Hey everyone,
As Christmas approaches, the world seems to glitter with a special kind of magic. Twinkling lights line the streets, and there’s a feeling of anticipation in the crisp Canadian air. For many of us, the ultimate holiday dream isn’t found under a tree, but far beyond the city limits—in the deep, silent beauty of the snow-covered backcountry.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of carving the first tracks down an untouched slope, surrounded by frosted trees and the profound quiet of the mountains. It’s a gift of pure freedom and connection. But as we venture into these wild cathedrals this holiday season, it’s worth asking: How can we make our adventure a gift back to the nature that hosts us?
More Than Just Our Tracks
Every time we click into our bindings and glide away from the trailhead, we become part of a delicate ecosystem. The pristine snow isn’t just a blank canvas for our skis; it’s the roof over a hibernating marmot’s den, the camouflage for a snowshoe hare, and the challenging terrain a mountain goat must navigate to find food.
Winter is a time of incredible stress for wildlife. Food is scarce, and every calorie is precious. When animals are startled by our presence, they flee, burning vital energy reserves they desperately need to survive until spring. Our silent sport isn’t as invisible as we might think. The good news is that with a little awareness, we can share these spaces respectfully, ensuring our presence is a collaborative dance with nature, not a disruptive intrusion.
Skiing in Harmony with the Wild: A Guide
Collaborating with nature starts with respecting its power and its inhabitants. Before you head out, think of these principles as your guide to being a welcome guest in the backcountry.
- Know Before You Go (Avalanche Safety is #1): The mountains have rules, and the most important one is gravity. Collaborating with nature means understanding its biggest winter hazard: avalanches.
- Get the Training: An Avalanche Skills Training (AST 1) course is non-negotiable. It’s the single best thing you can do to keep yourself and your partners safe.
- Check the Forecast: Always check the daily forecast from a trusted source like Avalanche Canada. If the danger is high, change your plans.
- Carry the Gear: Never enter avalanche terrain without a transceiver, shovel, and probe—and, most importantly, the knowledge of how to use them effectively.
- Travel with a Lighter Touch: Think about your impact beyond just safety.
- Give Wildlife Space: This is huge. If you see an animal, stop. Don’t approach for a better photo. Observe from a great distance (use binoculars!) and give them a wide berth. Plan your route to avoid known sensitive areas, like animal wintering habitats or places where tracks indicate heavy use. Forcing an animal to run in deep snow can be a death sentence.
- Leave No Trace: The principles still apply in winter. Pack out everything you pack in, including food scraps like orange peels and apple cores. They can attract and harm wildlife.
- Keep it Quiet: Part of the backcountry’s magic is its silence. Keep your voice down and avoid playing music. This minimizes your disturbance to animals and enhances the experience for everyone.
- A Shared Mindset: The true spirit of backcountry skiing lies in humility. We are not there to “conquer” the mountain; we are there to visit, to learn, and to be rejuvenated by its grandeur. When we see ourselves as quiet guests, our entire approach changes. We become more observant, more cautious, and ultimately, more connected to the environment we cherish.
This Christmas, as you plan your adventures, let’s make a pact. Let’s give the gift of respect to our wild spaces. By travelling safely and thoughtfully, we ensure these incredible winter wonderlands remain healthy and wild for generations to come. That’s a legacy worth leaving behind—far more lasting than a perfect set of S-turns.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a season filled with safe, respectful, and breathtaking adventures.