30 days of departure date, a full refund will be provided.
Within 0 to 29 days of trip departure no refund will be issued.
I lost something on the trip, how can I get it back? Any items left at accommodations or on or outside the bus at the end of a trip are collected by your guides and returned to the Backside Office the following week. You can call the office at 780-454-7669 to confirm any lost items. If items are not claimed by the end of the season (April 30th of each year), they will be donated to a local charity.
