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        <title><![CDATA[General Talk]]></title>
        <description>RSS of General Talk</description>
        <pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 20:13:13 -0700</pubDate>
        <link>https://www.backcountryskiingcanada.com</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Avalanche Canada Foundation Sweepstakes]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Win a Dream Heli Skiing Trip with Selkirk Tangiers!&amp;nbsp;

If you&amp;rsquo;ve been dreaming of bottomless powder and exclusive lines, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for. We are thrilled to share that Avalanche Canada Foundation and&amp;nbsp;Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing (STHS) has launched a massive sweepstakes, offering one lucky winner (and a very lucky friend) the heli-skiing experience of a lifetime.

Running from now until December 16, 2025, you can enter to win a fully guided day in the legendary Selkirk Mountains near Revelstoke, BC.

The Grand Prize: A 1-Day Adventure for Two

This isn&amp;#39;t just a lift ticket; it&amp;#39;s a full VIP backcountry experience valued at approximately CAD $3,878. STHS is known for accessing some of the best terrain in the world, and they are pulling out all the stops for this contest.

What the winner receives:


	
	Two seats in the STHS 1-Day Adventure program.
	
	
	Unlimited Runs: While four runs are guaranteed, this package includes unlimited runs&amp;mdash;meaning if the legs are willing, the vert is endless.
	
	
	Full Gear Package: High-performance powder skis or snowboards, plus all necessary avalanche safety equipment and backpacks are provided.
	
	
	All-Inclusive Meals: The day includes breakfast, a mountain lunch, and an apr&amp;egrave;s-ski celebration to cap off the day.
	


How to Enter

Don&amp;#39;t miss your window to get into the alpine. The contest closes on December 16, 2025.


Ready to win? Visit the official sweepstakes page here: avalanchecanadasweepstakes.com


Good luck to everyone in the Backcountry Skiing Canada community! We hope to see one of you floating through the deep stuff this winter.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-12-14 19:27:03</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Avalanche-Canada-Foundation-Sweepstakes-2025</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Avalanche-Canada-Foundation-Sweepstakes-2025</guid>
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            <title><![CDATA[HEAD Freeskiing’s Out of the Ordinary Captures the &quot;Beautifully Ridiculous&quot; Spirit of Backcountry Skiing]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[A Detour from the Norm

Presented by HEAD | Tyrolia and directed by Jeff Thomas, the latest release from HEAD Freeskiing, Out of the Ordinary, is not your typical ski film. Following in the footsteps of previous team features Beyond and Unified, this 52-minute installment is described as a &amp;quot;detour&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;a twist&amp;quot;&amp;mdash;a chaotic, celebratory, and honest look at everything that makes freeskiing, and especially backcountry exploration, &amp;quot;beautifully ridiculous.&amp;quot;

This is more than a highlight reel; it&amp;rsquo;s an immersive, authentic collage of the athletes&amp;rsquo; lives on the road. The film dives headfirst into the wonderfully unusual world of skiing, focusing on the grit, the quirks, the obsession, and the pure, unadulterated love of deep snow that defines the sport&amp;#39;s icons.

Global Lines and the Canadian Connection

The film&amp;rsquo;s locations read like a backcountry skier&amp;rsquo;s bucket list, confirming its relevance for our touring-focused readership. The HEAD Freeski Team chases winter across five continents, mixing spontaneous strike missions with lodge life antics.

The cinematography features winding fjord roads and last-second weather gambles, capturing the beautiful, unpredictable nature of searching for perfect snow. For Canadian readers, a major highlight is the time spent in British Columbia, providing that local connection alongside legendary segments from:


	
	The Arlberg
	
	
	The Sunnm&amp;oslash;re Alps
	
	
	Alaska
	
	
	Japan
	




Starring Backcountry Icons and Champions



A core component of the film&amp;rsquo;s engaging energy is the diversity and pedigree of the cast. The film pays tribute to the people who push the limits of what&amp;rsquo;s possible on two planks, whether they are dropping lines in the remote mountains or taking home titles on the world stage.

Out of the Ordinary features a mix of talent, including:


	
	Freeride World Tour Champions
	
	
	Backcountry Legends
	
	
	Olympic Medalists
	
	
	One-of-a-kind Personalities
	


The film&amp;#39;s impact was quickly recognized, earning an iF3 nomination for Film of the Year. Additionally, athlete Jonathan Rollins was awarded the prestigious Breakout Skier of the Year for his standout performance.



Why You Need To Watch

At its heart, Out of the Ordinary is an equal mix of tribute, chaos, and confession. It&amp;rsquo;s a reminder of why we constantly chase winter, why we push deep into the unknown, and why those unexpected, messy moments&amp;mdash;the plywood outhouses with million-dollar views and the laughter born from exhaustion&amp;mdash;are often the most memorable.

As the film suggests, the best days on skis are the ones you never planned for.

Winter is calling, and you need to see this film. So make&amp;nbsp;a big platter of nachos,&amp;nbsp;crack a cold beer and settle in to watch Out of the Ordinary.








&amp;nbsp;
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-11-25 07:05:28</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Head-Tyrolia-Out-of-the-Ordinary-Ski-Film</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Head-Tyrolia-Out-of-the-Ordinary-Ski-Film</guid>
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            <title><![CDATA[Meet the Athletes Behind ‘Slope Ascenders’: A Story of Grit and Spontaneity]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[In the world of adventure films, the most compelling stories often belong to the athletes themselves. This is certainly the case in Black Diamond&amp;#39;s new film, &amp;quot;Slope Ascenders,&amp;quot; which puts the spotlight on Dorian Densmore and Mya Akins, two athletes whose season of planned objectives was turned upside down by warm weather and injuries. Their response? Pure improvisation.


The Do-It-Yourself Duo: Densmore &amp;amp; Akins
Dorian Densmore and Mya Akins are not your typical sponsored athletes. They are creators and storytellers who thrive on managing every single aspect of their projects, from the initial brainstorming of an expedition to the final cut of the film. This hands-on, do-it-yourself approach gives their work a raw authenticity, but it also means they feel the full impact when things don&amp;#39;t go according to plan.
&amp;quot;Slope Ascenders&amp;quot; captures their journey as they are forced to abandon their primary goals. Instead of admitting defeat, they find opportunity. The film follows them from the would-be grand lines of Alaska to the hidden gems in their own backyard, showcasing their creative problem-solving and unwavering passion for being in the mountains. It&amp;#39;s a personal and inspiring look at how they find adventure in the unexpected.

Their story is a powerful testament to resilience and making the most of any situation. Densmore and Akins prove that the best adventures aren&amp;#39;t always about ticking off a list, but about embracing the process&amp;mdash;no matter where it leads.

Ready to see their story unfold? Watch the full film below.






]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-10-15 13:15:20</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/a-story-of-grit-and-spontaneity</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/a-story-of-grit-and-spontaneity</guid>
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            <title><![CDATA[How to tell the Summer Hiking Season is over]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Helen and I have a tradition of doing a hike on the Oct Thanksgiving Long Weekend. Way to often this becomes the last hike of the season due to snow fall. This year it was painfully obvious due to well over 6 inches of snow and having to break the trail on Pocaterra Cirque just off the Highwood Pass in Kananaskis Country.

