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    Weekly Episode

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    Weekly snowpack summary covering Rogers Pass, the Selkirks and the Canadian Rockies. Published every Friday throughout the season.

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    Weekly avalanche & safety updates throughout the season

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    Researched and written by our team. Printed guides and georeferenced digital maps for Canada's best backcountry terrain.

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  • Know Before You Go

    Check Today's Forecast

    Real-time avalanche danger ratings updated daily by Avalanche Canada. Always check before heading out.

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    Check Today's Forecast

    Real-time avalanche danger ratings updated daily by Avalanche Canada. Always check before heading out.

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    240+ videos — gear reviews, conditions reports & backcountry edits

TECHNOLOGY

Backcountry skiing is no longer a technology-free sport, there are Camera goggles, GPS watches, iPhone Apps, VHF radios, Lithium Ion headlamps, wireless headphones and much more. Do these gadgets make you safer or just take up more of your time? Give the following reviews a read and let us know what you think?


Best Wireless Headphones BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES
Date: Sept 4th 2019
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: The Best

Read the full review here.


Garmin Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED WatchGARMIN FENIX 8 PRO AMOLED WATCH
Date:
 March 11th 2026
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Garmin

Read the full review here.


GoPro HERO13 Black Creator Edition GOPRO HERO 13 BLACK CREATOR EDITION
Date:
 Dec 3rd 2024
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Product Link: GoPro

Read the full review here.


Garmin Fenix 8 Solar SapphireGARMIN FENIX 8 SOLAR SAPPHIRE WATCH
Date:
 Oct 16th 2024
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Garmin

Read the full review here.


Garmin InReach Messenger PlusGARMIN INREACH MESSENGER PLUS
Date:
 Oct 8th 2024
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Product Link: Garmin

Read the full review here.


Black Diamond Distance LT 1100 HeadlampBLACK DIAMOND DISTANCE LT 1100 HEADLAMP
Date:
 June 21st 2024
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Black Diamond

Read the full review here.


Shokz OpenFit Air & OpenSwim ProSHOKZ OPENFIT AIR & OPENSWIM PRO
Date:
 June 5th 2024
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 8.5/10 & 8/10
Product Link: Shokz

Read the full review here.


Suunto Vertical Titanium SolarSUUNTO VERTICAL TITANIUM SOLAR WATCH
Date:
 Aug 25th 2023
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Product Link: Suunto

Read the full review here.


Zoleo Satellite CommunicatorZOLEO SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR
Date:
 Nov 21st 2021
Reviewer: Tyler
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Zoleo

Read the full review here.


Suunto 9 Baro GPS WatchGear of the Year AwardSUUNTO 9 BARO GPS WATCH
Date:
 May 24th 2020
Reviewer: Pete
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Suunto

Read the full review and watch the video here.


Peak Design Travel Tripod Gear of the Year AwardPEAK DESIGN TRAVEL TRIPOD
Date: Mar 13th 2020
Reviewer: Pete
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Peak Design

Read the full review here.


Polar Ignite POLAR IGNITE WATCH
Date: Mar 5th 2020
Reviewer: Pete
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Product Link: Polar

Read the full review here.


Spot X 2-way Satellite Messenger Gear of the Year AwardSPOT X 2-WAY SATELLITE MESSENGER
Date: Oct 7th 2019
Reviewer: Sarah
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Globalstar

Read the full review here.


Casio Pro Trek Smart WSD-F20A CASIO PRO TREK SMART WSD-F20A
Date: May 3rd 2019
Reviewer: Olivier
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Casio

Read the full review here.


Polar Vantage M Watch POLAR VANTAGE M WATCH
Date: Mar 19th 2019
Reviewer: Sarah
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Product Link: Polar

Read the full review here.


JBL Portable Bluetooth Speakers JBL PULSE 3 & CHARGE 3 PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS
Date: Nov 1st 2018
Reviewer: Pete
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: JBL

Read the full review here.


