Safety At Backcountry Snowcats

The safety of our guests and staff is the highest priority of Backcountry Snowcats Ltd (BSL).

Accomplishing the Safety of Our Guests

We monitor and record the weather and snow-pack throughout the season. Our guides make observations, then decisions, to minimize the risk to all. These decisions are made based on extensive training and experience, and are constantly checked and reassessed. Our lead guides are professional mountain guides and are members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (www.acmg.ca). and have Level 2 Avalanche certification. Although their first priority is safety, they believe in deep powder and fun times too. Assisting our lead guides are the tail guides. All tail guides are trained in first aid and hold a minimum of Level 1 Avalanche certification through the Canadian Avalanche Centre (www.avalanche.ca/). Most are professional ski patrollers, past and present, so it’s a given that they love the mountains and skiing. Tail guides working at BSL require a good sense of humour.

Continual Staff & Guest Training

Each staff member is trained in avalanche rescue and emergency procedures. Every season these procedures are practiced and reviewed so that all staff are familiar with their roles in the event of an emergency. You receive training as well! You will be instructed in transceiver use, basic avalanche rescue, safety procedures in snowcat and snowmobile operation, and general backcountry/lodge safety for in and around the Hurley Mountain Lodge. We attempt to entertain as we educate because learning is FUN.

Daily Guide Meetings

You may wonder where the staff disappear to each morning and evening...they’re NOT hiding! The fact is that, twice daily, a "guides’ meeting" is held in which all staff participate...very important, and certainly no secret. Based on our observations from the previous day and information from other operations in the area, a specific skiing/travel plan for the day is determined and discussed. All weather and avalanche information is recorded and shared with the Information Exchange System (INFOEX), run by the Canadian Avalanche Centre. This sharing of information between other commercial backcountry operators provides us with detailed information on weather, snow and avalanche conditions from many regions and helps us forecast conditions in our area. Backcountry Snowcats Ltd. is proud to be a member of good standing in Helicat Canada. This association has strict operational guidelines, and operations are reviewed regularly to ensure these standards are met.

Communications

Communications to the outside world are very important. BSL has radio, satellite phone, radio phone and satellite internet communications to the "outside resources" in case of an emergency. You can stay in touch with the outside world if you wish, or you can choose to truly escape in a backcountry experience. Our #1 mission is to provide a safe Backcountry Skiing experience. Although our staff strive to minimize the risks, it is impossible to completely eliminate all risk. Guests must read and properly complete a waiver of liability prior to the start of your adventure. For our guests convenience, we include a copy of the waiver, here, for you to review. This is a very important legal document that requires you to assume responsibility, in writing, for risks associated with the backcountry activities we provide. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, so please ask.