Mountain Safety

Biking and hiking involves various risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to the following:

• use of chairlifts and gondolas;
• changing weather conditions;
• mechanical failure of equipment;
• falls; loss of balance;
• high speed descents;
• difficulty or inability to control one’s speed and direction;
• rapid or uncontrolled acceleration on hills and inclines;
• extreme variation in cycling terrain including steep or slippery sections, trees, roots, tree stumps, logs, cliffs, rocks, rock drops, loose gravel, holes, depressions, streams and creeks; constructed feature such as bridges, ramps, ladders, bumps, berms, jumps, and drops;
• collisions with natural and constructed objects, other mountain bikers, vehicles, pedestrians, spectators and officials; encounters with domestic and wild animals including dogs and bears;
• infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact;
• negligent first aid;
• accidents during mountain bike instructional courses, lessons, clinics or sessions;
• negligence of other riders, users of the premises or other persons; and NEGLIGENCE on the part of the operator.

Injuries are a common and expected part of mountain biking. Mountain biking at Panorama Mountain takes place on steep and rugged terrain and features that are both physically and technically challenging and will expose the rider to many risks, dangers and hazards.

Users must be prepared to overcome the challenges of a remote mountain environment including wildlife, weather, mechanical failures and injury. Make a trip plan and share it. Tell someone when you expect to return. 

Suggested equipment includes but is not limited to:

• Backpack
• Water
• Food
• Tubes, pump, patch kit tools
• Clothing (layers)
• First Aid kit
• Headlamp
• Sunglasses 
• Phone (with a camera of course!)

Wear a helmet where appropriate, hike & ride within your ability, never hike & ride alone and stay on designated trails.

Panorama Mountain Resort is surrounded by some of the most rugged mountain terrain in North America. The alpine meadows, forests and valleys are frequented by wildlife.

Never bike or hike alone! Travel in groups when venturing away from the village as bears and cougars tend to avoid human-contact with larger groups who are making lots of noise. Wearing bells, talking or singing helps alert animals to your presence without startling them. Your behavior could help avoid aggressive encounters. You may consider carrying bear spray; remember that this is a deterrent and not a life-saving device.

Always use animal proof garbage bins. Animals are attracted to garbage and once habituated often have to be destroyed.

Do not approach wildlife to take photos. If you see a deer, remember: Give it plenty of room, During fawning season doe are aggressive and territorial in the protection of their young. Guests with dogs must take extra caution. Fawns are well camouflaged and very difficult to see. If you see a bear or cougar: Remain calm; don't panic. Bring children and pets to your side, never approach the animal and do not run from it. Warn others of the animal’s presence, without yelling. If you’re on Panorama mountain, report the sighting and location to a bike park patroller or lift operator. If you are in the village, call Central Check-In by dialing 0 from any phone in the resort.

Skiing, snowboarding, and cross country skiing (Nordic) involves various risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to the following:

• boarding, riding and disembarking ski lifts;
• changing weather conditions;
• avalanches;
• exposed rock, earth, ice, and other natural objects;
• trees, tree wells, tree stumps and forest deadfall;
• the condition of snow or ice on or beneath the surface;
• variations in the terrain which may create blind spots or areas of reduced visibility;
• variations in the surface or sub-surface, including changes due to man-made or artificial snow;
• variable and difficult conditions;
• streams, creeks, and exposed holes in the snow pack above streams or creeks;
• cliffs; crevasses;
• snowcat roads, road-banks or cut-banks;
• collision with lift towers, fences, snow making equipment, snow grooming equipment, snowcats, snowmobiles or other vehicles, equipment or structures;
• encounters with domestic and wild animals including dogs and bears;
• collision with other persons;
• loss of balance or control; slips, trips and falls;
• accidents during snow school lessons;
• negligent first aid;
• failure to act safely or within one’s own ability or to stay within designated areas;
• negligence of other persons; and negligence on the part of the operator.

What you should know when skiing alone at Panorama. Skiing with a buddy is highly recommended, but sometimes it can’t be managed. Here are some tips on what to do when you are all by yourself at Panorama.

Do’s

• Set up a check in system - Let a friend or family member know that you’re going skiing at Panorama (try to convince them to come too). Organize 1 or more check in times and advise them to call you first if you don’t check in. Then they should call Panorama Patrol at 1.250.341.3650 and advise them of the situation.
• Pack a whistle – All of our runs at Panorama are patrolled, but if you are not easily visible, using a whistle can help people find you if you are unable to move.
• Take a lesson or a Mountain Friend tour if you are unfamiliar with the terrain at Panorama. You may meet new buddies to ski with too!

Don’ts

• Never ski in the backcountry alone - these areas are not patrolled by our team.
• Don’t push your limits when skiing alone – stick to things you know you are comfortable with and capable of
• Having someone to check in with is a great idea. Unfortunately, the Panorama Ski Patrol cannot be a check in service provider.

• Always wear sunscreen, goggles or sunglasses, and a hat, even on cloudy days.
• Wear proper clothing to protect against frostbite.
• Keep hydrated, drink plenty of fluids.

Due to the dangerous nature of the activity and the lack of a suitable location, tobogganing is not permitted in Panorama’s Controlled Recreational Area or on Panorama Property. Interested in playing in the snow? Visit our Guest Services in Ski Tip Lodge and ask about Nordic skiing, ice skating or snowshoeing.

