State of the Snowpack

State of the Snowpack Currently launched in Nelson, BC & coming to your BC town soon! And we’re brining it to you!

The State of the Snowpack is a free monthly speaker series, led by local snow science experts, who share as-local-as-it-gets analysis of what they are seeing in their local snowpacks. Our Purpose...

The State of the Snowpack connects our communities with local snow science experts who’ll break down what they are seeing in our local snowpacks. When we look at the winter we look at a narrative, a s

tory that plays out over time, with each weather event a different chapter in the story of our snowy season. Every time is snows or the wind blows or the sun beats down, that’s a different chapter and over time these chapters tell the story of our snowpack. Our Mission...

We strive to bridge the gap between Avalanche Canada’s Regional Avalanche Forecast and local knowledge shared in the InfoEx by guides and avalanche professions, providing free, as-local-as-it-gets snowpack analysis, in as clear & simple terms as possible. Our Dream...

Our dream is to decrease backcountry avalanche incidents, casualties and rescues through the sharing of detailed community-specific snowpack analysis, from our local guiding and forecasting communities, allowing our locals to make their most informed decisions, so we all make it home every night!

🚨 LAST DAY TO ENTER 🚨Today is your final chance to win a 2026 Polaris 850 RMK Khaos 155 and support backcountry public s...
03/31/2026

🚨 LAST DAY TO ENTER 🚨
Today is your final chance to win a 2026 Polaris 850 RMK Khaos 155 and support backcountry public safety across BC.

Huge thank you to Polaris for donating this sled and for their continued support of the backcountry community. Polaris has long been committed to rider safety, avalanche awareness, and training initiatives — values that closely align with the work we do at State of the Snowpack.
Every ticket sold helps us deliver free, community-based snowpack education, expand livestream access, and ensure more people can stay informed — wherever they are.

🏔 The Prize:
• 2026 Polaris 850 RMK Khaos 155
• Approx. retail value: $21,000 CAD
⏰ Ticket sales close TONIGHT (March 31)
🎉 Draw: April 4, 2026
📍 Eligibility: BC residents • 19+ • Pickup in Nelson, BC
👉 Get your tickets before it’s too late:
https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/sspss-snowmobile⁠�
Thank you for supporting safer, more connected backcountry communities — and thank you again to Polaris for making this possible.

Know your limit. Play within it.
Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-888-795-6111 | bcresponsiblegambling.ca
SledRaffle

Don't miss the SOTS Revelstoke Tonight. Join us in person or tune in for the livestream (YouTube or Facebook). Ben Yeage...
03/19/2026

Don't miss the SOTS Revelstoke Tonight. Join us in person or tune in for the livestream (YouTube or Facebook).

Ben Yeager will provide us with the current state of the snowpack update - with many regions experiencing high to extreme conditions, this is an update you don't want to miss.

Calling all sled heads - stick around for part two where Shena Thomas (CMBGA Guide) will present on "How Low Do We Go?" - As Persistent Weak Layers are buried deeper in the snowpack we are likely to see phrases such as low probability, high consequence. But what considerations go into this assessment?

See ya tonight!


Join us at The Central in Fernie for the final State of the Snowpack event of the season. 6:30 PM MST 🎥 Attend in person...
03/10/2026

Join us at The Central in Fernie for the final State of the Snowpack event of the season. 6:30 PM MST
🎥 Attend in person or watch via livestream

The Avalanche Canada South Rockies team will lead the evening, taking a look at the current state of the snowpack, what’s happened over the past four weeks, and how those trends are shaping conditions moving into spring skiing season.

They’ll also cover spring travel planning, including weather patterns, changing snowpack structure, and practical tips for making good decisions in the mountains as temperatures warm.

A big thank you to the Fernie community for continuing to show up, connect, and support these conversations throughout the season. We hope every event sparked a new idea, refreshed your mindset, or helped you learn something new.

Thank you as well to The Central for hosting and to all the presenters and volunteers who give their time to make SOTS possible.

As you head into spring:
• Always check avalanche.ca before heading out
• Keep submitting MIN reports
• Look out for one another in the mountains
Take care of each other, have fun out there, and come home safe.

Join us Tuesday, March 10 at evo Rentals in Whistler Village for the final State of the Snowpack Whistler event of the s...
03/09/2026

Join us Tuesday, March 10 at evo Rentals in Whistler Village for the final State of the Snowpack Whistler event of the season. Doors 7:00pm Presentaion:7:30 PM. Attend in person or tune in via livestream.

As we transition toward spring conditions in the Sea to Sky, this evening will focus on how warming temperatures impact the snowpack and what that means for backcountry travel and decision-making.

Presentations by

Jeff VanDriel
(Ministry of Transportation — Duffey Lake)
Jeff will speak about the current snowpack on the Duffey and the impacts of spring warming on avalanche paths along the Duffey corridor.

Phil Bonham
Phil will dive into how the snowpack evolves with warming temperatures, share examples from past spring avalanche cycles in the Sea to Sky, and discuss risk mitigation strategies and mindset for spring travel.

