WINTER 2022
Photos by Nat Segal and Jonathan Maconachie
2SLGBTQ+ Winter Backcountry Program
This winter we ran a free 4-day backcountry program for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and adults that ran from December 2021 - March 2022.
Our goals were to:
Increase access to avalanche education for folks traditionally excluded from ski and snowboard culture.
Provide basic skills instruction in the spirit of reducing barriers to accessing sport in the winter environment in Revelstoke.
Collaborate with existing programs to connect youth in Revelstoke from 2SLGBTQ+ groups with winter outdoor activities.
We received 19 applications from both BC and Alberta and were able to accept 8 2SLGBTQ+ participants, the majority of which are based in Revelstoke. Thanks to our partners Avalanche Canada and MTN Guiding each of the participants were able to gain their AST 1 certificate during the program.
Testimonials
“ Every avalanche course should feel like this. Feeling safe and welcomed. All the guides and instructors were very good at being open and compassionate in the ways they taught and spoke. It gives me hope for allyship in mountain spaces.”
“There was no judgment, no elitism, but support and sweetness. I felt safe and okay to be my true self .””
SUPPORTED BY
In November 2021 we partnered with Protect Our Winters Revelstoke to present a film event featuring a variety of environmental, Indigenous and queer focused outdoor films. With support of POW Revelstoke, The Roxy Theatre and Revy Outdoors and the partners below we were able to make this program possible.
