Page 7 - SVHS Ops Plan 2017_18

5. HELICOPTER SKIING OPERATIONS
AM Guide Meeting
SVHS operations manager or designated lead guide conducts a guide meeting prior to field operations. The lead guide arrives early and completes the SVHS AM Weather and Snow Stability Forecast form. Then all guides scheduled to work for the day, and the Fuel/Dispatch Vehicle Operator are present at the meeting. During the meeting, the designated lead guide summarizes the weather conditions and forecast, and the snow stability assessment. Any additional flying, mountain, and/or backcountry hazard observations are also discussed. The abilities of the clients booked for the day, and also near term (next 2-3 days) bookings are discussed.
Once these topics have been covered a discussion of terrain to be utilized or avoided follows. Skiing circuits and ski runs are discussed and a run list is generated. Runs are designated as either open or closed. Area maps, photographs, Internet satellite photos, and a run catalog are used as reference during this portion of the meeting. The discussion and selection of terrain and ski runs is a vital part of the risk management process. For example, on a day when snow stability is forecast to be poor, risk is mitigated on a run by run basis by having pre-selected, or designated as “open,” terrain that is low angle and less likely to produce avalanches. Furthermore, certain terrain features, such rocky slopes or convex rollovers, or steeper runs with known avalanche history can be designated as “closed.” Guides can also select opening runs. Good opening runs are relatively more conservative indicator slopes from which information is gathered on snow stability and avalanche potential and can provide a non-intimidating warm-up for clients.
The lead guide will record pertinent information from the meeting on the AM Guides Meeting Form and the SVHS AM Weather and Snow Stability Forecast. Individual guides record the meeting results in their guide notebooks.
The exchange of information among the guides is an integral part of the risk management process. In the field, regular communication among the guides is maintained to inform each other of any observations or changing conditions that may affect ski run selection and hazard avoidance.
PM Guide Meeting
After each day of field operations, the lead guide will run a PM Guides Meeting. The guides discuss their observations and any unexpected conditions they may have encountered. Guides also review the day’s operations for hazards, snow quality, efficiency and operational problems. Another goal of the PM Guides Meeting is to create a tentative plan for the following day’s operations. Pertinent information from the meeting is recorded on the PM Guide’s Meeting Form.
Helicopter Orientation and Briefing
The helicopter orientation and briefing will be conducted by a guide and/or the pilot at the helicopter (or at a briefing area with a visual run through of the helicopter). The briefing will include the required F.A.A. passenger safety information and also the procedures to be followed when loading, unloading, approaching and departing the helicopter.
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P.O Box 978 Sun Valley, ID 83353
Phone: 208.622.3108 E: info@sunvalleyheliski.com W: sunvalleyheliski.com