Hello CSGA Membership,

Please see below for a message from Bardish Chagger
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and
Minister of Small Business and Tourism

I am pleased to write to you today to tell you about the Canadian En[tour]preneur Experience, an exciting new initiative for young Canadians, aged 18 to 24, with an interest in entrepreneurship and tourism.

We are inviting young Canadians from across the country to apply to join us in Ottawa from August 13 to 15, 2017, to share ideas on tourism and learn about entrepreneurship in the sector, as well as network and engage with tourism operators and industry partners.

We are hoping you will be able to help promote this initiative within your networks.

Applicants must be:

• 18 to 24 years old;
• interested in tourism and entrepreneurship;
• thinking about starting a tourism business;
• passionate about travel, especially within Canada; and
• interested in sharing input on how to make tourism experiences great for millennials.

Selected participants will:

• travel to Ottawa to meet tourism operators and youth from across Canada;
• mingle with representatives from the top five tourism-related service sectors—accommodations, food and beverage, recreation and entertainment, transportation, and travel services;
• find out how entrepreneurs are promoting their business ventures and experiences; and
• learn more about entrepreneurial opportunities in tourism.

This is a great opportunity to learn from some of Canada’s most creative tourism movers and shakers.

Interested young Canadians should visit Canada.ca/Tourism to apply. The deadline is Friday, June 30 at 5:00 p.m. (ET).

Bardish Chagger
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and
Minister of Small Business and Tourism

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTES:

May 3rd 2017 1:00 pm –  Sandman Hotel Penticton BC

Attendance: Board of Directors, Secretary & Members of the CSGA in good standing,

Board of Directors:

Bob Sayer                            President

Jason Remple                    Vice-President

Mo Rasiah                           Director

Mike Hainault                   Director

Kieren Gaul                        Director

Don Schwartz                    Director

Mike Wiegele                    Past President (regrets)

Hunter Fitzgerald            Secretary (non-voting)

Welcome from the President – Bob Sayer

Bob Welcomed all Members, Operators & all guests to the meeting.

-all courses were full this season as there is a continued demand from Industry for more qualified Guides.

1. Adopt minutes of last meeting – Bob Sayer

Minutes for last AGM adopted.

2. Report from Administration – Bob Sayer

Carrie can now receive inquiries though her cell, which should improve response to member & student inquiries. In the summer. Carrie works one day per week & calls pass to her cell.

We now have 113 members & 13 Associate members

3. Secretary’s Report – Hunter Fitzgerald

See report attached – Click Here: CSGA-AGM-Sec Report May 3rd 2017

4. Technical Committee Report – Mike Hainault

Biggest change= Level 3 divided into 2- 1) instruction course 2) exam. Not as successful pass rate & now will review with Bob Sayer,

Bill Mark & Crosby Johnson to determine best way forward. It became evident that a course is needed before the exam. We wish to try and maintain as many candidates as possible & to minimize financial burden at same time.

Asked for feedback as we wish more students to graduate as possible so course before good idea. Seems bit of disconnect between higher experience needed & urgency to get Level 3 exam done. That is why course before is most valuable. General consensus is to have pre-Course as properly trained & examined Level 3 guides needed as lead guides right now by Industry.

Bob Sayer commented that many guides took several years guiding before taking Level 3 exam & therefore pre-course essential to give students knowledge of areas they need to practice on before doing exam.

Re-current training to be done in Blue River, Kootney & on Coast.

MW 5 Step checklist                                      Elias Ortner

Postponed as Elias had to go to another session which conflicted with AGM meeting time.

5. Membership Report – Bob Sayer

Now have 113 paid up members

6. HeliCat Canada Report – Bob Sayer

Attended Heli Cat meeting which very informative. There was a general invitation to all CSGA Guides to attend as very educational.

7. IKAR report – Bob Sayer+ Iceland symposium – Elias OrtnerMeeting held on Bulgaria. IKAR now 600-700 members. Hands on type meeting.New mountain knowledge Database consisting of all mountain rescue information & researchers data base to international standards. CSGA could pay a fee to run Database to obtain worldwide changes (note: Dr. Dave has pics available).

   1st day was hands on training & resulted in all rescuers being killed which real eye-opener. Point of day never treat patients on a dangerous place.

   Hypothermia training excellent with new micro climate system being utilized.

