10 Essential Steps to Prepare for Ski Touring Season
As the leaves change and temperatures drop, the anticipation of ski touring season and winter adventures grows. To make the most of your time on the slopes and in the backcountry, it's crucial to prepare ahead of time. From fine-tuning your fitness t...
Introducing the "Backcountry Insights Blog": Your Autumn Reading Companion
Ah, fall – the season of crisp mountain air and recent rainfall. It's a time when my thoughts inevitably turn to winter. I can imagine you, too, are deep in dreams of light, fluffy powder on pristine mountain slopes, eagerly anticipating that first s...
For backcountry enthusiasts, the allure of untouched powder, quiet forests, and breathtaking mountain views is undeniable. However, with this pursuit comes the responsibility of traveling safely and sustainably in these pristine areas. That's where Kootenay Backcountry Guides' Track Setting 101 course comes in—an essential training for anyone looki...
Ski touring is the ultimate way to experience the winter wilderness, combining the thrill of skiing with the freedom to explore untouched terrain. Unlike traditional resort skiing, where chairlifts take you to the top of the mountain, ski touring relies on your power to climb up slopes using special gear like climbing skins that attach to your skis...
Summer alpine flowers are beautiful, but have you seen valleys turn to gold? Fall hiking in the Kootenays is something that should be on every avid hiker's bucket list and this post highlights why. Golden Larches By mid-October (sometimes earlier), the larches turn a brilliant gold, creating a stunning contrast against the evergreen tre...
The last thing recreationalists want to do is love the backcountry to death. This means working together on preservation methods to ensure generations of hikers will get to experience the unique connections we can gain through travelling in remote wilderness. Camping in the backcountry offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, f...
The Kootenays offer some of the best hiking experiences in the world. With stunning landscapes, diverse trails, and pristine wilderness, it's a hiker's paradise. Whether you're seeking challenging ascents or leisurely strolls, our professional guides are here to make your adventure unforgettable. Here are four must-visit hiking locations in th...
I often refer to surface hoar as the enemy of backcountry skiers. Most avalanche deaths in the Columbia Mountains are caused by surface hoar. "Know thy enemy" is a saying to apply to surface hoar. This article helps you understand this beautiful but deadly crystal. Surface hoar refers to a type of frost crystal that forms on the surface of s...
One of the greatest backcountry advancements occurred when the smartphone was equipped with GPS capabilities. This invention allowed backcountry users to place themselves on a map that was stored on their phones. Now many apps are competing with one another for backcountry navigation supremacy. I do not view any single app as "the one and only", ra...
In an era of dazzling technological advances, it's become all too easy to fall into the digital navigation trap. You know the scenario: you're gearing up for an epic backcountry skiing adventure, and your trusty smartphone, equipped with a fancy GPS app, is your designated guide. After all, why bother with archaic tools like maps and compasses when...
We all share common traits as backcountry skiers: a passion for powder, the thrill of adventure, and the challenges of navigating unpredictable terrain. But there's something else we all share—our humanity. Human biases are an inherent part of our decision-making process, and while some biases can serve us well, others can lead us astray. In the ba...
I have been teaching Avalanche Safety Courses for over a decade. I stumbled upon this process several years ago, which always resonates with students. Why not use the scientific method to supercharge our learning? One of the most excellent tools humans have ever discovered can be applied to backcountry skiing! This isn't a way to make backcountry s...