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The news is out and it’s something to celebrate: MEC has officially partnered with The Lady Alliance Foundation to help change the face of leadership in the outdoors. What does that mean for you? A series of **awesome events in March**, an even bigger **outdoor scholarship program**, and more **fantastic plans for women+ in 2023**. With International Women’s Day on March 8, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.   

Learn more about what’s coming, sign up for events, and get to know Kieren Britton, founder of The Lady Alliance.  

## What’s The Lady Alliance Foundation?  

The Lady Alliance Foundation is an inclusive organization that supports women+, non-binary adventurers and allies in the outdoors. It started as an online social community and grew into much more: adventures, retreats, courses and local chapters across Canada. In 2022, The Lady Alliance launched a scholarship program for backcountry skills – everything from avalanche safety training and wilderness first aid to swift water rescue and hiking guide certification.  

MEC has been working with The Lady Alliance for years, and we’re stoked to welcome them as an official partner as part of our [Outdoor Impact program](/en/explore/outdoor-impact). Our support will provide gear donations to their program leaders and fund scholarships to help more folks develop outdoor skills.   

> “It’s so exciting to finally officially be a non-profit and offer scholarships to incredible people who seek to learn, grow and create more community experiences in the outdoors.” – Keiren Britton, The Lady Alliance founder 

## The Lady Alliance events on March 8  

Celebrate International Women’s Day with The Lady Alliance chapters across Canada. All events are low-cost or free – sign up at the links below. Don’t see your location on the list? The Lady Alliance is growing and there might be a [local chapter](https://theladyalliance.com/adventurer-access/local-chapters/) near you with other events happening in 2023.   
  
### British Columbia

- **Vancouver**: [Social climb night at MEC Vancouver](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vancouver-chapter-social-climb-night-mec-tickets-557062497927)  

- **Kelowna**: [Social climb night at Gneiss Climbing](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/kelowna-chapter-social-climb-night-tickets-557069869977)  

- **East Kootenays**: [Social climb night at ARQ Mountain Centre](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/east-kootenay-chapter-social-climb-night-tickets-557549945897)  

- **Victoria**: [Sunset hike at Mount Doug](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/victoria-chapter-sunset-hike-tickets-557550908777)  

- **Campbell River**: [Social climb night at On the Rocks](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/campbell-river-chapter-social-climb-night-tickets-557550748297)  

- **Quesnel**: [Sunset hike to the bluff](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cariboo-mountains-chapter-sunset-hike-tickets-557555582757) 

- **Blind Bay**: [Sunset hike on Mount Baldy](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/shuswap-chapter-sunset-hike-tickets-557553085287)

### Alberta

- **Calgary**: [Sunset hike at Weaselhead Flats](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/calgary-chapter-sunset-hike-tickets-557551069257)  

- **Edmonton**: [Social climb night at Boulders Climbing](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/edmonton-chapter-social-climb-night-tickets-557551360127)

### Saskatchewan 

- **Saskatoon**: [Social climb night at Grip It Climbing](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/saskatoon-chapter-social-climb-night-tickets-557551831537)   

- **Parkland/Yorkton**: [Sunset cross-country ski night at Deer Park Golf Course](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/parkland-chapter-sunset-ski-tickets-557556445337)

### Ontario 

- **Toronto**: [Social climb night at MEC Toronto](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-chapter-social-climb-night-mec-tickets-557037071877)

### Yukon 

- **Whitehorse**: [Sunset hike at Wolf Creek](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/yukon-chapter-sunset-hike-tickets-557553526607)  

## Get to know Kieren, founder of The Lady Alliance Foundation  

Kieren loves to dream of the ridiculous and make it a reality. Whether it’s cycling across Canada or converting a school bus into a full-time home, there’s nothing she enjoys more than testing the limits.   

**What’s your top memory with The Lady Alliance?**  

I have so many incredible memories. From touring in the backcountry taking our AST1 together to traveling across Canada hosting film festivals – the adventures have been endless. But my favourite? When I see long-lasting friendships formed from our meetups, like two members travelling Europe together after meeting at one of our long weekend retreats, or people becoming workout buddies, dog walking buddies or everyday best friends. 


**Number one outdoor tip?**  

Be bold, start cold. And always carry your warm layer and extra snacks for lunch break.   

**What does International Women’s Day mean to you?**  

To me, International Women's Day has started to mean less about the binary of “woman” and more about the recognition of the barriers that so many people overcome to redefine what success means to them outside a patriarchal capitalist culture. I have an immense privilege in having a binarily-labeled day recognizing who I am and the barriers I might experience. But the more I look at International Women's Day, the more I see it as a way to disrupt the system and accelerate equity overall.