&amp;nbsp;






We were also reminded on how important it is to pay particular attention to the wildlife. The bears and trying to fatten up for the winter and our pretty focused on feeding. Kananaskis had a park wide warning about increased bear activity. Additionally, it is also to watch out for aggressive Elk and other Ungulates that are in mating season. We are actually charged by two Big Horn Mountain Sheep as we were coming down the trail.


&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-10-14 07:53:14</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/summer-hiking-season-over</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/summer-hiking-season-over</guid>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[How to Pack Ski Equipment for a Flight]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Ski gear can be a costly investment, so when you travel to ski, ensure that you pack it properly. Here&amp;#39;s our guide to packing your ski gear.
&amp;nbsp;
As well a list of some of the top Ski Destinations for 2025.

Read how to pack ski equipment for a flight: CLICK HERE]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-10-06 14:50:41</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/how-to-pack-ski-gear-post</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/how-to-pack-ski-gear-post</guid>
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            <title><![CDATA[A French ski touring mag goes English this season]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[A quick note for those of you who enjoy backcountry skiing content from Europe: starting this season, Ski Rando Magazine is now available in English.

It&amp;rsquo;s a long-running French magazine focused entirely on ski touring, with trip reports, gear reviews, and in-depth features. The latest issue (#61) includes articles on Ski touring gear test 2026, splitboard, Turkey, Pyrenees, Alpes... You can check the full table of contents here: Ski Rando Mag #61.

I thought it might interest some of you who like to get perspectives and trip ideas from outside North America. Curious if anyone here has already read it or followed their content before?
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-10-02 23:49:19</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/ski-rando-magazine</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/ski-rando-magazine</guid>
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            <title><![CDATA[ACC New Castle Cabin Open]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Halfway between Banff and Lake Louise along the Trans&amp;ndash;Canada Highway&amp;nbsp;sits the dramatic&amp;nbsp;Castle Mountain. Halfway up the south face&amp;nbsp;of Castle and overlooking the highway&amp;nbsp;is the Goat Plateau ledge&amp;nbsp;and, for the past 58 years, a small climbers&amp;rsquo; hut.&amp;nbsp;This summer, the hut was removed and replaced with a modern structure by the ACC hut maintenance team.&amp;nbsp;



Click Here to Learn More]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-08-29 07:23:32</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/ACC-New-Castle-Cabin-Open</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/ACC-New-Castle-Cabin-Open</guid>
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            <title><![CDATA[Bugaboo Closure and Evacuation]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Due to recent flooding of the of the Bugaboos Spires Trail BC Parks has closed the Core Area in Bugaboo Procincial Park. This includes the popular&amp;nbsp;Kain Hut, Applebee&amp;nbsp;Dome Campground, Boulder Campground and nearby climbing areas.



Grip Magazine has a first hand account from&amp;nbsp;Jordy Shepherd an ACMG Mountain Guide&amp;nbsp;involved in the heli evacuation of over 60 people from the affected area earlier this week.

Read Jordy&amp;#39;s account at Gripped Magazine Here.]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-08-20 13:49:43</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Bugaboo-Closure-and-Evacuation</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Bugaboo-Closure-and-Evacuation</guid>
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            <title><![CDATA[Top Canadian Ski Blog]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[The Blog Database Feedspot&amp;nbsp;has recognized Backcountry Skiing Canada as the top Canadian ski blog.&amp;nbsp;You can find the list of the top 25 Canadian Ski Blogs HERE. We are excited to be chosen by Feedspot as we have been a long-time follower and use Feedspot to track industry trends across media outlets in the outdoor industry.

Feedspot is one of the top sites for tracking global media outlets including blogs, podcasts, magazines, social media creators and news websites.]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-06-18 07:21:24</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Top-Canadian-Ski-Blog</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Top-Canadian-Ski-Blog</guid>
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            <title><![CDATA[RED Mountain Unveils Canada&#039;s Newest Lift-Access Bike Park: A Game-Changer for Rossland&#039;s Four-Season Stoke!]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Big news out of the Kootenays! RED Mountain Resort in Rossland, BC, is officially opening Canada&amp;#39;s newest lift-access bike park on June 21, 2025. This exciting development isn&amp;#39;t just about summer thrills; it&amp;#39;s a significant step in establishing Rossland as a premier four-season outdoor destination.


Photo Credits: Ashley Voykin / Red Mountain Resort

Built in collaboration with the renowned trail designers at Gravity Logic, the new RED Mountain Bike Park promises an experience for every rider. From smooth, beginner-friendly green trails to exhilarating flowy descents and challenging technical features, the park is designed to offer progression and excitement for all skill levels. This multi-year project perfectly aligns with RED&amp;#39;s reputation for rugged authenticity and community focus.

&amp;quot;Whether you&amp;#39;re a local rider or visiting for the weekend, this is your chance to ride the next big thing in Canadian mountain biking,&amp;quot; says the team at RED. The park&amp;#39;s opening marks a significant expansion of RED&amp;#39;s offerings, building on its legendary winter reputation to provide year-round adventure.

Join the Grand Opening Celebration!

Media and the public are invited to the grand opening on June 21, 2025. The event will feature guided trail tours, demo rides, live music, prizes, local tastings, and opportunities to chat with RED&amp;#39;s leadership and the Gravity Logic team. It&amp;#39;s a fantastic opportunity to experience the new trails firsthand and celebrate this exciting addition to BC&amp;#39;s outdoor scene.

For more details on the new bike park and to plan your visit, check out www.redresort.com/bikepark/. Get ready to add Rossland to your list of must-visit destinations for both winter and summer adventures!
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-05-30 12:49:47</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/RED-Mountain-Unveils-Canadas-Newest-Lift-Access-Bike-Park</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/RED-Mountain-Unveils-Canadas-Newest-Lift-Access-Bike-Park</guid>
                    </item>
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            <title><![CDATA[Shifting Landscape: A Turbulent Year for Canadian Outdoor Retailers]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Canada&amp;#39;s outdoor retail sector is navigating a period of significant change in 2025, marked by the closure of a long-standing Alberta institution, a strategic consolidation by a national giant, and the return of a beloved brand to Canadian ownership.

The year has presented both challenges and opportunities for retailers catering to backcountry enthusiasts across the country. Economic pressures and evolving consumer habits continue to reshape the market, leading to notable shifts among key players.

Breathe Outdoors Winds Down After Six Decades

In a move that signals the ongoing difficulties faced by some independent retailers, Breathe Outdoors, formerly known to many Albertans as Camper&amp;#39;s Village, announced it would be winding down its operations. The company, which has a history stretching back to 1921, cited persistent challenges within both the broader retail environment and the outdoor industry specifically as the driving forces behind the difficult decision to cease operations.

