Operations Proposal November, 2011 Out of Bounds Accessed Ski Touring Bald Mountain/Sun Valley Ski Resort Introduction This operations proposal is developed for backcountry ski touring accessed via the Sun Valley Ski Resort lifts. This proposal is a joint effort between the Sawtooth National Forest (SNF), Sun Valley Resort (SVR) and the 3 locally licensed backcountry ski outfitters: Sun Valley Trekking (SVT), Sawtooth Mountain Guides (SMG) and Sun Valley Heli Ski (SVHS). History Lift accessed out-of-bounds (OB) skiing on Bald Mountain has a long history. While the ski area boundaries on Bald Mountain are marked (by fence and signs), the Sun Valley Company and Forest Service have historically maintained an open boundaries policy, allowing skiers to duck boundary ropes without legal consequence. Historically, there was a limited use of the OB, typically involving a small number of locals accessing their favorite powder stashes after the in-bounds areas are tracked out. Over the past 5 years there has been a significant increase of use in the OB. The increased use has been largely due to the Castle Rock Fire in 2007, which burned through timbered slopes previously too thick to ski. The rise in popularity of backcountry skiing in general has also helped to increase this use. Finally there have been multiple media pieces and films highlighting the OB. The result has been a steady increase of use in the Baldy OB. One concern with this trend is that many of the OB users have little or no backcountry skiing experience and often do not carry the most basic avalanche safety equipment. There is no avalanche control or skier safety work conducted in these areas and rescue is not under the formal responsibility of the Sun Valley Ski Patrol. There is a justifiable concern amongst the community that the current trend of use will result in tragic accidents and that steps should be taken to address this potential. There are a myriad of techniques that can be employed to help moderate the potential for serious accidents and education is generally agreed to be the most important. Guided backcountry tours in this area will be an important part of this educational approach by giving skiers access to professionally trained mountain guides and educators. Program Description Prospective guests interested in backcountry ski touring out of the boundaries of the Sun Valley Resort will be able to contact a professional guide via 3 outlets: 1: directly with the outfitter, 2: through the Visitor Center Guides Bureau, or 3: through Sun Valley Resort. Once contact is made with the guide, the guest will be interviewed to assess goals, ability, and health concerns and receive pre-trip information including a description of the tour, equipment needs and other relevant logistics as per the outfitter standards. 1
The primary goal of the OB guiding program will be to use the Sun Valley Resort infrastructure as a base for backcountry ski touring. Depending on the guest, these tours may involve lift accessed downhill tours on traditional alpine skis requiring little to no hiking which may include in-bounds terrain, one lift tours requiring backcountry skis (telemark, alpine touring, or split boards) and involving significant hiking accessed off the backside of Bald Mountain, or tours involving a mix of both. Regardless, all participants will be required to purchase a valid SV ski pass to ride lifts and all in-bounds closures and regulations will be observed at all times. Area of Operations/Mapping (see also attached maps) The areas of operation fall within the Sawtooth National Forest and are accessed via the Sun Valley Ski resort boundaries. This proposal does not include lands administered by the BLM, except for those that fall within the ski area boundary. Attached to this proposal are two maps. The first is The Bald Mountain Ski Area produced by local surveyor Bruce Smith (paper map). This map will be in use by the Sun Valley Ski Patrol to ensure a consistent naming scheme for OB runs. SVHS, SMG, and SVT will keep this map on file to coordinate guided activities and to maintain consistency when communicating with the ski patrol, amongst each other, and with other relevant agencies, such as Ketchum Fire Department and Blaine County Sheriff. The second Sidecountry Guiding Proposal map identifies the proposed operating area (red line) as well as a secondary zone (blue line). This zone identified by the blue line (boundaries approximate) shows an area with attributes that make it especially suited for guided OB skiing. Most significantly it offers a variety of moderate terrain not typically accessed by the general public. This area will likely require the use of skins to access runs and yet its proximity to the ski area boundary