Garmin InReach Explorer+ GARMIN INREACH EXPLORER+
Date: Sept 2nd 2018
Reviewer: Kyle
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Product Link: Garmin

Read the full review here.


Black Diamond LightingBLACK DIAMOND LIGHTING
Date: May 23rd 2018
Reviewer: Pete
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Black Diamond

Read the full review here.


AfterShokz Trekz AirAFTERSHOKZGear of the Year TREKZ AIR
Date: April 18th 2018
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: AfterShokz

Read the full review here.


Garmin Fenix 5XGear of the Year 2018GARMIN FENIX 5X GPS WATCH
Date:
 Sept 27th 2017
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Product Link: Garmin

Read the full review and view the video here.


Petzl Reactik+ HeadlampPETZL REACTIK+ HEADLAMP
Date: June 26th 2017
Reviewer: Bradley
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Product Link: Petzl

Read the full review here.


Suunto Spartan UltraSUUNTO SPARTAN ULTRA GPS WATCH
Date:
 Nov 24th 2016
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Product Link: Suunto

Read the full review and watch the video here.


Peak Design Every Day Messenger BagPEAK DESIGN EVERYDAY MESSENGER BAG
Date:
 April 27th 2016
Reviewer: Bradley
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Peak Design

Read the full review here.


Suunto Traverse GPS WatchSUUNTO TRAVERSE GPS WATCH
Date:
 Feb 17th 2016
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Suunto

Read the full review and watch the video here.


Goal ZeroGOAL ZERO
Date:
 Nov 17th 2015
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Product Link: Goal Zero

Read the full review here.


Mountain Hardwear Hotbed Torch Sleeping BagURBAN ARMOR GEAR
Date: Nov 4th 2015
Reviewer: Ryan
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Urban Armor Gear

Read the full review here.


Garmin Fenix 3 GPS WatchGarmin Fenix 3 Watch GARMIN FENIX 3 GPS WATCH
Date:
 June 16th 2015
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Product Link: Garmin

Read the full review and view the video here.


Casio Pathfinder PAW-2000-1CASIO PATHFINDER PAW-2000-1
Date: 
June 1st 2015
Reviewer: Andrew
Overall Rating: 7/10
Product Link: Casio

Read the full review here.


Suunto Ambit3 GPS Watch SUUNTO AMBIT3 GPS WATCH
Date: 
Dec 8th 2014
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Suunto

Read the full review and view the video here.


Braven bluetooth speaker ReviewBRAVEN 855s BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Date: 
Sept 23rd 2014
Reviewer: Andrew
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Product Link: Braven

Read the full review here.


PowerPot V ReviewPOWER PRACTICAL POWERPOT V
Date: 
July 7th 2014
Reviewer: Bradley
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Product Link: Power Practical

Read the full review here.


Jaybird Bluebuds X and Blu Ant Pump HD Sportbuds Review JAYBIRD BLUEBUDS X & BLUE ANT PUMP HD SPORTBUDS COMPARISON
Date: 
May 5th 2014
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 8.5/10; 8.5/10
Product Link: Jaybird; Blue Ant

Read the full review here.


Peak Designs Capture Pro Camera Clip Review PEAK DESIGNS CAPTURE PRO CAMERA CLIP & ACCESSORIES
Date: 
April 12th 2014
Reviewer: Robin
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Product Link: Peak Designs

Read the full review here.


Backcountry Access BC Links Radio ReviewBACKCOUNTRY ACCESS BC LINKS RADIO
Date: 
Mar 6th 2014
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Backcountry Access

Read the full review here.


Suunto Quest Watch SUUNTO QUEST WATCH WITH GPS POD AND HEART RATE MONITOR
Date: 
Oct 1st 2013
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Product Link: Suunto

Read the full review here.


Suunto Ambit2 GPS Watch SUUNTO AMBIT2 GPS WATCH
Date: 
Sept 16th 2013
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Suunto

Read the full review here.