*Thanks, Kieren! Can’t wait to see how 2023 unfolds with The Lady Alliance – hope to see everyone at the events.*  

Learn about MEC's partnership with The Lady Alliance.

This New Outdoor Alliance Is Something To Celebrate

This new outdoor alliance is something to celebrate

MEC and [Avalanche Canada](/en/explore/avalanche-canada) go way back – all the way to 2001, when we first started supporting their programs to educate more people about avalanche safety. Fast forward a couple of decades, and we’re pumped to partner with them on their latest initiative: the MEC Avalanche Safety Grant.  

This grant provides Avalanche Canada Training courses to four organizations serving IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour) communities. 2022 was the second year this grant has been offered, and we’re super excited to announce this year’s recipients. Each group is organizing an Avalanche Skills Training course with the provider of their choice for up to eight of their members:  

- [Indigenous Women Outdoors](https://www.indigenouswomenoutdoors.ca/our-team): a non-profit that helps First Nations women and non-binary folks reconnect to their traditional territories and Indigenous roots through backcountry sports in the Sea-to-Sky area. 

- [Mountain Mentors](http://www.mountainmentors.org/): a non-profit in the Sea-to-Sky area with the goal of creating backcountry spaces where everyone belongs and can safely participate. 

- [The Howl Experience](https://www.experiencehowl.com/): provides alternative outdoor education programs in the Rocky Mountains for Indigenous, low-income, and marginalized youth. 

- [Zero Ceiling](https://zeroceiling.org/): Based in Whistler, this group aims to end youth homelessness in BC. They provide opportunities for marginalized young adults to develop skills, confidence, and connections through mountain recreation. 


We support this grant as part of our MEC Outdoor Impact program, which aims to teach outdoor skills, protect wild spaces, and grow the communities of people getting active outside. As part of all this good stuff, we aim celebrate and encourage inclusivity in the outdoors through community support.  

“We've put a larger focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the work we do with our national partners, which includes co-developing grants available to IBPOC-led organizations and supporting DEI training and development at partner organizations,” says Caitlin Brown, MEC Community Manager. “This grant is an example of how, together with Avalanche Canada, we’re striving to make the outdoors more inclusive.”  

The MEC Avalanche Safety Grant was established to provide greater access to outdoor opportunities for racialized Canadians. Backcountry Access (BCA) also contributed to this initiative by providing two boxes of safety gear, each with eight sets of avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes.  

“Avalanche Canada recognizes that some groups face disproportionate barriers in accessing winter backcountry pursuits in Canada,” explains Gilles Valade, Executive Director of Avalanche Canada. “We are very impressed with the work being done by these four organizations and are grateful to partner with MEC to provide them with avalanche safety education.” 

Congrats to this year’s grant recipients – it’s awesome to see the work you’re doing outdoors. 

*Top photo: One of the 2021 MEC Avalanche Safety Grant training course recipients in action, with K8 Mountaineering group learning skills for the winter backcountry. Photo credit: Leanne Allison*

We’re proud to announce four organizations serving IBPOC communities.

Introducing This Year’s MEC Avalanche Safety Grant Recipients

Introducing this year’s MEC Avalanche Safety Grant recipients

What’s the best kept secret about backcountry hut trips? It’s not just about the skiing. 

“People who’ve done multiple hut trips will all tell you: getting to the hut is only half the fun,” says the [Alpine Club of Canada](/en/explore/alpine-club-of-canada) (ACC), which operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. “It’s easy to visualize a backcountry trip as being all about the skiing, and to think of the hut as just a place to sleep, eat and dry out gear. Truth is, time in the hut with family and friends are some of the most memorable parts of a trip.” 

We couldn’t agree more. And hey, if hut memories are topped off with skiing a few lines of cold blower pow, all the better. 

To help you prepare, we called in MEC Ambassadors [Bruce Kirkby](/en/explore/bruce-kirkby) and [Yuki Tsubota](/en/explore/yuki-tsubota), along with folks from the ACC for tips on how to plan, how to book, and the number one item to bring outside of ski gear. 

## Prepare your party 

First up: assemble a group of compatible people – you will be sharing a cozy space, after all. “Make sure it’s people you want to hang out, cook and live with, not just ski with,” the ACC says.  

Along with being fun, ski-loving folks, it’s essential that everyone has taken an Avalanche Skills Training (AST) program. Start with courses through [Avalanche Canada](/en/explore/avalanche-canada); MEC is proud to be the primary sponsor of their training program. Afterward, practice using your [safety gear](/en/explore/avalanche-safety-gear-and-training) and skills with your group. Research where you’re going and know the conditions too.  

