Q: Where do we meet and how do we get to Cougar Mountain?

Q: What activities are suitable for Children?

Q: Do I have to sign a release of liability?

Q: Is transportation time to Cougar Mountain part of the total tour time?

Q: What should I wear, bring for each tour?

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

Q: Do I need a drivers’ license?

Q: What kind of ATV’s does Cougar Mountain run?

Q: How fast to the tours go?

Q: How hard is it to learn how to drive an ATV?

Q: What if I damage an ATV?

Q: Do you need experience to go horseback riding?

Q: Do you have pony rides?

Q: Where are the stables?

Q: What kind of terrain will we be riding?

Q: What type of horses do you have?

Q: Can we gallop the horses?

A: A Hummer is a US made 4x4 vehicle, and is simply the roughest and toughest backcountry vehicle ever built. The entire body is made from fiberglass, and the frame is strong enough to carry twice its own weight. The inside seats 3 passengers, and the outside passenger rack seats 4 more. This vehicle was designed for Desert Storm by the US Army. Nothing stops the Hummer, it will get you into the craziest backcountry areas.

A: We drive you deep into the backcountry around Cougar Mountain and the Soo valley where you will see spectacular glaciers, snowcapped mountains and an abundance of wildlife. Also the Hummer does a few tricks to make the ride even more exciting.

A: Unfortunately not. Leave this task to our experienced drivers and just sit back and enjoy your backcountry adventure.

A: No. Cougar Mountain is about 10 minutes north of Whistler Village and Whistler / Blackcomb mountains.

A: Yes, kids and seniors get 15% off.

A: No. For the novice rider try the Valley ride, which is an easy going combination of wide paved and gravel trails. For the intermediate rider choose the popular Soo Valley ride which gets you deep into the backcountry on wide gravel trails.

A: We leave from our reservations office in the Whistler Village, Main Street, Deer Lodge.

A: We transport you by van from the Whistler Village about 25 minutes North to the trail head and then spend about 2 hours riding in the backcountry.

A: The Soo Valley is lush and green with the Soo River meandering its way from the glacial headwaters to the valley floor. The Soo is home to a rare population of moose, deer, black bears and other wildlife.

A: Yes, we have two different hikes that cover all abilities and interests. Keep in mind that if you have asthma, heart condition etc that this may not be the best activity for you.

A: The Ancient Cedars hike is a moderate hike, about 2 hours of walking with about 500 ft of elevation gain.

A: Comfortable shoes with good support is recommended for all trips.

A: All guides are local residents and keen backcountry individuals. They are versed on local history, flora and fauna. On the Ancient Cedars and Nature Lovers’ hike we cover many aspects of forest life.

A: Predominately Rainbow Trout. We also fish for Dolly Varden, Cutthroat Trout, Steelhead and all the Salmon Species (Chinook, Sockeye, Pink, Coho and Chum).

A: The best time to fish depends and what you want to catch and the fishing experience you are looking for. Because of the diverse fish populations and the different elevations, there is good fishing almost 12 months a year. Despite this, we suggest the following:

Lakes : are ice free from mid-April to end of Oct., with the best fishing between mid-May and mid-Aug.

Rivers: are fishable from late July through end of April.

Chinook – March, April and sometime in Aug
Coho – mid Oct to late Nov
Sockeye – mid- Sept to mid Oct
Pink – late July , Sept, Oct
Chum – Oct and Nov

Rainbows: Great lake fishing starts in May , and with the snow melt raising the levels of the rivers, this is a great time to challenge yourself on the lakes. Once the rivers calm down and the Salmon start entering the rivers, the big rainbows come into the system to feed on Salmon eggs, stoneflys and caddis. Therefore from late July through to May, the river fishing for rainbows is good to fabulous. Most of the fishing is nymphing, however August, September and April all have some great dry fly opportunities.

Salmon and Steelhead: Just about the best fishing you can do! Salmon or Steelhead are present in one or more of the local river systems 12 months a year. The peak time for Salmon is late Sept to late November. Pink Salmon are great fun on the fly as they are about 3 – 5 lbs, bite anything pink, and there are lots of them when they arrive. Pinks are available in late July and late Sept on odd numbered years (e.g. 2001). Chum salmon are awesome to catch and usually discounted by anglers because they are not Chinook or Coho. As the fish god as my witness, Chum can be bigger than Chinook and fight better than Coho and there are more of them! We have an incredible run of Chinooks that come in late February and have been known to take a fly in March. This small run of fish has to be the best sport fish I have ever caught on the fly. They are aggressive like Steelhead, they average 20 lbs and fight like a freight train out of control! Good Coho fishing usually starts mid-Oct and the big guys start showing in mid-Nov. Unfortunately I can not brag too much about the Steelhead fishing. We have some great water to fish on the Squamish system but the numbers are low. Late April and May are good as long as the water conditions are favourable. We also have a few secret winter steelhead spots that we would be happy to show you in late November, December and February.