The closure is being phased throughout the year, with the South Edmonton location having closed on April 30th, the West Edmonton store scheduled to close its doors on May 31st, and the Calgary location expected to follow suit in September 2025. The company&amp;#39;s online store is also anticipated to conclude sales by mid-June. The wind-down impacts 73 employees across the Alberta locations.

Canadian Tire Consolidates Atmosphere Stores

Adding to the shifts in the market, Canadian Tire Corporation is undertaking a significant restructuring of its SportChek and Atmosphere banners. As part of its new four-year &amp;quot;True North&amp;quot; growth strategy, the company is closing 17 standalone Atmosphere stores. The plan involves relocating 14 of these locations, integrating them into larger SportChek stores to create combined retail footprints.

This move is aimed at optimizing the SportChek portfolio and streamlining operations. While involving initial restructuring costs, Canadian Tire anticipates that this consolidation will lead to increased efficiencies and contribute to long-term operating expense savings as part of its broader strategy to enhance profitability and competitiveness in the evolving retail landscape.

MEC Returns to Canadian Ownership

Amidst the closures and consolidations, a positive development emerged for one of Canada&amp;#39;s most recognizable outdoor brands. Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) was recently acquired by a group of private Canadian investors led by textile entrepreneur Tim Gu. This acquisition marks a return to majority Canadian ownership for MEC, which had been under the ownership of a U.S. private equity firm since 2020.

Tim Gu expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, &amp;quot;MEC represents the best of Canadian spirit &amp;mdash; adventure, resilience, and community. As a lifelong believer in Canadian manufacturing and innovation, I&amp;rsquo;m proud to join MEC&amp;rsquo;s journey. Together, we&amp;rsquo;ll strengthen its foundation, expand its reach, and ensure that MEC remains an essential part of Canada&amp;rsquo;s outdoor culture for generations to come.&amp;rdquo; The new ownership group also includes MEC&amp;#39;s current Chief Executive Officer, Peter Hlynsky, and Chief Merchandising Officer Chris Speyer, signalling a commitment to the brand&amp;#39;s future direction. The new owners have indicated plans to reinvest in the business and explore bringing some MEC Label manufacturing back to Canada, a move that resonates with consumers increasingly interested in domestically produced goods.

The activity among these major players underscores the dynamic nature of the Canadian outdoor retail market this year. While some businesses face headwinds requiring difficult decisions like closures and restructuring, others are finding opportunities for renewed investment and a focus on strengthening their connection with Canadian consumers and values. The sector continues to adapt to economic conditions and changing consumer preferences, setting the stage for further evolution in the years ahead.]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-05-18 11:44:14</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Shifting-Landscape-A-Turbulent-Year-for-Canadian-Outdoor-Retailers</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Shifting-Landscape-A-Turbulent-Year-for-Canadian-Outdoor-Retailers</guid>
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            <title><![CDATA[Trip Report: Bugaboo to Rogers Pass Ski Traverse]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[The Bugaboo to Rogers Pass Ski Traverse is considered to be one of the &amp;lsquo;Grand Traverses&amp;rsquo; and quite possibly the most popular given its modest length of 130+ kilometres and 30,000 feet of elevation gain. As the name suggests, the traverse runs from Bugaboo Provincial Park in the south to Rogers Pass in the North, spanning the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains in the process. Most parties complete the traverse in 8-10 days with at least one food cache to resupply midway. The route is very demanding and requires glacier travel skills, route finding and the ability to navigate avalanche terrain. First pioneered in 1958 by Americans Bill Briggs, Bob French, Sterling Neale, and Barry Corbet, the Bugs to Rogers Traverse has become a staple on any would-be ski guide&amp;#39;s resume and skilled weekend warrior&amp;rsquo;s wish list.



Burying food caches on the flight into Appleby.

The first crux of the trip, high above our small tent at the bottom of the photo.

Having had the Bugs to Rogers Traverse on my &amp;lsquo;to-do list&amp;rsquo; for several years, I immediately said &amp;ldquo;yes&amp;rdquo; when a group of friends mentioned they were interested in tackling it. The plan was to complete the traverse in eight days (weather dependent) with a contingency for nine or ten days if needed. To facilitate a more enjoyable trip, we would drop two food caches along the heli flight to Applebee Camp in Bugaboo Provincial Park. To do this, we chose to hire Alpine Helicopter out of Golden, which has a Park Use Permit or PUP which is required to land in the park. Our first food cache would be after three days on the traverse at the headwaters of the Vermont Creek, under the shadow of Azurite Mountain. The second food cache would be located another two days along the route on the high west ridge of Silent Mountain before descending into the Beaver Valley. This second cache location was strategically placed to provide an option of traversing down the Beaver Valley towards the Beaver Outlook should the weather not cooperate to head directly into the Battle Range of the Selkirks.

It&amp;#39;s not all &amp;#39;up&amp;#39; on the traverse, there was some really great north face skiing and of course, white out visibility.



The Bugs to Rogers traverse is a challenging ski mountaineering adventure, and you will need to have your glacier travel, crevasse rescue and white-out navigation dialled. The weather plays a big part in the exact route you will take, as some days you are forced down low into the trees to forego a high mountain pass. While not ideal (and definitely not easier), decisions like this have to be made on the fly as avalanche danger increases from snow loading or solar inputs. We were forced to take the low route on two occasions. The first was the Bobby Burn drainage, since we arrived too late in the day to summit Malachite Col, and again in the Beaver Valley, where a persistent slab was still lingering in the Battle Range. It&amp;rsquo;s important not to have &amp;lsquo;must-do&amp;rsquo; objectives but to remain flexible and make wise group decisions in order to be able to keep moving and pick the safest line to get you where you need to go.

Our Mega Snow Tent was home for the week.


The views abound when we make time to enjoy them.


Mandatory creek crossings and boot packs.


With the variation of the Bugs to Rogers traverse that we completed, we ended up covering a distance of 141.13km with an elevation gain of 8,345m / 27,378ft over the course of seven days. While we had planned on the traverse taking eight days, the weather came into effect on day six, and in order to beat a wet storm rolling in, we combined day six with the mileage of day seven to come out a day early.

Big terrain requires sharp skills and educated decision-making daily.

&amp;nbsp;

Here&amp;rsquo;s a recap of each day&amp;rsquo;s stats and a map of exactly where we went and some thoughts as to why:

Day One:
Distance: 10.56km
Elevation Gain: 606m / 1,988ft
Duration: 5:56 hours
Details can be found here.

The first day of the traverse saw us pinned down under Bugaboo Spire thanks to a storm that had rolled in overnight and dumped 10-15cm of new snow. The first crux of the trip and arguably one of the most difficult in less than ideal avalanche conditions is climbing up to the Bugaboo Snowpatch Col. While you can go around Snowpatch Spire to get onto the Vowell Glacier we opted to wait and see and as luck would have it another group arrived and decided to put in the skin track for us by midday. While still not ideal, we were more comfortable knowing that the slope had been climbed without sliding. Once on the Vowell Glacier, we climbed up to Bill&amp;#39;s Pass, which proved challenging to find in near white-out conditions. Thankfully, GPS led us in the right direction, and we could get momentary glimpses of any overhead danger or exposure underfoot. Due to a late start and challenging travel conditions (snow, wind and poor visibility), we decided to camp on the massive Conrad Icefield at over 9,000ft just short of our first day&amp;#39;s goal. We dug in camp and made the best of it, trying to stay warm with temps plummeting to -16 overnight.




