Nelson, BC

Recent updates from the field

Visit our Nelson, BC blog for the latest snowpack updates from zones surrounding the Nelson area (Kootenay Pass, Slocan Valley, Whitewater Ski Resort Backcountry, Retallack, Baldface, and more)

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Watch The Latest Live SOTS Recording.

Hosted by The Royal Nelson, check out the latest live recording of the SOTS from Nelson, BC.

23/2024 Winter Season

Event Schedule

  • December 18th, 2023

    December 18th, 2023
    7:00-9:00PM

    Join us for the first State Of The Snowpack of the season!
    Presenters: Judson Wright (Lead ACMG Kootenay Backcountry Guides) and Dave Michael (Outdoor Operations Manager Whitewater Ski Resort)

    WATCH LIVE RECORDING HERE

  • January 11th, 2024

    January 11th, 2024
    7:00-9:00PM

    Presenters: Jason Wishlow (Lead Forecaster Whitewater Ski Resort) and Michael Wiggly (CSGA Level 2)

    WATCH LIVE RECORDING HERE

  • February 15th, 2024

    February 15th, 2024
    7:00-9:00 PM

    Oh the wather outside is, weather!
    Presenters:
    Jason Wishlow (Lead Forecaster, Whitewater Ski Resort) and Matt McDonald (Alpine Weather Forecast)

    WATCH LIVE RECORDING HERE

  • March 7th, 2024


    March 7th, 2024
    7:00-9:00 PM

    Join us for the last State of the Snowpack Live of the 2023/2024 Season!

    RSVP

Meet the Nelson Team

  • CAA PRO / ACMG / Contributor

    As an Avalanche Educator, and Owner/Lead Guide for Kootenay Backcountry Guides, Judson has a hand in all things snow! His mission is to enable you to access the backcountry confidently, and increase safety in the backcountry, helping others get the most out of their winter backcountry adventures. Based out of Nelson, BC, Judson is a key presenter and contributor for the State of the Snowpack.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • CAA Level 1 / MARKETING COORDINATOR+

    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.

  • CAA Level 2/ CSGA Level 2/ Nelson STOS Organizer

    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.

