Item: CREATING STANDARDIZED NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR GUIDES
-
-
Title: CREATING STANDARDIZED NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR GUIDES
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- Shena Thomas [ Mountain Stash Adventures, Revelstoke, BC, Canada ] [ Soul Rides, Revelstoke, BC, Canada ] [ Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association, Revelstoke, BC, Canada ]
- Iain Stewart-Patterson [ Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association, Revelstoke, BC, Canada ] [ Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: Effective communication is critical in winter backcountry guiding, as it is often a dynamic and high-risk environment. Current communication best practices focus on prerequisite training, pre-trip briefings, radio communication, and informal hand signals. However, these processes are not fail-safe and desired communication messages can be lost. For example, clients may not retain pre-trip instructions in high-excitement situations, radios may not function correctly, environmental "noise" such as wind, precipitation, rotor wash, machine exhaust, or simply distance can hinder verbal communication. Unlike winter backcountry guiding, other high-risk industries such as aviation, SCUBA diving, and whitewater paddling utilize standardized non-verbal communication systems and signals that are universally taught and recognized. This allows for consistent and reliable communication across personnel, teams, operations, and geographic regions. Observations of heli ski, cat ski, ski touring, and motorized backcountry guiding operations and associations in Western Canada have highlighted a lack of standardized hand and body non-verbal communication. This gap is a crucial missing element to the task of optimizing the client experience in winter backcountry travel. To explore this gap, surveys, observations, and conversations have been conducted within all four winter guiding disciplines. Based on the findings, this project proposes a framework for standardized non-verbal communication in motorized backcountry guiding that can be incorporated into the CMBGA training and certification program. The framework includes a set of core hand and body signals designed for clarity, repeatability, and ease of adoption. The goal is to support more consistent communication in the field and to initiate discussion within the broader mountain guiding community, with the aim of improving alignment and connectivity in communication standards.
Object ID: ISSW2026_P3.28.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790099145
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Shena Thomas
Keywords: Non-Verbal Communication, Guiding Standards, Standardization
Page Number(s): 1215 - 1222
-