FAQ

  • HEIGHT & AGE REQUIREMENTS

    • At the ranch, we offer pony rides hand-led for anyone under 4’ tall.

    • For our hourly rides, you must be 4‘ or taller, no age restriction, to ride your own horse.

    • For the longer rides, 1/2 day or longer, we ask that children be at least 7 years old or have significant riding experience so that they are strong enough to ride the distance.

    • All riders under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult unless special permission has been from the Company prior to the ride.

    WEIGHT LIMIT

    • Our rider weight limit is 250lbs or 113kgs. However, this is a guideline and depends on factors such as rider fitness, height, and riding experience. An experienced, balanced rider puts far less strain on a horse than someone new to riding.

    • Please keep these factors in mind when booking.

    • Since horses come in all shapes and sizes, not all of our horses can carry the same weight which means we can only accommodate so many riders at our upper weight limit. While we do our best to accommodate all guests, we reserve the right to arrange an alternate time or cancel a booking if we do not have a suitable horse available for you. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this policy.

  • Based on the information you supply us on checkout from our online system, we will pick a horse suitable to your abilities. If you have specific requests you can add them in the notes on checkout. Just like people horses have their own personality which we try to match to your abilities.

  • It always helps but is not required. During online booking checkout, we gather the basic information we need to match you up to one of our horses.

    We ask you to categorise yourself into the following:

    • Beginner: You have never ridden a horse or have only done a couple of trail rides before

    • Beginner+: You’ve ridden before, have done many trail rides and feel confident giving basic cues.

    • Intermediate: You’re a confident horserider, have ridden outside of trail riding experiences, and can comfortably sit/post a trot and remain balanced in a canter.

    • Advanced: You’re an experienced horserider/horseowner, confident riding independently, and can remain balanced and in control at all gaits.

    Public rides are combined abilities and will ride to the rider of lowest ability. You are welcome to book a Private ride if you would like to not be combined with other riders.

  • No.

    We ask that all guests refrain from scented perfumes and lotions as they can cause irritation to the horses and have also been known to attract rodents.

  • No, only one person is allowed on the horse. If your child is 4ft + then they are able to ride their own horse. If they are under 4ft then we are only able to offer a pony ride where the parent will walk alongside on the ground. Pony Rides are $30 for 15 minutes.

Horses + Restrictions - please read

  • Canada is a big country and transportation outside of the major cities often requires a little help. The best way to reach us either at the CCO Ranch (7830 Pemberton Meadows Road, Pemberton) or at the CCO Trailhead (search: Copper Cayuse Trailhead) is by private or rental vehicle.

    After booking a ride, your email confirmation will contain complete directions and address to the location of your ride (either the CCO ranch or the CCO Trailhead). If you prefer electronic directions, both Google maps and Apple maps are accurate for both starting locations.

    Cell service can be challenging in these parts, so we suggest you print out a copy of our directions or have them downloaded on your device.

  • Vancouver to Whistler

    First, you will need to get to Whistler, BC. We recommend you stay in Whistler or Pemberton the night prior to your ride. If you are coming from Vancouver, the following transportation companies are recommended: Whistler Shuttle, Sky Lynx, VIP Whistler.

    If you can find accommodation in Pemberton, we will pick you up for our ½ day or longer rides.

    Whistler to Pemberton

    There is an economical bus service from Whistler to Pemberton, or various car services: one of the Whistler taxi services or Whistler Sites.

  • Hourly rides start from our ranch located 7830 Pemberton Meadows Road.

    Full day, half-day and overnight expeditions start from the Copper Cayuse trailhead on the Birkenhead FSR.

    In both cases, detailed directions are included with your booking confirmation.

  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your ride start time.

    (Ex. If you booked for the 10:00 am 2-hour ride, please arrive at 9:45 am)

Location

  • WEAR: long pants and closed-toed boots are a must. Shirts, tops, jackets, can be chosen at your discretion according to the temperature and weather.

    BRING: Filled water bottle, hat (we supply helmets), sunscreen, bug spray, camera, jacket

  • You need to bring a filled water bottle, jacket, bug spray, sunscreen, hat (if you don’t want a helmet), camera. You need to be wearing long pants with closed-toed boots or shoes.

    We do not recommend the use of a backpack, so only bring what you can take on the horse with you. Your horse will be carrying two saddlebags, one for your belongings and the other for your provided lunch. There are also ties on the back of the saddle that will strap in your jacket. We supply a riding cape on all rides in case of rainy weather.

  • Before you arrive, you will need to separate your belongings into two groups. One will be what you take on horseback with you, and the second is what is transported to camp. On horseback, you will need to bring a filled water bottle, jacket, bug spray, sunscreen, hat, and camera (as desired). Please be wearing long pants with closed-toed boots or shoes.

