Supervision

• Proximity supervision is recommended following initial skill instruction and after all safety concerns have been emphasized.
• Suggested guidelines for instructor to student ratio for day cross-country trips to commercial sites:
  • 1:8 ratio (Pre-Kindergarten/ECS Programs)
  • 1:12 ratio (Grades 4-12)
• Sweep and leader roles should be established.

Instructional Considerations

• Teachers should caution students about use of poles, especially when working close to others.
• Teachers should encourage use of a buddy system.
• When learning games or motion on snowshoes, poles should not be used.

Equipment/Facilities

• Adequate winter clothing should be worn, ideally following the principle of layering.
• Unless guided by qualified back-country guides, cross-country programs should occur only at designated trails or in schoolyards.
• Snow conditions and weather conditions such as sun, wind and temperature must be checked before proceeding with a snowshoe program. When conditions are rated as “poor” or temperatures are extreme (below -20°C including windchill), teachers should refrain from taking students snowshoeing.
• Students must be taught basic snowshoeing skills before touring.
• Teachers should familiarize students with the route and boundaries.
• Equipment should be checked to ensure proper fitting of boots, proper sizing of snowshoes (and poles if used) and suitability of equipment for the activity. Instructors should instruct students on securing boots in bindings and ensure they are properly secured.
• Snowshoeing should be restricted to non-avalanche terrain. A certified guide must be employed where avalanche terrain exists, but risk is minimal.