   Dr. Dave commented that “best allocation of resources” system over whelming.

   This year conference will be in Andorra – Bob Sayer, Dr. Dave Watson & Bill Mark will be attending- Oct 16-19, 2017. Cost approx. Euros 500.

8. Canadian Society of Mountain Medicine – Dr Dave WatsonLions Gate Mountain Medicine 2 week course in Mountains.With new Docs now at 20.

   Hypothermia presentation of new plastic card system, a check list of best practices.

   Bata concept on in Europe and can be seen on IKAR website.

   Suggest read paper from Journal of England. Longest was thought to be 6hrs now 8 hrs. Found and on an avalanche as long as 43 hours. Crevasse 27yr old = 8 days & 70 yr. old 6 days.

   Suggest CSGA prepare similar check list on what to do.

   Bob Sayer commented on WorkSafeBC has details & CSGA could mine for Guide items. Ian Tomm commented he has Data on this.

NEW BUSINESS

A – Risk Management – Insurance report               Hunter Fitzgerald

RM & Insurances presentation on;

1. Mountain Safety, incl. Waiver Administration

• Tenure issues
• Fleet Risk Safety.
• Premises incl. Liquor Liability
• Special events
• Where are you in your Insurer’s rating of “Best in Class”

1. Reviewed the need to chart “Risk Lists”. We did a sample of a Risk List for a Snowcat operation & discussed the necessity to rate your area & monitor it continuously.
2. Reviewed observations of Fort Mac fire & how critical it was to follow “Fire Smart Manual” for all your resorts.
3. Reviewed some details on a new Helmet (ProNeckTor) under research.

Helicopter Safety                                            Heath Coleman

Summarized same key points recently presented to HeliCat meeting;

-emergency response – coordinate with Heli Company & Helicopter company

-helipad at hospital- may violate landing at hospital

-be familiar with BC emergency hospital regulations & guidelines for landing at hospital

-purchase lots of seat belt cutters & keep on site.

-SAOP (Safety Operating procedures) check best practices

-Air Bags-be careful pre-mature release- put into Heli briefing

-cannot wear in Helicopter

-check how to remove air on release.

-pre-season training include best practices for air bag use.

-Crew Response management- test team work in cockpit.

-discuss physocoligy

-Professionalism discussed at HeliCat –Heli-skiing fun risky sport.

-Tipping pilot-do not let it influence pilot.

-Share close calls –debrief on guides meeting & keep teaching to new pilots/guides.

-safety culture- do what you preach

-5 recent accidents- some compliancy-all avoidable

-Lessons-everyone be extremely alert at landings.

B – Legal report                                                 Hunter Fitzgerald

Reviewed some finding from 2017 CWSAA Safety Committee-Legal update by Robert Kennedy.

1.Brun v. Whistler – release successful

2.Aaron Quilchine – 1st online release successful

3. Campbell v. county of Bruce Ontario-release defeated by special Ontario consumer protection act argument
4. Waiver still good defense but watching Ontario development as BC consumer protection act similar & should be amended for ski resort activities.
5. Ski Bindings-AT boots will not work in normal bindings and release would-be voided so use special bindings for AT boots. Also watch 10 day notice by binding manufacturers
6. Host liquor Liability – Case study of Pub in Ont where Pub still held partially responsible for incident after patron when came home then drove buddy home & had an accident.

7.Jameson v. Whistler – same BC Practices act at Ont.

C – Wild Life                                                       Jordon Stiefvater

Reviewed guidelines –intent-leave animals alone.

-Ariel –stay distance & flight paths -500 meter distance

-Goats- 1,500 meter from goat habitat shown on goat range mapping.

-Bob Sayer-a lot of science on goats & they are not a threatened animal.

-Wolverine –scientists trying to get funding on research

Cariboo-endangered species – many closures for snowmobile use.

-no encounter for 300 meters-record happenings

-some closed areas

-affect all new Heli ski tenures

Special management=what the heli-skiing industry is doing

-min encounter

-no closer than 500 meters

-MOU-area map habitat

-2 hrs. of staff training

-info management systems

-operations practice

D – Extended medical – Insurance package           Mike Hainault

(Geoff Staight could not make meeting)

AD&D group; policy available (similar to ACMG coverage)

-min of 40 participants

-$25,000 Life

-Premium=$105 annual (covers outside of work as well)

-option for $100,000 at $400 annual

-MH to email members with motion for the $105 plan and see what interest

E – Potential sponsorship agreement w/ MEC Or True Outdoors for member discounts on gear

Mike Hainault

MEC plan available.