Skiers, snowboarders and bikers should be advised that a Green Circle, Blue Square or Black Diamond trail at Panorama Mountain Resort is not necessarily the same as a similarly rated trail at another area. The system is a relative system that is only valid at this area. Skiers, snowboarders and bikers should work their way up, beginning with the easiest trails, no matter what their ability level may be, until they are familiar with the trails at this area.

Be advised that all poles and / or flags, fencing, signage and padding on equipment or objects or other forms of marking devices are used by the ski/bike area to inform you of the presence or location of a potential obstacle or hazard. These markers are no guarantee of your safety and will not protect you from injury. It is part of your responsibility under the Alpine Responsibility Code and Mountain Biker's Responsibility code to avoid all obstacles or hazards, including those that are so marked.

• If unfamiliar with a lifts operation, first watch others and learn, or ask for assistance.
• Slow down before approaching the entrance to a lift.
• Ensure your lift ticket is on the left-hand side of your body so it can be read by the RFID gates.
• Obey all posted instructions.
• Load and unload only at designated areas.
• To speed up everyone's ride, group up before reaching the lift loading platform.
• Be polite and courteous at the loading area.
• Use caution, raise poles and remove pole straps from wrists at loading and unloading ramps at mid-station.
• Remove backpacks and hydration packs before riding chairlifts.
• Always lower the safety bar.
• If you fall while getting off the lift, keep your head down and crawl quickly out of the way.
• Swinging, bouncing or otherwise abusing lift equipment can be dangerous. If alone, sit in the middle of the chair.
• Make certain no loose clothing is caught in the lift before unloading.
• Remove stereo headsets before reaching the lift-loading and unloading platform.
• If lift stops, or moves slowly backwards, never attempt to jump off.
• Move quickly away from the unloading area.
• When riding a lift with small children, help them load and unload. Do not allow them to ride the lift alone. You are responsible for your children and their actions.

Panorama recommends wearing helmets for skiing, snowboarding and biking. Guests are encouraged to educate themselves on the benefits and limitations of helmet usage. It is mandatory for mountain bikers. The primary safety consideration, and obligation under the Alpine Responsibility Code and Mountain Biker's Responsibility code is to ski, ride or bike in a controlled and responsible manner.

Early Winter

Panorama Mountain Resort (PMR) is closed to uphill travel during our snowmaking season. This season runs from first snowfall through to January 21.

The hazards associated with the mountain during this time include but are not limited to: high pressure water and air hoses, high voltage electricity, working machines such as snow cats and snowmobiles, shallow snowpack, extremely poor visibility and countless unmarked hazards.

In addition, slope preparation will include the use of explosives and other means of avalanche control.

Mountain staff are working 24hrs / day to prepare the slopes. They are not looking for, and do not expect the public to be recreating on the mountain.

This policy is intended for the safety of Panorama’s employees and the public. In the Province of British Columbia, the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resources Operations authorizes PMR to operate on crown land through a Controlled Recreation Area License (CRA). This license obligates the holder to control, prohibit and direct the movement and activities of persons and vehicles within the CRA. For more information please visit www.panoramaresort.com/cra or Government of BC

Core Winter

Panorama is open to uphill travel from 9:00am to 4:00pm daily until the last day of the ski season, or if otherwise posted due to low snowpack or hazardous conditions.

The designated uphill travel route is Stringer to all of Founder’s Ridge Terrain. Taynton Trail, Deck’s Cross, Messerli’s MIle and Campbell’s Canyon are closed to uphill traffic.

Uphill travel is prohibited on all other parts of the mountain.

Late Winter, Spring

Panorama Mountain Resort (PMR) is closed to uphill travel after the public ski season ends.

The hazards associated with the mountain during this time include but are not limited to: working machines such as snow cats and snowmobiles, shallow snowpack, and countless unmarked hazards.

In addition, avalanche control has ceased. Winter storms and solar warming are relevant and concerning weather events that will create avalanche danger.

Mountain staff are working daily. They are not looking for, and do not expect the public to be recreating on the mountain.

This policy is intended for the safety of Panorama’s employees and the public. In the Province of British Columbia, the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resources Operations authorizes PMR to operate on crown land through a Controlled Recreation Area License (CRA).

This license obligates the holder to control, prohibit and direct the movement and activities of persons and vehicles within the CRA. For more information please visit www.panoramaresort.com/cra or Government of BC

Spring, Summer, Fall

Each year there is an increase in the number of guests and community members who recreate within Panorama’s CRA. Panorama will be reviewing our position on what sections of the CRA are open to the public for hiking and biking and will update this policy before the snow melts.

UPHILL TRAVEL MAP

Panorama’s CRA is closed to all forms of unauthorized motor vehicles. This includes, but is not limited to motorcycles, snowmobiles and trucks or cars.

Panorama Mountain Resort does not permit the use of drones or other UAVs within its Controlled Recreation Area (CRA). Information about our CRA can be found at www.panoramaresort.com/cra.

The Canadian Aviation Regulation states that it is illegal to pilot a UAV within 9km of any heliport. Panorama is home to RK heliski. The heliport from which it operates is located in the heart of Panorama’s village.

You are responsible to fly your aircraft safely and legally. You must follow the rules set forth in the Canadian Aviation Regulations and respect the Criminal Code. Canadian Aviation Regulations are enforced by Transport Canada.

Any evidence regarding breach of this policy will be reported to Transport Canada and the RCMP. In addition, privileges at Panorama Mountain Resort will be revoked and criminal charges may be pursued.