Safety

Welcome to the Snow and Bike School Safety page

These manuals contains the lift and terrain guidelines for levels. These rules apply to ALL lessons (kids, adults, groups and privates). All staff are required to follow the information within. 

Not knowing the information contained in this manual is not an excuse. 

A copy of this manual is to be easily accessible at all times. In winter, we have print versions you should carry in your uniform pocket at all times. Please see your supervisor if you do not have one. 
In Summer you are expected to have this pdf saved on your phone. You can download a copy here. 

Did you get injured?

Here’s some information about the many different ways you can access the help you might need

STAYING SAFE AND PREVENTING INJURY

STAYING SAFE

Natural terrain and conditions can provide sublime experiences and the excitement that make our sport great. Make deliberate, considerate decisions on safety, where your go, when you go, conditions, student preparedness. And always engage your best safety device – your brain. 

Although some of these are season-specific, ask yourself if something similar applies to the season you’re currently working in.

    • Younger instructors get hurt more early in the season  

    • Older instructors get hurt more at the end of the season 

    • Men aged 18 to 25 get hurt more than others  

    • Collisions (i.e. Concussion) 

    • Repetitive Strain (twisting back, knees) 

    • Catching an Edge 

    • Slips and Falls 

    • Frostbite 

    • ACL  

    • Help students get up only if they are smaller than you and you feel comfortable doing so. 

    • Avoid twisting your back when you help. 

    • Be sure to teach them how to get up on their own. 

  • Item dAsk for help with heavier items. 

    • Use the dolly when you can. 

    • Avoid twisting actions. 

    • Be careful when lifting things to higher shelves. 

    • It’s easier to push than to pull. escription

    • Scope out jumps beforehand. 

    • Choose landings with enough slope. 

    • Stay within your ability (in spite of peer pressure). 

    • Inverted aerials are never permitted in uniform. 

    • Know the spill zone (if you crash, where do you end up?). 

    • In-run length changes based on snow condition; never assume that it’s the same as the last time. 

    • Watch out for small rocks or twigs protruding through snow. 

    • Shoulder check for traffic or for counting your students only after looking at the snow condition ahead. 

    • On easy runs with slower speeds, skiers should get into a wedge before looking over their shoulder. 

    • Good eyewear will help you identify changing snow conditions; some lenses are better suited to particular light. 

    • Keep equipment well tuned. 

    • Skiers must be especially aware of the ACL 

    • Most ACL injuries happen when the skier is trying to regain balance from an awkward position. Sometimes falling is the best option! 

    • Most ACL injuries happen when the hips are below the knees. 

    • Jumping: Landing on your tails is bad news for your ACL. 

    • Make sure your bindings are working properly. 

    • If you are sliding, avoid burying your edge in the snow with bent knees. Either wait it out and slide to a stop, or, if this is unsafe, apply the edges gently with straighter legs. 
      If you go down... STAY DOWN! Trying to get up while in motion is most dangerous for the ACL. 

    • Just walking around in the winter can be hazardous, especially when you are lugging gear. 

    • Be aware of ice buildup around locker room exits, meeting areas, and restaurants. 

    • Watch for uneven surfaces; walk around side hills when slippery. 

    • Consider using “cat tracks” on ski boots. 

    • Inform the building supervisor when an area needs salt / sand.

    • Though Whistler is not known to be a cold climate, there are cold snaps every season that can catch you off guard. 

    • Watch for “white spots” on your clients’ noses, cheeks, and ear lobes. Ask them to do the same for you. 

    • Use fleece (not cotton) neck warmers 

    • Vaseline or Dermatone can be used on a daily basis to protect your skin from wind and cold. 

    • If you are cold, your client probably is too! Recommend a bathroom or hot chocolate break. 

    • Dress appropriately and make sure your client is too! 

    • Keep spare hand warmers in your uniform for you and/or your clients. 

    • If you have poor circulation to your feet, try investing in boot heaters. 

    • Make sure to wear dry, clean socks everyday. 

    • Take your boot liner out to dry each night if you don’t have a boot dryer in your locker. 

