Procedure

Procedure 8901.4 - Field Studies To Ski/Snowboarding Areas

A field study for activities including, but not limited to, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow blading, nordic skiing or tubing is considered to be a High Risk Field Study as per School District No. 36 (Surrey) Regulation #8901.2 – Extended Field Studies. District level review from the Superintendent’s Department is required.

These activities shall generally not be scheduled during instructional hours. Exceptions may be considered for course-related Graduation Program activities (grades 10-12).

To be considered for approval as a school activity the ski area must have an organized ski patrol with certified first aid personnel and a first aid facility. Skiing or snowboarding students must participate in a lesson from the ski school.

1. EDUCATOR-IN-CHARGE QUALIFICATION

1.1.	The educator-in-charge is not necessarily experienced in the activity. The educator-in-charge must, however, ensure that each group is accompanied by at least one adult experienced in the activity.

2. PRE-TRIP PLANNING

2.1.

The educator-in-charge:

a)	Shall follow the extended field study requirements and approval process in Regulation #8901.2
b)	Shall collect all required forms for all student participants. A copy of these forms should be left at the ski patrol centre during the time on the mountain.
c)	Shall be familiar with the area and the facilities (e.g. first aid, ski patrol, food, shelter, and washrooms).
d)	Shall ensure that the experienced adult(s) on the field study is familiar with the activity area.
e)	Shall ensure that the ratio of students to adult supervisors is no greater than 15/1 (secondary) or 8/1 (intermediate grades 4-7) with a minimum of two supervisors.
f)	Shall inform students they cannot be late for the bus and in the case of an emergency that prevents them from making it to the bus on time, they must notify the ski patrol or educator-in-Charge.

3. EQUIPMENT

3.1.

The educator-in-charge:
At the planning stage:

a)	Shall provide the Alpine Responsibility Code to students and parents, see Appendix C
b)	Shall provide to students and parents a list of mandatory safety equipment including, but not limited to, a CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved helmet for all activities and wrist guards for snowboarders.
Prior to arriving at the mountain:
c)	Shall ensure everyone is accounted for by taking attendance of participants.
While on the mountain:
d)	Shall, immediately upon arriving at the ski area, or earlier if possible, ensure students are advised about any special hazards: ice, white- outs, extreme cold and wind, sun burn, avalanche, etc., which are known to exist or are anticipated.
e)	Shall instruct students on procedures to follow in case of an accident (i.e. have one person stay with the injured student, cross skis to indicate the location of the accident, quickly get the ski patrol).
f)	Shall inform students about the ski run/trail designation icons (i.e. green circles = easy; blue square = intermediate; black diamonds = difficult) and review which areas are out-of-bounds.
g)	Shall arrange to have individual students’ ability assessed through the ski mountain and the students shall be advised to ski only on runs within their assessed ability. Students shall be told not to participate in any activities beyond their assessed ability level.
h)	Shall advise students to stay with their group. For younger students it is preferred that the groups be composed of four or more students. The groups should be arranged according to ability level. The buddy system is strongly advised.
i)	Shall instruct students not to carry out any aerial skiing and/or extreme skiing/snowboarding.
j)	Shall designate specific meeting times and places as required (e.g. lunch, end of day).
k)	Shall ensure that most of the supervisors will be on the slopes during any “free time”, unless they are with students who aren’t on the slopes and except for natural breaks for meals, etc.
l)	Shall arrange for a predetermined location to meet in case of emergencies, ensure that supervisors check in regularly at this location, and that students are all informed of this location. Some ski hills prefer that one supervisor carry a “beeper” or cellular phone and provide the mountain first aid staff with the number at the beginning of the skiing session.
m)	Shall regularly check with mountain personnel to determine if any student has required medical attention.
Prior to leaving the mountain:
n)	Shall ensure everyone is accounted for by taking attendance of participants.

Appendices:

A – Parental Information/Permission/Consent Waiver Form For Student Participating in Snow Activities
B – What to Wear
C – Alpine Responsibility Code

Revised:	2015-06-05 2008-10-23
Approved:	2003-12-02
XRef:	Reg. #8901.1 Reg. #8901.2