We'll spend a weekend at HI Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel on the Icefields Parkway and ski two beginner-friendly objectives, Hilda Creek and Parker Ridge, about 20 minutes away by car. The focus is a relaxed first taste of ski touring: group travel, terrain decisions and enjoying the mountains. Plan B objectives will be chosen based on the avalanche bulletin and conditions.

Who this is for: Beginners to ski touring who already have the basics. If you've done several backcountry tours, regularly tour with a group, or have toured with us before, this trip is likely not the right fit. We'd love to see you on a future trip.

Experience needed: This is not a ski touring course. You should already understand basic touring technique, including transitions, using climbing skins and moving uphill on skis. You should also be able to descend confidently in ungroomed terrain and variable snow. Hilda Creek in particular is often wind-affected, so expect compacted, uneven or even icy snow with half-covered rocks, not easy powder.

Avalanche training: AST 1 is preferred. If you don't have it, tell us about any avalanche awareness training you've done.

To register: Please describe your ski experience, fitness and any backcountry or avalanche training in your sign-up. Spots are first come, first served among applicants who fit the trip, and we may follow up with questions.

Required gear: Every participant must carry a beacon, probe and shovel, and know how to use them. If you don't own them, let us know at sign-up and we'll check with the club about lending gear. You're also responsible for your own touring setup (skis, boots, skins, poles, pack). Sundance Ski Shop in Edmonton usually has good rentals. The trip coordinators will carry an emergency beacon and radios for group communication.

Costs

• Accommodation: $86.60 per person for 2 nights at HI Rampart Creek (based on 8 participants).
• Carpooling and gas: We'll aim to travel in 2-3 vehicles. Gas costs will be shared and depend on the final carpool arrangements.
• Winter tires: Mandatory on the Icefields Parkway from November 1 to April 1.
• Park pass (mandatory): A valid Parks Canada pass is required for the whole weekend. An existing Group Pass (up to 7 people in one vehicle) can be shared. Otherwise you'll need daily passes. These are valid until 4 p.m. the day after purchase, so 3 daily passes per vehicle cover Friday evening to Sunday at 5 p.m.

Accommodation: HI Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel is a rustic, off-grid hostel with basic facilities.

• Water: No running water or showers. Purified water is provided for drinking and cooking.
• Bedding and kitchen: Bedding is provided. A shared kitchen has basic cookware and propane-powered appliances.
• Meals: Meals are each participant's responsibility.

Logistics: Departure and arrival times will be shared once the group is finalized and carpools are organized.

Hazards (please read before registering): Participating in this activity involves many risks, dangers and hazards that could result in injury, death, paralysis, property damage, or loss to me or other third parties. These risks, dangers, and hazards may include, but are not limited to, those listed below.

• Avalanche: Avalanches can occur in the terrain in which we operate and can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. skiing/snowboarding).
• Uncontrolled terrain: Terrain is uncontrolled, unmarked and not inspected, and may include: cornices, crevasses, cliffs, trees, tree wells, forest deadfall, and tree stumps, creeks, rocks and boulders, holes and depressions below the snow surface, variable and difficult snow conditions, variable and difficult walking terrain, snowcat roads and road banks, fences and other man-made structures, snow immersion, impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects, extreme variation in trails or terrain, encounters with domestic or wild animals, loss of balance or control, slips, trips and falls, and becoming lost or separated from one's group.
• Communication, rescue and medical treatment: Communication can be difficult, and in the event of an accident rescue and treatment may not be available. Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field. If an injury occurs in challenging terrain, movement to an evacuation point may be slow.
• Boots and binding systems: Even when set up correctly, a ski binding might not release during every fall or may release unexpectedly. The ski boot/binding system is no guarantee that the skier will not be injured. Non-DIN-certified bindings, such as pin/tech bindings, present a higher risk of pre-release and/or injury as they are not designed to the same safety standards as a DIN-certified alpine binding. Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard and some telemark boot/binding systems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances. Using such a system increases the risk of injury and/or death when caught in an avalanche.
• Personal injury: Personal injury includes: sprains, strains, shock, stress, nausea, food-borne illness, diarrhea, burns, cuts, abrasions, fractured or broken bones, impalement, drowning, hypothermia, loss of limbs, frostbite, sunstroke, sunburn, dehydration, illness, soft tissue injuries, neck, head and brain injury, paralysis, psychological injury, and other injury to the body.
• Other risks: Slips, trips and falls both outdoors and indoors; changing weather conditions including but not limited to high winds, lightning, and forest fires; effects of high altitude; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi; equipment failure; incomplete warnings or instructions; negligent first aid; and negligence of other people, including the trip coordinator and other guests.

Waiver and membership: This trip requires current ACC membership and an active waiver signed within the last 12 months. Members are prompted to sign through the member portal.