Resources

Gear Lists

Use these handy equipment lists to make sure you have everything you need for your trip. They’re pretty generic, so adapt each gear checklist to your specific needs. Each of our trips has a customized list, so be sure to consult the list specific to your trip if you’ve booked one of our adventures.

Rental Shops

Calgary Outdoor Centre – located at the University of Calgary at the west end of the city
Mountain Equipment Co-op – Downtown Calgary, and soon another store at the west end of the city.
Gear Up – located in Canmore, AB

Waiver, Release of Liability

Release of Liability Waiver – you need to sign one of these before starting any trip with an ACMG guide. The waiver is a mechanism by which the risk associated with mountaineering and wilderness ski trips is transferred to those in a better position to bear (or insure against) that risk. It is recommended that all guests purchase travel and/or accident insurance. Your insurance broker can advise you as to what other types of insurance you may require, such as disability, evacuation, and life insurance.

Food Planning

Having Sawback provide your food is highly recommended. For a small fee you don’t have to plan, purchase, prepare or pack your food and you’re guaranteed to have good tasting, easy to prepare food in just the right quantities. Here’s a link to our backcountry ski traverse food planning worksheets to give you an idea of what we offer. Feel free to use it and adapt it to your own backcountry trip planning.

Miscellaneous Resources

Using Google Earth as a trip planning resource with your Garmin GPS – article by Tom Wolfe (ACMG/IFMGA), summarizing the CPD he led at the ACMG’s annual meeting, October 19, 2013.
Association of Canadian Mountain Guides – information about Canadian Mountain guides, check to make sure your guide has the correct certification and permits.
International Federation of Mountain Guides – information about the International Federation of Mountain Guides’ Associations
Important Phone Numbers – Emergency contacts for western Canada mountaineering.
Avalanche Rescue Card – Steps to take in the event of an avalanche to effect a Companion Rescue.
International Hand Signals for Helicopter Rescues – make sure you know how to communicate with search and rescue personnel.
V-Shaped Conveyor Belt Shovelling Technique – One of the most important parts of Companion Rescue is knowing how to shovel. Manuel Genswein has done the research, now you need to learn how to do it right.
Human Snow Conveyor – Another description of the conveyor shovel method

Weather forecasts

SpotWx – probably my favourite. You can make an account and a list of Favourites for quick access.
Mountain Forecast
The Weather Network – Surprisingly good forecasts here.
Evironment Canada – your tax dollars at work, so it better be good.
Snow Forecast – specific to skiers, worldwide resort coverage.