These Terms & Conditions apply to all participants using our cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking equipment, trails, programs, lessons, rentals, and guided activities (collectively, the “Activities”).
By booking, purchasing, renting equipment, accessing the trails, or participating in any Activity, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Participants must comply with all applicable laws, posted rules, staff instructions, and safety requirements.
Participants are responsible for providing accurate information regarding their age, experience, abilities, and any relevant limitations that may affect safe participation.
Minors must have the consent and supervision required by Hiawatha Highlands. A parent or legal guardian may be required to complete applicable waivers and assume responsibility for participating minors.
Hiawatha Highlands reserves the right to refuse participation or rental where, in its reasonable judgment, a participant is unable to safely participate or is not complying with these Terms & Conditions.
Winter outdoor activities involve inherent and potentially serious risks, including falls, collisions, loss of control, uneven or slippery terrain, obstacles, ice, snow conditions, cold temperatures, hypothermia, frostbite, changing weather, equipment failure, encounters with wildlife, and injury caused by the actions of other participants or third parties.
By participating, you voluntarily accept the inherent risks associated with the Activity and acknowledge that injuries, property damage, and other losses may occur even when reasonable safety precautions are followed.
Participants are responsible for deciding whether an Activity is appropriate for their abilities, experience, physical condition, and comfort level.
Activities may take place in changing and unpredictable winter conditions.
Hiawatha Highlands may modify, delay, relocate, or cancel an Activity due to weather, snow conditions, trail conditions, insufficient snow, ice, wind, temperature, visibility, safety concerns, or other circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
Participants are responsible for arriving appropriately dressed and equipped for current and anticipated conditions.
Rented equipment must be used only for its intended purpose and in accordance with instructions provided by Hiawatha Highlands.
Participants are responsible for inspecting equipment before use and reporting any apparent damage, defect, or malfunction immediately.
Equipment must be returned at the agreed time and in substantially the same condition in which it was provided, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
Participants may be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement for equipment that is lost, stolen, or damaged through misuse, negligence, or failure to follow instructions.
Participants must:
Participants must not participate while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, recreational drugs, medication, or any other substance that could affect judgment, coordination, or ability to participate safely.
Hiawatha Highlands may immediately terminate participation where a participant appears impaired or presents a safety risk.
7. Trail Use and Etiquette
Participants must respect other trail users, private property, wildlife, the natural environment, and posted restrictions.
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking may be subject to different trail-use rules. Participants must use only trails designated for their particular Activity.
Fat bikes must be operated only on trails where fat biking is permitted and when trail conditions meet applicable requirements.
Participants must not intentionally damage groomed trails or ride/walk on trails when conditions make doing so likely to cause damage.
Bookings are subject to availability.
Cancellation and refund policies will be communicated at the time of booking and may vary depending on the Activity.
Where Hiawatha Highlands cancels an Activity due to unsafe weather or trail conditions, participants will be entitled to the remedy specified in the applicable booking or cancellation policy.
No refund may be provided for late arrival, failure to attend, early departure, or voluntary discontinuation of an Activity unless otherwise stated in the applicable cancellation policy.
All day passes and season passes are FINAL SALE and for the the date or period designated at time of purchase.
Guides and instructors provide general instruction and safety guidance but cannot eliminate all risks associated with winter outdoor activities.
Participants must follow reasonable instructions from guides and instructors. A guide or instructor may remove a participant from an Activity where they reasonably believe continued participation presents a safety concern.
Participants are responsible for their personal belongings.
Hiawatha Highlands is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property except where liability cannot legally be excluded or limited.
Photographs or video may be taken during Activities for promotional, educational, or operational purposes. Participants who do not wish to appear in promotional materials should notify Hiawatha Highlands before participating.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, participants acknowledge the inherent risks of the Activities and agree that Hiawatha Highlands, its owners, employees, contractors, guides, instructors, volunteers, and agents are not responsible for losses, injuries, damages, or expenses arising from participation except where such liability cannot legally be excluded or limited.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude or limit any rights or liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited under applicable law.
Participants authorize Hiawatha Highlands, its employees, guides, or emergency personnel to take reasonable steps to obtain emergency assistance where they believe it is necessary.
Participants are responsible for providing accurate emergency-contact information where requested.
Any costs associated with emergency transportation, medical treatment, rescue, or evacuation may be the responsibility of the participant, except where otherwise required by law or expressly covered by Hiawatha Highlands.
Participants are expected to respect the environment and follow applicable environmental and trail-management rules.
Littering, intentional damage to vegetation or property, harassment of wildlife, and unauthorized trail modification are prohibited.
Hiawatha Highlands may reasonably modify Activities, operating procedures, trail access, rental requirements, or these Terms & Conditions from time to time.
The Terms & Conditions applicable to a booking or participation will be those communicated or made available at the relevant time, subject to applicable law.
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Activity takes place, together with any applicable federal, provincial/state, or municipal laws.
Any provision found to be invalid or unenforceable will be severed or modified to the minimum extent necessary, without affecting the remaining provisions.
By participating in any Activity, the participant confirms that they:
