If you are an aspirant leader and would like to help with this outing, please let me know - you will need to be available for a 'leader meeting' on Thursday evening. All participants will need to be available for a pre-trip meeting on Friday at 7:30 PM.

If there are aspirant and/or new leaders added to help out and gain experience, they will have a chance to help finalize the location options. This will be discussed at the Friday meeting with everyone, as well as weather, avalanche forecast, equipment, approach to the day, etc.

If we haven't been out skiing/boarding before, please send me background on your backcountry ski experience and training.

3-antenna beacon, metal shovel, probe, headlamp, helmet, ski/split equipment, personal self-care/first aid

Airbag pack, InReach

Possible hazards

Avalanche

Avalanches can occur in the terrain in which we operate and can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. skiing/snowboarding). What are the risks? Anyone caught in an avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and/or property damage or loss.

Terrain

Cornice fall, crevasses, Cliffs, Trees, tree wells, forest deadfall, and tree stumps, Creeks, Rocks and Boulders, Holes and depressions below the snow surface, Variable and difficult snow conditions, Snowcat roads and road banks, Fences and other manmade structures, Snow immersion, Impact or collision with other persons vehicles or objects, Encounters with domestic or wild animals, Loss of balance or control, Slips trips and falls, Becoming lost or separated from one’s group

Communication, rescue and medical treatment

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

Boots and binding systems

·          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.

Other

Slips, trips and falls both outdoors and indoors, Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact, Equipment failure, Negligent first aid, Negligence of other people