Day Two:
Distance: 24.86km
Elevation Gain: 833m / 2,732ft
Duration: 10:05 hours
Details can be found here.

Day two started sunny but very cold and windy which made it feel like mid-winter up high. We traversed the never-ending Conrad Icefield and went up and over Thorington Pass. We felt it was too late in the day to summit Climax Col, given the sun&amp;rsquo;s effect on the stability of the snow on such a steep slope. Rather than camp in place and wait for the cold of morning to re-stabilize the snow, we voted to keep moving and made the call to go low into Crystalline Creek, where we camped in the valley bottom below Snowman Lake. This provided a much-needed warmer night&amp;#39;s sleep, complete with fresh water from the creek.




Day Three:
Distance: 19.5km
Elevation Gain: 1,670m / 5,479ft
Duration: 9:48 hours
Details can be found here.

Day three proved to be a more typical spring day with sunshine and warmer temps, which brought along isotherms snow, and sunburns all around. We climbed out of the forest relatively quickly and had to surmount a waterfall with boot crampons before we could don skis again to climb two passes north of Snowman Pass. We then skied down and then back up onto Syncline Mountain, where we had one of our longest ski descents of over 2,000ft with some of the best north-facing snow of the trip. Once we reached Vermont Creek, we found our first food cache and were resupplied with white gas, snacks, fresh socks and food. Thanks to two bigger days we were now back on schedule and we quickly set up camp and burnt our food cache boxes (and collected the screws in order to carry them out with us).




Day Four:
Distance: 24.45km
Elevation Gain: 1,833m / 6,013ft
Duration: 10:46 hours
Details can be found here.

Day four would turn out to be one of our biggest days, and see us once again being forced to ski down to the valley bottom to avoid the avalanche risk on steep south-facing slopes that had rapidly warmed with the full sun and warm temps. The morning started with a long side hill traverse to Syphax Col, where we had to boot pack with crampons up to a small summit in order to be able to ski down to Malachite Creek. With Malachite Col out of the question unless we stopped for the day and camped overnight, which would put us behind schedule again, we decided to climb to Carbonite Col just west of Carbonate Mountain. Just shy of the Col, a CMH Helicopter landed above us, and a Helii-ski guide skied over to us to offer us some freshly baked cookies. This incredible gesture put some much-needed gas in the tank so we could keep pushing towards our goal of the Kingsbury Cabin. Once over Carbonite Col, we skied down to an old mining road which took us to Carbonate Creek and ultimately over to Bobbie Burns Creek. From here it was a long and challenging slog through the forest to Kingsbury Cabin, which was fully booked, so we again pitched the Black Diamond Mega Snow, prepared dinner and were in bed by 8:00 pm, exhausted.




Day Five:
Distance: 21.66km
Elevation Gain: 961m / 3,153ft
Duration: 9:21 hours
Details can be found here.

We woke to high winds in the alpine, so we took shelter in the Kingsbury Cabin for a few hours after the previous group had left. We warmed up, dried out our gear and then packed up and continued on our way. Some challenging visibility meant route finding was not easy, and the entrance to the Spillamacheen Glacier was more difficult to find than it should have been. Once over the glacier, we went through Silent Pass and skied down to Silent Lake and then up to the West shoulder of Silent Mountain, where we found our second and final food cache of the trip. Since we could not burn the cache boxes up high, we decided to dismantle them and carry them down into the Beaver Valley. Rather than ski fall line, we contoured as far down the valley as we could in order to put ourselves in the best possible position for going up to the Beaver Valley Overlook the next morning. We previously had a group discussion and felt that ascending into the Battle Range was not a safe option due to a lingering, persistent weak layer and that this workaround would prove safer.


Food cache box bonfire to pass the time. 

Day Six:
Distance: 6.74km
Elevation Gain: 431m / 1,414ft
Duration: 4:16 hours
Details can be found here.

With high hopes of a relatively short day and camping on the Deville Neve that evening, we got up at 4:30 am, broke camp and tried to beat the sun before it warmed up the 3,000ft south face we needed to climb in order to get onto the Deville Neve. Sadly, when we arrived at 10:30 am, the snow was isothermal and too dangerous to climb, so we decided to make camp and take a well-deserved rest day in the sunshine and build up our energy for an early start to summit the steep south face of the Beaver Overlook.




Day Seven:
Distance: 33.36km
Elevation Gain: 2,008m / 6,588ft
Duration: 14:38 hours
Details can be found here.

With an early start and no breakfast, we were on the move by 5:00 am and at the Beaver Outlook before the sun hit the snowy south slopes. We roped up and crossed the Deville Neve with ease, thanks to our quick and methodical pace. We arrived at the Deville Headwall and unwittingly bypassed the first rappel station and simply belayed into the second set of anchors. We had an uneventful rappel down the Deville Headwall and skied down to the moraine, where we had to skin up to the Glacier Circle Cabin. Given that the weather was moving in and temps were going to soar, we decided to keep moving in order to avoid a wet slog across the Illecillewaet Neve the next day. So, we pushed on adding another 3,000ft climb to our day. The climb out of Glacier Circle is very steep and puts you under the overhead hazard of the Witch Tower. Since this is not an ideal combination, we decided to wait until the snow had some time to cool in the shade of the waning sun. Because the Katabatic winds had begun to pick up as the day wore on, we felt comfortable that the snow would be firm enough to ascend with limited danger, so we pressed on. Once on the Illecillewaet Neve, we witnessed a large snow sluff/avalanche off of the Witch Tower, but luckily, we were out of harm&amp;#39;s way by the time it came down. We crossed the Illecillewaet Neve with the same determination as the Deville, but this time the light was fading, so our pace was a little more hurried. On the ski down Glacier Crest, we were treated to refrozen breakable crust but eventually made it to Roger Pass and the Trans Canada highway, where we had to now flag down a ride to rendezvous with our car back in Golden.


After seven days, 141.13km and 8,345m / 27,378ft of gain, we had made it to Rogers Pass and completed the traverse. While we were happy to have made it, the late hour, hunger in our bellies and complete exhaustion after fourteen hours on the move made the celebrations brief. Instead, we focused on the tasks at hand: get the car, get some food, find a hotel, have a shower and sleep.

Mandatory rappels into Glacier Circle to keep things interesting.

The contrast of the Illecillewaet Neve and the run out of the Deville Headwall.



Here is a list of some gear that I took on the Bugaboo to Rogers Pass Ski Traverse that made a huge difference to my comfort and ultimate success completing it.