Fresh to the backcountry? Get an [introduction to avalanche safety](https://www.avalanche.ca/start-here) with Avalanche Canada, or check out their online tutorial, [Avy Savvy](https://avysavvy.avalanche.ca/en-ca), before taking an AST course.  

> “Rather than heading out with an entire group of first-timers, ensure there are some backcountry veterans along. Equally important, make sure the entire group’s risk tolerance and goals align.” – Bruce 

## Book early 

Hut reservations can fill up fast. Start planning a few months in advance if possible. Tip: ACC members can book huts before non-members, and they save about $10 per night as well. “Know the cancellation policy for each hut,” Yuki says. “I find it can make it a bit easier to plan in advance without being locked in, especially when you have a larger group of people.” Organize everyone’s details (names, contact info, membership numbers) before you book the hut. 

Because hut trips generally have to be booked so far in advance, have a range of objectives in mind. “If weather and avalanche conditions don't cooperate,” said Bruce, “you should have safe options that are amenable to the entire group – rather than find yourself dragged into unsafe conditions because of plans made months earlier.” 

*Photo: The Alpine Club of Canada, Bill Putnam (Fairy Meadow) Hut*

> “ACC membership is open to everyone, so if you’re booking a hut for four or five nights, the membership pays for itself.” – ACC 

## Get a little gourmet 

If you’re not focused on going ultralight, skip the dehydrated meals and bring real food. We’ve heard of some epic hut meals, from a full turkey dinner at the Wendy Thompson Hut to backpacks of cheese fondue for twenty.  

Shared meals with your group are awesome. Put together a Google doc to divvy up food duty (it also means you don’t have to cook every night). Also bring plenty of coffee and snacks, plus extras to share. “I can only handle so many bars and sweet stuff during the day,” said Bruce, “so I always have a bag of nuts, and a bag of landjaeger and cheese handy.”  

*Photo: The Alpine Club of Canada, Conrad Kain Hut*

> “My staple hut meal is Annie’s mac and cheese with a can of tuna, but I really want to try some of Colin Yen's @campwithcol recipes this season.” – Yuki 

*Photo: Kathy, MEC staffer on a trip to Battle Abbey Backcountry Lodge*

## Know your hut etiquette 

Short version: pitch in, be respectful, and carry out all your unused food. Being a good hut visitor and roomie makes a huge difference to everyone having a good time. Hut etiquette is such a big deal that the ACC put together a [two-part blog](https://blog.alpineclubofcanada.ca/blog/2019/1/28/your-voice-on-hut-etiquette-pt1) series of stories and tips from their members. A few key ones:  

- **Give a warm welcome**: When new people arrive, show them the ropes: how to get water, where food goes, and helpful tips. 

- **Pitch in with hut chores**: Fill the water buckets, carry firewood, clean up dishes that aren’t yours. It’ll all come back to you. 

- **Respect bedtime**: “I'm all for people staying up late but do it in a respectable manner,” says Yuki. “There's nothing worse than starting an early ski day tired from not getting a good sleep.” 

> “Once it’s dark, grab your puffy jacket and camera and step outside. If the night sky is clear, it will be worth every effort. Hut pics at night are amazing too.” – Bruce  

*Photo: The Alpine Club of Canada, A.O. Wheeler Hut*

## Bring the right gear 

Use our [backcountry ski touring checklist](/en/explore/ski-touring-checklist) to cover all your basics, safety and technical gear. Then plan your comfort zones: stuff to bring for hanging out at the hut. A few tips from hut pros: 

- **Hut booties**: “The number one item for any hut trip in any season is [hut booties](/en/product/5055-859/hut-booties?filters%5Bbrand%5D%5B0%5D=mec&colour=Obsidian),” says the ACC. They’re like sleeping bags for your feet and top everyone’s list of comfort items.  

- **Cozy PJs**: “I bring cozy long underwear tops and bottoms (generally [MEC T2 Base layers](/en/products/clothing/base-layers-and-underwear/base-layers-and-underwear/c/273/warmer)) to use exclusively as pyjamas,” says Bruce. 

- **Games**: Easy to carry games are a great way to meet people and hang out. Some faves? Bananagrams, Pass the Pigs, Monopoly Deal, Uno or travel cribbage. 

- **Creature comforts**: Like hand sanitizer, a face mask, ear plugs and toilet paper. 