Epic Door Prizes (in person only)

We’ve got a stacked prize table for the season finale thanks to some incredible community partners:

• Patagonia 55L Black Hole Duffel
• Whistler Blackcomb 5 Day Bike Park Pass
• POC Helmet
• Mammut Alugator Shovel
• Oyuki Gloves
• Granite Subscription
• Sidas Socks Package

Come early, connect with the community, and you might leave with some serious new gear.

Join us Monday, March 9 at 7:00 PM at Whitetooth Brewing Co. for the final SOTS Golden event of the season.Come connect ...
03/09/2026

Join us Monday, March 9 at 7:00 PM at Whitetooth Brewing Co. for the final SOTS Golden event of the season.
Come connect with the local backcountry community, hear the latest snowpack insights, and stick around for some incredible door prizes. Attend in person or tune in via livestream.

Snowpack Update
Mark Herbison
IFMGA / ACMG Mountain Guide, Mountain Safety Lead for Glacier National Park

Joey Waterston
Ski Patroller | AST Instructor | CAA Level 2 Student

Guest Speaker
Kyle Hale
Mountain Safety Manager | Level 2 SAR Manager | CAA Level 3 | ITP Instructor | Avalanche Dog Handler
Kyle will be presenting on Backcountry Preparedness and SAR Response — sharing insights from the rescue side of the mountains and what backcountry users should consider before heading out.

Door Prizes (in person)
• Helly Hansen — over-the-helmet hoods, toques, gloves, duffle bags + $600 voucher
• 2 day passes from Confluence Climbing Gym
• 2 sets of ski poles from Folkr
All raffle proceeds support State of the Snowpack, helping keep these community events running.

Come for the snowpack, stay for the conversation, and help close out the Golden SOTS season with the community that makes it possible.

03/04/2026

These are just some of the images of avalanches that have been uploaded to the Mountain Information Network in the last few days. If you're heading out, choose terrain appropriate for the conditions and don't underestimate how dangerous Considerable danger can be.

Join us for the final SOTS Kimberley of the 25/26 season! Wed Mar 4 2026 starting at 7:00pm at With the many human tri...
03/04/2026

Join us for the final SOTS Kimberley of the 25/26 season!
Wed Mar 4 2026 starting at 7:00pm at

With the many human triggered and natural avalanches across the province and into AB, coming together as a community has never been more important. ❤️

Come for the snowpack, stay for the community.

Join us for the final SOTS Nelson of the 25/26 season! Wed Mar 3 2026 starting at 7:00pm at Tune in via the Livestream ...
03/03/2026

Join us for the final SOTS Nelson of the 25/26 season!
Wed Mar 3 2026 starting at 7:00pm at
Tune in via the Livestream on YouTube

Local legend and lead forecaster at Jason Wishlow will provide us with an update on the current snowpack and Backcountry conditions, highlighting some of the recent avalanches in our area.

We've got loads of great raffle items to close out the season, including a KLIM Avy Air Bag, BCA Mini Radio, and donations from , , and more!

With the many human triggered and natural avalanches across the province and into AB, coming together as a community has never been more important. ❤️

Come for the snowpack, stay for the community.

02/28/2026

⚠️​BACKCOUNTRY CONDITION UPDATE ⚠️​ - Glacier National Park

There have been several reports of very large (size 3.5-4.0) natural avalanches occurring in the Asulkan and Connaught drainages in Glacier National Park today (February 27). Natural avalanche activity will gradually taper off but the potential for large human triggered avalanches will remain high.

Please consult the Mountain Conditions Report and Avalanche Bulletin below. Consideration of these risks and continued conservative decision making remain essential.

Mountain Conditions Report: https://mountainconditions.ca/reports/multiple-climax-avalanche-events

Avalanche Bulletin: https://avalanche.ca/map?lat=51.191131&lng=-117.524524

12/19/2025

REVELSTOKE — IT’S YOUR TURN!
State of the Snowpack is back in Revy for another season of community-driven avalanche awareness, and we can’t wait to see you there. Whether you’re new to the backcountry or have decades in Rogers Pass, SOTS is for everyone. Come learn, connect, and refresh your early-season mindset.

Snowpack Presenter:
Ben Yeager (CAA Level 2 / ACMG Apprentice Ski Guide)
Ben cut his teeth in Fernie and Castle Mountain before moving to Revelstoke to guide with Monashee Powder Snowcats, CMH, and CAPOW. When he’s not working, he’s out exploring the Selkirks and Monashees.

Guest Speaker:
Danyelle Magnan (CAA Level 3 / ACMG Ski Guide)
Danyelle is the Mountain Safety Manager in Glacier National Park, helping lead one of the most complex avalanche control programs in the world. With extensive forecasting and rescue experience, she brings deep insight into real-world decision-making in big terrain.
Huge thank-you to CAPOW for helping bring this event to life.
FREE event. All backcountry users welcome — skiers, riders, sledders, climbers, and anyone curious about decision-making in avalanche terrain. Come learn something new, make connections, and kick off winter with your Revelstoke community.
See you there.🤙

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Nelson, BC

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