Waivers and Hazards
Waivers protect both participants and the Club, and checking them is one of the most important things a trip leader does before heading out. This page covers what counts as a valid waiver, how participants sign one, how to check someone's status, and what to do for minors.
The Golden Rule
Every participant on an ACC trip must have an active waiver — one signed within the last 12 months — before they set out. As the trip leader, you are responsible for confirming this, either by looking up their status online or by checking a signed physical copy. No active waiver means no trip, no exceptions.
How Participants Sign a Waiver
If a participant isn't sure how to sign their waiver, point them to the member portal — the process is slightly different depending on whether the trip requires ACC membership.
Trips That Require Membership
- Once they log into the member portal, they'll be prompted to sign the waiver automatically if their existing one has expired.
- If they're already an active member with a current waiver, they can confirm this themselves under "My Membership" in the member portal.
- If none of the above is possible in advance, they can sign a paper waiver at the trailhead.
Trips Open to Non-Members
Participants can create a free account at app.alpineclubofcanada.ca/registration and select "Create free account" — this will prompt them to sign the waiver during setup.
Alternatively, just like members, they can sign a paper waiver at the trailhead.
Always print in colour. Waivers printed in black and white can be harder to verify and are not accepted as valid copies.
How to Check a Waiver
Trip leaders can look up a participant's waiver and membership status directly through the ACC Member Portal. A full step-by-step walkthrough is available here:
How to Access Section Member Data from the ACC Member Portal
If you don't yet have access to this look-up feature, email sections@alpineclubofcanada.ca to be set up — it's worth arranging before your first trip, not on the morning of.
How to Sign a Minor's Waiver
Minors need a parent or legal guardian to add them as a dependant and sign on their behalf before they can join a trip. The step-by-step guide below walks through the process:
How to Add a Child and Sign Their Waiver
Activity hazards
Sections must list the hazards on posted events. The future Section events platform will use templated trip postings; in the meantime, you can copy-paste the list below.
Participating in this activity involves many risks, dangers and hazards that could result in injury, death, paralysis, property damage, or loss to me or other third parties. These risks, dangers, and hazards may include, but are not limited to, those listed below. Please review them carefully before registering.
Avalanche
Avalanches can occur in the terrain in which we operate and can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. skiing/snowboarding).
Uncontrolled terrain
Terrain is uncontrolled, unmarked and not inspected, and may include: cornices, crevasses, cliffs, trees, tree wells, forest deadfall, and tree stumps, creeks, rocks and boulders, holes and depressions below the snow surface, variable and difficult snow conditions, variable and difficult walking terrain, snowcat roads and road banks, fences and other man-made structures, snow immersion, impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects, extreme variation in trails or terrain, encounters with domestic or wild animals, loss of balance or control, slips, trips and falls, and becoming lost or separated from one's group.
Rockfall
Rockfall can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking).
Falls and belaying
Rock climbing presents the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground, which can lead to injury or death. The risk of belay failure is also present, which can contribute to the risk of a ground fall. Equipment failure is also a risk, including equipment associated with climbing, rappelling and belaying.
Communication, rescue and medical treatment
Communication can be difficult, and in the event of an accident rescue and treatment may not be available. Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field. If an injury occurs in challenging terrain, movement to an evacuation point may be slow.
Boots and binding systems
Even when set up correctly, a ski binding might not release during every fall or may release unexpectedly. The ski boot/binding system is no guarantee that the skier will not be injured. Non-DIN-certified bindings, such as pin/tech bindings, present a higher risk of pre-release and/or injury as they are not designed to the same safety standards as a DIN-certified alpine binding.
Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard and some telemark boot/binding systems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances. Using such a system increases the risk of injury and/or death when caught in an avalanche.
Personal injury
Personal injury includes: sprains, strains, shock, stress, nausea, food-borne illness, diarrhea, burns, cuts, abrasions, fractured or broken bones, impalement, drowning, hypothermia, loss of limbs, frostbite, sunstroke, sunburn, dehydration, illness, soft tissue injuries, neck, head and brain injury, paralysis, psychological injury, and other injury to the body.
Helicopter risk
Helicopter risk applies to any programs involving a helicopter.
Other risks
- Slips, trips and falls both outdoors and indoors
- Changing weather conditions including but not limited to high winds, lightning, and forest fires
- Effects of high altitude including pulmonary edema and cerebral edema
- Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi, which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact
- Equipment failure
- Incomplete warnings or instructions
- Negligent first aid
- Negligence of other people, including the trip coordinator and other guests
This list summarizes the risks described in the ACC waiver. The waiver you sign is the governing document.
When in Doubt
If a trip leader is ever unsure whether someone's waiver is valid or properly signed — for any reason — the safe default is to have them sign a paper waiver at the trailhead. It only takes a minute, and it ensures the Club and the participant are both protected.