Black Diamond Mega Snow 4P Tent
No ski traverse is complete without the Mega Snow 4 Person Tent from Black Diamond. This burly single-wall 4-season shelter is ideal for four people or to be used as a cook tent. It has perimeter snow valences to seal the tent&amp;#39;s edges from blowing snow, and by digging the platform down into the snow, it substantially increases the usable internal space. A built-in venting system allows moisture and vapour to escape without opening the door. A carbon fibre centre pole is included to allow for quick and easy set-up, but we simply used our ski poles strapped together to save even more weight. Light, roomy and super compact means that the Mega Snow 4P Tent is the only real option for a ski traverse of this length, as it will save on weight and valuable pack space for a group of four.

Price: $559.95 / $499.95US
Area: 7.29m2 / 78sq ft
Average Packed Weight: 1650g / 3lb 10oz&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;
Capacity: 4
Dimensions:&amp;nbsp; 270 x 270 x 270 165cm / 106 x 106 x 106 x 17in
Packed Size: 37 x 15cm / 15 x 6in&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;
Weight: 1650g / 3lb 6oz

&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
Gregory Paragon 70L Pack
My pack of choice for the traverse was the Paragon 70L from Gregory. It is lighter than most 70L packs yet still has all the features I was looking for and enough room to carry all my gear plus food. The full-length zippered side access panel made digging deep into the pack easy to retrieve any items I needed, and it was able to carry skis A-frame with ease. The pack fit super well and carried my 35-40lb load without issue, thanks to the adjustable back panel and hip belt, which Gregory calls their &amp;ldquo;FreeFloat Hybrid Suspension&amp;rdquo; system. The mesh back panel breathed well and provided adequate airflow to keep me cool on those hot sunny days. The mesh stuff pocket on the front side was ideal for stowing my water bottle and shell while the hip belt pockets were where I stashed items I needed close at hand, like sunscreen, lip balm, snacks and buff. While not a ski mountaineering-specific pack, the Paragon 70L was ideal for this adventure, it&amp;rsquo;s a Gregory after all, and they make the best packs in my opinion.

Price: $399.95CAN / $289.95US
Weight: 3.80lbs
Volume: 70L
Max Carry Weight: 50lbs


Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad and Air Head Down Pillow
The Bugs to Rogers Traverse requires that you winter camp most nights, as there are only two cabins and one shelter along the route. Since your schedule will not always line up with your expectations, it is advisable to carry a very light and warm sleeping pad. This is why I chose the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT mat. It has an R-value of 7.3 and weighs only 570g or 1lb 4oz, so it is one of the warmest mats on the market for its weight. Therm-A-rest&amp;rsquo;s Triangular Core Matrix construction and ThermaCapture technology are what&amp;rsquo;s behind the mat&amp;#39;s impressive warmth-to-weight ratio. At 7.6cm / 3in thick, the NeoAir XTherm is incredibly comfortable without being noisy, and the patented WingLock Valve provides fast one-way inflation and rapid deflation along with the ability to micro-adjust the amount of air in the mat for the perfect night&amp;rsquo;s sleep. The ideal companion to the NeoAir XTherm Mat is Therm-A-Rest&amp;rsquo;s Air Head Down Pillow&amp;mdash;like the NeoAir XTherm Mat, it is light, comfortable and keeps you off the snow and warm no matter how cold it gets.

Price: $324.95CAN / $239.95
R-Value: 7.3
Weight: 570g / 1lb 4oz
Width: 64cm /&amp;nbsp; 25in
Length: 196cm / 77in
Thickness: 7.6cm / 3in
Packed Dimensions: 28 x 13cm / 11 x 5in


Backpackers Pantry
Even with two food caches along the route, you will still want to have food that is light and easy to make, and this is why our entire team took freeze-dried meals from Backpackers Pantry. The company has been family-owned since 1951, and all of its products are made in the USA&amp;mdash;they also give 1% back to the planet. The options include breakfast, entrees and desserts, all made with quality ingredients that taste great. The dinners I chose had high amounts of protein and calories, which are needed on such a high-endurance adventure. My personal favourites are Pad Thai with Chicken, Lasagna and Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken. Boil water, add to the pouch, wait and then feast!

Prices: $14.25 - $18.50CAN / $9.99-$12.99US
Flavours: Several for dinner, dessert and breakfast




PACT Outdoors
One of the most innovative items that we took on the traverse had to be the Body and Bathroom Wipes from PACT Outdoors. These wipes are dehydrated and compressed to save weight and space, and with just a small amount of water, they are rehydrated and ready to use once unfolded. The Body Wipes unfold into a 12&amp;rdquo; towel that is capable of cleaning dirt and sweat, while the Bathroom Wipes unfold into a 9&amp;rdquo; towel and provide the cleaning power of a traditional wet wipe. They are both made of 100% woven plant-based material which is free of harmful chemicals often found in toilet paper and conventional wipes, including plastics, fragrances, chlorine, alcohol, and PFAS (or forever chemicals). This means they are better for your body and the environment, and they will decompose 100% in 95 days. Why pack rolls and rolls of bulky toilet paper when ultra-compact and dehydrated PACT Outdoors wipes are far superior.

Price:
PACT Body Wipes (25-pack) $20CAN / $15US
PACT Bathroom Wipes (100-pack) $27CAN / $20US


Salomon MTN 96 Carbon Skis &amp;amp; MNT Summit 12 Bindings
On the Bugs to Rogers Traverse, you&amp;rsquo;ll be climbing 99% of the time and only briefly skiing, so a narrower ski is recommended for less weight and energy output. With this in mind, I chose the Salomon MTN 96 Carbon Skis mounted with their Summit 12 Bindings. This made for a ski setup weighing only 3,990 for the pair&amp;mdash;impressively light yet high-performing.

The MTN 96 Carbon Skis are, of course, made with a Sandwich Sidewall construction which includes a full Karuba wood core, Cork damplifier and of course Carbon Basalt Fibre. There is also an edge-to-edge titanal insert underfoot, running throughout the ski, for maximal power and increased hard snow edging. This plate also allows for Salomon&amp;rsquo;s Summit 12 Bindings wide screw pattern which has patented toe guiding elements allowing for the correct toe position to facilitate easy step-in. In the heel, there are two climbing aids which are easy to engage with your pole, but there is no need to turn the heel piece to engage them, saving time and energy. There is, of course, a crampon attachment point which is mandatory for this traverse. This setup is ideal for ski touring, light for the climb but engineered for challenging and aggressive downhills as well.

Salomon MTN 96 Carbon Skis
Price: $899.95CAN / $799.95
Price: $699.95CAN / $599.95US
Dimensions: 117/96/131
Weight: 3160g / 6.9lb (per pair)
Turn Radius: 20m

Salomon MTN Summit 12 Bindings
Weight: 830g / 1.8lb (pair)
Release value: 6-12




Salomon S/LAB MTN SUMMIT Boots
A light ski boot is ideal for the Bugs to Rogers Traverse, but you want to be sure that you don&amp;rsquo;t give up any performance for weight savings and this is why I chose to wear Salomon&amp;rsquo;s S/LAB MTN SUMMIT Boots. They use an ultra-light Ultramid polyamide cuff with a Custom Shell HD that allows for heat and modified lower shell boot fitting, while the fibreglass spine combines to provide a rigid, light, yet solid performance. A waterproof gaiter makes for a lighter boot with a 75&amp;deg; range of motion, while the built-in BOA Fit System delivers a micro-adjustable customized fit. Inside the S/LAB MTN SUMMIT Boots, you&amp;rsquo;ll find Custom Fit Tour light liners made with Ultralon foam construction for more precision, lightness and a snugger fit. With only the BOA Fit System and a 70 mm wide Dual Powerstrap, you are able to get a very snug fit while keeping the entire boot weighing under 2.4kg/5.25 lbs. Salomon has perfected the balance between lightweight and performance with the S/LAB MTN SUMMIT Boots, making them ideal traverse boots that you can count on over the long haul.