F Continued professional development training fall

Session Date selection Mike Hainault

Fall Training-Nov 18-Nov 25 (one in Kootneys)

Recurrent in Blue River – Sept 2017

Fees up 10-12% next year.

-Tech News- updated Manual-Snowcat section-need chapter

-Heath-good idea for Heli section

Manual will not be printed only on line eManual.

OTHER BUSINESS Election of Officers– We need to elect 2 board members each year.

K.Gual to step down

New members;

-Dr. Dave Watson

-Chris Simm

Bob asked 3 times = no further nominations

Next meeting: May 2nd 2018

Adjournment: 4pm May 3rd 2017

CC: 1. To Board Members

2. To membership of CSGA

The course was full, with 12 participants and 2 instructors.

La Nina rang true this spring and kept the weather relatively cool and the snow dry on the shady aspects for most of the course. The students occupied 2 full days of mechanized ski guiding during some pretty fabulous ski conditions. Everyone had a chance to lead and second at least one ski run. There was also snow cat assisted ski touring and drop offs for full days in the mountains for other training exercises.

There were 2 crevasse / rope rescue practice days which were scheduled into the course. One was held on a relatively short, near vertical wall over top of a road (Cornice Corner) which provided an excellent training area with easy access. The other was in a large wind scoop on an alpine ridge which had some overhangs and a longer rescue distance. Students had plenty of opportunity to practice their skills at the lodge where there were two anchored ropes for climbing and ascending as well as areas for setting up raise systems.

Each day in the field, teams of 2 would have a chance to practice an avalanche rescue scenario. Everyone had a chance to lead and assist at least one rescue. There was ongoing transceiver practice, both within the scenarios and in 30 by 30 metre areas (just like the exam).

The level 1 is designed to be a learning course, and that is exactly what happened this year. Approximately ½ of the students are working in the industry and tuning their skills to move forward in their careers. The others are trying to break into the industry. The learning that occurred was remarkable. With the exception of three participants who will have to re-test their rope rescue skills, everybody passed the course.

Much thanks go out to Paul and Megan Osak of Selkirk Snowcat Skiing, who’s tenure makes an exceptional venue for the level 1 course.

Kevin Marr & Josh Slootweg

Course Instructors

April 2017

Spring 2017 was an interesting time for the CSGI, we unveiled the NEW L3 course format. The new format is comprised of two separate and distinct components, the course and the assessment, each is five days in duration. The “course” component is designed to help teach aspiring L3 candidates the requisite skills necessary to guide without supervision in the mechanized ski industry. The “assessment” component is designed to evaluate the guiding skills necessary to guide without supervision in the mechanized ski industry. Each component is taken separately, first the course, then the assessment. This new format allows students to gain experience, skill, and better understand the standard required to succeed during the assessment. This year we had seven participants take part in the new program, two of which were invited to move onto the assessment portion.

The GOAL of the new format is to not only better prepare candidates for evaluations, but to better mentor existing guides as they move through the CSGI progression taking on greater responsibility. The curriculum has been tailored to better match the industry realities of the tasks undertaken by guides each and every day. We aim to train the candidates to the highest standards, and provide tangible and practical situations for better learning.

Given the weather this spring the effort brought forward by the candidates was commendable. They took every task, project, and scenario extremely seriously. Skill acquisition was admirable, and all participants should be very proud of the achievements they attained. Many of those participants will be ready in the future to attend the assessment portion of the new program.

It goes without saying that these programs would not be possible without the cooperation and the dedication of certain individuals. Therefore, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our host Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, Yellowhead Helicopters and our pilot Steve Tosh, my co-course director Bill Mark, our trusty observer Terry Makos, and of course all our participants who were willing to take a chance on this new curriculum format.

We look forward to seeing more L3 candidates in the future.

Sincerely,

Mike Hainault

CSGI, course coordinator

Level 3 Course 2017

Hi Everyone !

A reminder that the Canadian Ski Guide Association AGM will be held in Penticton BC on May 3, 2017 @ 1:00pm  at The Sandman Hotel.

For a preview of the adgenda please click here.

