State of the Snowpack

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Nelson, BC
State of the Snowpack

Come for the snowpack, stay for the community. And we’re brining it to you!

SOTS empowers mountain communities to host free avalanche awareness events, bringing together local avalanche professionals and backcountry users to share knowledge and strengthen mountain communities. Our Purpose...

The State of the Snowpack connects our communities with local snow science experts who’ll break down what they are seeing in our local snowpacks. When we look at the winter we look at a narrative, a story that plays out over time, with each weather event a different chapter in the story of our snowy season. Every time is snows or the wind blows or the sun beats down, that’s a different chapter and over time these chapters tell the story of our snowpack. Our Mission...

We strive to bridge the gap between Avalanche Canada’s Regional Avalanche Forecast and local knowledge shared in the InfoEx by guides and avalanche professions, providing free, as-local-as-it-gets snowpack analysis, in as clear & simple terms as possible. Our Dream...

Our dream is to decrease backcountry avalanche incidents, casualties and rescues through the sharing of detailed community-specific snowpack analysis, from our local guiding and forecasting communities, allowing our locals to make their most informed decisions, so we all make it home every night!

09/23/2026

VANCOUVER ISLAND, WE’RE COMING YOUR WAY!

We are so excited to announce that Vancouver Island, BC is joining State of the Snowpack for the 2026/27 season.

Leading the Chapter is Joe Schwartz, CAA PRO and ACMG Ski Guide with Island Alpine Guides, who is helping bring the local backcountry community together to share knowledge, spark conversations, and build a stronger culture of avalanche awareness.

Thanks to the dedicated team at Island Alpine Guides, they’re bringing the SOTS community to the island with THREE events for this winter season - two in Courtenay and one in Victoria. Learn from the pros! Each event will feature local avalanche professionals sharing their knowledge, insights, and practical tips for navigating Vancouver Island’s unique backcountry conditions safely this season.

Event dates and times will be announced soon! Follow along, tag your friends, and check back for updates so you don’t miss what’s coming. The first event will be December 3rd, to kick off Courtenay's Stoke Fest.

The Vancouver Island backcountry community is coming together this season to share knowledge, connect, and build community under the SOTS banner.

Visit our blog to learn more about the Vancouver Island chapter at stateofthesnowpack.com/sots-blog/welcomevancouverislandchapter

09/11/2026

MISSED CONNECTIONS
It was during an SOTS event, we met. The connection was instant. We laughed, we learnt, we cheersed together, and we met some new friends. We talked longingly about the persistent weak layer, like total snow nerds. We both knew we had something and you wanted to get involved - start a chapter, sponsor, or present? You gave me your number - or was it your email? - but I seem to have lost it. If this was you, send us a message [email protected] or read our blog: https://stateofthesnowpack.com/sots-blog/lostconnections

CONNEXION MANQUÉE
C’était pendant un événement SOTS, on s’est rencontrés. Connexion instantanée. On a ri, appris, trinqué ensemble et rencontré du nouveau monde. On a parlé longtemps de la couche fragile persistante, comme deux grands professionnels de la neige. On savait qu’on créait quelque chose de fort, et tu voulais t’impliquer : fonder une section, commanditer ou est-ce que tu voulais faire une présentation ? Tu m’as donné ton numéro... ou est-ce que c’était ton courriel ? Je semble l’avoir égaré… Si c’était toi, envoie-nous un courriel à [email protected] ou tu peux lire notre blog: https://stateofthesnowpack.com/sots-blog/lostconnections

08/21/2026

SOTS Regional Sponsor Highlight: Selkirk Snowcat Skiing
Behind every day at Selkirk Snowcat Skiing is a team of professionals continually observing weather, snowpack, and avalanche conditions to inform decisions in the mountains.
That commitment to understanding the snowpack is something SOTS shares — bringing local observations and professional knowledge into community conversations.
Thank you, Selkirk Snowcat Skiing, for supporting SOTS.
Support SOTS — become a sponsor and help keep avalanche education free and accessible.

08/19/2026

SOTS Regional Sponsor Highlight: The backcountry is a shared space, and keeping it safer takes all of us. Selkirk Snowcat Skiing’s commitment to responsible backcountry use and community connection closely aligns with SOTS — bringing different users together to share knowledge and look out for one another.
Thank you, Selkirk Snowcat Skiing, for supporting safer backcountry communities.
Support SOTS — become a sponsor and help keep avalanche education free and accessible.

08/17/2026

SOTS Regional Sponsor Highlight: Selkirk Snowcat Skiing
Thank you, Selkirk Snowcat Skiing, for being a Regional Sponsor during the 2025–26 winter season. Snowcat skiing was pioneered at Selkirk Snowcat Skiing in 1975 by founder Allan Drury. More than 50 years later, their connection to the mountains and backcountry community continues. We’re grateful to have their support behind SOTS and community-based avalanche education.
Support SOTS — become a sponsor and help keep avalanche education free and accessible.

