What the FAQ?

Festival WTFAQ

What are Early Entry Rates, Parking Passes and re-entry?

QWhat are Early Entry Rates? What day does Shambhala start on?

A

All tickets are valid for General Admission on Friday, August 9th at 8am.

Guests are welcome to arrive on Wednesday, August 7th or Thursday, August 8th for Early Entry at the rates in the chart below.

Why does Shambhala have Early Entry?
Once upon a festival, the duration of Shambhala was a mere weekend, Friday-Sunday – but as the years went on, people kept showing up earlier. In an effort to get people off the dangerous highway & keep them safe (the speed limit is 100km/hr), we allowed our ticket holders to come on site a few days early for an additional rate. Early Entry pricing offsets the costs of additional staffing and service levels for the extra festival days (including the recent extension of Monday through Tuesday morning post-show to allow people a good night’s sleep on Monday).

2013 Early Entry Rates:

Wednesday Aug 7th

    • $80per person
    • in effect from 
    • 8 am Weds, Aug 7th – 7:59 am Thurs, Aug 8th
    • Get set up & settled in – best camping selection
    • No stages open
    • Artisan Market, Food Court & Attractions open
    • *Longest wait times due to volume of arrivals

Thursday, August 8th

    • $40per person
    • in effect from
    • 8 am Thurs, Aug 8th – 7:59 am Fri, Aug 9th
    • Overflow camping available
    • 2 of 6 Stages open – Rock Pit & Living Room Stage
    • *Generally short wait times

Friday, August 9th

    • G.A.
    • General Admission in effect from
    • Fri, Aug 9th at 8 am
    • No additional fee
    • Overflow camping available
    • All 6 stages open
    • *Generally little to no wait times

*Wait times are variable and unpredictable. Be prepared to pay the Early Entry rate in effect at the time you arrive. Rates do not roll over at midnight. For example, if you want to pay Thursday’s rate or arrive for General Admission, the only way to guarantee you don’t have to pay more than you’d planned for is to arrive after 8 am on the appropriate day.
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QDo I need to buy a Parking Pass to camp with my vehicle?

A

Yes. If you wish to camp with your car you’ll need a parking pass for your desired Camp Zone.

We have 2 Park & Camp zones – Starlight Camp, which is closer to “Downtown Shambhala” and Sunshine Camp, our overflow camping. Both of these Camp Zones are open fields.

We encourage you to use the Free Parking Lot – the festival is held on a working farm, and the less cars on the cows’ grazing fields, the better. Free Parking is separate from the campgrounds, adjacent to the Sunshine Camp Zone.

For more detailed information about Camp Zones, visit the Camping & Parking page.

Sunshine Camp Zone Starlight Camp Zone Metta Camp Zone
Reg. Size Vehicle (Up to 7 passenger) $20 $40 N/A
Oversize Vehicle (8+ passenger) $40 $80 N/A
No Vehicle / Use Free Parking Lot FREE! FREE! FREE!

*Oversized vehicles are: RVs, Truck & Travel Trailers, Hummers/H2s, Buses, or any other 8+ passenger vehicle.
**There is absolutely NO camping in the FREE PARKING Lot.
***Tenting is always FREE in any Camp Zone when park your vehicle in the Free Parking Lot!

Guests who choose to use Free Parking have access to the treed, shaded walk-in Camp Zone called Metta Camp. There is a by-donation baggage shuttle that runs from the Free Parking Lot. Detailed info can be found on the Camping & Parking page.

2013 Map Coming Soon

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QWhat is the re-entry policy?

A

If for some reason you need go to town and come back during the festival, there is a re-entry fee of $10 per person, per re-entry, payable upon your return.

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General WTFAQs

QDoes Shambhala have an age limit? / Is Shambhala 19+?

A

Yes. Shambhala is 19+ because minors cannot legally enter into contract, making our ticket waiver invalid to minors.

19 is the Age of Majority in the province of British Columbia. Regardless of the laws in your home province, country or state, you are not considered an adult in BC until you are 19.

  • If your 19th birthday is after the festival, even just by a few days, we cannot make an exception to allow you to attend.
  • If your 19th birthday is during the festival, you may arrive on the date of your birthday, but not sooner.

ID’s will be checked.

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QDo you have tickets in stores? Where can I find tickets?