Hope you all had or are still having a great season ! Safe travels this summer.

Just another friendly reminder that the HeliCat meetings are on May 1 in Penticton again this year.  If you work in the sector you may find the days activities of interest to you, as well as being good CPD.

http://www.helicat.org/spring-meeting/

You’ll see some more info coming out via our newsletters and on social media in the next few weeks but here are the highlights;

• Bill Yearwood from the Transportation Safety Board – Talking about aviation safety in our sector (heliskiing and SAR)
• Doug Strachan from West Coast Helicopters talking about Safety Management Systems and how aviation SMS can (better) integrate with operational risk management systems in the helicat sector.
• Discussion on proposed new Transport Canada regulations that may impact heliskiing starting in 2018.
• A provincial executive and consulting biologist will also be presenting on our sectors impacts on wildlife and the changing landscape for wildlife policy in BC – particularly around Goat, Caribou and species at risk.

We are going to have 2 panel discussions – one on aviation safety and another one on wildlife and adaptive management in the HeliCat/Guiding sector.  Should be interesting.

http://www.helicat.org/spring-meeting/

Hope to see you there!

The CSGI will be running another SGSC in Blue River BC again this September.  This is a skills development course for students engaged in the CSGI programs.  The course will include glacier travel, use of crampons and ice axe while travelling on snow and ice, rope techniques, protection, rescue techniques, navigation, route selection, trip preparation and mountaineering ethics.

Dates are Sunday September 10th – Saturday September 16th, 2017

This course requires participants to be in the mountains for a 5 day period.

There are accommodations in town at the MWHS Resort available for the first and last night.

Each student is to provide their own (camp/dehydrated) meals  for a 5 day duration in the mountains.

Once again we had 4 successful  CSGI courses this past year/season. Two Level 1 courses, one in Whistler BC, December 2015 and  the new location of Meadow Creek BC, April 2016.

Also the Level 2 & 3 courses  held in Blue River BC, 2016. Congratulations to all the successful participants and newest CSGA members. 

The upcoming Level 1 course in Whistler BC, December 2016 is close to full, if you are interested get your registration in ASAP.

Summer Glacier Skills Camp, Blue River BC, September 2016

Recurrent Training also in Blue River BC, September 4 – 6 2015.  If it’s time for you to maintain and/or upgrade your  skills this is the place to do it !

* All level 3 CSGA members must attend a recurrent training program every 2 years to remain a member in good standing.

We are still working on the newer courses: Avalanche Training for Guides, CSGI Ski Touring Module number 1 and a few Youth Skills and Development. * These courses are dependent on enrollment.

If you know of anyone that may be interested in participating in any of these courses please have them contact admin@canskiguide.com .

Hope everyone is having a great Summer, have fun and stay safe !

Cheers,

Carrie Holland

CSGA / CSGI  Administration
Office: 250.673.2464 |   Fax: 250.673.2442

E-mail: admin@canskiguide.com  Web: www.canskiguide.com 

A guest post from CSGA member Bill Mark:

Here are some personal observations and opinions that I thought would be worth sharing from my experience as both a candidate/participant and as an instructor on CAA and CSGA Guides courses.

 Be prepared: The 6 P’s

Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. Be prepared, practice and train, well ahead of the course.

Get a training buddy and make a regular schedule.

Ideally it’s someone who’s going to the same course so there’s some additional motivation.  It might be someone who’s training for a lower or higher level course, that’s OK too as the sharing of information will help.  Often more experienced folks like to participate and assist, see mentorship below.

Make sure you are training on the right things, to the right standard for the course you are about to take (see below).

Standards and systems: When in Rome…

Find out exactly what is required, standards and course objectives.  Talk to someone who has just taken (and ideally passed) the course.  Talk to a current instructor (one who has worked in the last 12 months). Find out who you need to talk to ensure you are training to the correct standard and methods or techniques for that course.  (Also see Hire a Pro below)

 Certain organizations have certain standard ways (techniques) of doing things.  Be it the CAA, CSGA or ACMG, find out and learn the standard systems and techniques the organization conducting the course uses.  Practice and perform this method so you can do it in your sleep, then perform during the course and most importantly on the exam.  This is especially relevant for hard skills such as rope systems.

