FAQs

Questions and Answers

You might have questions about the logistics of our tours. These frequently asked questions help answer some of the more common questions. If you can't find an answer here, send us a message and we'll be happy to provide you with more detail.

Q: Can I purchase a Gift Certificate for someone special?

Click below to purchase a gift certificate. Gifts can be for a specific tour, or you can just set a dollar amount that can be applied when that someone special makes their reservation.

Q: What is your health and safety policy? With the lingering effects of COVID-19, do I need to be aware of anything, in light of the Coronavirus Pandemic?

We will use this opportunity to remind you that we enourage all tour participants to maintain 2m (6') social distance between non-family groups, whenever you feel it appropriate while on tour. We do recognize that in certain circumstances it may be difficult to maintain appropriate physical distance (e.g. during interpretive moments, taking breaks on outdoor tours, while on the tour bus, or during planetarium experiences), so we also encourage guests to keep a mask handy to put on when they feel it appropriate. Plus, masks help keep your face warm during cold weather! :)

Q: So what will a tour look like in this post-pandemic world?

Only certain tours feature telescopes and other stargazing equipment. However, all tours focus on immersive storytelling experiences that will be augmented by naked-eye stargazing, and interpretation that encourages guests to explore with all of their senses. We are going to help you to stargaze and experience the night sky the way people of past generations did; these tours will be about reconnecting with the cosmos!

Q: What if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

It can be kind of hard to go stargazing when you can’t see through the rain, snow and clouds. As such, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, our guides have the ability to make a last minute decision to adjust the tour itinerary/route, as they deem necessary, including suggesting that a tour be resecheduled or cancelled.

Q: So what does that actually mean?

If we determine that the weather isn’t cooperating, our guides may decide to adjust the tour itinerary/route. This may involve traveling to a different location than the one described in the itinerary, which may be closer to the northern edge of Waterton Park (where the clouds tend to disperse). If that doesn't seem appropriate, we may be forced to cancel the tour.

Q: What if my tour is cancelled?

Our company policy dictates that we don't normally charge your credit card until the tour departs. That way, if we do have to cancel the tour, you will NOT see any charges on your credit card. We will do our best to try and reschedule you to a subsequent night (hence the reason we encourage you to book your tour reservation early on during your visit to WLNP, so we might have the option to reschedule for later).

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

Please click here for a copy of our company’s cancellation (and other) policies.

Q: What Kinds of Stargazing Equipment will I have Access to?

Like many businesses, we have had to adapt and evolve throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. We currently offer the following high-quality stargazing equipment:

Unistellar eVscope 2: With uncompromised optics for a stunning visual experience the eVscope 2 brings power and speed together with optical expertise to deliver the most immersive space exploration experience. New in 2022! This is our attempt to reintroduce telescopes to our experiences, in a post-covid world where health/safety is of the utmost concern.

Celestron SkyMaster DX 8x56 Binoculars: these were named the #1 recommended bino for astronomy, by Terence Dickinson in SkyNews Magazine. Enough said!

Q: Where do we meet to join the tour?

The meeting point depends on which tour you are doing:

Starry Skies Townsite Stroll meets and departs from the Peace Park Plaza, near the Waterton Marina, during the summer months. In the winter, you will meet your guide at Cameron Falls.
The Discover Snowshoeing Tour meets near Cameron Falls and will depart using personal vehicles from there.
The Snowshoe Winter Adventure Tour meets near Cameron Falls and will depart using personal vehicles from there.
The Night Sky Telescope Tour will pick you up from your accommodation (make sure to specify where, when you complete the questionnaire during the booking reservation process).
The Dark Sky Adventure Tour will pick you up from your accommodation (make sure to specify where, when you complete the questionnaire during the booking reservation process).

Please be waiting outside the lobby of your hotel and watch for our tour bus to arrive. If you are staying in the townsite campground, please meet us at the campground entrance kiosk. If you are staying outside the National Park, please email us to coordinate the most convenient meet-up location.

Q: Where can I find your business?

Don’t worry! We make connecting easy. In fact, you don’t have to come find us – we’ll come straight to you. Our tours meet and depart from different locations mentioned above.

Q: Do you offer door-to-door service?

You bet! On tours where transportation is included, we will pick you up at the locations mentioned above, and we will drop you off at your accommodation, at the end of the tour.

Q: Do I need to make a reservation in advance?

We recommend you make a reservation request in advance. We strive to offer an incredibly personalized tour. This means we limit the number of participants on each tour. As such, tours tend to sell out – so we encourage you to make your reservations as soon as you have a good idea of your travel itinerary. That being said, please note our refund/cancellation policy (mentioned above). If you are concerned about the weather, you can always hold off until a day or two before.

