This week, I'm in Thredbo for what is often the busiest week on the ski fields. It's a combination of the last week of the school holidays, coupled with a number of inter-schools snow sports competitions. Many teachers use the draw card of snow sports to organise a school trip and at the same time get themselves a nice expense 'paid' vacation! Whilst I've gone on one of these trips before, there's often a lack of understanding of the risks inherent with snow sports that comes with this and having been part of a major snow sports program for six years that ran for the whole season, we would often see other schools' groups on the mountain that were less than prepared for the conditions and the overall environment.
Understanding Snow Sports Risk Assessment
Whilst I'm not saying that teachers just throw caution to the wind, however, the risk profile of snow sports is one of the highest of any outdoor activity. Combine speed, trees, ice, freezing conditions, lots of equipment, kids and other people who are out of control on the slopes and you get a challenging recipe for injuries. However, this shouldn't be the case and through careful planning and risk management, every trip can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
So what are some ways to help plan for an effective ski trip with proper risk management?
9 Essential School Ski Trip Risk Management Strategies
1. Consider Skill Level in Your Risk Assessment
If you're taking absolute beginners, they should be in lessons all day and actively supervised. Given the fact that you're most likely not an instructor, it's better to figure in an additional cost for beginners to allow them the best opportunity to learn and develop their skills in a structured manner.
2. Group Size and Supervision Requirements
If you have more experienced skiers and riders and you're going to allow them to head off on their own, then you need to make sure they're in a group of a minimum of 4. You must ensure they've got your contact numbers and you have their contact numbers as well in case of an emergency. Each group should have ski patrol's numbers in their phones and it's a good idea to give them a laminated business card with ski patrol and your number on it.
3. Emergency Procedures: What to Do in the Event of an Injury
Students need to be briefed on what to do if one of their group of 4 is injured. Firstly, call ski patrol! There's every chance ski patrol will get there sooner than you and they're most likely trained at a higher level of first aid than most teachers as well. Once they've called ski patrol, keep the group together and call you as the teacher in charge. If they have to split the group because they can't raise ski patrol, two ski to the nearest lift and make contact, the other person stays with the injured student. At no point should any student be on his or her own.
4. Check-In Times and Student Accountability
Ensure you set clear check-in times and locations so that you have regular meeting points to check that all students are accounted for and in good health. If a student fails to meet the check-in deadline, call them on his or her mobile, if contact with you hasn't already been made.
5. Hydration & Sunscreen: Managing Environmental Risks
Despite it being really cold and the middle of winter, dehydration and sunburn are major risks. Keep reinforcing the need to remain hydrated and apply sunscreen to exposed skin (mainly lower face as everything else should be covered).
6. Equipment Standards for School Snow Sports Programs
Unless students are experienced skiers and riders with good quality gear, you shouldn't allow mum and dad's old gear to make its way down to the slopes. Whilst ski hire adds to the cost, it's far cheaper than dealing with a major injury because of inadequate equipment.
7. Helmets: Non-Negotiable Risk Management
Everyone must wear a helmet! This is not up for discussion. If you let kids or your staff ski without a helmet you're asking for trouble. Make sure helmets are specifically designed for snow sports and are correctly fitted.
8. Boundaries and Terrain Risk Assessment
Set suitable boundaries for your students as well. A lot of them will want to go straight to the jumps and terrain parks, but this takes a certain skill level to do properly. If they want to do this, then put them in lessons so they can develop their skills in a structured manner. Most injuries I've dealt with over the years have originated from jumps, boxes and rails!
9. Have Fun While Managing Risk!
Skiing and snowboarding are awesome sports and they challenge everyone in a different way. Ultimately you're there with your group so everyone has an enjoyable experience. If you setup the trip with clear guidelines and structures in place, you're going to have an enjoyable and awesome experience.
School Snow Sports Trip Planning Checklist
Effective school ski trip risk management requires comprehensive planning before you leave. Your excursion planning should include:
Completed risk assessments specific to snow sports activities
Emergency procedures documented and briefed to all staff and students
Contact numbers for ski patrol, medical facilities, and emergency services
Clear supervision ratios and group management protocols
Equipment checklists and helmet requirements
Weather monitoring and contingency plans
When you have proper systems in place for managing student information, risk assessments, and emergency procedures, you can focus on what matters most providing an incredible educational experience in the snow.
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