Backcountry Resources
State Of The Snowpack
A locally driven organization that strives to bridge the gap between Avalanche Canada’s Regional Avalanche Forecast and local knowledge shared in the InfoEx by guides and avalanche professions. Snowpack analysis, tips, + more.
FREE Info + Learning
We bring you some very important and relevant tips to stay safe, reduce your risk and your exposure in the backcountry. We point out hazards, observations, and clues in the snowpack, and other great free safety tips.
Backcountry Gear Reviews
There are a lot of options on there when it comes to backcountry safety, touring, and snow science gear. Our expert guides break down the differences and what to look for when buying new gear.
The State of the Snowpack connects our community with local snow science experts who will break down what they are seeing in our home snowpack.
When we look at the winter we look at a narrative, a story that plays out over time, with each weather event being a different chapter. Every seasonal event; precipitation event, wind event, that’s a different chapter within the greater narrative within the story of our winter. This is the story of our snowpack. And we’re bringing it to you!
To find out more about State of The Snowpack head to https://www.stateofthesnowpack.com/
State of the Snowpack - March 8 2021
State of the Snowpack - February 23, 2021
State of the Snowpack January 9th, 2021
State of the Snowpack - December 9th, 2020
FREE Information & Learning
In these informational videos, we break down a variety of backcountry touring topics. From how to do effectively do a fine search companion rescue, to talking about hazards and terrain traps, to how to collect free information. Scroll down or through the slider images below. For more free information and learning, check out Avalanche Canada Avy Savy
Companion Rescue
In this video, lead guide Judson Wright, explains how to effectively do a fine search for a single person buried under the snow.
Terrain Traps
What are terrain traps? What are the consequences? How can we better avoid/reduce our risk/exposure?
Cell Phone Interference
Electronic interference with transceiver is a real thing. Watch this video to see what happens when I place my beacon near my phone.
Collecting Free Info
In this video series, we share some valuable tips on how to collect free information about the snowpack and how to plan a safe ride down.
Companion Rescue: How To Effectively Do a Fine Search
In this video, lead guide Judson Wright, explains how to effectively do a fine search for a single person buried under the snow.
Companion rescue is a crucial skill that all winter backcountry recreationists need. You never want to use it, but you should have it totally dialed. Of course, the number one goal is to avoid being caught in an avalanche but if it ever happens to your group, you’ll want to know exactly what to do.
If you would like to learn more, register for our Companion Rescue Skills course. In this one day course, you will get all the latest information on how to best respond to having one of our touring partners buried in an avalanche. You will also get plenty of time to practice your companion rescue skills. Our expert guides will give you feedback on ways you can improve your transceiver searches, probing skills, organizing a digging team, and what to do once you have removed someone from under the snow. https://kootenaybackcountryguides.com...
Still not convinced? Check out Avalanche Canada’s 8 Reasons You Should Take a Companion Rescue Skills Course https://www.avalanche.ca/training/com...
What are terrain traps?
What are the consequences?
How can we better avoid/reduce our risk/exposure?
Hummingbird Pass at Whitewater Ski Resort Backcountry is a popular route to access Evening Ridge and can be a bit of a highway at times. We wanted to talk about the many consequential hazards that are lurking above, to provide all users (tourers and snowshowers) some awareness to increase their safety in the backcountry.
We also point out an alternate route, that reduces your exposure but gets you to the same place.
Electronic interference with transceiver is a real thing.
Oscilloscope visualization of random noise being picked up by an avalanche transceiver. The flat-topped signal is from a transmitting beacon, the pointed spikes are from a source of active interference.
If you don't recognize the phrase electronic noise, it's time to get acquainted. This two-word phrase has a big impact on the performance and accuracy of your avalanche transceiver, the one piece of equipment that absolutely cannot go bad when you or your backcountry partner gets buried.
The rule of thumb is to keep any possible sources of interference, passive or active, 20cm (about 8 inches) away from your transceiver when it's in transmit mode and 50cm (about arm's length) when in search mode. This is particularly important when searching, as interference could impact your transceiver's ability to determine the correct distance and direction of your target. For more info check out this article from BCA
Welcome to our video series on collecting free information in the backcountry. What is free information? Free information is safe, easily accessible, and timely.
In this 1st video, we explain what free information is. Your backcountry tour begins from the comforts of your home before you step foot on the mountain. This is also the first step in the daily process - check the weather and get the Avalanche Condition and MIN reports from Avalanche Canada.
Other topics covered in the Free Info series include:
- Reading the bulletin
- Hand Shears
- Burp Tests
- Testing Microfeatures
- Ridge Top + Cornices