Powder Mountain Catskiing/Heliskiing — Attraction in Whistler Resort Municipality

THEY DID NOT UPHOLD THEIR VERTICAL GUARANTEE!!!

I've included screenshots of our email exchange, and one of their cached website - BEFORE THEY PULLED IT DOWN AND DELETED THE GUARANTEE AFTER I COMPLAINED. Unreal.

So here's the story.

The website "used to" guarantee 7,000 vertical feet guaranteed for their cat skiing day. We had a very challenged cat group, with one person double heel ejecting on his first turn, and continued slow pace and falls throughout the day. Granted, this was a possibility when you can't fill the 12 person cat with your own friends / group all at the same high level. As a result, we were very slow, and people were tired.

So the guides shut down the day a bit early, BEFORE WE SKIED 7,000 vertical feet. They asked us if we wanted to ski down the cat road instead of riding in the cat. I recall 7 people rode the cat and and 5 skied the road, which amounted to about 1,200 vertical feet or so. CLEARLY, SKIING ON A CAT ROAD IS NOT WHAT WE PAID FOR.

That being said, we still had an "ok" day, given the non-high end cat cabin and basic lunch sandwiches. Its what happened when I contacted them asking for a credit or refund based on not hitting the guarantee. After working in the ski industry for nearly 20 years, and being a lawyer, what happened next was shocking.

I've attached screenshots of the email exchange, and captioned them. Essentially, I explained that I tracked the day on an app, and we didn't ski 7,000' vertical feet, except for the cat road ski out. They said "sorry you were disappointed, we can offer a 5% credit on your next trip." 5% = $30 CAD on a $600 day. Really? So I asked again, complained, and after asking what the status was almost 2 weeks later, they responded again - without even the courage so leave their name - and still said 5%.

Here's the kicker: THEY ADMITTED TO ALTERING THEIR WEBSITE TO DELETE THE GUARANTEE.

So, they have a guarantee, someone calls them on it, they offer a paltry 5% discount, then realizing they are now exposed, pull the guarantee.

Un-friggin' believable. While I'm sure SOME people have a good experience, this after-the-fact complete lack of a semblance of customer service, and, in my opinion, breach of contract, is appalling, and I CANNOT RECOMMEND...

I've had some incredible times at Powder Mountain, joining them on multiple heli and cat skiing trips. It's not just about the deep, untouched powder, but the careful focus on safety and communication that sets the stage for unique and exciting adventures. Companies like this don't exist unless they follow the strictest safety protocols and mandate avalanche training on every trip. This isn't an environment where you go to learn from mistakes, you prevent them at all costs.

While a previous review mentioned 'mansplaining,' it's crucial to clarify that repeated and consistent safety information is not a form of condescension, but a commitment to ensuring everyone is well prepared for the extraordinary challenges these adventures bring.

Powder Mountain's dedication to safety may be higher than other assisted backcountry operations, but I've studied avalanches for years and I've not heard of anyone on a guided trip complaining that there were too many safety briefings. They exist just like all other warnings; at some time in the past, something happened, someone unalived themselves, and we must learn from their mistakes and implement safety measures to prevent it in the future.

I've observed Powder Mountain's commitment to treating everyone with equality, fostering an inclusive environment for all participants. Women play integral roles as guides and hosts, adding a layer of diversity that I haven't experienced at other operations within BC.

For me, it isn't just about the thrill of adventure; it's about the unparalleled vistas and the once in a lifetime experience. Don't let misconceptions hinder your exploration of this breath taking terrain. Powder Mountain stands as a testament to the grandeur of nature, ready to be discovered by those seeking an earnest connection with the awe-inspiring world of extreme sports and I have nothing but deep respect and gratitude for the guides whose job it is to ensure we get home safely to our loved ones at the end of...

This has been our best skiing trip so far! We spent 6 days catskiing at the beginning of the season, and everything was just perfect: the snow was fantastic, the weather was great, and don’t even get me started on the food… absolutely delicious and plenty of it (you definitely won’t get hungry). The landscape was stunning. We went to the top of a mountain with breathtaking views of the Caucasus and the Black Sea.

The guides were amazing, super friendly and always knew where to find fresh powder.

The house we stayed in was clean and comfortable, and everyone working there was incredibly warm and welcoming. We also had a great time hanging out at the cozy little bar in the village.

From the moment we landed to the day we left, everything was really well organized. The team was always available to answer any questions via whatsapp or email, and we felt really well taken care of and safe.

We’re already planning to come back next...