TRIP DATES: February 15-19th, 2024 (February Long Weekend)

TRIP LOCATION: Whistler, BC

TRIP DESCRIPTION: This is a 5-day/4-night recreational ski/snowboard trip to Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort. Student will stay at Tantalus Lodge for 4 nights and will have 3 days on the mountains. In the evenings students will be able to hang out in the chalet, enjoy dinner with friends and participate in small activities around the village.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: This is a recreational ski/snowboard outing to Whistler Blackcomb for all levels of skiers and snowboarders

TRIP PREREQUISITES: This trip is an optional extracurricular activity for boarding students. All participants are registered for lessons no matter their skill level. All students will be put in lessons according to ski/snowboard level for all days on the mountain.

TRANSPORTATION: Students will traveling to and from Whistler by school bus. Whistler is located on the mainland, north-east of Vancouver 

PROPOSED ITINERARY:

Feb 15th @ 1:30pm: Meet in front of Crothall Centre. Depart by bus for 3pm ferry to Vancouver and then drive to Whistler
Feb 16 - 18th: Ski/Snowboard days
Feb 19th: Depart Whistler and return to SMUS

FOOD: Students will help prepare breakfast in the chalet. Students should bring bank/debit card to pay for all meals while in Whistler. Lunches can be bought on the mountain at the lodge. Students will go out for dinner each night in Whistler. If feasible, there will be a dinner out all together on the Sunday night.

ACCOMMODATION: Students and houseparents/chaperones will be staying at Tantalus Lodge in Whistler. The typical suite fits 4-6 students, depending on the arrangement and availability. A typical suite format would include two single beds, a shared pullout couch for 2, and then another larger bed for 1 person. Houseparents/chaperones will stay either in a separate room within the suite or in a separate suite nearby. Tantalus Lodge does have a swimming pool. If this is made available to our group, there will be specific established rules around use.

SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT: Students can bring their own ski/snowboard gear or rent. If you need rentals, complete the appropriate section of the attached registration form.

Ski/snowboard equipment list:

  • Long underwear top and bottoms/pants

  • Toque and gloves

  • Ski goggles/sun glasses

  • Ski/snowboard helmet

  • Waterproof jacket and pants

  • Skis, boots, ski poles OR snowboard, boots

Personal equipment list:

  • 3 full sets of warm clothing

  • Snow boots, hiking boots or extra shoes

  • Spending money, bank card

  • Toiletries (toothbrush....)

STAFFING/SUPERVISION: The chaperones/houseparents will travel with the students to and from Whistler. During the evenings and overnight, they will provide similar supervision to that of boarding at SMUS. Check-in and curfews will be similar to what students would expect in the boarding residences. During the ski day, students must ski/snowboard in groups with a chaperone/houseparent or instructor from Whistler/Blackcomb. They are not permitted to ski alone or without an adult.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of the activity, there will be significant portions of the day when your child will not be in direct contact with SMUS chaperones. Chaperones will be on the ski hill and available by cell phone.

INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIO: 1:10

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: This is a school-sponsored outing and school rules will apply. Participants are expected to follow the safety guidelines set by the instructional staff. A failure to meet these guidelines or any action against the school policies of the school may result in the participant being removed from the activity at their own expense. Parents/guardians must sign a school acknowledgement of risk form and complete the registration package before participating. Participants should arrive with the equipment outlined in this package.

TRIP & ACTIVITY RULES/PRE-REQUISITES: Please discuss the following pre-requisites with your child:

  • Students must review and follow the Alpine Responsibility Code.

  • Students must wear a helmet while skiing/snowboarding.

  • Students must ski/snowboard with their session group for the entire day.

ALPINE RESPONSIBILITY CODE (ARC):

Skiers and Snowboarders are required to know and abide by the ARC. Violations of this code may result in loss of lift privileges and injury. The ARC is posted in various locations in the mountain. Parents should review the following with their child in advance of the trip. Observe the code listed below and share with others the responsibility for a great outdoor experience:

  • You must remain in control and proceed in such a manner that you avoid other people or objects.

  • As you proceed downhill or overtake another person, you must avoid the persons below and beside you.

  • Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.

  • When entering a trail or starting downhill, look uphill and yield to others.

  • If you are involved in or witness a collision you must remain at the scene and identify yourself to the Ski Patrol.

  • You must use proper devices to prevent runaway equipment.

  • You must not use the lifts or terrain if your ability is impaired through use of drugs or alcohol.

  • You must keep off closed trails and observe and obey all signs and warnings.

  • Boundaries are marked with ropes and signs. Minors (18 or younger) are not permitted to cross these boundaries. The resort accepts no responsibility for the safety of persons choosing to cross these boundaries. Rescue of out of bounds persons may or may not be possible and should costs arise from the rescue operations, persons involved may be charged.

MAJOR RISKS/HAZARDS:  Parents/Guardians: Please review these risks/hazards with your son/daughter before the trip

  • All students will be in a lesson/session according to their skill level for the duration of their time on the mountain.

  • Your child will NOT be in contact with SMUS chaperones for significant portions of the day.

  • Helmets: ALL participants must wear CSA approved helmets. They are available for an extra charge.

Chaperones will carry: First Aid kit, Cell phone, Emergency Call Plan, Student Medical Information. In the event of an emergency, students should proceed directly to the nearest ski patrol hut. The ski patrol will contact SMUS staff.

 COST:
Transportation, Lift tickets, Lessons, Accommodation, Food - $2200.00*
Transportation, Lift tickets, Lessons, Accommodation, Ski/Snowboard Rental, Food - $2500.00*
*Please note that final trip price may change depending on number of students on the trip. 

DEPOSIT: A non-refundable deposit of $600 will be billed to student accounts on Dec 1, 2023. The remaining portion will be billed to student account before the trip.

QUESTIONS/CONTACT: Please email the trip coordinator, Lisa Mulvihill  lisa.mulvihill@smus.ca

REGISTRATION: To register for the trip, students need to complete the following EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM. Permission forms will then be sent to parents/guardians to complete. There are limited spaces so get your form in quickly if you would like to come.