Privacy Policy

We're pretty serious about keeping your info safe and sound

Last Updated: November 4, 2025

Look, we get it - nobody actually reads these things. But here's the deal: we're a small mountain retreat that actually cares about the folks who visit us. This policy isn't written by lawyers trying to cover every possible scenario. It's written by real people who run this place and want you to know exactly what happens with your information when you book a stay or even just browse around our site.

We've kept it straightforward because that's how we do things here at Shadow Vale. No corporate jargon, no confusing loopholes - just honest info about how we handle your data. If something doesn't make sense, shoot us an email. We'd rather explain it properly than hide behind legal mumbo-jumbo.

When you're booking a room or signing up for one of our wellness retreats, we'll ask for the basics - name, email, phone number, that sort of thing. Nothing too invasive, just what we need to confirm your reservation and reach you if there's an update.

Personal Details We Gather:
  • Your name and contact info (email, phone number)
  • Mailing address for billing purposes
  • Payment details (though we don't store full card numbers - our payment processor handles that)
  • Dietary preferences if you're dining with us
  • Any special requests or accessibility needs you mention
  • Preferences for room setup or activities you're interested in
Quick Note: If you're just browsing our site and not booking anything, we collect way less - basically just some anonymous browsing data to help us improve the website experience. No biggie.
Automatically Collected Stuff:
  • Your IP address and browser type
  • Which pages you visit and how long you hang around
  • Device info like screen size (helps us make the site work better)
  • Referral sources - like if you found us through a search engine or social media

Pretty straightforward here - we use your info to make your stay happen and make it great. We're not selling your data to random third parties or doing anything shady with it.

The Main Reasons:
  • Processing your reservation and sending you confirmation details
  • Communicating about your upcoming stay (check-in times, weather updates, activity schedules)
  • Handling payments and sending receipts
  • Remembering your preferences for future visits
  • Sending occasional updates about new offerings or seasonal promotions (only if you've said it's cool)
  • Improving our services based on feedback and booking patterns
Real Talk: We might occasionally send you an email about a new spa treatment or a special winter package, but we're not gonna spam you. And you can opt out anytime - there's always an unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails.

We also use aggregated, anonymized data to understand trends - like which time of year is busiest or which activities are most popular. But this data can't be traced back to you individually. It just helps us plan better and stock the right amount of yoga mats, y'know?

Yep, we use cookies - but not the chocolate chip kind, unfortunately. These are little data files that help our website remember you and work properly. Most websites use them, and they're generally harmless.

Types of Cookies We Use:
  • Essential Cookies: These keep the site functional - like remembering what's in your booking cart or keeping you logged in
  • Performance Cookies: Help us see which pages are popular and where people get stuck, so we can fix issues
  • Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences like language settings or room type preferences
  • Analytics Cookies: We use Google Analytics to understand visitor patterns (it's anonymized data)
Your Choice: You can disable cookies in your browser settings if you want. Some features might not work as smoothly, but you'll still be able to browse and book. Most browsers let you control cookies pretty easily - just check your settings.

We don't use any aggressive tracking stuff or follow you around the internet. What happens at Shadow Vale stays at Shadow Vale - including your browsing data.

This is your data, and you've got rights. Under Canadian privacy laws (we follow PIPEDA - Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act), you can pretty much do whatever you want with the info we've collected about you.

What You Can Do:
  • Access Your Data: Request a copy of everything we have on file about you
  • Correct It: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it
  • Delete It: Want us to erase your info? Just ask (though we might need to keep some stuff for legal/accounting reasons)
  • Port It: Get your data in a format you can take elsewhere
  • Opt Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails or ask us to stop processing certain data
  • Complain: If you think we've mishandled your data, you can file a complaint with Canada's Privacy Commissioner
How to Exercise These Rights: Just send us an email at reservations@shadowvalecontinuum.info with your request. We'll get back to you within a couple weeks, usually sooner. We might ask for some ID verification to make sure we're giving info to the right person.

We're a small operation, so you'll likely be talking directly with someone from our team who can actually help - not some automated system or overseas call center. Makes things way easier for everyone.

We take security seriously, even though we're a chill mountain retreat. Your payment info is encrypted, our systems are protected, and we limit who on our team can access sensitive data.

Our Security Measures:
  • SSL encryption for all data transmitted through our website
  • Secure payment processing through trusted, PCI-compliant providers
  • Regular security updates and monitoring of our systems
  • Limited staff access - only people who need your info to do their job can see it
  • Secure storage with backups in case something goes wrong
  • Training our team on privacy best practices
Real Talk About Risks: No system is 100% foolproof. We do everything we reasonably can to protect your data, but like any business operating online, there's always some level of risk. We're just being honest here - though the likelihood of anything happening is really low.
Data Retention:

We keep your information for as long as it's needed - usually about 7 years for financial records (tax law requirements) and until you ask us to delete it for everything else. Past guest info helps us provide better service when you return, but if you want it gone, that's totally your call.

Third-Party Services:

We work with a few trusted partners - our payment processor, email service, and booking system. They all have their own privacy policies and security measures. We've vetted them and they meet Canadian privacy standards, but you might wanna check out their policies too if you're curious.

We're not in the business of selling your data. Period. But there are a few situations where we might need to share your info:

  • Service Providers: Companies that help us run the business (payment processors, email platforms, booking systems) - but only what they need to provide their service
  • Legal Obligations: If the law requires it or if there's a legitimate legal process like a court order
  • Business Transfers: If we ever sold the resort (not planning on it!), your data might transfer to the new owners
  • Emergency Situations: If there's a safety concern or medical emergency during your stay

That's pretty much it. We're not sharing your email with random marketing companies or selling lists to third parties. Your trust means way more to us than a quick buck from some data broker.

We're based in Canada, and your data is primarily stored on Canadian servers. But some of our service providers (like certain cloud platforms) might have servers in other countries, including the US.

What This Means: Your data might occasionally be processed or stored outside Canada, which means it could be subject to other countries' laws. We only work with providers who maintain strong security standards, but it's something to be aware of.

If you're visiting from the EU or UK, know that Canada is recognized as having adequate data protection laws, so transfers between Canada and Europe are generally smooth. We respect GDPR principles even though we're not technically required to - it's just good practice.

We might update this policy from time to time - maybe the law changes, maybe we add new services, whatever. When we do make changes, we'll update the date at the top and let you know if anything significant has changed.

For minor tweaks, we'll just update the page. For major changes that affect how we handle your data, we'll send you an email or put a notice on the site. We're not gonna pull any sneaky changes on you.

Stay Informed: It's a good idea to check this page every once in a while, especially if you're a returning guest. We promise to keep it readable and honest.

Seriously, if anything in here is confusing or you've got questions about how we handle your data, just reach out. We'd rather have a conversation than leave you wondering.

Get In Touch:

We're a real team of real people who actually care about this stuff. You'll get a genuine response from someone who can help, not some automated system. That's the Shadow Vale way.

Privacy Commissioner of Canada: If you're not satisfied with how we've handled a privacy concern, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at www.priv.gc.ca or call 1-800-282-1376.

The Bottom Line

We're not a massive corporation with layers of bureaucracy. We're folks who run a mountain retreat and want you to feel comfortable staying with us - both physically and digitally. Your privacy matters to us, not just because the law says so, but because it's the right thing to do.

This policy isn't meant to scare you or confuse you with legal speak. It's meant to give you a clear picture of what happens with your info when you interact with us. We've tried to be as transparent as possible while keeping it readable.

Thanks for taking the time to read through this. Now go book that mountain getaway - we promise to take good care of both you and your data.