    • Frostbite may not be covered by WCB if it is a pre-existing condition (you have had it before) or if you had the opportunity to warm up but did not take it. 

    • Most of our staff are exposed to the sun for much of the day. Precautions are necessary to avoid both short and long term suffering. 

    • Wear sunscreen (even on cloudy days). 

    • Reapply after lunch. 

    • Drink water. Sun, altitude, and exercise will dehydrate you very quickly. 

    • For Spring skiing, cover up. Being a touch too warm is better than being burnt. If you aren’t wearing a helmet on a day off, try wearing a hat that gives your ears protection. 

    • Not all lenses are created equal. Often you get what you pay for when it comes to eye protection. 

    • Sun safety should be a concern for all our guests. 

    • They may not be aware of the increased UV strength at altitude or the mirror effect of snow. 

    • Use safety as an opportunity to both educate and care for our guests. 

    • This is especially important with the little ones, who will be more prone to cancer later in life if they damage their skin now. 

    • Avalanches: notify the ski patrol if you witness or hear of an avalanche. 
      Lift evacuations: should you be needed to help with a lift evacuation you will be contacted by your supervisor who will direct you to a station where you can be of assistance. 

    • Avalanche control duds: if you encounter one, mark its location, then call 604-935-5555. DO NOT TOUCH! Duds may be unstable and potential inflict severe injuries or death. 

    • If a guest reports one of the above emergency situations, ask that person to stay so that Patrol can talk to them directly. Major emergencies such as avalanche rescue or chair lift evacuation may require your immediate assistance even at the expense of postponing your class to a later time. Please keep this in mind to respond immediately to such emergencies. 

    • The hazards in a big mountain environment require constant vigilance. Tree wells, cornices, flat light and deep powder are just some of the dangers that can compromise our safety and that of our guests. If you aren’t familiar with the area, don’t take your guests there! 

INJURY PREVENTION FOR INSTRUCTORS:

  • Fitness should be a habit, not something just for ski season. Staying in shape is a lot easier than training for shape. 

  • Warm up before you ride, as well as your first few runs. Include light exercises. 

  • Know your limitations. Peer pressure induces poor judgment. 

  • Early season powder days are deceptive; remember that there’s nothing under all that fluff but rock! 

  • When Spring riding, watch for rocks protruding. 

  • Almost all gym facilities in Whistler offer drop-in fees and / or monthly memberships. It is strongly recommended that staff who are not training at home for fitness and flexibility use a gym at least twice a week. Check out Club Shred for some great fitness deals. 

  • Flexibility should be a big component of your season long fitness program. Flexibility improves performance and shortens recovery time.

  • Check out the Stay All Season Physiotherapy program, available in Summer & Winter, Get ahead before that niggle becomes a problem!

Safety Orientation, Equipment Checks & Employee Responsibilities 

Safety Orientation Checklist (SOC) 

All new and young staff are required to complete a Safety Orientation Checklist before they start work. This information will be covered with your supervisor on your first training day. 

The following rules apply to all workers during the course of their employment. These rules will be reviewed and amended when there is a change in the work process or as otherwise required: 

1. Each worker will use all precautions to ensure his/her health & safety, 
2. Use equipment safeguards that are provided, 
3. Only operate equipment & machinery he/she is trained to operate, 
4. Use personal protective equipment as required, 
5. No worker will remove, impair or render ineffective any safeguard provided for the protection of workers, 
6. Workers will report any unsafe work condition or practice to their supervisor or manager, 
7. All workers will immediately, or as soon as practicable, report all injury/illness to their supervisor and First Aid attendant, 
8. No worker will perform his/her assigned tasks while their ability to do so is impaired by alcohol or drugs, 
9. No worker will engage in any horseplay, scuffling, fighting, practical jokes, or any other behavior that might create or constitute a hazard to him, herself or others, 
 
Failure to follow company rules, procedures and the WSBC OHS Regulation will result in disciplinary action, including possible termination of employment. 

Equipment Checks 

All summer and winter equipment including helmets, bikes, skis, boards, bindings and boots that are going to be used for work, need to be checked and stickered. Each Employee's Helmet will be inspected each year before starting work.