To round out this Salomon Kit, you may also want to consider the MTN Carbon S3 Poles. They adhere to Salomon&amp;rsquo;s light and fast ethos and are made from 100% Carbon. Weighing in at just 249 rams for the pair, they still offer up a good amount of adjustability from 100-135cm in length.

Price: $899.95CAN /
Sizes: 22/22.5-30/30.5
Weight: 2360g / 5.2lbs (per pair)
Flex: 120




The North Face Inferno -40C/-40F Sleeping Bag
Although most people attempt the Bugs to Rogers Traverse in April, it is still full-on winter up high, and a super warm sleeping bag is a must. I chose The North Face Inferno because it&amp;#39;s The North Face&amp;rsquo;s warmest expedition bag and uses 800 fill-power hydrophobic ProDown. This is crucial as a wet bag is a cold bag, and with hydrophobic ProDown, you can rest assured that you&amp;rsquo;ll always stay warm since it absorbs less water, dries faster and retains loft better than conventional down. The North Face also only uses ethically sourced&amp;nbsp; Goose Down that meets the Responsible Down Standard for animal welfare. I initially wanted the -29C/-20F, but it was out of stock, so I went with the -40C/-40F version, as you can never be too warm. The North Face maximizes thermal efficiency by using trapezoidal side baffles to prevent cold spots and prevent down migration. It has a &amp;frac12; length zip, a fitted hood and a multilayer draft collar to help reduce the escape of warm air.

A good night&amp;#39;s sleep is mandatory to replenish your energy on such a long adventure, so be sure not to cut any corners when it comes to your sleeping bag and entire sleep system.

Features:
800 fill-power hydrophobic ProDown&amp;trade; that absorbs less water, dries faster and retains loft better than conventional down.
Goose Down is ethically sourced and meets the Responsible Down Standard for animal welfare.
A generous profile gives you room to layer.
Trapezoidal side baffles prevent cold spots.
The fitted hood hugs the head and neck, so there&amp;rsquo;s nowhere for cold air to pool.
Full draft collar and hood overlap to prevent heat loss.
The hood can be adjusted on either side.
Internal insulated pocket.
Vaulted footbox.
Waterproof And Breathable Neovent Air&amp;trade; Fabric Helps Protect The Head And Footbox.
&amp;frac12; length centre zip.
Roomy vaulted foot box.
Tie-down loops to secure your pad to your sleeping bag.
Includes a compression stuff sack and a home storage bag.

Materials:
Insulation: 800 Fill Prodown&amp;trade;; Responsible Down Standard (Rds) Certified By Control Union, Cu 843098
Lining: 30D Nylon Taffeta
Main Body: 15D Recycled Nylon Coated With Aluminized Xreflex&amp;trade; Treatment
Head And Footbox: 15D Recycled Nylon Ripstop With Breathable Coating

Price: $989CAN / $830US
Weight: 1667g / 3lbs 11oz(Long)
Temperature: -40&amp;deg;C
Insulation: 800 fill-power water-repellent goose down
Technology: DryVent
Construction: Sewn-through, Baffle
Face fabric: 15-denier ripstop nylon, 15-denier nylon
Lining/backer: 30-denier nylon
Packed size: 31 x 56cm




ZEAL Optics Westwater Sunglasses
ZEAL Optics&amp;rsquo; new polarized Westwater Sunglasses are designed for paddling, ski touring and glacier travel thanks to their 8-base curvature design, which provides great protection and coverage from the elements. Attach the slide-on ventilated side panels, and you can instantly convert the Westwater Sunglasses into functional, fog-free glacier glasses. These removable side panels are ideal for keeping snow from blowing into the lenses&amp;mdash;slide off the side panels and you have a stylish pair of frames for around town all summer long. The photochromic lenses, or what Zeal calls their &amp;lsquo;AutoSun Lenses which adjust to the ever-changing mountain light conditions while their polarized properties are ideal for paddling and fishing. With non-slip ProFlex material in the temples and nose bridge, the Westwater Sunglasses will stay put no matter the adventure.

The Westwater Sunglasses use ZEAL&amp;rsquo;s plant-based Z-Resin frames, which are made with a minimum of 45% bio-resin, which is good for the planet and even better should you unfortunately lose them in the wild. With their stylish look and technical attributes, the Westwater Sunglasses can be worn in the mountains and around town.

Features:
Polarized
Profile
RX Ready
Impact Resistant
Ellume Colour filtration
Z-Resin Bio-Plastic Frame
Pin Hinge
Scratch-resistant hardcoat

SPECS
Price: $259CAN / $229US
Colours: Matte Black/Horizon Blue lenses, Matte Brown/Auto Sun Lenses, Matte Grey/Dark Grey




 Crossing the Illecillewaet Neve as the light fades and the adventure winds to a close, but not before having to ski breakable crust most of the way down to the Trans Canada Highway. The Bugs to Rogers Traverse is a challenge from the first day to the last.

&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-04-28 13:42:01</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Bugs-to-Rogers-Ski-Traverse</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Yukon&#039;s First Female Ski Guide Breanne Johnson]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[It&amp;rsquo;s the story of the Yukon&amp;rsquo;s only female ski guide&amp;mdash;Breanne Johnson&amp;mdash;who graduated from the ACMG X Helly Hansen Mentorship Program earlier this year in pursuit of the internationally revered ACMG ski guide badge.&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
Breanne is a full-time biological technician for Yukon Fish and Wildlife by trade, but spends her &amp;ldquo;down-days&amp;rdquo; guiding tours in the Yukon&amp;#39;s harshest winter wilderness. To most people, maintaining a second career amid the rigors of guide-life seems impossible. To Breanne, it&amp;rsquo;s a means to pursue her deepest passion. As the first and only female ski guide in the Yukon, she&amp;#39;s encouraging more women to follow in her tracks.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;

Read the full article HERE.

