Trip Hazards

Before registering for an event, please read and understand the hazards associated with the event identified on the trip posting.

Avalanche | Boots and Binding Systems | Communication and Rescue | Falls and Belaying | General Hazards | Rockfall and Icefall | Terrain

Avalanche

What are the Risks?

• • Avalanches can occur in the terrain you will be entering.
  • Caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (skiing/snowboarding).
  • Anyone caught in an avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and/or property damage or loss.

Hazard Mitigation

• • Trip leaders with experience and training to manage this risk.
  • Daily risk assessment processes.
  • Guest training.

Boots and Binding Systems

What are the Risks?

• • Even when set up correctly, a ski binding might not release during every fall or may release unexpectedly.
  • The ski boot/binding system is no guarantee that the skier will not be injured.
  • Non-DIN-certified bindings, such as pin/tech bindings, present a higher risk of pre-release and/or injury as they are not designed to the same safety standards as a DIN-certified alpine binding.
  • Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard and some telemark boot/binding systems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances. Using such a system increases the risk of injury and/or death when caught in an avalanche.

Communication and Rescue

What are the Risks?

• • Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available.
  • Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field.
  • If an injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow.

Hazard Mitigation

• • First Aid.
  • Rescue Training.
  • Satellite Communications.

Falls and Belaying

What are the Risks?

• • Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground which can lead to injury or death.
  • The risk of a belay failure is also present which can contribute to a ground fall.

Hazard Mitigation

• • Reviewing best practices with the trip leader.
  • Equipment checks.

General Hazards

What are the Risks?

• • Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor.
  • Equipment failure.
  • Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact.
  • Negligence of other persons, including other guests.
  • Negligent first aid.
  • Negligence of the guide Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities.

Hazard Mitigation

• • Developed safety plans and procedures with decades of experience managing risk.

Rockfall and Icefall

What are the Risks?

• • Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking).

Hazard Mitigation

• • Mitigated with experienced trip leaders.
  • Helmets.

Terrain

What are the Risks?

• • Cornices.
  • Crevasses.
  • Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps.
  • Cliffs.
  • Creeks.
  • Rocks and Boulders.
  • Holes and depressions below the snow surface.
  • Variable and difficult snow conditions.
  • Snowcat roads and road ranks.
  • Fences and other man-made structures.
  • Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects.
  • Encounters with domestic or wild animals.
  • Loss of balance or control.
  • Becoming lost or separated from the group.
  • Slips, trips, and falls.

Hazard Mitigation

• • Mitigated by trained and experienced trip leaders.
  • Radios.