Our guide, Don, and the other passengers were amazing. Don was super friendly, funny, and responsible, which made the trip enjoyable on a personal level.
That said, the overall program felt pretty unorganized and all over the place. For starters, when we booked, we were told that Paradise at Mount Rainier was still open. But on the day of the trip, it was closed. The tour company didn’t get the update in advance or make any adjustments. We only found out at the park entrance, which threw off the whole itinerary and affected the experience.
The schedule itself felt kind of random. We spent two hours in the park and were still down at the Longmire area, going between lodges. At one point, we were suddenly required to join a 30-minute ranger discussion, which was added last minute because the ranger requested it. While it was informative, I think it should’ve been optional, so paying customers could decide whether they wanted to join.
A lot of us joined the tour hoping to snowshoe, walk in the snow, or see some snowy mountain views. Since Paradise was closed, we couldn’t get closer to the snow, which was understandable. But due to lack of clear plan for the trails or snow conditions, we ended up carrying snowshoe gear for miles without ever finding a spot to actually use it.
Lastly, the description on the website was not informative regarding trip expectation and itinerary and didn’t give clear advice on what to wear. Some people came fully prepped for snow sports, but most assumed it’d be a casual hike. They showed up in leather or wool boots and non-waterproof jackets, which made walking for miles on muddy, slushy trails really uncomfortable.
Response from Host
Dec 2024
Thank you for your thoughtful review and for highlighting Don’s friendliness, humor, and responsibility. We’re so glad you enjoyed his company and the camaraderie of the group!
We deeply regret the issues you encountered during the trip. The closure of Paradise was an unfortunate and unforeseen event. Our guide had no prior notice that the gate would be closed, nor that guests would be required to attend a ranger-led presentation. While the presentation was informative, we understand it should have been optional, and we regret the impact it had on your experience.
We also apologize for the confusion surrounding the attire recommended to use. We do make a point to mention on both the Viator/Tripadvisor listing and our company website that waterproof boots would be best in the months of November through June. We are sorry if this was not clearly communicated.
"Please remember to bring a jacket, as even in summer, Paradise can be cool and breezy. We recommend dressing in layers and wearing comfortable walking shoes—preferably hiking boots, or waterproof winter boots during snowy months (November through June) and an extra pair of dry socks. In winter, snowshoeing and sledding may also be available if conditions permit.
Please be aware that the tour route and itinerary are subject to change based on seasonal conditions, elevations, weather, and road closures. ......"
We strive to provide exceptional experiences for our guests and are truly sorry this one did not meet your expectations. Your feedback is invaluable, and we’d appreciate your feedback.
Thank you again for bringing these issues to our attention.
Warmest regards,