A: We primarily fly-fish and spin-fish for all species in lakes or rivers. In lakes we use float tubes, waders, fins, and in rivers we fish from the bank or wade. Occasionally we will drift a river in a raft or drift boat depending on the time of year.

A: We supply everything including terminal tackle. All of our equipment is top quality and is mostly Shimano, and Sage rods. Our service also includes pick-up from your hotel by the guides, and lunch on full-days.

A: For trout fishing with flies, we suggest 4 – 6 wt rods, with floating and sinking lines. The sinking line should be a fairly fast sink rate (type 3 or 4). We would also recommend a 10 – 15’ fast sink-tip for rivers. For Salmon fishing you need the big guns! 7 – 9wt rods, fast sinking tips, a selection of sink rates and lengths up to 20’ is ideal, but if I had a choice one line I would suggest the 15’ type 4 as the best all around sink-tip for river Salmon fishing.

A: Everyone needs a valid BC freshwater license, and for residents they are $10 per day, non-residents are $15 per day, and 8 day licenses are $30. (Prices can change without notice).

A: No, we are strictly a catch and release outfitter. Due to the conservation efforts in the area, the fishing experiences and the availability of fish is excellent. We hope you will understand and support us in this effort to preserve the good fishing.

A: This is the best trip we offer by truck. There are a few incredible fishing locations that take a little extra effort and time to get to. Most of these trips are to incredible remote alpine lakes. Usually big fish are the target, and we spend about 10 hours + on this adventure. These fishing locations are not available on the regular full day trips.

A: They are definitely the best fishing we can offer you. We fly-in to the highest alpine lakes from mid-July to mid-Sept. We find the bigger fish, and fish that have not been caught before. There are some great dry-fly lakes, and the scenery is incredible. The helicopter gets you high enough to view the coast range and fly over glaciers and high mountain valleys. I would go just for the helicopter ride. We fish these lakes by float tube, so the guides prepare the gear the night before, and when we land at the lake the pumps up the tubes and you are ready to go.

A: We feel that we can teach anyone. Snowmobiles are the easiest motorized vehicle to operate and fun for everyone to ride. Cougar Mountain pioneered the sport of guided snowmobile trips and we have been teaching people to ride for over 18 years.

A: We offer a first timer ride, the learn-to-ride tour, an intermediate ride, the explorer tour, and an advanced ride - the Summit tour. Please see each description for the best choice for you. We also have a Family Trail.

A: No. You must however be 14 years or older to drive a snowmobile.

A: Two, a driver and a passenger.

A: We generally recommend that kids be at least 10 years old. The most important aspect to us is your child’s safety. Younger children can ride safely as long as they can wrap their arms comfortably around the driver and lock their hands together. We do retain the right to refuse small children who we feel will be in danger of falling off the snowmobile. The Family tour is a special tour designed for families with children who cannot be passengers. We have comfortable sleighs and a cool kids Ski-Doo "Mini Z" that they can try riding at the cabin.

A: The trail system is about 100 km long, with lots of winding and climbing sections.

A: We offer a no-deductible collision coverage for $9.35 plus tax, that protects you from accidental damages to our snowmobiles. This does not cover you in the event that you were found to be driving recklessly or were not following the instructions of our guides.

A: No.

A: Alaskan Racing Huskies. These are the same dogs that are used in the Idirod Race. They are mostly cross breeds from Husky and hound dogs. They are very lean athletes with short hair. The short hair is good for our warmer West Coast climate. Don't be surprised at the size of these dogs, they appear small but they can pull more than dogs 2 or 3 times their size.

A: In most cases yes. You will ride the rails with the musher on the back of the sleigh and learn the commands that control the dogs. When it's icy and fast we do not let our guests drive the sleighs for safety reasons.

A: We will let you be the judge. The only time the dogs make noise is when they are anticipating the ride during the set-up of the sleighs. They get pretty excited. We also ask you to assist our mushers by harnessing the dogs, and connecting them to the sleighs.

A: We will be on the trail between 1 and 1.5 hours.

A: Yes, all tours come with a Cougar Cookie and a hot chocolate.

A: We can take up to two adults and one child, or two children and one adult. Larger adults should let us know their size before booking their tour, we may recommend two sleighs.

A: Yes, there are opportunities to take pictures throughout the tour.

A: Yes, if you can walk you can snowshoe. The Nature Walk however is suitable for all abilities. We do not recommend that you join the Mountain View tour if you have asthma, a heart condition, etc. 

A: We use the modern style shoes, which are smaller in size, are made with an aluminum frame and rubber/nylon webbing. They are very light and easy to learn how to use.

A: The actual snowshoeing time is about 75% of the tour time. We include transportation from the Whistler Village (about 10 minutes each way) and about 10 minutes to get organized and hear the safety speech.

A: No. The Nature Tour focuses on a walk through the forest and along the river. There are a few stopping points where we discuss the animals, trees and visit the bird feeders.

A: No. We ask you to dress in warm winter clothing, and we supply snow-boots, snowshoes if you need them.