Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding: Banff National Park

Join us for a thrilling two-day backcountry skiing and splitboarding adventure in the stunning Banff National Park.

For this trip all levels of experience welcome and we will adjust our objectives accordingly.

We’ll be day tripping to various locations within the park, depending on conditions and group abilities.

Be prepared for longer days and more strenuous activity, requiring a good level of fitness.

Participants should be confident skiing black diamond runs at resorts.

Trip Hazards & Risks

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

• • • Experienced leaders with training to manage this risk 
    • Daily risk assessment processes  
    • Guest training  

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 | 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 Leaders
    • 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

• • • Safety plans and procedures to manage risk.

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.