diff --git a/src/components/SasquatchGuide.tsx b/src/components/SasquatchGuide.tsx
index a3bb854..b20ff39 100644
--- a/src/components/SasquatchGuide.tsx
+++ b/src/components/SasquatchGuide.tsx
@@ -184,9 +184,11 @@ export function SasquatchGuide({ message, onDismiss }: SasquatchGuideProps) {
       }));
       history.push({ role: 'user', content: question });
 
-      // 3. If user is logged in, use Shakespeare AI with streaming
+      // 3. If user is logged in, try Shakespeare AI (with graceful fallback)
       if (user && shakespeare.isAuthenticated) {
         let accumulated = '';
+        let aiSucceeded = false;
+        try {
 
         // First pass: get AI response which may include a TOOL: call
         // Prefix the system prompt into the first user message for compatibility
@@ -267,13 +269,24 @@ export function SasquatchGuide({ message, onDismiss }: SasquatchGuideProps) {
           accumulated = aiText;
         }
 
-        setStreamingText('');
-        appendMessage({
-          role: 'sasquatch',
-          text: accumulated || "Hmm, couldn't process that. Try rephrasing!",
-          timestamp: Date.now(),
-          isLive: !!toolMatch && cvmConnected === true,
-        });
+          setStreamingText('');
+          appendMessage({
+            role: 'sasquatch',
+            text: accumulated || "Hmm, couldn't process that. Try rephrasing!",
+            timestamp: Date.now(),
+            isLive: !!toolMatch && cvmConnected === true,
+          });
+          aiSucceeded = true;
+        } catch (aiErr) {
+          // AI failed — fall back to static FAQ silently
+          console.warn('[Sasquatch] AI unavailable, using static FAQ:', aiErr);
+        }
+
+        if (!aiSucceeded) {
+          const fallback = staticAnswer ??
+            "Couldn't reach the AI right now. Check the map for spots, The Lab for coaches, or ask again in a moment! 🛹";
+          appendMessage({ role: 'sasquatch', text: fallback, timestamp: Date.now() });
+        }
 
       } else {
         // 6. Not logged in — use static FAQ or generic fallback