 Even the best prepared person might get corrected or shown a different way by an instructor when you perform the skill on the course in a non exam setting.  Don’t be defensive or make excuses, you’ve been given a gift on how you can pass the course (shut up and listen).  Listen, observe and make that correction when you perform the skill next time.

Yes, I know your way might be a way better tool, you might be quicker or more efficient, but do it the way the organization and instructors want it done, then you will increase the chance you’ll pass. If you really hate the method so much, once you’ve passed the course you can volunteer to be on the standards or technical committee then you can contribute to the change!  Often if we think about it more often the different methods achieve the same goal, but on a course, do what the examiner wants, it’ll help you pass.  Examiners want you to pass.

Get a mentor early

If you know you are going on a course, find someone (or a few folks) that you can talk to.  It is worth finding someone you can share your mistakes and be able to open up to.  You may want to consult a more experienced person, who may be available to debrief your day of work in the mountains from time to time especially after significant events.

Don’t wait until the moth before the course start the season before.  Mentors are a great way to become a better mountain professional, and to successfully pass courses.  Experience has shown those who find experienced mentors often perform better at courses (and make better decisions).  You may have a number of mentors on different topics.  They can be at your workplace, in your home town or on the phone.  Try using your spouse as a sounding board.

Personal reflection

Take the opportunity to look at your work day in the mountains and reflect on what you did well today and what might you have been able to do better?  For some, making notes helps.  During the CAA L2 Module 1 program, students are urged to use learning journals, this works for some and not others. The key is to thing and learn on a daily basis. Debrief you day with others (See Get a mentor early above)

Train on the hard skills:

On an exam there are often rote skills you will need to perform to a standard, e.g. transceiver tests, snow observations (profiles) crevasse or rope rescue skill demonstrations.  You should make time to practice and to be so good at these hard skills before the course starts.  Then, when exam time comes around it will be low stress and easier to pass these “hard skills”.

This means that when you are at the course you can spend your valuable time and energy on learning watching and refining the “soft skills” like mountain travel and awareness.  You now have the ability to demonstrate and perform at your best for the other more difficult to demonstrate skills such as the elusive “mountain sense”.

 There is nothing more frustrating for you (and the instructor team) to see someone flailing on a transceiver test as they just go a new device and have not practiced adequately on it.  (see notes on knowing your equipment below)

 While I’m on the subject of mountain sense, I have some thoughts on this age old question for both candidates and instructors: How can you demonstrate “mountain sense” as a student, and how can you mark it as an instructor.  It’s my opinion that you can go some way towards learning it through mentorship and experience, but I strongly believe that it’s in a similar vain to music, you can teach anyone to play the guitar but you need the innate ability in the first place to be really good at it no matter how hard you might practice or be coached)

Know your equipment:

If you know you are going on a course, look at all your gear: from skis, bindings and skins, snow safety gear, shovel, probe and transceiver, rescue equipment (improvised toboggans, rope rescue gear).  Does anything look close to being worn out, do you have any pieces missing, does anything need replacing before the course?  If so replace it and use the equipment well before the course begins.  Break in those new touring boots before well before the course.

Take a trip

Where is the exam being conducted?  Is it in your back yard?  Is it in a different snow pack and climate zone.  No matter where the course is It’s always good to take a trip away to train in other areas to broaden your experience.  Travel in terrain and snow packs you are not familiar with.

 Arrive a few days early near the course venue so you can learn more find out from the locals about the weather, snow and terrain as well as get a day or 2 in the field to look for your self.

Hire a Pro for a day

If you don’t have the benefit of training buddies or mentors close by, take a trip and hire an instructor from the program you are taking to get honed up a month or 2 before the course.  If you know some others taking the course get a group together to reduce cost.  Have a list of questions that you want answered so you get the best value for your day out.   This is by no means an exhaustive list, just a few ideas, but above all…

Be prepared, train and practice.

This is the personal opinion of the author and not of any organization such as the CAA or CSGA

Bill Mark.

Bio

Bill Mark has been working in the winter skiing and snow safety business since the mid eighties.  He began his career as a ski patroller in New Zealand and then worked at Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler where he was a ski patroller and was the Ski Patrol Director until 1999.   Since then he worked full time as a ski guide for Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing where he is now a lead guide.

 He is CSGA L3 certified, and has ISIA full certification (from NZ). He also instructs on CSGA courses and on CAA Industry Training Program’s L1 & 2 courses.