    We do not recommend the use of a backpack, so only bring what you can take on the horse with you. Your horse will be carrying two saddlebags, one for your belongings and the other for your provided lunch. There are also ties on the back of the saddle that will strap in your jacket. We supply a riding cape on all rides in case of rainy weather.

    We supply horses, saddles, wrangler/guide, tents, cots, mats, (sleeping bags on request) towel, washcloth and riding cape. There is hot and cold running water with a shower in camp.

    We also supply hearty meals, catering to most dietary restrictions (these will be asked for upon checkout from our online booking system), light snacks, tea and coffee, and water. If there is something that you particularly need or want, you should make sure you bring it. Alcoholic beverages fall in this category, we do not supply them, but encourage folks to bring what they want to drink after the ride and around the campfire.

     You supply at least one complete change of clothing, your toiletries, a warm jacket and layered clothing for the evenings, a pair of comfortable camp shoes, and a bathing suit and towel. There is not a weight limit; as long as you can lift it into the trailer, it can go to camp.

  • No.

    We ask that all guests refrain from scented perfumes and lotions as they can cause irritation to the horses and have also been known to attract rodents.

What to bring

  • You can view our full policies here!

  • The best way to book is directly from our website via our online booking system. This system will answer most of your questions, or you can call 604-698-7751 during normal business hours. Upon online checkout, we will ask you for rider specifics, such as age, height, weight and riding experience (novice, intermediate, or advanced), so we can match you to the right horse.

  • First thing to remember: we DO NOT charge for altering reservations. Please call or email to change your booking.

    Bookings

    All bookings must be made online and a Smartwaiver must be filled out online at the time of booking.

    Hourly Rides: Bookings can be made up to 2 hours prior to the ride selected.

    Half-Day and Full-Day Rides: Bookings must be made 24 hours prior to the ride. 

    3 and 4-Day Tours: Bookings must be made 7 days ahead.  Cancellation Policy: If you are sick or think you are, please advise us and we will cancel your booking with a full refund otherwise the following applies:

    Cancellations

    Hourly rides: 24 hours prior notice for a full refund.

    Half-day and Full-day rides: 24 hours’ notice for a full refund.

    3 and 4-Day Tours: 7 days prior for a full refund, 6-3 days for a 50% refund, 2 days and under -no refund  

    *Management reserves the right to alter these policies if the situation demands.

  • Unfortunately, no.

    We request that reservations for the hourly rides be made at least two hours ahead, half and full-day rides 24 hours ahead, and overnight trips 7 days ahead.

  • Yes — Canadian guests can choose to split their booking into monthly payments at checkout using Visa or Mastercard. You’ll see all options and any associated costs before confirming.

  • International guests can choose to view and pay in their local currency at checkout, or continue in CAD.

Booking

  • Until your waiver is signed, you cannot ride. The link to our online waiver is in your confirmation email and must be completed before you arrive. At the ranch, if you have not completed it you can return it to your car and complete it online.

    PLEASE NOTE: at the trailhead, there is no cell service nor wi-fi, so if you have not completed your waiver beforehand, you will have to return to Mt. Currie to get a signal and complete it.

  • Have a confirmed reservation, it is your confirmation. Signed the online waiver, the link is in your confirmation. Have directions to your ride start location, they are in your confirmation. Make sure you have suggested items with you, those items are listed in your confirmation.

    Come to think of it, you better keep that confirmation around!

Waiver + Before you Arrive

  • In horse language, speed refers to a horses gait. Walk = slow, trot = faster, lope = faster still, and gallop = really fast.

    As long as the riders have the ability and desire, we try to exercise all gaits during a ride. However, if the riders do not feel comfortable, we will keep to speeds that they are comfortable with. Rides are paced to the lowest ability of the group. Rides are typically 6 riders so you will be joining others unless you book a private ride.

    Please keep in mind if you have booked a Half, Full or Multi-Day ride, that these are mountain rides. This means most of the ride is at a walk due to the terrain - steep alpine singletrack, river crossings, winding forest trails with varying elevation, rocky trails etc. We have few sections where faster gaits are safe and if the whole group is capable, we will exercise a trot or canter. We see many experienced riders marvel at the terrain they end up riding (even at a walk).

    For hourly rides, we see most guests mark themselves as beginners. If you are an intermediate rider, contact us to book a private ride.

  • Please only arrive 15 minutes prior to your ride time start.

    Drive past the house to the back of the property to the parking area. Upon exiting your vehicle, please use the outhouse if you need to at this time. Your wrangler will greet you at the table with the helmets or before you get there. Try on a helmet if you would like to wear one (mandatory for those under-19 years). Once everyone is here we will get you into the paddock. Your wrangler will give you a quick demonstration, assign you a horse and you mounted and off you go.

    Upon return, please dismount and exit the paddock. Please deposit your helmet under the table.

    Guests are free to mingle and relax around the ranch prior to and after their rides.

What to Expect