CSGA Scope of Practice

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

CSGA Ski Guides (Levels 1,2 & 3) are certiﬁed to instruct and guide backcountry skiing and snowboarding in the winter mountain environment. These activities include activities on both glaciated and non-glaciated terrain.

Access is primarily mechanized skiing and snowboarding (ie. where the vast majority of elevation gain is done with helicopter, snowcat or other mechanized means).

CSGA Ski Touring Guides may work with non-mechanized accessed ski touring and/or splitboarding/snowboarding activities, including travel on winter glaciated terrain (glaciers covered in snow). Also permitted are ascents of non-technical peaks as part of a ski tour, where short-roping techniques (use of a shortened rope to prevent a slip) may be used in low consequence terrain.

CSGA Guides may work on skis, snowboard, or telemark skis. Once certiﬁed, CSGA Guides may move between diﬀerent modes of travel. They must ensure they are proﬁcient at any given discipline before guiding on that type of equipment. Employers should be informed of the discipline in which guides completed their certiﬁcation.

In accordance with CSGA By Laws, CSGA Guides must also remain active in their association membership, recurrent training and continuing professional development

SUPERVISION

CSGA Level 1: A CSGA Level 1 Guide is permitted to work under Direct Supervision

of a Level 2 (or equivalent) or a Level 3 (or equivalent) CSGA Guide.

In isolated situations a Level 1 CSGA Guide may be left with a client or group of clients to either supervise in a designated safe spot or move the clients safely down the run under the indirect (by radio or phone) directions of a Level 2 (or equivalent) or Level 3 (or equivalent) CSGA Guide. Examples of these isolated situations include an emergency situation or managing a weaker client at a slower pace. The expectation is that the Level 1 would follow tracks set by the Level 2 or 3 Guide or their explicit instructions, ensuring complete comprehension of route.

CSGA Level 2: A CSGA Level 2 Guide is permitted to lead an individual group under Indirect Supervision or Remote Supervision of a Level 3 (or equivalent) CSGA Guide.

The CSGA Level 2 Guide is responsible for the safety of their group under the leadership of the CSGA Level 3 Guide (or equivalent) and must act within the constraints of Standard Operating Procedures and their operation’s Avalanche Safety Plan.

CSGA Level 2 with Ski Touring Module: A CSGA Level 2 Guide with successful completion of the Ski Touring Module is permitted to lead an individual group of ski touring clients under Indirect Supervision or Remote Supervision of a Level 3 (or equivalent) CSGA Guide with Ski Touring Endorsement.

The CSGA Level 2 Guide with Ski Touring Module is responsible for the safety of their group under the leadership of the CSGA Level 3 Guide (or equivalent) and must act within the constraints of Standard Operating Procedures and their operation’s Avalanche Safety Plan.

CSGA Level 3: A CSGA Level 3 Guide is permitted to lead individual or multi group programs while adhering to Standard Operating Procedures and their operation’s Avalanche Safety Plan.

A CSGA Level 3 Guide is responsible for the line choices and decisions made by all guides working under their supervision. The Level 3 Guide will ensure that adequate discussion has occurred each morning and at any other time through the operating day when conditions or terrain choice have changed from what was previously discussed.

A CSGA Level 3 Guide must remain in ﬁeld unless communication with other guides can be done via radio or phone.

CSGA Level 3 with Ski Touring Endorsement: A CSGA Level 3 Guide with Ski Touring Endorsement is permitted to lead individual or multi group programs while adhering to Standard Operating Procedures and their operation’s Avalanche Safety Plan.

A CSGA Level 3 Guide must remain in ﬁeld unless communication with other guides can be done via radio or phone.

DEFINITIONS

Direct Supervision: The Guide is working directly under a Supervising Guide in the same group. The guide may be permitted to lead the group under the direct supervision of the supervising guide for training purposes. Communication between guides is face to face or by radio.

Indirect Supervision: The Guide is leading an individual group under the terrain guidelines for the operational day as laid out by the Supervising Guide. Examples are:

A Guide working in the same helicopter as the Supervising Guide
A Guide operating their own snowcat in the same operating tenure as the Supervising Guide
A Guide with a Ski Touring Module leading an individual group in the same tenure as a Supervising Guide with Ski Touring Endorsement (or equivalent)

Communication must be maintained via radio or phone between a Guide and the Supervising Guide. Morning Hazard Assessments must be completed together and any changes to terrain choice or hazard rating must be discussed prior to action.

Remote Supervision: The Guide is leading an individual group under the terrain guidelines for the operational day as laid out by the Supervising Guide. However, the Guide and Supervising Guide are in diﬀerent locations. Real time in-ﬁeld communication via radio or phone is not possible.

Remote supervision is a serious undertaking. There must be a documented, established working relationship between a Guide and their Supervising Guide in order to consider remote supervision. Both guides need to be familiar with the terrain they are working in, and the operation’s Emergency Response Plan. Satellite communications will be necessary as a redundancy to radio and phone.

Standard Operating Procedures in accordance with an operation’s Avalanche Safety Plan must be met in regards to a discussion about weather, avalanche conditions, terrain, emergency communications, and in-ﬁeld/end of day checkins.

The Supervisory Guide must know their teams abilities, certiﬁcation and experience level. It is the responsibility of the Supervisory Guide to feel comfortable with the guide team and the type of supervision required to satisfy the requirements of safety, operational risk management, and guide mentorship. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the Supervisory Guide for the actions of the guide team during ski operations.

EQUIVALENCIES

CSGA Level 2 Equivalencies: Certiﬁcations recognized by HeliCat Canada as equivalent to CSGA Level 2 Guides are ACMG Assistant Ski Guides.

CSGA Level 3 Equivalencies: Certiﬁcations recognized by HeliCat Canada as equivalent to CSGA Level 3 Guides are ACMG Ski Guides and IFMGA Guides.