A

We don’t have physical ticket stores – Tix are available right here on our website only. Make sure your Paypal account is up to date – all orders are processed through Paypal.

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QWhen should I receive my ticket?

A

Tracking Info is sent to the email address associated with your Paypal account once your order has been received by the post office. After you get your tracking info, you should have your order within a week. Please check your email regularly for your tracking notification.

Tix are shipped registered mail, so you’ll have to sign for your package when it arrives.

If you have any concerns about your order, please contact sales@shambhalamusicfestival.com

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QDo you ship to the US?

A

No. All International orders including US orders are held at Will Call for pick up at the festival.

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QCan I buy a Day Pass?

A

Yes, for Sunday only. We do not pre-sell Sunday tickets. You can buy a Sunday pass at the Gate between 9am and 9pm (no earlier, no later) on Sunday, August 11th, 2013, to join us for the last magical night of Shambhala! Pricing TBA.

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QCan I leave a ticket at the gate for a friend?

A

Yes – many people find it easier to register a ticket at Will Call for a friend than to try to meet up with them before heading to the festival. It’s $15 to register a ticket at Will Call for someone. We’ll need the name of the person as it appears on their ID – make sure you know how to spell their full name. Please see the Ticket FAQ for details on how to pick up a Will Call ticket.

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QMy wallet/purse/Photo ID was lost/stolen, and I can't replace it before the festival. What should I do?

A

ID is required to get into the festival. If your ID has been lost  or stolen, you must file a report with the RCMP. The police will give you a card with the name of the RCMP officer who files the report, with a police report number on it. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you bring this card with you. If you have an interim driver’s license, bring that as well. You will also need supporting pieces of ID, such as a birth certificate, SIN card, care card or credit card. The more you can bring with you, the better.
If you have an expired Passport, you may use that as your primary ID with supporting ID.

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QWhen do tickets go on sale for next year?

A

Tickets for next year’s event go on sale November 1st every year.

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On the Road to Shambhala

QHow do I find Shambhala?

A

We’ve got a full page of our website dedicated to that! Check out “Getting Here“.

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QWhat should I pack for Shambhala?

A

We’ve got a packing list! Check out Britz’s Guide to Festival Essentials (or WTFAQ to Pack?)

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QDo you have a shuttle service?

A

Local transportation company, Queen City Shuttle & Charters, offers a special shuttle service to Shambhala from Vancouver and Calgary. See the “Getting Here” page for more details & travel info.

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QWhere can I find a ride share?

A

Great news! We’ve partnered with Rootless.me, an online rideshare coordination site. You can sign up easily with your Facebook account. Just log in and post your ride or request!
 
Shambhala RideShare
 
See the “Getting Here” page for more details & travel info.

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QWhen do the gates open? What time to they close?

A

Gates open for Early Entry at 8 am on Wednesday, August 7th and run 24 hrs a day until Sunday, August 11th at 9pm.
 
General admission begins at 8 am on Friday, April 9th.
 
For more information see Early Entry.

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QWhere is the nearest gas station or offsite restaurant?

A

The nearest gas station, grocery stores and restaurants are in Salmo, BC (approximately 12km from the festival site).

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QCan I bring my RV? Do you have hookups?

A

Yes, you can bring your RV or Trailer. No, we do not have any hookups of any kind available. All RVs & Trailers require a Parking Pass for one of our 2 Park & Camp Zones – you cannot leave an RV or Trailer in Free Parking.
 
Please Note: RV’s & Trailers are considered “Oversize Vehicles”. Oversize Vehicle Parking Pass rates apply.

 

See 2013 Parking Pass Pricing for more info.

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QDo you have onsite accommodations?

A

Yes! ShambhaLodging is our onsite camping accommodations camp zone – kind of like a “tent hotel”.

With Lodging you’ll enjoy express lane entry, waived early entry fees, free parking, plenty of natural shade, a campsite set-up & ready for your arrival and more. Not normally a camper? Let us take care of you!

ShambhaLodging: Camping Made Easy
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At the Festival

QWill I have access to electricity? Can I bring my own generator?

A

No. There is no electricity available to the public. Use of personal generators is prohibited, including running built-in RV generators.
 
For more info, see WTFAQ is Banned (and Why)?

