Avalanche hazard is still elevated this weekend, so let's get out for a tour in simple terrain. Helena Ridge is a nice ski objective that should make for an enjoyable day out for the sunny Sunday forecast. This is a technically very easy objective, with the crux being the distance and elevation covered - 16km and 1100m gain. This would be a great trip for BITS participants who are able to cover a longer distance with over 1000m elevation gain.
A straight-forward walk up the Rockbound Lake trail below treeline leads into an easy slope heading up to the ridgetop. From there we'll bask in the sunshine before skiing down.
The PRiSM series focuses on reaching mountain
summits on skis. Good skiing is a welcome collateral benefit, but not the primary
goal. We will usually target as big an objective as is reasonable in current conditions.
Trips may include scrambling, bushwhacking, bootpacking, or glacier travel.
As representative examples of past successful ski mountaineering objectives we've done as trips with the ACC Calgary Section, refer to the map below:
Required Items to Bring:
Mandatory: Transceiver (digital 3+ antennae) (remember to
check your batteries), snow shovel, probe, backcountry
ski gear (skis, skins), AST1 training at a minimum
Recommended Items to Bring:
Food/drink, extra clothing, any required
personal items, sunglasses/ski goggles and headlamp, sunscreen, camera, FRS radio if you have one.
How to Get There:
Event Directions:
Carpool Departure Time:
07:00 AM
Carpool Location:
Valley Ridge
Carpool Directions:
Notes:
Minimum AST1 or equivalent level experience is required. If you intend to bring a splitboard, let us know. As we may not know you well (or at all), please send following info to brendan714@gmail.com
Describe your avalanche training, crevasse rescue and glacier travel experience
Describe your back country ski experience
Describe your ski comfort level (e.g. OK on Blue runs, struggle on Black Diamonds, I do the Delirium Dive blindfolded, I'm new to this)
You will not be moved to the participant list without submitting this info!
Please send us an email instead of using the built-in ACC notes page when you add yourself to the waitlist - we don't often check those notes for people on the waitlist! These notes are also hard to search if you sign up for multiple trips.
POTENTIAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS EVENT - READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING UP. By signing up for this trip you acknowledge these risks.
Wilderness Skiing
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
Communicationcan be difficult and in the event of an accidentrescue 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
Mountaineering
Rockfall and icefall
Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking). What are the risks? Impact from a falling rock or ice can result in injury or death and can also damage equipment such as ropes.
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 walking terrain
Snow immersion
Impact or collision with other persons persons or objects
Contact with poisonous flora or fauna
Encounters with domestic or wild animals
Loss of balance or control
Slips trips and falls
Becoming lost or separated from one’s group
Falls and Belaying
Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or the ground, which can lead to injury or death.
The risk of belay failure is also present, which can contribute to the risk of a ground fall
Communication, rescue and medical treatment
Communicationcan be difficult and in the event of a accidentrescue 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
Cancellation Policy If a participant is unable to attend a paid course or trip, there will be no refund unless the participant finds a suitable replacement that is acceptable to the trip coordinator. Acceptable waiting list candidates will have priority. It will then be the participant's responsibility to recover funds from the replacement. If the coordinator cancels an event, participants get a refund (less any non-recoverable costs). Note that ACC National does not refund hut fees due to weather, delay, closures, or any other reasons. The Calgary Section of the ACC is a not for profit club and we only charge attendees what it costs us to provide courses or trips.
Trip Feedback If you have any feedback, positive or negative, concerning this trip or any other, we want to hear from you! You can send any feedback you may have to the Section Chair.
Registration for this event closed on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM.
