We’re excited to announce the winner of the January – February Trip Report Prize Pack from TW Outdoors:

Congratulations to Raul Poole for winning:

Black Diamond Evac 7 Shovel
Yeti Daytrip Lunch Bag
Total Value: $246.3

About TW Outdoors

Visit TW Outdoors for a large selection of high-quality skiing and backcountry gear from top brands like Patagonia and Black Diamond. You'll also find avalanche safety gear, camping essentials, and climbing equipment. Be prepared for your next adventure!

January Update
GSTA members. A few updated from the last month. There has been a large uptick in Trip Reports. This is much Appreciated. And by all accounts radio use on the road has been great. We have had no reports of road incidents since the beginning of the season. That’s all good news.  

Search and Rescue (SAR) Reminder

Over the weekend, Search and Rescue responded to a call for an injured skier. They’ve provided the following reminders to help ensure safety for all backcountry users: 

Before Heading Into the Backcountry
Have a Trip Plan – Let someone at home know where you are going and when you plan to return.
Prepare for an Overnight Stay – Always carry essentials in case you need to spend the night outdoors.
Expect Limited Cell Coverage – While some signal may exist along ridge tops, coverage is unreliable below the height of land.
Carry a Satellite SOS Device – Ensure you have a working device and know how to use it. This can be critical in an emergency.
Use GPS & Know Your Location – A GPS device or app can help pinpoint your exact coordinates (latitude/longitude). Knowing your location increases the likelihood of a helicopter response (weather permitting).
Bring a Map – A paper map is invaluable if your batteries die or visibility drops. The area has a risk of skiers mistakenly heading toward Queest Village or the 4 Mile Rec Site on Shuswap Lake instead of Craigellachie and the Trans-Canada Highway.

• Recommended maps:
  • Environment Canada map 82M006 (1:20,000) – out of print but useful.
  • Backroads Mapbooks – offers a decent map of the area.
  • Both are available as geo-referenced PDFs for use in apps like Avenza Maps.

Carry a Portable VHF Radio – The designated frequency for emergency contact is Resource Road Channel RR-9 (150.365). (Use only for emergencies, not for general chat.)
First Aid & Emergency Gear – Pack essentials such as:

• First aid kit
• Fire starter
• Folding saw
• Parachute cord
• Small headlamp

Be Ready for a SAR Call – If you need to call SAR, be prepared to provide:

• Your exact location (Lat/Long, if possible)
• The number of people in your party
• Details of injuries or medical issues
• Your ability to stay out overnight

For more backcountry safety tips, visit AdventureSmart.
 
We also have reports, both from K3 Cat skiing and from our Trip Report form of a small herd of Caribou possible heading towards the North Queest / Gorge area. Here is what you should know.

Caribou 101
The Caribou appear to be moving toward the Gorge area, with likely sightings near the North Queest / Gorge area soon. These animals are following ancient migration routes used for thousands of years. Its important we give them space.
 
Caribou Best Practices:

• Non-disturbance is key. Give them as much space as possible and minimize noise (e.g., sleds, helicopters).
• The minimum distance from sighted animals is 500 meters in any direction.

 
If you encounter Caribou:

• Adjust your plans, such as changing your skin track direction or ski line.
• Alert others in your party and other user groups of the location.
• Avoid following fresh Caribou tracks.

 
The closer you are, the higher the likelihood of stress for the animals, causing them to exert unnecessary energy. Winter is a critical time when their fat reserves are low, and they must conserve energy.
 
Caribou in winter are typically found in tree line and below tree line areas. The high snowpack allows them to evade predators and access their primary food source, lichen (“Old Man’s Beard”), found hanging from trees. Recreationalists are most likely to encounter Caribou in old-growth areas at these elevations.
 
When migrating, Caribou often walk in each other's tracks, which can make estimating their numbers difficult. If they remain in an area for a longer period, their tracks spread out.

