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.
The Spearhead Traverse is a horseshoe-shaped loop in the alpine environment connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. While you can take the Peak2Peak gondola for a short ride in the sky between the two mountains, “The Spearhead” is an epic, multi-day (for most) journey that is not for the faint of heart. The route itself spans… Read more: Big Changes Are Coming To The Spearhead Traverse
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… Read more: Take The Survey To Shape The future Of Backcountry Education
Why Wind Is a Big Deal For Avalanche Safety Of all the variables that can lead to an avalanche, wind might be the most overlooked risk factor. People tend to put a lot of emphasis on fresh snowfall—which is a huge factor—but the wind can be a bit more uncertain if you don’t know what… Read more: Avalanche Awareness 101: Wind
Every snowboard has a story worth telling. Because somewhere, someone with a vision set out to have a board that can help us ride better, or shred faster, or jump higher. We’ve seen the rise and fall of mainstream hype towards snowboarding so even the larger companies know that it’s pointless to make mass-produced garbage… Read more: YES. Sender XTRM Snowboard Review: This Thing Pops!
Over the past 20 years the advent of technology has truly changed the way we explore the backcountry. Not all of it is for the better. The devices we all hold in our pocket so dear have brought about knowledge in ways that our ancesters would have never thought possible, and we have assimilated it… Read more: Your GPS Device Is Weakening Your Senses In The Backcountry
