Please note that any travel recommendations or restrictions traveling from your home to our various trip locations and back again are the responsibility of the traveler.
SICKNESS POLICY
Effective immediately, Sawback Alpine Adventure’s “Sickness Policy” is as follows.
- Symptoms: if you are sick or show symptoms of a covid infection, flu or even common cold on the trip start date you will not be allowed to participate in the trip. For this reason you are strongly urged to obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. See our Insurance Info page for tips.
- Vaccination: we take Covid-19 very seriously and strongly advise you to get fully vaccinated, including booster shots, according to the schedule recomended by your home country’s health authority guidelines.
- Testing & Vaccination requirements: we no longer require testing or vaccination for participation in Sawback trips. We encourage you to bring rapid tests for your own sake but we will not test before or during trips.
- Masks: we encourage you to use PPE (e.g. N-95 masks, eye protection) if you feel it is necessary during the trip. We recognize there are many reasons to continue to be cautious: e.g. for your own safety or that of your loved ones back at home, or in the interests of staying healthy so you can fly home without delay or additional cost. However, masks are no longer required for unsymptomatic guests.
- Pre-trip health precautions: Please take all possible precautions to avoid getting sick in the week prior to your trip start date. This means getting lots of rest, minimizing stress, avoiding crowds, eating and drinking healthily, getting good excercise and so on. We very strongly encourage you to use a mask and take other hygiene precautions diligently (hand washing etc.) while using mass transportation (airline flights) when travelling to your Sawback trip. This is not just for your sake but for the sake of all guests on the trip you are participating in. Nobody wants to get sick during their ski vacation so please don’t be the one who gets others, who arrived healthy, sick. At best it’s incovenient and disruptive; at worse it may require an evacuation.
- Getting sick during the trip: If you develop symptoms during the trip we will respectfully ask you to wear a mask as much as possible when mixing with other group members. We will try to isolate you or at least keep a spacing between a sick guest and other participants if it is reasonably possible. We understand this could be embarrassing or inconvient and will try to be as sensitive as possible. No that in the close quarters of mountain huts, hotels and boats adequate isolation may not be possible. If you get sick but you are well enough to continue the trip then you may do so, but if your illness jeapardizes the safety of the participants in any way (and that might just mean slowing us down) then we may require you to stay behind or, in a worst case scenario, evacuate. Again, please ensure you get trip interruption insurance if you are at all concerned about your risk exposure to this possibility.
- Heatlhy guests & compassion: In the event of guides or participants that develop an illness during a trip we will expect all healthy trip participants to use the same common sense as they would have used prior to the pandemic, but with a little more caution and a lot more compassion. While we will make reasonable efforts to contain “surprise” illnesses on our trips, it is now, ultimately, the responsibility of each member of the group to protect themselves as well as decide, before participating in a ski trip in a remote location, if they can accept the risks of being in tight quarters and exposed to others who may be carriers (symptomatic or asymptomatic) of viruses or other illnesses. This may mean, for example, using PPE or even isolating yourself if you feel the need to protect your own health. We will do our best to support your efforts at the same time as maintaining compassion and dignity for all participants.
- Recent Covid cases: We ask that you please comply with health authority regulations and stay at home if in the last 5 days leading up to your trip with us you have tested positive for COVID-19 (PCR or antigen rapid test). This is a local healthy authority regulation still in effect 2023 March 18.
Stay Healthy
Here are the top six lifestyle choices you can do to stay healthy:
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Fill your plate with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This will ensure you get all the nutrients your body needs.
- Stay Physically Active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. This can be anything from walking and cycling to yoga and strength training. Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and boosts your mood.
- Get Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensure your sleep environment is conducive to rest.
- Manage Stress: Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness. Engage in activities you enjoy and spend time with loved ones to help reduce stress levels.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body well-hydrated. Proper hydration supports bodily functions, improves skin health, and helps maintain energy levels.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands regularly, maintain oral hygiene, and keep your living environment clean to prevent the spread of germs and infections.
Here are the top seven vitamins and minerals that are essential for maintaining good health:
- Vitamin D: Supports bone health by aiding calcium absorption and also boosts the immune system.
- Vitamin C: Enhances the immune system, promotes skin health, and acts as a powerful antioxidant.
- Vitamin B12: Vital for energy production, brain function, and the formation of red blood cells.
- Calcium: Essential for strong bones and teeth, as well as muscle function and nerve signaling.
- Iron: Crucial for the production of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood and prevents anemia.
- Magnesium: Supports muscle and nerve function, helps maintain a healthy immune system, and keeps the heart rhythm steady.
- Zinc: Important for immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis.
Including a variety of foods rich in these vitamins and minerals in your diet can help you maintain optimal health.
COVID Resources
Norway and Svalbard — As of 18. February, 2022 Norway lifted almost all restrictions relating to covid, including travel to Svalbard. That means no vaccine passport or testing required before or after entry. Please see the Norwegian government’s press release (currently only available in Norwegian). When leaving Norway at the end of your trip, if you are travelling to a country that requires testing for entry there are testing facilities available in Gardemoen airport.
Transport Canada travel requirements — check this page for the latest requirements for air travel in Canada and entering Canada from abroad.
Alpine Helicopters Vaccine Protocols — proof of vaccination is no longer required to fly in helicopters in Canada but you may be required to wear a mask.
COVID-19: Travel, testing, quarantine, and borders— government of Canada advice for travel during the pandemic
Alberta’s Guidance Documents for Workplace — a broad range of documents that we have consulted in implementing our Covid Policy for 2022.
British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Travel Advice — When travelling, follow the same public health guidance you use at home to prevent COVID-19, and plan ahead by checking that towns, communities and regions are ready to welcome you.
Japan— as of October 2022 all tourist travel to Japan is now possible for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.