## Want to know more about ACC huts? 

MEC has been partners with the ACC for ages, and our annual funding supports diversity and inclusion programs, ACC grant programs, and the operation and maintenance of the ACC’s hut network. We asked the ACC for a few hut tidbits to help you plan your winter and summer trips (yep, huts are great for hiking too!): 

- **Heats and eats**: All ACC huts have mattresses as well as cooking and eating utensils. Most have stoves (with fuel) and are heated, with firewood or propane provided.

- **Most remote**: Glacier Circle Cabin in the Dawson Range of Glacier National Park. Access is a full day’s travel across the Illecillewaet Glacier and requires mountaineering skills. 

*Photo: The Alpine Club of Canada, Glacier Circle Cabin*

- **Most accessible**: A.O. Wheeler Hut at Rogers Pass is a short walk from the parking lot in summer. 

- **Largest to smallest**: Conrad Kain Hut in the Bugaboos sleeps 35 people, Sapphire Col Hut in Rogers Pass sleeps just 4.  

*Photo: The Alpine Club of Canada, Sapphire Col Hut*

- **Best outhouse view**: [Castle Mountain](https://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/web/ACCMember/Huts/Castle_Mountain_Hut.aspx) is summer-only, and is too good not to mention. Picture an outhouse close to the edge of a 1,000-foot cliff with 180-degree views north and south up and down the Bow Valley. 

Happy hut trips! 

How to plan, how to book, and the number one item to bring outside of ski gear.

How to plan a backcountry hut trip

On the hunt for a new backcountry touring pack? We’ve got just the one – and it’s officially an award winner. Backcountry Skiing Canada just named the MEC Tour 32 Backpack as [Gear of the Year](https://www.backcountryskiingcanada.com/MEC-Tour-32-Backpack) and we couldn’t be more stoked.  

Designed for in and out adventures, the Tour 32 Pack is lightweight, durable and water-resistant with all the features you need for skiing, boarding or snowshoeing. It’s also a homegrown design, created by MEC Label equipment designer Joel Forsyth. Our in-house design team is small but mighty, so it’s awesome to be recognized for the outdoor gear they’re creating. 

>"The Tour 32 is my favourite ski touring bag to date." – Backcountry Skiing Canada team 

When he’s not designing packs (or tents or sleeping bags or panniers), MEC Label designer Joel is out in the mountains testing them. And it’s during development and testing that the Tour 32’s features came to life. “When we first started this pack project,” Joel told us, “we had briefs for a 32L and a 45L pack. Through the development, it soon evolved into one pack that could expand to suit both volumes – so you only need one pack in your gear closet.” 

*Above: Joel field testing a prototype of the MEC Tour 32 Pack on a BC backcountry trip.*

## What makes this pack great 

It’s got all the usable features you need without weighing you down. Some of the top reasons why it’s been a hit so far: 

**The expanding storage.** This 32L pack has a zippered top lid, plus the option of another 10L of storage with an expandable roll-top closure.  

>“I was skeptical of the unorthodox top access but after a few days in the field I am totally impressed by the design… the ability to quickly stash snowy crampons and skins separately in between the top lid and the roll top is a neat feature.” – Backcountry Skiing Canada team 

**The versatility:** It can carry skis (A-frame), snowshoes or a snowboard, ice axe and trekking poles. There’s a stowable helmet carrier too. Straps stash away when you’re not using them to give it a nice clean look. 

**The roomy safety gear pocket:** It’s quick and easy to get to your avalanche safety gear – just zip open the front pocket. There’s plenty of space; the Backcountry Skiing Canada crew noted that “snow saws, skins and even a small ice axe can fit as well without having to cram them in.” 

**The comfort.** Main access to the pack is through a rear-entry molded back panel. Since it doesn’t have stiffeners, field testers mentioned how comfortable they found this pack to carry. “We chose a rear-entry design to make transitions from hike to ski easy and efficient,” Joel said. “Plus, you don’t have to constantly put your back panel and shoulder straps in the snow where they’d ice up.” It’s also cinchable, so you can tighten it up for comfortable turns on the descent. 

**The value.** One of the goals of MEC Label is to make high-quality backcountry gear at prices that don’t break the bank. The Tour 32 pack is quite possibly one of the best feature sets for price out there. It’s also made from bluesign® materials for reduced environmental impact. 

Huge congrats to our design team! Find out more about why it made [Gear of the Year](https://www.backcountryskiingcanada.com/MEC-Tour-32-Backpack) from Backcountry Skiing Canada.   

Backcountry Skiing Canada just named the MEC Tour 32 Pack as Gear of the Year and we couldn’t be more stoked.

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