]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-03-20 12:31:12</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Yukon-First-Female-Ski-Guide-Breanne-Johnson</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Yukon-First-Female-Ski-Guide-Breanne-Johnson</guid>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Black Diamond Recalls Recon LT Avalanche Transceiver]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[SALT LAKE CITY, UT &amp;ndash; Black Diamond Equipment&amp;reg;, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, is recalling the Black Diamond Recon LT avalanche transceiver and related avalanche safety sets due to a corrosion issue that may cause it to malfunction. Recon LT owners can have their transceiver repaired, exchanged for a different model, or refunded.&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
In some cases, the metal contact of the Recon LT&amp;rsquo;s switch mechanism may corrode. If this occurs, the device could malfunction or turn off, potentially hindering avalanche rescue efforts and increasing the risk of serious injury or death. Consumers who own the Black Diamond Recon LT should immediately stop using it and follow the recall procedures. &amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
To date, Black Diamond has received six consumer reports related to this issue, with no injuries, accidents, or fatalities. Black Diamond is committed to addressing this matter swiftly and proactively.&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
Affected products include:&amp;nbsp;
&amp;bull;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;BD Recon LT Beacon
&amp;bull;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;BD Alpine Avy Safety Set&amp;nbsp;
&amp;bull;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;BD Recon LT Avy Safety Set
For additional information and to initiate the recall process, please click Learn More below.
&amp;nbsp;
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and we apologize for the inconvenience caused by this recall.
&amp;nbsp;
LEARN MORE&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-02-15 06:36:52</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Black-Diamond-Recalls-Recon-LT-Avalanche-Transceiver</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Black-Diamond-Recalls-Recon-LT-Avalanche-Transceiver</guid>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Rocky Talkie 2025 Search &amp; Rescue Awards]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Rocky Talkie will be awarding over $100,000 to SAR teams through their annual Search and Rescue Award. They are accepting applications through to February 28, 2025.

Now in its sixth year, the SAR Awards initiative underscores Rocky Talkie&amp;rsquo;s ongoing commitment to supporting volunteer rescue teams, who play a vital role in outdoor safety. Since its founding in 2019, Rocky Talkie has pledged $2 per radio sold to support SAR teams, with the first official award granted in 2020. To date, the program has provided over $156,000 in grants, helping SAR teams to acquire essential equipment, invest in advanced training and expand their capabilities in the field.

&amp;ldquo;Search and Rescue teams are the unsung heroes of outdoor adventure,&amp;rdquo; said Bryce Jones, co-founder of Rocky Talkie. &amp;ldquo;Their dedication and expertise make the backcountry safer for everyone, and we&amp;rsquo;re proud to support their lifesaving work through this program. The SAR Awards is our way of giving back to the community and ensuring these teams have the tools they need to succeed.&amp;rdquo;

For the 2025 grant cycle, Rocky Talkie will award multiple grants across three funding levels:

	$5,000 Grants
	$10,000 Grants
	$25,000 Grants

SAR teams can select the grant level that best aligns with their financial needs when applying. Winners will be selected by a dedicated Selection Committee, ensuring funding reaches teams that will benefit most from additional resources.

How to Apply
The SAR Awards are open to all Search &amp;amp; Rescue teams operating as a non-profit or in partnership with a non-profit that accepts grants or donations to support the SAR team, in the United States or Canada. Applications must be submitted by February 28, 2025. To learn more and apply, visit rockytalkie.com/pages/sar-award.&amp;nbsp;

Rocky Talkie&amp;rsquo;s Mountain Radio was chosen as part of our Best New Accessories Gear of 2024 &amp;ndash; You can read the review Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio - Best Summer Gear here.]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-02-12 10:56:05</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Rocky-Talkie-2025-Search-&amp;-Rescue-Awards</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Rocky-Talkie-2025-Search-&amp;-Rescue-Awards</guid>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Regaining Joy From the Mountains]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Helly Hansen Presents a short film by Nat Segal, &amp;#39;Mountain Joy: A Film about Pain&amp;#39;.&amp;nbsp;&amp;ldquo;The mountains bring us so much joy but what happens when movement in them brings you pain?&amp;rdquo; is the question Nat Segal asks.&amp;nbsp;

We had a chance to ask Nat about what inspired her to make this film and a few other questions that the film brings up. It is refreshing to see a number of films this season that are based on some of the challenges different skiers face, not just the Warren Milleresq glam or Red Bull adrenaline&amp;nbsp;side of skiing.

Read the Interview and see the full film HERE.

]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-01-09 19:22:28</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Regaining-Joy-From-Mountains</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Regaining-Joy-From-Mountains</guid>
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            <title><![CDATA[A short conditions update from the Powder Highway Region]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Backcountry Conditions Report

A short conditions update from the Powder Highway Region]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-01-04 07:15:37</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Backcountry%20Conditions%20Report</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Backcountry%20Conditions%20Report</guid>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Powder Highway Backcountry Conditions]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Here&amp;#39;s a quick snowpack update for the Powder Highway region.]]></description>
            <pubDate>2024-12-21 06:06:43</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Powder%20Highway%20Backcountry%20Conditions</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Powder%20Highway%20Backcountry%20Conditions</guid>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Turtle Fur Challenges You to “Step Outside Your Shell”]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Turtle Fur Challenges You to &amp;ldquo;Step Outside Your Shell&amp;rdquo; with New Campaign&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
The campaign features a Winter Adventure Kit Giveaway, Step Outside Your Shell Scholarship, and nonprofit partnerships
&amp;nbsp;
Morrisville, Vt. (Dec. 11, 2024) &amp;ndash; In support of its new brand platform, &amp;ldquo;Step Outside Your Shell&amp;rdquo;, outdoor headwear and accessories brand Turtle Fur has launched an interactive campaign to demonstrate how personal growth is tied to stepping out of your comfort zone. The campaign will elevate the voices of those who have gained new life perspectives by stepping into the unknown, and support others in challenging their limitations.
&amp;nbsp;





&amp;ldquo;To step outside your shell requires courage and moxie: to work through the fear, the doubt, the apprehension, and get to the joy and transformative benefit on the other side,&amp;rdquo; explains Erika Canfield, Vice President of Marketing at Turtle Fur. &amp;ldquo;That human journey is the same for everyone whether you&amp;#39;re a seasoned skier hucking your first cliff, or a city-dweller hiking for the first time. Our Step Outside Your Shell platform and campaign celebrates this, and we hope it inspires more people to step outside their shells.&amp;rdquo;&amp;nbsp;

Turtle Fur partnered with Seattle-based creative agency OkayBro to shape the campaign&amp;rsquo;s bold vision. With the creative talents of Producer Kesshann Cortez and Director Giovanni Reda, the campaign developed into a powerful visual story celebrating the transformative power of embracing new experiences.

As part of the campaign, Turtle Fur will also collaborate with longtime partners Vermont Adaptive and Share Winter Foundation, which embody the mentality of Step Outside Your Shell by making outdoor adventure more widely accessible. Turtle Fur will highlight the programming, participants, volunteers, and staff behind each organization throughout the campaign.&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
The campaign also includes a Winter Adventure Kit Giveaway to equip one lucky winner with the tools they need to feel comfortable enough in their body and environment to try something new in pursuit of personal growth. Turtle Fur is also hosting a scholarship, awarding $5,000 to one lucky winner. The winner will be selected based on their essay submission detailing how they would use the award to step outside their shell and overcome personal obstacles.
&amp;nbsp;
The Winter Adventure Kit Giveaway runs from December 11 through December 22 on Turtle Fur&amp;rsquo;s website, www.turtlefur.com, with a winner selected on December 23. Applications for the Step Outside Your Shell Scholarship will open in early 2025.