Be Prepared
A reminder that the Gorge Ski Touring Association has no operations and is not responsible for any activities at the Gorge. The area is remote and features avalanche terrain ranging from simple to complex. Please check avalanche.ca before heading out.
Important Radio Restrictions
Traveling on the Forest Service Road requires compliance with updated radio regulations:

• As of October 31, 2023, the Craigellachie-Anstey Gorge Road (0839.01) requires two-way radios 7 days a week (October 31 to May 1).
• The designated frequency is Resource Road Channel RR-9 (150.365).

Let’s all do our part to ensure safe access for everyone.

Thank you for your continued support! If you have questions, suggestions, or would like to get more involved, please reach out.
 Gorge Ski Touring Association Steering Committee
 www.gorgeskitouringassoc.ca

While it seems like the majority of Gorge FSR users are using radios, there was a reported close call last Friday, November 29, 2024 between a recreational light vehicle and an industrial vehicle. Anecdotaly, there have been other reports of recreational vehicles on the road without radios unfortunately...

As a reminder, radios are mandatory!! Everyone's safety including yours is depending on it and continued access to the Gorge FSR is also depending on you having a radio and using it properly!

There have been reports of Government Resource Officers checking for radios at the bottom of the road.

So, make sure you have a radio before you go!

Its going to be deep this weekend so have fun and stay safe!

​With the prospect of the Gorge being plowed this winter - RADIO REQUIRED traffic will be in effect. 100% compliance is the key here - no radio? no go! 24/7
This is NEW. Spread the word.
Know your radio, and its limitations, drive defensively, and communicate clearly when you do use your radio. Remember to listen as well as call your KM's. Downhill (loaded and large) has right of way.
Keep up the snow dances! and C'mon La Nina!

Updated Radio Restrictions
As of October 31st 2023 The Craigellachie Anstey – Gorge (0839.01) "Gorge Road” REQUIRES 2 way radios 7 days a week between Oct 31st and May 1st. No exceptions.

• Use of 2-way radio systems will be required from October 31 – May 1 in order to coordinate the safe movement of traffic.
• The specified radio frequency to be used on portions of forest service roads is: Resource Road Channel RR-9, frequency 150.365
• A person must not operate a vehicle contrary to a traffic control device.
• A new sign has been installed at the start of Gorge Road (see attached)

Restrictions subject to change on short notice. The District will monitor road conditions and may change restrictions immediately.

For those of you still out there, Avy Canada has issued a SPAW for this weekend. Please read it here.

It has come to our attention that there was one incident today, March 6, 2023 between a heavy & light vehicle on the Gorge RR and one close call. Any interactions with logging trucks have the potential to be fatal and it is our understanding at this time that there were thankfully no injuries.

However, this incident clearly identifies the worst case potential outcome of not using radios properly and is the primary safety issue of travelling on the Gorge RR while industrial activity is occurring. 

Unfortunately, recreational access to the Gorge RR could potentially now be restricted to all users which is something we all need to strive to avoid.

The GSTA would like to reinforce the importance of proper radio use on the Gorge RR. Strict adherence to proper protocols by all is absolutely required for continued recreational access to the Gorge RR. See our touring page for more details.

A Valentine's Day update from our friends at K3:

The Gorge is a busy place at times - radio use seems to be pretty much near 100% - which is what is needed. Still need to try to get folks to do more than just call their KM's - to actually listen, but hey it is a work in progress!

Logging is ongoing - lots of traffic - though most of the 1st round of hauling seems to be done by +-  8 am. 

So far the road is holding up nicely - only the bottom 1 K has some melt freeze and a bit of breakup.

Nice to see folks keeping the MIN  updates coming - we have Avalanche.ca forecasters on staff and they appreciate the info. Especially in places where there is a lack of "Industry" reports from the INFOEX.

The Gorge Ski Touring Association was featured in an article in the Revelstoke Mountaineer. Check it out below:

https://revelstokemountaineer.com/planning-initiatives-explore-increasingly-busy-revelstoke-area-backcountry/