08/13/2026

Thank You to Our SOTS Chapter Sponsors
A big thank you to the local businesses and organizations that supported SOTS as Chapter Sponsors during the 2025–26 winter season. Thank you for investing in safer, more informed mountain communities.
Village Ski Hut (Nelson, BC)
Whistler Heli-Skiing (Whistler, BC)
evo Whistler (Whistler, BC)
Northern Escape Heli-Skiing (Terrace, BC)
Valhalla Pure Outfitters (Nelson, BC)
ROAM Shop (Nelson, BC)
Skeena Valley Snowmobile Club (Terrace, BC)
Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Skiing (Revelstoke, BC)

08/12/2026

We are grateful for KLIM’s support of State of the Snowpack as a Regional Sponsor for 2025-26 season, helping make SOTS events possible across multiple chapters.

KLIM’s commitment to backcountry safety and preparedness closely aligns with SOTS’ mission to share clear, locally relevant snowpack information and support informed decision-making in avalanche terrain. Their support helps strengthen community conversations around risk, responsibility, and safety across a range of backcountry user groups.

Why this matters to SOTS:
Support from regional sponsors like KLIM allows SOTS to deliver free, community-based avalanche education and bring people together to learn from local avalanche professionals.

Thank you to KLIM for supporting avalanche education and community safety across our regional SOTS chapters.

Interested in supporting public safety and local avalanche education?
Support State of the Snowpack — become a sponsor.

Rider: Julie-Ann Chapman, Polaris Athlete (She Shreds Mountain Adventures)
Photo: Stephen Clarke

08/11/2026

Help Shape the Future of the State of the Snowpack events

One of the things that makes State of the Snowpack unique is that every presentation continues to evolve through feedback from the people who attend. The presentation template is being reviewed to make sure it remains relevant, practical, and valuable for backcountry users across Canada.

❄️What would you like to see?
❄️What presentation topics do you find most valuable?
❄️What sections help you better understand your local snowpack?
❄️Is there anything that feels confusing or could be explained differently?
❄️Are there topics you'd like to see added or explored in more depth?
❄️Are there sections that could be shortened or removed?

Whether you've attended one event or many, your perspective helps shape future State of the Snowpack presentations.

Leave a comment below or send a DM—we'd love to hear your thoughts.👇

Community conversations don't end when the event does.

08/05/2026

We're Hiring! Marketing & Communications Coordinator (Student Position)

Are you a creative storyteller with a passion for marketing, community, and the outdoors?

State of the Snowpack (SOTS) is looking for a Marketing & Communications Coordinator to help share the stories, people, and impact behind Canada's growing network of free avalanche awareness events.

This isn't your typical student position.

You'll take the lead on planning and delivering our seasonal marketing campaigns, creating engaging content, managing social media, maintaining our website, developing digital advertising campaigns, and helping market one of our largest annual fundraisers—the Polaris Snowmobile Raffle.

Working alongside our Executive Director and Director of Operations, you'll gain real-world experience leading marketing initiatives for a national non-profit dedicated to public education and public safety.

📍 Remote (Canada)
🎓 Post-secondary student position
📅 September–May
💰 $22–25/hour (funding dependent through Venture for Canada)

If you're studying Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Digital Media, Business, or a related field—and want to build an incredible portfolio while making a meaningful impact—we'd love to hear from you.
📄 View the full job posting and application details here: https://stateofthesnowpack.com/sots-blog/uffzqxfv99xga1z34sq3doehsqti5r

Please share this opportunity with students or recent connections who may be interested!

OutdoorIndustry AvalancheAwareness PublicSafety StateOfTheSnowpack

07/20/2026

Has State of the Snowpack made a difference for you?

Maybe you've learned something that changed how you travel in avalanche terrain.
Maybe you've gained confidence reading the forecast.
Maybe you've met new touring partners or simply found a stronger connection to your local backcountry community.

Whatever your experience, the story matters.
If attending a State of the Snowpack event has had a positive impact, please consider leaving a review on Google or Facebook. (Link in Bio)

Your feedback helps others discover these free, community-led events and encourages more mountain communities to bring State of the Snowpack to their hometown.

Need some inspiration?
Tell people:
• What you've learned.
• How SOTS has influenced your decision-making.
• Why you keep coming back.
• Why these community conversations matter.

⭐ Leave a Google Review
👍 Leave a Facebook Review

Thank you for helping grow stronger, safer mountain communities.

Address

Nelson, BC

Website

http://www.stateofthesnowpack.com/, https://linkedin.com/company/the-state-of-the-snowpack, https://www.youtube.com/@sta

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