Safety

The safety of our clients and staff at Valhalla Adventures is a priority at all times. Each employee is trained in avalanche rescue, emergency procedures and is familiar with their individual role in our overall Rescue Plan. All of our guides have at least level II avalanche awareness and wilderness first aid. Guides also have a high level of fitness and are experienced in backcountry skiing or snowboarding.

Our guides monitor the snow pack, using a multitude of different tests throughout the season. The results and the stability assessments are then applied to the terrain and the elevations that are used for daily skiing. Predictions are regularly checked and reassessed. The runs skied are discussed every morning and every evening at the guides’ meeting. On a daily basis, a specific skiing plan is developed based on snow conditions and risk assessment.

Regular radio communication is maintained between the guides, the snow cat operator and the base camp. Communications with Olney are a satellite phone from the base camp, In the event of an emergency the guides can quickly communicate directly with the base camp.

On the first morning of each tour, all guests participate in a safety briefing from their guides and snow cat operator. They undergo training in transceiver use and search techniques as well as a safety briefing on snow cat procedures and proper behavior and precautions to be taken in and around the machines. Transceivers are worn by everyone at all times when not in the yurt. Transceivers are tested each day. Snow cat operators and guides follow specific safety-related procedures prior to picking up guests and when dropping guests off. The snow cats are well equipped with first aid and evacuation equipment.

On arrival in Olney, every guest is asked to sign a waiver and receives a safety briefing about their snowcat ride. Once at the yurt, our guests are oriented and instructed on fire emergencies and other safety procedures related to our base camp.

Safety Briefing

While we do acknowledge the inherent risks in all winter backcountry endeavors, Valhalla Adventures uses the most progressive technology and trained professionals to assure that such risks are managed. We offer the following list of significant risks that must be considered on every ski outing as well the procedures, resources, and equipment we employ to handle such factors.

• Terrain will be matched to the group's ability.
• Avalanches and uncontrolled falls are some of the unique hazards we are faced with here.
• While every effort is made to avoid avalanches and natural hazards, the possibility of an accident cannot be completely eliminated.
• Listen to and follow your guide's instructions, especially when she/he explains where to ski.
• Always ski one at a time unless directed to do otherwise by your guide.
• Some things to avoid unless directed by your guide are skiing over convex slopes (roll overs), skiing above terrain traps.
• Do look for islands of safety to stop or rest in: below large rocks at the far edge of a chute or gully (out of the slide path). Far into the flats and off to the side at the bottom of a steep slope. Don’t make yourself a target.
• Only approach the snow cat with your guide.

The best way to avoid being in an avalanche is follow your guides instructions and use the information provided in this briefing.

If you do get in an avalanche:
Right after it starts, before you’re trapped:

• Try to get rid of as much gear (skis and poles) as possible.
• Try to swim upstream and to the surface. Fight for your life. Don’t give up.
• When you feel the slide begin to slow, make yourself an air pocket by making a clearing in front of your face.
• Try to be calm and wait for your rescuers.

If there is an avalanche and you are not caught in it:

• Stop all action.
• If you can see the victim(s) during the slide, keep an eye on him and make note of the “last seen point”.
• Count the people in your party. How many are missing and who?
• The guide will take charge of the search. If the guide is the one in the avalanche, the most experienced person should take charge.
• Most victims end up partially buried or on top. Look down the path for a visual on the victim: body, arm, ski boot, or gloves.
• If you see him/her, go directly to the victim and dig him/her an airway. You may need to clear packed snow from his mouth.
• If you cannot see the victim, begin a Transceiver search.
• Go to the last seen point or to the top of the slide path. Start at the bottom of the path and work up if you are below the slide.
• Spread out 20’ to 30’ (up to 75’ if it is a big path and you have no idea where the victim was caught) across the hill.
• Switch your transceiver to receive. Check and make sure everyone is on receive!
• Proceed downhill until a signal is received. It is important when searching to talk to each other and determine where the first and/or strongest signal is, so your energies can be concentrated there.
• Use the directional capabilities you learn in your transceiver drill. If you get confused or very close, fall back to the grid search method.
• Keep volume as low as you can hear.
• When the search narrows down to a room size area, one searcher continues with a fine transceiver search and the others become probers and diggers.
• The probe is what finds the victim. Use probes, probe poles, poles, or skis.
• When searcher feels he is over the victim, begin digging immediately and continue to probe.
• Try to uncover the head first. Clear an airway to the mouth. Remove packed snow from the victim's mouth if necessary.