Nelson, BC
WATCH THE Latest Live SOTS Recording
Nelson Live Event Schedule
At The Royal
7:00PM-9:00PM
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Wednesday December 3, 2025
Tribute to Judson Wright 5-7pm, all welcome
Snowpack Update: Jason Wishlow, Whitewater Ski Resort
Guest Speaker: Julie-Ann Chapman, She Shreds Mountain Adventures -
Wednesday January 14, 2026
Snowpack Update: Jason Wishlow, Whitewater Ski Resort
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Thursday February 5, 2026
Whitewater Ski Resort’s Kootenay Coldsmoke Kickoff Event!
Snowpack Update: Wendy Lewis, Whitewater Ski Resort/Avalanche Canada
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Wednesday March 4, 2026
Snowpack Update: Jason Wishlow, Whitewater Ski Resort
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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SOTS Nelson Presenter/CAA Level 2/ CSGA Level 2
Growing up in Ontario and moving to BC in 2006, Wiggles, known by friends, has been splitboarding in the West Kootenays for over 16 years. From sawing snowboards in half to making splitboards, to being an ambassador and helping design splitboards now. Before Wiggles got into guiding for Baldface, and Keefer Lake, and instructing with Kootenay Backcountry Guides, he spent his time traveling the world. He learned snowpacks over five continents on his adventures in Chile, Argentina, India, New Zealand, Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Yukon, Alaska, the lower 48 of the USA, and the interior of BC. Wiggles is filled with a wealth of knowledge in travel, terrain, and snow analysis. He's an open book that wants to help the community grow and be safe while making the most of what the mountains have to offer. He has a zen energy that's calming to be around. Feel free to chat with him at the events or stop him on the street to pick his brain, he's always happy to share his guidance.
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CAA Operations Level 1/Practitioner Membership/Advanced AvSAR
After a few years of ski bumming, slanging pizzas, and learning, he pursued a career in the snow and avalanche industry. Kyle now teaches AST courses, works as a Ski Patroller, and Tail Guide, all while pursuing his guiding certification. Once he's done shredding the slopes in the winter, he follows that snow all the way down the valleys and creeks as it melts and begins filling the rivers - where he can be found guiding a raft or paddling his kayak through the rapids all summer long.