Suntrica SolarStrapSUNTRICA SOLARSTRAP
Date: 
Sept 22nd, 2012
Reviewer: Ryan
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Product Link: Suntrica

Read the full review here.


Magellan Switch Up review MAGELLAN SWITCH UP
Date: 
Sept 8th 2012
Reviewer: Ryan
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
Product Link: Magellan

Read the full review here.


ACR-Electronics-ResQLink-406-Review ACR ELECTRONICS RESQLINK 406 GPS PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON
Date:
 July 31st 2013
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 
8.5/10
Product Link: Acrartex

Read the full review here.


The Soleus GPS 3.0 Watch Review SOLEUS GPS 3.0 WATCH
Date: 
July 17th 2013
Reviewer: Erin
Overall Rating: 
7.5/10
Product Link: Soleus

Read the full review here.


Delorme Earthmate PN-60w GPS ReviewDELROME EARTHMATE PN-60W GPS
Date:
 July 8th 2013
Reviewer: Vince
Overall Rating: 7/10
Product Link: Delrome

Read the full review here.


Liquid Image Apex HD+ Camera Goggles LIQUID IMAGE APEX HD+ CAMERA GOGGLE
Date: 
Mar 26th 2013
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 
8/10
Product Link: Liquid Image

Read the full review here.


High Gear Axio Max Altimter WatchHIGHGEAR AXIO MAX ALTIMETER WATCH
Date:
 Mar 9th 2013
Reviewer: Ryan
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Highgear

Read the full review here.


Lifeproof iPhone Case, Go Pro Mount, Armband and LifeJacketLIFEPROOF IPHONE CASE, GOPRO MOUNT, ARMBAND AND LIFEJACKET
Date:
 Jan 15th 2013
Reviewer: Ryan
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Product Link: LifeProof

Read the full review here.


View Ranger Mobile Map AppVIEW RANGER MOBILE APP
Date:
 Jan 8th 2013
Reviewer: Ryan
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Product Link: View Ranger

Read the full review here.


Suunto Ambit GPS Watch Backcountry Skiing Canada Gear of the Year 2013SUUNTO AMBIT GPS WATCH
Date:
 Dec 15th 2012
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Suunto

Read the full review here.


Vertex Standard VX-231 VHF RadioVERTEX STANDARD VX-231 VHF RADIO
Date:
 Aug 1st 2012
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Vertex

Read the full review here.


Petzl Zipka Plus 2 with Core rechargeable battery PETZL ZIPKA PLUS 2 WITH CORE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
Date:
 July 28th 2012
Reviewer: Linda
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Petzl

Read the full review here.


Delorme inReach two-way satellite communicatorDELORME INREACH TWO-WAY SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR
Date:
 May 7th 2012
Reviewer: Vince
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Delorme

Read the full review here.


Magellan eXplorist 610 GPSMAGELLAN EXPLORIST 610 GPS
Date:
 April 17th 2012
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 7/10
Product Link: Magellan

Read the full review and view the video here.


Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS watchSUUNTO CORE 75th ANNIVERSARY ALTIMETER WATCH
Date:
 Oct 12th 2011
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 10/10
Product Link: Suunto

Read the full review here.


Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS watchGARMIN FORERUNNER 610 GPS WATCH
Date:
 July 10th 2011
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Product Link: Garmin

Read the full review here.


TRANSCEND GPS GOGGLES
Date:
 April 17th 2011
Reviewer: Ryan
Overall Rating: 6/10
Product Link: Zeal Optics

Read the full review here.

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Backcountry skiing is an inherently dangerous activity that requires experience and knowledge to travel safely. Any of the routes on this site may be dangerous depending on conditions. You are responsible for your own safety in the backcounty—the team behind backcountryskiingcanada.com disclaim any responsibility for any injury resulting from people travelling on routes described on this site.  To read our Terms of Use and get all the details, read HERE.