WATCH THE Latest Live SOTS Recording
Nelson Live Event Schedule
At The Royal 6:30PM-8:30PM PST
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Thursday December 3, 2026
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Thursday January 14, 2027
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Thursday February 11, 2027
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Thursday March 11, 2027
Meet the Nelson Team
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Co-Founder & Foundational Leader, State of the Snowpack / Owner & Lead Guide Kootenay Backcountry Guides
Judson Wright was one of the original driving forces behind State of the Snowpack — a guide, educator, and visionary who helped shape SOTS from a small community gathering into a national public-safety movement.
As an ACMG Ski Guide and CAA Professional, Judson believed deeply in making the backcountry safer, more accessible, and more connected. His leadership style was humble, generous, and unwaveringly community-focused. Whether he was sharing thoughtful snowpack insights, building systems that strengthened professional standards, or mentoring new guides, Judson showed all of us what it means to lead with integrity and care.
Judson brought the same spirit to SOTS that he brought to the mountains:
clarity, curiosity, accountability, and a fierce commitment to helping people come home safely.
He championed good decision-making, honest conversations, mentorship, and the power of local knowledge. Much of SOTS’s culture — our emphasis on education, community, and professional excellence — exists because of him.Judson passed away in November 2025, and his absence is felt every single day.
But his influence continues to guide our work.
SOTS will always carry forward his mission to empower backcountry users, uplift guides, and strengthen community connections across Canada.We honour Judson by doing the work he believed in:
showing up for each other, sharing what we know, and keeping people safe in the mountains he loved.
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CMBGA 3 / CAA Level 2 / SAR / Contributor
12 years ago, Julie-Ann Chapman created She Shreds Mountain Adventures being the first all girls snowmobile clinic in the world specializing in teaching women by women. Since then She Shreds has branched out to offer services to males as well, from clinics, to avalanche courses, and to occupational training. With a strong emphasis on backcountry safety, She Shreds provides one of the best snowmobile adventure learning experiences.
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WHITEWATER SKI RESORT FORECASTER / PRO PATROL / Contributor
As a Senior Avalanche Forecaster for Whitewater Ski Resort, ‘Wishy’ has been keeping everyone safe on the hill year after year. Jason has been presenting at State of the Snowpack since the beginning - providing avalanche knowledge, resort-assisted backcountry safety, and avalanche incident case studies.
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Nelson STOS Organizer/CAA Level 1
Cath's love for the mountains started the day she was born. From the Coastal Mountains of BC to the Kootenay Interior, abroad to Japan and Austria. State of the Snowpack is a passion project that she is stoked to be part of and help bring to other mountain towns! She is a key member of the SOTS team ensuring you get the latest snowpack updates.
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SOTS Nelson Presenter/CAA Level 2/ & PRO MEMBER
Wendy has spent the past 12 years building a career in the snow. After starting as a volunteer ski patroller in New Zealand, she came to Canada for one winter—and never left. Today, Wendy works as an avalanche forecaster for Whitewater Ski Resort, where she focuses on managing avalanche risk; and for Avalanche Canada, providing key info to backcountry users through public forecasts.
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LIVE-STREAM PRODUCER
Shane, the founder of Strawman Productions, is a producer, director, and livestream professional. His live-streaming career started back in 2006 with multi-camera productions for theatre that took live video to a projector screen. Shane brings our in-person events to the comforts of your home.
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Nelson Chapter MC
Chris used to spend time patrolling and a little ski guiding, but now he just ski tours with the coolest people on the planet. He hopes to keep the stoke Judson Wright brought to SOTS alive as he MCs the Nelson events.
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