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Reviews published since 2009 — updated every season
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Weekly Episode
Avalanche Conditions Report
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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Proprietary Content
BSC Guide Books & Maps
Researched and written by our team. Printed guides and georeferenced digital maps for Canada's best backcountry terrain.
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Printed guides + georeferenced digital maps — all authored by BSC
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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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Avalanche awareness saves lives
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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.
View Forecast →
240+ videos — gear reviews, conditions reports & backcountry edits
Winter Jackets, Apparel & Technical Layering Reviews
At Backcountry Skiing Canada, our team tests jackets, pants, baselayers, and accessories in the rugged terrain of the Canadian Rockies, Selkirks, Monashees, and beyond. We evaluate breathability, storm resistance, packability, durability, and fit to help you build an efficient, adaptable layering system. Explore our sub-categories below to find detailed field reviews and buying guides for every piece of your kit.
Backcountry Apparel Reviews
Hard Shell Jackets & Pants
Ultimate waterproof, windproof storm protection for harsh alpine environments.
When high winds, heavy snow, or freezing rain hit, a reliable hard shell is your primary shield against the elements. Our hard shell reviews cover fully waterproof/breathable jackets and bibs featuring GORE-TEX, Pertex Shield, electrospun membranes, and proprietary laminates. We analyze weight, durability, pit-vent efficiency, pocket layout with harness/pack compatibility, and packability to help you choose armor built for serious winter conditions.
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Soft Shell Jackets
Highly breathable, flexible outerwear designed for high-exertion touring days.
For cold, clear days or high-output skin tracks where breathability and movement are paramount, soft shells are the go-to choice for backcountry skiers. Soft shell garments offer maximum air permeability, four-way stretch comfort, and excellent wind/water resistance without the crinkle or stiffness of a hard membrane. Browse our reviews to find the best stretch-woven touring pants and weather-resistant soft shell jackets for active
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Insulated Jackets & Packable Puffy Coat Reviews
Essential warmth for summit transitions, emergency stops, and bitter cold days.
A trustworthy insulation layer is vital for regulating core temperature when you stop moving. Whether you prefer ultra-light, high-loft down for maximum packability in dry cold, or hydrophobic synthetic insulation (like PrimaLoft or Coreloft) for damp snow and moisture management, our reviews cover the top belay jackets, lightweight mid-weight puffies, and hybrid insulating layers designed to stash easily in your pack.
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Mid Layers & Active Fleece
Mid layers bridge the gap between your next-to-skin baselayer and your weather-protective outerwear. From breathable grid fleeces and active-insulation hoodies (such as Polartec Alpha or Octa) to hybrid wool mid layers, we break down the pieces that dump excess heat on the ascent while trapping essential core warmth when the temp drops. Discover top-rated mid layers built specifically for stop-and-go backcountry activity.
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Base Layers & Next-to-Skin Apparel
A great day in the backcountry begins next to your skin. Base layers are responsible for moving sweat away from your body before it cools down and causes chills. Our reviews compare pure Merino wool, synthetic polyester/nylon blends, and hybrid fabrics across lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight options. Find the ideal thermal tops, bottoms, and one-piece suits for odor resistance, drying speed, and all-day skin-track comfort.
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Beanies, Touques & Sun Protection
Temperature regulation often comes down to what’s on your head. Our headwear category covers lightweight, breathable caps and visors for hot spring skin tracks, wind-resistant headbands, thermal Merino beanies, and low-profile helmet-compatible balaclavas and neck gaiters. See our tested recommendations for keeping your face and ears protected from sun, wind, and bitter cold.
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Gloves & Mittens
Cold hands can quickly turn a great tour into a miserable experience. Backcountry skiing requires a multi-glove system: breathable lightweight spring/uphill gloves for managing skins and buckles, alongside heavy-duty waterproof leather or GORE-TEX insulated gloves/mittens for downhill laps and storm days. Explore our hands-on field tests for dexterity, warmth ratings, waterproofing durability, and seam strength.
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Ski Touring Socks
Prevent blisters, shin bang, and cold toes with high-performance ski touring socks. We review ultra-light to midweight Merino wool and synthetic sock options designed with targeted compression, seamless toe construction, and specialized cushioning around the shin and footbed. Find socks engineered to wick sweat during long kick turns while maintaining a precise fit inside tourable tech boots.
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