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Instructor Neil Warren: Skiing is my passion. I love every single minute that I am able to spend time in the mountains with my guests. The Mountains of Western Canada are my home and I have been enjoying the incredible skiing here since I was two years old. My guiding career began in 1994, at the age of 15, leading kids’ camps, cycling, hiking, and backpacking trips, and instructing outdoor courses. After completing a BSc in Kinesiology, I apprenticed with Mountain Guides for eight years before entering the ACMG’s rigorous Ski Guide training and exams in 2008–2010. Today, I’m a Ski Guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and an Avalanche Professional with the Canadian Avalanche Association. Each winter, I guide trips at heli-accessed ski touring lodges, day/weekend skiing in the Rockies and Rogers Pass, teach instructional courses and offer custom ski guiding. I explore the backcountry on both skis and split-board. 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 | 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 Guide| Radios 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 certified and experienced guides, Helmets
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 Certified Guides 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.
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