BLANKET CHALET COVID19

Updated Sept 2021

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM 

see in depth plan below 

Trips to the Blanket Glacier Chalet are Avalanche Skills Training and Educational Backcountry Touring Camps.  Each trip starts with avalanche rescue practice, and the subsequent days focus on best terrain practices, group decision-making techniques and communication in the backcountry. 

• Comprehensive COVID-19 Safety Plan
• Revised government communications as of August 19 2021 (Phase 3 of re-opening)
• Sept 02 2021 Government Guidelines

PRIOR TO TRIP

• All guests and staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19. 
• Vaccine passports and ArriveCan documentation will be checked visually at the staging area.

TRAVEL

• Guests are encouraged to follow all government guidelines relating to travel prior to their trip. This includes American guests getting their ArriveCan certification before crossing the border. 
• Guests are encouraged to purchase travel insurance.

EXCHANGE DAY

• Guests must show proof of vaccination and fill out a waiver before boarding the helicopter.
• All lifting and loading is completed by staff. 
• Helicopter Operator protocols will be followed around the helicopter. This means sanitizing between flights and wearing masks inside the heli.

INDOOR PROTOCOL

• The kitchen, food room, and staff quarters are off-limits to guests.
• Indoor spaces will be cleaned often and frequently, adhering to recommended CDC cleaning practices.

DINING

• Normal indoor dining can resume as per the October 25 2021 BC gov’t guideline. This includes a full capacity dining room and close quarters at tables. 
• Alcohol service can be self-serve, however, only in pitchers not individual glasses.
• All food is prepared by our chef and staff. 
• Guests will be allowed to help with dishes.

SLEEPING QUARTERS

• Sleeping quarters are close but have dividers between all beds of either wood or curtain. 
• Bed sheets and pillowcases are washed in between uses.

CLEANING PROTOCOL

• Additional handwashing stations and sanitizer stations provided throughout the chalet. 
• Chalet is thoroughly cleaned after guests depart every day according to CDC cleaning protocol.

OUTDOORS

• Masks and social distancing are not mandatory outdoors. 

COVID SYMPTOMS WHILE ON TRIP

If guest(s) develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or any flu-like illness:

1. 1. Individuals must isolate themselves immediately.   
   2. COVID-19 rapid tests will be on hand at the Chalet. 
   3. Roche brand rapid test will be administered. The test takes 15 minutes to provide antigen results. 
   4. Capow staff will assess the best course of action for evacuation if the test result is positive. This will likely be helicopter evacuation. 
   5. Since full vaccination is required for participation, there is very low risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other variants.
   6. It will be up to CAPOW staff to decide whether to administer more rapid COVID tests to other participants and staff.

Heli Evacuation procedures: 

1. 1. Guest(s) with a positive rapid test result must wear PPE, especially  facial masks covering their nostrils and mouths.
   2. 8-1-1 help line can be called for questions.
   3. Guest(s) will fly out with all personal belongings.
   4. Guest(s) will be brought to the farm/to their vehicle.
   5. It will be up to CAPOW staff to decide whether to administer more rapid COVID tests to other participants and staff.