facilitates an easy return to lift accessed skiing. The fact that this area is not typically accessed by the public means that there are great opportunities for untracked powder skiing and it minimizes potential social conflicts between guided and non-guide groups. Further, it makes risk management easier because of the decreased likelihood that another party will ski onto a guided group from above. Who We Are This proposal is a joint effort between Sun Valley Trekking, Sawtooth Mountain Guides, and Sun Valley Heli-Ski. It represents a unique venture in which these guide services have cooperated to enhance guided backcountry ski opportunities in the Sun Valley area, from which all three companies, as well as the community at large stand to benefit. Sun Valley Trekking (SVT) is a Hailey, Idaho based Outfitter and Guide Service. SVT is primarily a backcountry ski outfitter and carries on a long tradition of backcountry ski guiding in the Sun Valley area. SVT owns and operates 6 backcountry ski huts in the mountains of Central Idaho which are rented to the general public as well as used on guided tours. SVT has a strong ski guiding program that includes day guiding on the peaks and passes surrounding Sun Valley, multi-day hut to hut tours, multi-day ski 2
traverses (involving camps), avalanche education courses, college programs and expeditions to Yellowstone National Park, Alaska, Chile, Argentina and Nepal. Sawtooth Mountain Guides (SMG) Sawtooth Mountain Guides is a Stanley, Idaho based, year round guide service that specializes in avalanche education, guided ski touring and ski mountaineering, guided and non-guided hut skiing, rock, ice, and alpine climbing, trekking, backpacking, and custom corporate retreats. SMG was founded in 1985 by Kirk Bachman. In 2002 IFMGA Mountain Guide Erik Leidecker purchased half of SMG from Bachman and today they jointly run the company. The primary operating areas include the Sawtooth Range, the Lost River Range, the City of Rocks, as well as the Pioneer, Smoky and Boulder ranges closer to Sun Valley. Sun Valley Heli Ski (SVHS) SVHS is one of the oldest ski guide services in the country dating back to 1966 when Bill Janss first used helicopters to access ski terrain in the mountains around Sun Valley. Today SVHS offers day-based heli skiing in the Boulder, Smoky, and Pioneer Ranges. SVHS is owned and operated by EpicQuest, an adventure travel company that also runs Chucagh Powder Guides, a Girdwood, AK based helicopter and cat skiing guide service. EpicQuest is under the direction of Walter Bruns, an IFMGA Mountain Guide and former president of Canadian Mountain Holidays. Locally, SVHS s business operations are managed by Tyler Ferris, and field operations are managed by Erik Leidecker. Hazard Mitigation Ski touring and ski mountaineering have many inherent risks. The guides working in this program are highly trained and experienced and will observe industry standards to mitigate and manage the risks. However, it is understood that the guides can not eliminate risk. Guide Qualifications Guides will be IOGLB Level II Licensed, professionally trained and/or certified, at minimum hold a Wilderness 1 st responder (WFR) certification, CPR, Level 2 Avalanche Certification and have many years experience guiding in backcountry mountains. Guide Procedures for Mitigating Risks Guides will: -Review and update emergency contact numbers and emergency resources -Carry all emergency contact numbers in field books -Carry Cell Phones and Radios in the field -Establish on-call contact with the outfitter and SV Ski Patrol -Review participant medical and personal information forms pre-trip -Carry a copy of Emergency Response Plan -Carry copies of Accident/Incident Report forms -Record Weather, Snow Pack and Avalanche activity as appropriate -Conduct guides meetings twice daily (morning/evening) 3
-Evaluate snow stability, weather, terrain conditions and client abilities daily and make decisions that mitigate risks associated with any of these factors. -Daily check avalanche beacon function Guide s Specialty Equipment carried in the field: -Bivy Sack or Guide s Tarp -Rescue Sled -1 st aid Kit (with Accident Report Forms and SOAP notes) -Repair Kit -VHF Radio -Cell Phone -Maps (appropriate to objective) -GPS -Compass -Altimeter -Snow Study Kit -Avalanche Rescue Equipment (including beacon, shovel, probe) -Guide s notebook -Guide Technical Equipment/Rack (dependent on tour/objective) Guest Orientation and Training, Guides will: -Inform clients as to inherent and anticipated risks in program -Ask guest if they have any recent medical history or are taking any medications not disclosed on forms. -Review program goals and objectives with guests daily -Conduct a pre-trip equipment check -Conduct