Across North America, the snowpack is proving touchy. As January opens up, it remains a time to be cautious and vigilant in the backcountry.

Keeping it slow news is a good thing, these are topsy-turvy times. Here’s some good news: Winter hit deep in November (and it continues) and saw a corresponding uptick in ski width. What follows is some backcountry-related news as we stream toward the winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.

The 2023 W2W Hilaree Nelson Education Scholarship program aims to empower women through their passion for mountain sports.

A cool opportunity is worth shouting about: so we are shouting with a digital “Hear ye, hear ye!” Backcountry Access and the American Avalanche Association have a sweet scholarship opportunity. The aim is to support female-identifying avalanche workers and their professional development.

The earnest transition into fall has been a ski bounty for some in Alaska, and something other in the PNW’s latitudes; despite the sun streaking lower and lower in the sky, bluebird days and higher than normal temps have reigned. That should be shifting, so we’ve heard, in a week or so. But, backcountry related news still happens. Here’s a brief rundown

The Know Before You Go program, otherwise known as KBYG, receives an update for 2022 with an emphasis on motivating backcountry users to develop their avalanche awareness and motivate them to pursue more knowledge and experience.