Backcountry community day
Winter is at our doorstep. Let’s get ready for it - together.
State of the Snowpack and Kootenay Backcountry Guides, with support from White Grizzly, ROAM Shop and UpTown Sports Bar, are inviting the local backcountry community to join together to kick off the 2026-27 winter season for a afternoon dedicated to backcountry community, preparedness, education and connection.
WHEN:
Saturday November 14, 2026
WHERE:
2:00pm - 4:00pm at Lakeside Park, Nelson BC
5:00pm - late at UpTown Sports Bar, Nelson BC
WHAT:
Lakeside Park - FREE, Family-friendly, interactive booths, demonstrations, and activities
UpTown Sports Bar - celebration and fundraiser, backcountry panel and discussion, connection and conversation
Backcountry Community Events at Lakeside Park
Kick off the afternoon at 2:00 PM at the Nelson Lakeside park with an interactive outdoor event designed to get you thinking about the upcoming winter season - and get prepared for it. Here is a breakdown of the activities planned for this event:
Transceiver Check
When was the last time you checked the state of your beacon? If you don’t have an answer to that question, then head to the ROAM shop transceiver check station to ensure your gear is ready. The team at ROAM will be at Lakeside Park testing your transceivers, and updating the software if needed, to make sure you stay safe out there this upcoming winter.
Trade-ins - let’s get those outdated transceivers out of the backcountry. Bring down your old transceiver, trade it in, and you’ll get cash towards a new transceiver from the ROAM shop.
Gear Check
Bring your touring pack and gear down to the Kootenay Backcountry Guides booth. Their guides will assess your gear and provide tips and tricks on how to pack your bag, what to include, and if your gear needs some attention or upgrading.
Ask a Guide
Getting into backcountry skiing this winter, looking for a course or program to do? Or maybe you’re curious about refreshing your skills, or you want to do better trip planning before adventuring in avalanche territory this season? Perhaps you’re an aspiring guide yourself? The dedicated team of professional guides from Kootenay Backcountry Guides will be available to answer your questions about all things backcountry. It’s time to get all the answers and insights you’ve been searching for!
Transceiver Scavenger Hunt
Turn refreshing your avalanche rescue skills into a fun activity, and compete for a chance to win a brand new transceiver!
Community Concession
If you’re hungry after all these activities, we’ll have hot chocolate and coffee to keep warm and hot dogs to fuel up for a good cause.
An evening of fundraising at Uptown Sports Bar
Come join us at Uptown Sports Bar starting 5:00 PM for an evening of community, storytelling, fundraising and celebration. Uptown will also be serving 25$ burgers and beer, with 10$ going to support State of the Snowpack and the Judson Wright Foundation.
We’ll start the evening by celebrating the life and achievements of Judson Wright, who lived his life by serving his community in whatever way he could. From serving with BCWF to the best lead tailguide to best crosswalk guard this town has ever seen.
There will also be a panel discussion with some key members of our backcountry community - we’ll be asking them “How do we build a stronger and safer backcountry community?”. There will be opportunity for questions and discussion, in true SOTS event style.
More to come!
We’ll be announcing more stakeholder participants as we approach the event. Save the date, invite your friends, bring the kinds. Let’s start winter together, as a community.