  • 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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Date: April 1, 2024 Location: North of Rossland Range, BC Submission: Keith Robine, Kootenay Avalanche Courses CSGA / CAA PRO / AVALANCHE EDUCATOR & AUTHOR April skiing is a great time to check of objectives but keep in mind of overhead hazards and south slopes. Start early in the morning, and enjoy good snow on north slopes. Or harvest some corn on south slopes. Be sure to always check Avalanche Canada for forecasts, conditions and trip planning advice!
Date: March 5, 2024 Location: Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, BC Submission: Keith Robine, Kootenay Avalanche Courses CSGA / CAA PRO / AVALANCHE EDUCATOR & AUTHOR THE BIG AVALANCHE PROBLEM In the aftermath of the BIG STORM, we now have a BIG AVALANCHE PROBLEM. Let's discuss how it happened and how we're choosing terrain to manage our risk. MIN Report “A BIG Avalanche Problem” https://avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/396ca665-dbbe-11ee-97c1-0a58a9feac02 Be sure to always check Avalanche Canada for forecasts, conditions and trip planning advice! #stateofthesnowpack #skitouring #avalanche #AST #backcountryskiing #backcountrysafety #splitboarding #skiing #avalanchecanada #bscpow #Backountryskiingcanada #stateofthesnowpack #travelsmart #bcadventuresmart #mntlife #powderhighway #acmg #csga #getoutdoors #exploremore #travelbc #explorebc #kootsrock #findingawesome #explorebc #explorecanada
REVELSTOKE - Join us for the final LIVE SOTS of the season this week! Thursday March 7th 2024 📍THE REGENT PUB, Revelstoke BC 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CAPOW lead guide Marty will be kicking things off with a snowpack update. He’ll have a lot to tal
REVELSTOKE - Join us for the final LIVE SOTS of the season this week! Thursday March 7th 2024 📍THE REGENT PUB, Revelstoke BC 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CAPOW lead guide Marty will be kicking things off with a snowpack update. He’ll have a lot to talk about, providing great Intel on how to safely enjoy the fresh pow. Special guest presenter is Nadine Overwater! Nadine moved to Revelstoke in 2008 where her start in the backcountry was from sled access snowboarding and it was love at first sight. She started guiding for Great Canadian Snowmobile Tours in 2010 and has since gone through the Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association (CMBGA) Lead Guide program to become a certified lead guide. Continued my avalanche professional development through the 10's to pursue by CAA Ops Level II and start forecasting for forestry and industrial applications. She is the owner of La Nina Sled Camp (est 2013) - where she offers clinics designed specifically for women to help enhance their backcountry snowmobile skills in a safe environment. In the summer she is a professional Forester and owner of Nakimu Ventures Inc a contract wildfire and forestry resources company. Photo Credit: 1- @avalanchecanada (MIN report Feature Wide propagation-Rampart/Bottom Dome Gl) 2- @tgfg (Tim Grey)
It was a very eventful weekend at Whitewater Ski Resort, where patrol triggered multiple size 2.5-3 avalanches. Join us this Thursday March 7th for the final LIVE SOTS update at The Royal. We'll hear from the man Jason Wishlow with a snowpack upd
It was a very eventful weekend at Whitewater Ski Resort, where patrol triggered multiple size 2.5-3 avalanches. Join us this Thursday March 7th for the final LIVE SOTS update at The Royal. We'll hear from the man Jason Wishlow with a snowpack update and review of the recent avalanche activity. Special guest presenter Keyes Lessard. He'll be focusing on the importance of being efficient if involved in a companion avalanche rescue. Keyes has been fondly working as an instructor in the School of Environment and Geomatics at Selkirk College since 2004, primarily in the Recreation, Fish and Wildlife program. He has been ski touring in the West Kootenay’s for 30 years, is an Avalanche Professional and has been teaching avalanche courses for over 20 years. He lives in Nelson with his partner Mary and their 2 sons. When he is not being serious, he really likes joking around. Reminder that @avalanchecanada SPAW is still in effect. Let's make safe and smart backcountry decisions. Check the forecast, and if accessing backcountry via the resort check with patrol for closures and avalanche control work.
@avalanchecanada has issued a SPAW for many areas in BC and Alberta. Be sure to read the full details and get the forecast by visiting https://avalanche.ca/spaw Don't let the pow lure into danger zones. Keep it mellow and safe. See @kootenaybackcoun
@avalanchecanada has issued a SPAW for many areas in BC and Alberta. Be sure to read the full details and get the forecast by visiting https://avalanche.ca/spaw Don't let the pow lure into danger zones. Keep it mellow and safe. See @kootenaybackcountry_guides latest snowpack update for details. If you're shredding the resort's be sure to respect all terrain closers, especially those in avalanche terrain. @whitewaterskiresort @whitewaterskipatrol @redresort @revelstokemtnresort Tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers, random guy on the sidewalk, barista, mail man! Let's keep our community safe ❤️
Date: April 1, 2024 Location: North of Rossland Range, BC Submission: Keith Robine, Kootenay Avalanche Courses CSGA / CAA PRO / AVALANCHE EDUCATOR & AUTHOR April skiing is a great time to check of objectives but keep in mind of overhead hazards
Date: March 5, 2024 Location: Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, BC Submission: Keith Robine, Kootenay Avalanche Courses CSGA / CAA PRO / AVALANCHE EDUCATOR & AUTHOR THE BIG AVALANCHE PROBLEM In the aftermath of the BIG STORM, we now have a BIG A
REVELSTOKE - Join us for the final LIVE SOTS of the season this week! Thursday March 7th 2024 📍THE REGENT PUB, Revelstoke BC 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CAPOW lead guide Marty will be kicking things off with a snowpack update. He’ll have a lot to tal It was a very eventful weekend at Whitewater Ski Resort, where patrol triggered multiple size 2.5-3 avalanches. Join us this Thursday March 7th for the final LIVE SOTS update at The Royal. We'll hear from the man Jason Wishlow with a snowpack upd @avalanchecanada has issued a SPAW for many areas in BC and Alberta. Be sure to read the full details and get the forecast by visiting https://avalanche.ca/spaw Don't let the pow lure into danger zones. Keep it mellow and safe. See @kootenaybackcoun