2023-2024 Cancellation Policy

Reservations

When you book a trip, you are scheduling guides, sled dogs and reserving equipment for specific dates for your winter mushing experience. We are a specialized kennel providing customized guided experiences during a very short 75-100 day winter season, while balancing the financial realities of a full year of kennel expenses. We are committed to providing high quality dog care, 365 days a year. This includes quality dog food and veterinary care. When you book a trip, you are supporting our commitment to high standards of dog care throughout the year.

Deposit

Day Trips: A $100 non-refundable deposit per person is required at the time of booking. Multi-Day Trips: A $200 non-refundable deposit per person is required at the time of booking.

There is a seven day grace period after your deposit payment in which the deposit paid is fully refundable, as long as the trip start date is more than 30 days out. After seven days, deposits are non-refundable.

Cancellation Policy

Making a trip deposit (via check or credit card), is acknowledgement that you accept the following terms of our Cancellation Policy.

This policy applies to trips which are completely canceled (no one from the party will participate on the originally scheduled dates) as well as partially cancelled (one or more members from the originally scheduled party will not be participating). Postponing or rescheduling a trip outside of the dates allowed below is considered a cancellation.

Cancellations made:

Within 7 days of the original deposit — as long as your start date is more than 30 days out, your deposit is fully refundable during this grace period.

30+ days before your trip start date — your deposit is non-refundable, but may be transferred to a new trip date to start within one year of the original trip date, for rates in effect at the time of rebooking.

30 days or less before your trip start date — The full trip price for each cancelling party member is forfeited as a cancellation fee.

Reservation Changes

All requests for changes to your reservation, including date changes, group size changes, lodging reservations or termination of your booking, will be considered a change addressed by the cancellation policy and should be submitted in writing via email to peter@whitewilderrness.com as early as possible.

Final Payment

Final payment is due 30 days before the trip. An invoice will be emailed (from Square) 45 days prior to your trip start date. We DO NOT automatically charge your credit card for the balance due.

Payment may be made by:

credit card via the emailed Square invoice,
check mailed to White Wilderness, PO Box 727, Ely, MN 55731.

All prices are subject to Minnesota sales tax.

Past Due

If you are past due on final payment, White Wilderness reserves the right to cancel your reservation and retain the full deposit.

Other Considerations When Planning Your Trip

Due to the need for tight scheduling of trips, it is simply not possible to accommodate last minute changes due to potentially unfavorable weather forecasts. Please plan ahead for realistic winter travel logistics, including unforeseen delays and slower winter driving conditions. Consider booking an extra day in Ely or on the north shore before and maybe even after your trip, so that you have flexibility surrounding your trip. No refunds or credits are provided for late arrivals or early departures.

Weather, Covid, and Other Unexpected Events

We understand that weather can cause flight delays or even cancellations, COVID or other illnesses can occur, and other unexpected life events can make travel impossible. Unfortunately, the financial constraints of a small, seasonal business do not allow us to make exceptions to the cancellation policy. For this reason, we do suggest you consider travel insurance, particularly if you have a large group, are participating in a longer trip, or are worried about the possibility of needing to cancel.

Travel Insurance

There are many providers of independent travel insurance. Although it can vary, the cost is usually just a small percentage of the cost of the trip, and it can cover all aspects of your vacation, including airfare, lodging, and more.

Here are some online resources.

What if White Wilderness Cancels the Trip

In the unlikely and unfortunate event that White Wilderness must cancel your reservation, a full refund of your deposit and any payments made will be issued; you may also be given the option to apply this amount to a future trip.