Safety starts with Planning…

Operating a business like ours requires significant forethought. Tyson Rettie, our operations manager is an expert in this field. Tyson has contributed to the start-up and development of several ski/avalanche operations and completed the Canadian Avalanche Association’s Avalanche Operations Level 3 course, the highest education in applied avalanche risk management.

Avalanche risk to guests and guides is assessed and managed in accordance with policies and procedures set by the Canadian Avalanche Association, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the Canadian Ski Guide Association. These safe work procedures are reviewed and updated as required to keep up with evolving “Best Practices” in the guided skiing industry.

Daily Process

Before guests arrive a daily avalanche hazard assessment is performed by the guiding team. This assessment results in terrain restrictions, terrain that is closed for guiding for the day. From there guides make constant assessments of weather and snowpack to find ski terrain that matches the current conditions.

Equipment

All guests and guides wear/carry a probe, shovel and avalanche transceiver, the essential companion rescue equipment, when heading into the mountains. In addition to this equipment guides carry a variety of tools for mountain rescue and survival. Satellite communication devices are also carried for regular check-ins and group tracking.