Let’s Shape Our Backcountry Education Programming Together
Alpine Islands has always been about collaboration. We are a club, and by that definition we are only as strong as our membership. So while we are still working out the logistics of programming and what a membership entails (without going too nuts right out the gate), we would like to shape the direction with the people who will benefit the most…. YOU!
So please fill out the form below and reach out if you have any other questions. We hope to be more deeply involved as this club continues to take shape.
Survey Results So Far
The results so far from our survey has been excellent. People saying they’ve always been waiting for something like this, and it couldn’t have come at a better time… etc. Here are a few select nuggets so far:
I think for beginners, providing a safe, open, friendly and supportive backcountry community is very important. Practicing vulnerability and humility beforehand and during is very important to me. Not being afraid to ask questions etc. And to build up experience, slowly, in safe zones in order to gain the experience and confidence. Even offering online zoom webinars or discussion opportunities with members or non-members, mentors or guests to share experiences would be great!
Multidisciplinarity. My stoke level went way up hearing that you’re film crew for Natural Selection. Beyond avalanche safety, I’m also eager to develop skills in other mountain activities, wilderness photography and filmmaking, and more. Adventure racing sounds amazing. Imagine a Sea to Sky triathlon: stage 1 kayak, stage 2 mountain bike, stage 3 ski/split!
I’m so damn thrilled to get involved at the ground floor. One comment I have is to consider how you’ll serve both more beginner and/or casual members as well as more advanced and/or ambitious members, as I think that’s often a challenge for something of this nature. I like to think I fall toward the latter category, coming from a thru hiking background and hoping to get into some splitboard mountaineering and winter camping. Also, I recommend creating early on a platform for members to interact and communicate, whether a Facebook page or similar. Be heavily interactive! And don’t be afraid of things being half baked at this point. I know I’m eager to bounce ideas around and try stuff out, and I bet other early members are too.
Backpacking is a bit of a funny world. It’s not really a sport, but the gear associated with it is very technical. There are some people who haven’t upgraded their year in decades, and others who buy a new setup each year. The advancements in gear go through plateaus and spurts. Recently, the Ultralight trend… Read more: Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight 60 Backpack Review
A couple years ago I heard the news that Yeti, the famous cooler and drinkware brand, bought out backpack maker Mystery Ranch, and was a bit confused. The synergy didn’t make sense. But that’s because I totally misread what the YETI brand really means. When it comes down to it, YETI is about durability, rigidity,… Read more: We Tested Yeti’s Skala Backpack In The Mountains: A Review
Quick Stats Difficulty: Strenuous (17% average grade).Elevation Gain: 1,200m+Distance: 14km (round trip).Best For: Fit hikers, technical scramblers, and alpine photographers.Pro Tip: This is a “joint-killer” descent. If you value your knees, don’t do this without trekking poles. There are some places that really stand out for its majesty, and I don’t use the word “majesty”… Read more: Wedge Mountain: Garibalidi Provincial Park, BC, Canada
WHISTLER, BC, APR. 1, 2026 BC Parks officials announced earlier this morning a landmark deal between Vail Resorts, parent company of Whistler/Blackcomb, and the BC Government for a transfer of Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park “This is a monumental exchange that will bring much needed revenue to the BC government, while at the same time providing… Read more: Vail Resorts Closes $50 Million Acquisition of Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park
In the world of hardshell jackets, Gore-Tex is the gold standard. Let’s get that out of the way right now. But Gore-Tex is a material, and material only goes so far. What separates a good jacket from a bad one is function, style, and utility. And for a solid all-around jacket that is lightweight, packable,… Read more: Marmot Orion Gore-Tex Hardshell Jacket Review
