Expert Guidance and Collaboration with Zenith Mountain Guides
24 November, 2025
Since winter 2024, we have been working with expert guides from Zenith Mountain Guides, including Evan Stevens and Eric Carter, to improve the safety and information available to backcountry skiers/snowboarders. This partnership ultimately ensures that all backcountry users have access to timely, accurate and consistent information.
We spoke with Eric Carter, a seasoned Zenith Mountain Guide, to get expert insights on the backcountry and tips for staying safe:
How do you plan a safe route through the backcountry, and what factors do you consider when evaluating terrain?
“The best place to start planning your route is the Habrich Ridge - Exit Gully (1550m) forecast for our area. The avalanche forecast provides information on our specific avalanche hazards and which aspects and elevations those hazards apply to. This information can be used to choose which slopes are best to reduce that hazard. It’s important to remember that the mountain terrain above the Sea to Sky Gondola is complex avalanche terrain and also requires expert ski ability. Our proximity to the ocean means that snow conditions can be highly variable. Our Zenith snow report (snow.zenithguides.ca) helps give you local insights on current conditions.”
How can you determine if a slope is safe? What methods or signs do you use to assess if a slope is stable and safe to travel on?
“When we’re out skiing, we must keep aware of the conditions around us. There are several factors that indicate instabilities in the snow:
Recent avalanches.
>20cm new snow.
Moderate or strong winds.
Cracking or Whoomphing of snow under your feet.
Wet snow creating pinwheeling or rollerballs on steep slopes.
If you observe any of these, you should consider more conservative terrain choices!”
What should you do if you're caught in an avalanche? What immediate actions should you take?
“Avalanche avoidance using good terrain selection is by far our best defence, but avalanches do happen, even to experts. Nothing guarantees your safety in the event of an avalanche however the proper training and equipment will improve your chances. Take an avalanche course with an ACMG guide (we offer courses at zenithguides.ca) and always travel in avalanche terrain with a partner plus a beacon, shovel, and probe!”