Click here for the Employee Guide to Equipment Checks, and the Frequently Asked Questions regarding Equipment Checks. 

Accidents During Lessons 

It is your responsibility to provide a proper duty of care for each of your students and do everything possible to avoid injury.  In the case that someone is injured in your lesson, you are to follow the procedures outlined in your Snow School Safety Manual (found on the side tab).  The manual should be in your uniform at all times so that you have it in case of emergency. 
 

If an accident should occur in one of your classes: 

  1. Remain calm. 

  2. Mark the accident site with crossed skis or snowboard placed well above the site to alert oncoming skiers and prevent further injury. 

  3. Ensure the rest of your class is out of harm’s way. 

  4. Contact Patrol and stay at the scene. Try to keep the student warm while you wait for Patrol. Never remove boots! 

  5. Make notes regarding the accident. These will come in handy for your report later, and should include: time, location, snow condition, how it happened, etc... 

  6. Ask witnesses and members of your class for contact details. 

  7. Your class should resume once Patrol dismisses you. 

  8. At the end of the day an accident report must be completed with your supervisor. Keep statements factual (these forms are used in legal proceedings). 

There may be in instance when you are witness to, or involved in an accident with company property, or a person not in your class. Please follow these general guidelines: 

  1. The incident must be reported to management and a CPSSA form (available from your supervisor) completed before leaving the area. 

  2. No employee who is involved in (or bears witness to) an accident shall issue a statement to news media or to anyone unless they are authorized to do so by the management; casual discussions in public places are also to be avoided. 

  3. In the case of accidents, do not suggest or imply that the company’s insurance will look after the injured party. Absolutely no comment on the company’s liability in the case of an accident is to be make by anyone except a designated management spokesperson. 

First Aid/Ski Patrol Locations: 

Alpine Service Building, Top of Peak chair, top of Harmony Chair (manned at all times chairs are operating). 

  • Phone Number: 604-935-5555 

WHISTLER

Blackcomb Administration Building, Mountain Top, & Horstman Hut. 

  • Phone Number: 604-935-5555 

BLACKCOMB

Separated Students & Class Management

As an instructor, your first concern is the safety of your group. Class control will allow you to accomplish more in the time allotted and will inspire confidence among your students. 
 
Tell the class what is happening next so they are well-informed. What lift are you going to? 
What run are you taking to get there? 
What is the focus along the way? 
 
- Count heads frequently, especially at intersections. Know where your students are at all times. 
- To hold the full attention of your group: Avoid positioning your class so they are facing a distraction. 
- Speak up; fluctuate your voice to emphasize key points. 
- Be simple with instructions. 
- Make eye contact and use students’ names. 
 
When stopped, don’t let the class mill around in harm’s way. Organize them immediately. 
Avoid stopping under chair lifts, below knolls, on narrow trails, or too close to snowmaking equipment. 


Refer to the Snow School Safety Manual or Bike School Safety Manual whenever you are unsure what the policies are regarding teaching children. There are specific terrain & lift guidelines by age group. It is your responsibility to know them. 

CLASS MANAGEMENT

At the start of your lesson, students should be told where to meet if they get lost

ADULTS: If an adult is separated from your class, call or check in at the nearest Ski & Snowboard School Desk or Bike School Desk. Let the sales staff know where you will be with the rest of the group and how soon you will come back. If you have a cell phone, leave the number on the desk.

Call in after each run for updates on the lost person. Always follow up with your supervisor, and in the case where a guest does not receive suitable lesson time, your supervisor will inform guest services.

If you find an adult separated from another class, inform the Alpine Ski & Snowboard Desk as soon as possible.

CHILDREN: If a child is separated from your class, refer immediately to your Snow School Safety Manual or Bike School Safety Manual for the protocol.

If you find a child from another class, keep them with you. Call the Whistler Kids Emergency Line immediately which can be reached from any mountain phone (Winter and Summer) 604 905-2234. Follow the instructions given to you by the Emergency Line attendant. 

SEPARATED STUDENTS