Dream Catcher Heliskiing has developed a comprehensive snow and avalanche management system which includes:
- procedures for collecting weather and snow information;
- evaluating snowpack stability;
- assessing hazards in the terrain;
- determining the appropriate skiing program that is modified to take into consideration any changing conditions in the field throughout the day.
Each member of the guiding team contributes to the snow safety program. Observations are shared between all commercial ski areas, including heliskiing, snowcat and ski areas, in Western Canada through an industry information exchange. We contribute to the avalanche research projects with the University of Calgary and the University of British Columbia, through the Heli Cat Canada Association.
Our guests are briefed in the use of avalanche transceivers, group safety planning in avalanche terrain, and self-rescue procedures in the event of an avalanche. Each guest wears an avalanche transceiver throughout the skiing day. Guides and at least one guest carry a backpack with some rescue equipment. Additional avalanche rescue equipment is carried in the helicopter.
Our company has had no avalanche-related incidents or accidents to-date.
