Mt. Washington RESORT SKI/SNOWBOARD DAY

TRIP DATE: Monday January 29, 2024

DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY: This is a 1-day recreational Ski/Snowboarding trip to Mt. Washington Ski Resort, near Courtenay, BC. The ski/snowboard day is designed to give students an opportunity to develop their ski/snowboard skills at a local resort. Students will be required to ski/ride in groups of two or more people. Chaperones/teachers will be on site to assist students as needed but will not be skiing with students throughout the day.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: This is a recreational ski/snowboard day designed to give participants an opportunity to ski/snowboard at a local resort. There is a compulsory lesson for all level 1 (Beginner) skiers/snowboarders.

WEATHER and CLOTHING SELECTION: The current weather forecast indicates that it will be warm and potentially rainy at the hill. Students should bring extra clothing and waterproof jackets. Wearing a raincoat OVER TOP of their ski jacket is a good option to stay dryer.

TRANSPORTATION: Students and teachers/OED guides will be travelling to and from Mt. Washington in a coach bus. It takes approximately 3-3.5 hours to drive to the ski hill.

ITINERARY:

5:05 AM Meet at Crothall Building bus loop to load bus.
5:15 AM Depart for Mt. Washington
9:00 AM Arrive at Mt. Washington. Collect rental equipment (if needed)
Morning Ski/snowboard lessons (required for all Level 1 skiers/snowboarders)
3:00 PM. Return rental equipment and load bus.
3:15 PM Depart Mt. Washington for Victoria. The coach will no longer be stopping for dinner mid-way home. Students should bring an after-ski snack for the bus ride home.
~6:30 PM Return to Crothall Building.

PROGRAM COSTS: (to be billed to student accounts)
$55 - Base cost for all participants. Includes coach bus transportation & ski/snowboard lesson for beginners
$35 - Ski pass for the day (Students with season pass or 6-pack tickets will not be charged)
$35 - Equipment rentals (Students with all of their own gear will not be charged)

FOOD & MEALS:

  • Students should bring a breakfast/morning snack to eat while travelling to Mt. Washington. A breakfast will be provided for boarding students.

  • For lunch at the ski hill, students can either purchase food at the cafeteria or bring a lunch with them.

  • Students should also bring or purchase an after-ski snack for the bus ride home. The bus will be returning directly to SMUS without stopping.

  • Boarding students will be provided with lunch money as well as snacks for the way home.

STAFFING/SUPERVISION: There will be one chaperones on each school bus with students and additional chaperones at the resort. 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 throughout the day.

CHALETS/CABINS and CONDOS: Students should not be accessing any personal Chalets, Cabins or Condos during the ski/snowboard day. If students have their ski equipment stored in a locker in a chalet, they need to first speak with a teacher.

SUPERVISOR/STUDENT RATIO: 1:25 on the bus. 1:15 at the ski hill

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: This is a school-sponsored outing and school rules apply. Participants are expected to follow the safety guidelines set by the instructional staff and the resort staff. Participants should arrive with the equipment outlined in this package.

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

  • Parents must review the Alpine Responsibility Code below with their child.

  • Students must wear a helmet while skiing/snowboarding.

  • Students must ski/snowboard with a student-buddy at all times.

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. Mt. Washington 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

  • Getting Lost / Using the Buddy System: There will be significant portions of the day when your child will not be in direct contact with SMUS chaperones. Students must ski/snowboard with at least one other person throughout the day. Each group of buddies will be asked to have a cell phone with them so the chaperone can contact them in case of emergency or vice versa.

  • Terrain Park: There is an increased level of risk in the terrain park. We strongly discourage students from going in the terrain park as it presents an increased danger of head and neck injury. This area is NOT supervised by SMUS staff. Please discuss the use of the terrain park with your child.

  • Ski Run Designations/Rider Ability: Students need to be familiar with ski run sign designations (Ex. Green circle, blue square, black diamond and double black diamond) and how they relate to ski/snowboard ability.

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: Mt. Washington Resort has Ski Patrol and First Aiders on side. SMUS Chaperone will carry cell phones and emergency contact information. In the event of an emergency, students should proceed directly to the nearest ski patrol hut. The ski patrol will contact SMUS staff.

SKIER/SNOWBOARDER ABILITY: Mt. Washington Alpine Resort divides skiers and snowboarders into THREE ability types. Students who are TYPE 1 ski/snowboard ability will automatically be registered for a formal lesson.

  • Type 1: (First time skier/snowboarder up to beginner skier/snowboarder)

    • Can or will learn to navigate gentle, smooth green slopes with cautious skiing/riding techniques.

    • Never ever touched snow or up to skied/ridden four times before

    • Easy Acres beginner terrain only

  • Type 2: (Novice skier/snowboarder)

    • Can confidently link turns on all Green runs

    • Skied/Snowboarded 5+ times

    • Starting to cautiously navigate on Intermediate (Blue) terrain

    • Hawk Chair terrain primarily. Possible Whiskey Jack and Eagle terrain.

  • Type 3: (Intermediate skier/snowboarder up to advanced skier/snowboarder)

    • Can confidently ski/ride on Blue terrain at moderate to fast speeds up to an aggressive skier/rider that may venture onto Black runs

    • Shows an interest or may already ski/ride on varying terrain such as moguls, un-groomed terrain or the terrain park

    • Hawk, Whiskey Jack, Eagle and Sunrise terrain

RENTAL EQUIPMENT: If your child requires rental equipment, please complete the appropriate sections of the permission/rental form. Rentals will be picked up when students arrive at the resort. Gloves and goggles can not be rented.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Students should bring a backpack with the following items:

  • Breakfast to eat upon arrival at Mt. Washington

  • Money to buy lunch in the cafeteria or a hearty lunch and snacks (Meals or meal money will be provided for boarding students)

  • Snack for the end of the ski day before loading onto the bus

  • A full water bottle

  • Ski/snowboard clothing

    • Gloves or mitts (cannot be rented)

    • Long underwear top and bottom

    • Neck warmer or balaclava

    • Warm fleece or sweater

    • Wool or synthetic socks

    • Snow pants

    • Winter jacket

    • Toque

    • Goggles (cannot be rented)

    • Helmet (can be rented)

    • Sunscreen & lip balm

  • Skis, poles and ski boots (can be rented) or Snowboard and boots (can be rented)

PHONES: Students should bring their phones with them. Phones will be used to check in/contact chaperones on the ski hill. As such, students should take care not to use all of their battery by using their phone on the bus ride up to the ski hill.

RENTAL EQUIPMENT: If your child requires rental equipment, please complete the appropriate sections of the form. Rentals will be picked up when students arrive at the resort. Gloves and goggles can not be rented.