Backcountry Skiing Canada Prepardness Survey a First

Nelson, BC. December 15, 2011. The team behind backcountryskiingcanada.com is starting its third season with some very interesting developments. Over the summer months, the team conceived of a new way to gather data on preparedness for ski tourers, while immediately educating them on areas for improvement. The survey, the first of its kind in North America, was developed with the help of partners at the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) in Revelstoke and Selkirk College, in Castlegar. It asks simple questions everyone should ask themselves before heading out, like what is the day’s avalanche rating, when was their last transceiver practice, and whether they have packed the key probe/transceiver/shovel tools needed for avalanche rescue. The survey is a follow-up to 2009’s publishing of timely avy information local newspapers—also a first.Of course, a survey is only as effective as the number of people taking it and the backcountryskiingcanada.com “recruitment” method is one of the survey’s more compelling features. Working with partners Whitewater Ski Resort and Red Mountain Resort, where the survey will be conducted, Backcountry Skiing Canada will position people at common backcountry access points on the edge of the respective ski area boundaries. People will be asked to participate in the anonymous survey just prior to their venturing into the backcountry. This is a good place to find participants and a good time to raise the appropriate preparedness questions. As an incentive to take the five-minute survey, people will automatically be entered into various random draws for 25 backcountry-related prizes from Backcountry Skiing Canada, CAC and Backcountry Access worth $2000.“We enthusiastically support this survey. Our organization provided input and we look forward to seeing the data on backcountry preparedness,” commented Ian Tomm, Executive Director at the Canadian Avalanche Centre. Anne Pigeon, General Manager at Whitewater Ski Resort, added: “We are proud to partner with Backcountry Skiing Canada on the survey. It’s a proactive way to help increase avalanche safety and safe travel in the backcountry.”The survey fits within the goals of Backcountry Skiing Canada as well: “We see this as an opportunity to build up the knowledge base of how prepared people really are when they head out for a day in the mountains. Gaining this information will help organizations like the Canadian Avalanche Centre continue to develop the most effective and relevant training programs possible,” said Brad Steele, partner at Backcountry Skiing Canada.  Backcountryskiingcanada.com is website and community of avid backcountry skiers and snowboaders. The goal of the site is to build a community while promoting fun and safety. The site features more than 150 ski touring route descriptions, extensive gear reviews, a very active forum, and, this year, the second annual Expose Yourself Photo and Video Comp.  As well as the partners already mentioned, Backcountry Skiing Canada would like to thank Columbia Basin Trust for their support of the survey.******************************************************************************To learn more about the “How Prepared Are You?” survey, the photo and video competition or anything else, visit the site at: www.backcountryskiingcanada.com or contact Andrew Creighton: or 250 551 0305.