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QCan I bring my dog/pets?

A

No. Please make arrangements for your pets – we can’t let you into the festival if you have any kind of pet with you. Kennels in the West Kootenay area book up very quickly for the summer months, so be sure to make arrangements for your pet well in advance if you want them to stay in our area.
 
For more info, see WTFAQ is Banned (and Why)?

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QDo you have beer gardens? Can I bring in my own alcohol?

A

No. Shambhala is an alcohol-free event. Any alcohol found in vehicle searches on the way in or on the grounds will be confiscated & dumped.
 
For more info, see WTFAQ is Banned (and Why)?

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QCan I bring a camp stove?

A

With a few conditions:

  • It is propane fuelled. Appliances using wood, charcoal, or any other flammable liquid or materials are not permitted.
  • It has to have certification from a nationally recognized testing or certification organization.
  • There should be no combustible material – like tarps, tents, trees, etc. – within 3 feet of your stove.
  • Don’t leave your stove unattended and double check that it’s off before leaving your campsite.

 
For more info, see WTFAQ is Banned (and Why)?

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QCan I have a Campfire?

A

No. B.C. is extremely dry during the summer and provincial fire bans are in effect.If you’re a smoker please make sure you always have a small container with you to dispose of butts – don’t throw them on the ground. It could start a fire which may put yourself and other festival-goers in danger.
 
For more info, see WTFAQ is Banned (and Why)?

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QWill there be a place to buy food and beverages at the festival?

A

Yes! We have 16 food & (non-alcoholic) beverage vendors to choose from.If you have extreme allergies, food sensitivities or special dietary needs, we recommend planning most of your own meals. The food vendors may be able to accommodate some special dietary needs like wheat-free or vegan, however, menu options for these are very limited and you may only have one meal choice per vendor.

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QWhere is the Lost & Found?

A

The Lost & Found is centrally located in “Downtown Shambhala” in the BASScamp dome – also home to the art gallery & Shambassador-staffed Info Desk.

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QAre there showers?

A

Showers are available! $5 for 5 min.

 
Please bring environmentally friendly soap (don’t have any? You can pick some up at Captain Smokenhauusen’s Emporium of Essential Needs & Dirty Deeds, right next door to the showerhouse), flip-flops, and a towel. Please use a wet nap to wash any body glitter or make-up off before showering – additional debris is hard on the drainage system.

Note: Because of size of the drainage field for the showers, we’re limited in our water usage – we can only run a certain amount of water through the shower system per day. Once we hit that volume, we have to shut the showers down for the day.

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QWhere is the nearest ATM?

A

There is small building with ATMs near the water station in “Downtown Shambhala”. There is one at the main gate as well.

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QIs there phone service?

A

Not reliably. Cell phone service on the property is sporadic at best.Wireless internet, Skype calls, and phone charging are available for a fee through the Columbia Wireless kiosk.
There’s a payphone (yup, those still exist) in the town of Salmo.

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QWhat if I lose my wristband?

A

If your wristband becomes loose or falls off, hold on to it and keep it safe! You MUST HAVE both your ticket AND the damaged wristband to receive a replacement. Find the nearest Shambhala Crew member. They will help arrange an escort to replace your wristband.If you feel like your wristband might break, be proactive and get it replaced before it happens.

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QWhen does the festival end? When do I have to leave?

A

The last track drops at 10 am on Monday, August 12th.You’re welcome to stay the night of Monday, August 12th to fully recharge before hitting the road – please make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep before you head out.

We ask that all guests leave the property by noon on Tuesday, August 13th.

Here are some tips for a safe drive home:

    1. Plan a Designated Driver, especially if you have to leave on Monday. As designated driver you commit to getting at least 8 hours of sleep before departure.
    2. Schedule a departure time – this makes it much easier to follow through with Step 1!
    3. Designate a co-pilot who’ll stay awake with the driver. As co-pilot it’s your job to engage your driver and watch for signs of sleepiness behind the wheel.
    4.Consider local hotel/motel/camping options if you have a long drive home ahead of you.

We love you all, and encourage you to take these steps when leaving our festival, or any festival. See you on the dancefloor!

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WTFAQ? I have Ticket Questions.Ticket FAQ
WTFAQ? I have Lodging Questions.ShambhaLodging FAQ