And remember, we recommend you make your reservation for the first night of your stay in Waterton Lakes National Park. That way, if the weather doesn't cooperate and we need to reschedule, we have the opportunity to do so on a subsequent night!

Q: How many guest reservations are required to operate a tour?

We require a minimum of 3 participants.

Q: Can I book a private tour?

Absolutely! Our goal is to offer personalized tours, so if you want the ultimate personalized tour, just contact us to arrange something special.

Q: What if my group is larger than 12 people?

Contact Us and we will make things work! We can always bring in additional guides to offer additional tours. It may just mean that we have to off-set the start time of the second tour by a few minutes, but we’ll try to make sure everyone catches up and spends the evening together.

Q: I’m worried that a wild animal is going to attack me in the dark and eat me…

We totally understand your apprehension, because every time we go to the city, we feel like someone is going to attack us when we get out of the car.

Think about it this way: if the animals were waiting to eat us, our guides sure wouldn’t be alive today, considering the number of times they’ve gone exploring in the dark. Okay… All kidding aside, you don’t need to be fearful, just aware.

We hike in groups and the group is led by our Lead Guide; a secondary tail-guide may also be present and will bring up the rear of the group. Also, we tend to make some noise, to let any wildlife know that we are in the area. As long as we don’t surprise any animals, we won't have any troubles.

Q: What about Bear Spray?

We do not provide tour participants with bear spray, but all of our guides do carry spray cans.

Q: What do you do with the gear that you provide to participants?

If you are referring to the provided gear we offer participants on each tour (headlamps, hiking poles, chairs, etc.), we occasionally sell that equipment at discounted rates at the end of the summer and winter seasons. Drop us an email towards the end of the season to see what you might be able to score a deal on!

Q: Can I bring my pet on the tour?

The Robinson brothers are all dog owners, and as such we strive to accommodate peoples' four-legged family members. We do permit pets on the Starry Skies Townsite Stroll Tour, as we are just walking around the Waterton townsite. We also allow pets on the Night Sky Discovery Tour. However, we cannot allow pets on the Dark Sky Tour Bus, unless you book a Custom/Private Tour. If you are just booking the regular (non-private) tour, and you want to bring your pet, you will have to drive yourself.

We do not permit pets on the Dark Sky Adventure Tour, as we try to enure that we maintain the ecological integrity of the areas visited on the tour, and reduce the chance of wildlife encounters.

Q: Are your tours wheelchair accessible?

Not really, no. The thing is, the tours themselves involve travel along unpaved hiking trails, which are not wheelchair-friendly. Please contact us for more information about a private tour to a location that may be wheelchair-accessible.

Q: Do you offer a discount for seniors or students?

We’re all made of star-stuff. We don’t discriminate against anyone, whether you’re a child, a child-at-heart, an extra-terrestrial being or artificial intelligence.

Q: Is it appropriate to tip the guides?

Our prices do not include gratuities. If you feel that your guide was exceptional, feel free to show your appreciation at your discretion. Our guides always appreciate feedback that lets them know if they are doing a good job.

Q: Are your guides qualified to provide these tours?

All of our current guides are Waterton Locals with extensive experience. Parks Canada requires that our guides adhere to particular certifications. As such, all of our current guides are, at minimum, certified through the Interpretive Guides Association (IGA) as Professional Interpreters.

Q: How knowledgeable are your guides?

We pride ourselves on being incredibly knowledgeable! Our guides must complete their IGA certification, and we also have an in-depth, in-house training program and our guides all share a passion for continuously learning new things.

Q: What should I wear and/or bring with me?

Take a look at the description page for each tour to see what we recommend you bring with you.

Q: Do I need to sign a waiver form to take part in the tour?

Yes, we require that everyone in your group reads, understands and sigsn a waiver form, prior to the start of the tour. Waivers can be viewed and downloaded in advance from our website.

When you complete your booking reservation you will be asked to complete the digital waiver. If you don't have time to complete the waiver when you book your experience, look for the link in the follow-up confirmation email. All participants must have read, signed and submitted a waiver prior to the start of the tour. We thank you in advance for completing one (1) waiver per person, prior to meeting your guide at the start of the tour, so we can make the most of our tour time together!

Q: I have to pee…?

Because of the nature of our outdoor stargazing tours, we cannot guarantee that there will be washroom facilities available. As such, we encourage all participants to use the facilities before we pick you up. If an emergency arises while on the tour, you may have to act like an animal and “go in the woods”…

Q: I’m hungry… Actually, now I’m thirsty…

You are more than welcome to bring any snacks or drinks with you, if you wish. We just ask that you remember one of the golden rules of hiking: “everything that goes in with you also comes back out with you”. In other words, pack it in – pack it out.

Q: You still haven’t answered my question…

Have we forgotten something...? If we’re missing something here, please contact us, and let us know. Chances are, you’re not the only person wondering about it.