Ski tour participation requirements: 3 guidelines regarding the role of the tour organizer

Please be aware that these guidelines are based on repeated experience and are meant to make a ski tour better for everybody.

Also be aware that the organizer is in fact a very nice person, but does not want to spend all day arguing with people about this stuff; hence these guidelines.

1. If you are faced with a decision regarding where to go next (due to e.g. a junction, or an obstacle, or the disappearance of the trail), you must ALWAYS, without exception, STOP, WAIT, and consult the organizer before proceeding. 

Please don't barge ahead based on what you think is the right way! That is potentially very dangerous, especially if you don't know what you're doing.

Moreover even if you do know what you're doing, rein in your outdoorsman / woman ego! Remember that you can always be wrong, and moreover that a single individual unilaterally making even a minor but key route decision is not the right approach in a group tour. You are not some intrepid solo winter explorer on this tour. Two or more people will see things that one person doesn't. Remember that you're probably not as good as you think you are, and in fact if you have spent any time in the bush you have been reminded of this repeatedly.

So if you barge ahead making unilateral route decisions without consulting anyone, expect to be told to turn around and come back to discuss our route. Or even better, how about just don't do it, to save us all some time. If you're in any doubt about whether the rule above applies, just follow the rule.

Be humble! This isn't about you. You don't have to be the one who figures out where to go all by yourself. It doesn't matter if you have (or think you have) masterful Davy-Crockett-like or Calamity-Jane-like outdoor skills.

Be patient! Again, STOP, WAIT, and CONSULT the organizer. The organizer also repeatedly consults other tour participants, not because they don't know what they are doing, but because they know enough to know that they can be wrong.

Upon consultation, the organizer will either clarify the planned route, or ensure that we make a considered group decision as is appropriate.

2. The organizer will decide when we “move out” after any stop.

This is done in consultation with the group. People should not just randomly take off when they feel like it -- if you do, expect to be told to wait. There are good reasons for traveling as a group, rather than needlessly splitting ourselves up during the tour. We will also not ski away and leave someone behind just because they are having trouble e.g. navigating an obstacle or dealing with an equipment problem. Moreover people who are “ditched” and are then rushing to catch up to the group can more easily get injured.

The outcome of this is you might have to wait for another minute from time to time, but that means we will also wait for you when you need a little more time. Conversely, you should not stand around and dawdle and ignore the fact that everyone is waiting for you so that we can move out -- if you do, expect to be told to get your gear on.

There are of course reasonable exceptions to the above: e.g. if you are cold and need to move just say so and we'll catch up; e.g. if you are fiddling with something and don't want to keep folks waiting let us know that you'll catch up. Moreover, the group will naturally “accordion” out somewhat as we travel, and we will also separate out on some trail sections (e.g. descents) and regroup after.

Lastly please note that if you take the lead at any point, these basic responsibilities now apply to you! Being in the lead means you have obligations to others (gasp); you're not just up in front so you can have fun and “be awesome.” Here's a simple trick: look over your shoulder routinely and check on how people are doing! Don't just ski off in your own world. You’re now in front, and you are expected to responsibly lead the rest of the group, not just yourself.

3. The organizer will be in the lead and set the pace at the start of the tour.

This is done in consultation with the group. Having a “rabbit” up front early on in the tour usually means that they will blow up and be too tired to keep up later on. It is often the case that the rabbit is just showing off and has no idea what they are in for. Alternately, if you happen to be a very fit “rabbit,” consider how cold you will get standing around waiting for the rest of us.

Whatever the reason may be, when an unsustainable pace is set from the front early in the tour then the rest of the group can get pulled along, and can tire too early. It can also result in any “slow(er) starters” (at times the wisest of the bunch) getting far behind early on, followed by long waits for them to catch up at rest stops. Also, as mentioned above, people rushing to catch up to the group can more easily get injured, while the fast(er) starters will have been sweating and start getting cold. 

The answer to all this is to relax and travel as best we can as a group.If you really want to ski at exactly the pace you want to then … have you considered that the best thing to do might be to ski by yourself? Which is also fun! Long and short is that the organizer will not need to be in front all the time, but will start things off up front to avoid the aforementioned problems.