avalanche rescue training before departure into the OB -Evaluate guest fitness and ski ability on first run(s) and provide coaching -Daily brief guests on goals for the day and necessary equipment -Teach ski touring and/or downhill techniques as required Anticipated Hazards There are many potential hazards to mitigate while conducting tours in the OB on Bald Mountain. Mitigation of these hazards begins with identification of the hazard, good preparation (training, equipment ), and good judgment while in the field. Below is a list of the anticipated hazards possibly encountered on this program: Environmental Hazards: -Weather: including winter conditions (blizzards, snow, cold, wind) -Poor visibility -Sun and wind exposure (including heat injuries and sunburn) -Cold related injuries (hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot) Snow Related Hazards: -Avalanches (Slab and Sluff) -Unsupportable snow -Isothermic snow 4
-Variable and irregular snow surfaces -Deep and/or shallow snow -Firm snow -Cornices Terrain Related Hazards: -Steep snow slopes -Couloirs -Avalanche Paths -Trees and other obstacles -Burn related hazards such as down and falling timber -Loose rock -Cliffs -Narrow ridges -Exposure to ice and rock fall -Open water (creeks and rivers) -Terrain traps -Long falls while skiing Human Related Hazards: -Poor physical condition -Poor or inappropriate technique -Over confidence -Lack of confidence -Exhaustion -Not following guide instructions -Faulty equipment -Health conditions and/or illnesses -Physical injuries sustained while ski-touring -Top down hazard created by other users Transportation Related Hazards: -Accidents involving ski lifts -Accidents involving Helicopters All of these hazards will be mitigated through a myriad of techniques employed specifically for each particular situation. Communication Plan Communications within the operations area of the OB will be conducted via UHF/VHF radios, cell phones, PLB s and SAT phones. Guides will carry UHF/VHF radio(s) to communicate amongst participants in the field, other guided groups, as well as with the managing outfitter, the Sun Valley Ski Patrol, and any outside agencies that may be involved in emergency response. Guides will carry cell phones (charged) to communicate with the outside world to obtain weather or snow stability information, logistical needs, or to co-ordinate rescue requirements. Verizon has good cell reception, AT+T has generally poor reception within this area. For locations with known poor radio and cell coverage SAT phones and/or PLB s (such as the SPOT) can be used. 5
Transportation Plan Guides and participants will use established Sun Valley ski lifts to access the OB terrain. All participants, including guides, will have a valid ski pass for every tour. Occasionally, outfitter and/or guide vehicles will be used to return groups to the Bald Mountain base areas from various trailheads. Keys for vehicles left at trailheads should remain at the vehicle. Any transportation provided by helicopter will be administered by Sun Valley Heli-Ski and will fall under their operations guidelines. Environmental Considerations It is understood that the Sawtooth National Forest is a unique and fragile environment. Guides will employ Leave No Trace strategies and tactics throughout our programs and impart this knowledge to their clients. All equipment, trash, and food will be removed. Typically, wild life encounters in the winter are rare. If wildlife is encountered, guides will attempt to limit impact by re-routing to avoid interaction as well as educate guests about the local wildlife and natural history. Public Considerations We believe that the presence of professional ski guides in the OB terrain at Sun Valley will have a very positive affect. Professional guides will be an excellent resource for the Sun Valley Ski Patrol, the Sawtooth National Forest and the general public as to use patterns, snow pack and stability information and other hazards present. Additionally, all three companies should be viewed as a resource for rescue response in the Baldy sidecountry, and throughout the region. Further, professional guides will serve as a model for responsible use in the OB terrain. We do expect there to be some resistance by a small but potentially vocal part of the community that does not want to see their secret runs used by other users. We hope this resistance can be moderated by sensitive use by the guides and the generally positive result of the guides. As guides, we will be looking to avoid the high use areas to prevent user conflict and provide the best ski experience for all. Use of skins and moderate amounts of hiking will greatly enable the guides to utilize terrain currently under or not used at all. 6