About Turtle Fur:&amp;nbsp;
Since 1982 Turtle Fur has been a leading headwear and accessories brand in the outdoor, snow sports, and lifestyle markets. Their mission is to create sustainable solutions for every body that feel great, in every element, built for a life lived outside. As a Certified B Corp&amp;trade;, Turtle Fur is committed to using business as a force for positive change. For more information, visit www.turtlefur.com and follow them on social media @turtlefur.&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
            <pubDate>2024-12-12 11:42:54</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Step-Outside-Your-Shell</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Step-Outside-Your-Shell</guid>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Central Kootenays Ski Conditions]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[

November went out like a lion--kind of. We had a fair bit of precipitation in November and it seemed like we were on the right track. Consistent storms, reasonable freezing levels made for a decent base. Right now, in the Central Kootenays, typical height of snow above 1700m ranges from 100-140cm. Rogers Pass is similar, though higher elevations have 2-2.4m of snow on the glaciers. HS is variable in the alpine and typically windy places are boney and scoured. For all the hype that the ski industry has been making about La Ni&amp;ntilde;a, we are just barely ahead of last year. &amp;nbsp;Read the full article here







]]></description>
            <pubDate>2024-12-06 07:15:39</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Central%20Kootenays%20Ski%20Conditions</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Central%20Kootenays%20Ski%20Conditions</guid>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[G3 Back]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[G3 Back just in time for the ski season. An announcement on G3&amp;#39;s website indicates they have been purchased by Canadawide Sports.&amp;nbsp;
News Release:&amp;nbsp;CLICK HERE
Canadawide Sports is a well established employee-owned distributor of sports and outdoor equipment and G3 will fit nicely in their portfolio. We can look forward to them resuming online orders within a few weeks and given Canadawide&amp;#39;s&amp;nbsp;established distrubution ability seeing G3 equipment available in retail outlets.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
            <pubDate>2024-11-23 05:54:22</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/G3-back</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/G3-back</guid>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Powder Highway Backcountry Conditions Report]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[We&amp;#39;ve started a weekly Powder Highway Backcountry Conditions Report.&amp;nbsp; Each week, we&amp;#39;ll discuss what&amp;#39;s going on in the Powder Highway Backcountry, from ski conditions to avalanche problems, check out the link above if you&amp;#39;re interested.]]></description>
            <pubDate>2024-11-22 08:27:23</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Powder%20Highway%20Backcountry%20Conditions%20Report</link>
            <guid>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Powder%20Highway%20Backcountry%20Conditions%20Report</guid>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Donate to Avalanche Canada and Win]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[This year Avalanche Canada is giving away a Grand Prize&amp;nbsp; of a 2025 BRP Ski-Doo Summit Adrenaline Edge 850 165 (approx. retail value CAD $20,039)!

The December 17th Early Bird prize is an&amp;nbsp;Ortovox&amp;nbsp;airbag AVABag Litric Tour 36 Short.

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All proceeds go to Avalanche Canada and the great work they do in monitoring over 300,000 square kilometres of mountain terrain.

Click here to buy tickets:&amp;nbsp;www.foundation.avalanche.ca/events]]></description>
            <pubDate>2024-11-21 06:31:02</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[Arc&#039;teryx Film Tour Ticket Giveaway Calgary]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[We are giving away 2 free tickets to the Calgary Nov 23 Show.

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            <pubDate>2024-11-20 07:53:28</pubDate>
            <link>/forum/bcs/category/general-talk/topic/Arc'teryx-Film-Tour-Ticket-Giveaway-Calgary</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Avalanche Forecasting 101]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Avalanche Forecasting 101



Avalanche forecasting is a fundamental part of backcountry skiing and splitboarding.&amp;nbsp; It is a skill every backcountry enthusiast should strive to develop.&amp;nbsp; Avalanche forecasting boils down to understanding how weather, the snowpack and terrain will interact.&amp;nbsp; Then you add the human element to it.&amp;nbsp; It&amp;rsquo;s really that simple. &amp;nbsp;



Of course in reality, the avalanche phenomenon is not that simple to forecast, due to spacial variability of the distribution of weak layers, the variability of the terrain on which the snowpack lies and how local weather differs from valley to valley in the mountains. &amp;nbsp; This article aims to lay out the key components of avalanche forecasting and how to incorporate them into a daily operational plan.



The Human Element

Avalanche forecasting is further complicated by the human element at risk.&amp;nbsp; We wouldn&amp;rsquo;t care about avalanches if we didn&amp;rsquo;t interact with them, but we do; thus our daily avalanche forecasts need to take the human element into account.&amp;nbsp; That is why the avalanche danger scale talks about the likelihood of human triggered avalanches.

https://avalanche.ca/glossary/terms/avalanche-danger-scale



The Building Blocks of an Avalanche Forecast

Certainty and Confidence
The interface of natural avalanche activity and the human factor is where certainty and confidence comes into play.&amp;nbsp; Clearly when there is a human element at risk, we need elevated levels of certainty and confidence in our avalanche forecast to choose to expose ourselves to avalanche terrain.

During periods of high avalanche hazard, we can also have high levels of certainty.&amp;nbsp; For example, there could be an omega block ridge of high pressure that persists for a couple of weeks, where a wide spread surface condition such as surface hoar at tree line and below and facets in the alpine develop.&amp;nbsp; Then a huge storm comes in and deposits over a meter of snow in a short period of time with lots of wind.&amp;nbsp; In that case, forecasters will have high levels of certainty/ confidence that stability will be poor and the avalanche hazard will be high.&amp;nbsp; In this case, it is possible to have a high level of certainty and confidence and still need to employ a conservative operational plan.&amp;nbsp;

Certainty relates to the forecaster&amp;rsquo;s level of confidence in their understanding of the relationship between weather, the snowpack and terrain.&amp;nbsp; For example, if you spent the entire winter skiing the same planar slope every day and you paid attention to the weather and snowpack, you would have a really good idea of what layers were present in the snowpack, how deep they were buried and how the weather was affecting them. Your level of certainty and confidence as to how they would behave would be quite high.&amp;nbsp; However if that same slope had gullies, micro changes in aspect, variations in pitch, thin to thick snowpack areas and there was a deep persistent weak layer, your level of certainty would be greatly reduced.&amp;nbsp;

Ultimately, the less confidence and certainty you have in your avalanche forecast, the greater margin of error you need to give yourself in your daily operational plan. &amp;nbsp;A case where you probably hear forecasters talk most about low confidence/ certainty is a Deep Persistent Slab.&amp;nbsp; Often times the probability of triggering a deep persistent slab is low, but the consequence of triggering it is high.&amp;nbsp; Therefore caution and conservative decision making must be employed. &amp;nbsp;
Click here for the full article and weekly Powder Highway Backcountry Conditions Reports
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            <pubDate>2024-10-30 10:22:47</pubDate>
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