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We’re ending 2023 with a bang in the community events world of MEC! Our annual [MEC x POW Season Opener](https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/season-opener), in partnership with Arc’teryx, kicked off in October and it was our most epic tour yet. There were amazing **prizes, films** to get stoked on the season ahead, **thought-provoking conversations** with our **pro-athlete panels** and so much more. To spread the love this season, we added a few extra stops to the tour (new for 2023) - shout out to our climate advocates in Kelowna, Edmonton, Kitchener, Ottawa and Quebec City!  

With nine events and sold-out shows across the country, over 1,200 passionate outdoor enthusiasts joined us in celebrating winter. Together, we raised a **record breaking $40,000 for Protect Our Winters Canada** in the fight against climate change.  

Missed out on this year’s events or want to re-live the stoke? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the highlight reel below.  

MEC x POW: Season Opener

*Video: Anthony Bonello / @anthonybonello*

We kicked things off at our flagship store in Vancouver. The crowd was buzzing with energy, a lot of laughs and some sweet prizing. We had a sold-out event with over 300 people filling the store from top to bottom.  

We were lucky to have another lineup of amazing athletes that are champions in the movement against climate change. In Vancouver, we welcomed ski (and snowboard) legends [Mike Douglas](https://www.instagram.com/mikedski/), [Anna Segal](https://www.instagram.com/anna_segal), [Tobin Seagal](https://www.instagram.com/tobinseagel) and [Marie-France Roy](https://www.instagram.com/mariefranceroy). Our panelists drove home the message that there is a lot of power in shifting your mindset and even the smallest change can be impactful.   

We also talked hot tips for the winter season with our pros, including advice for those with cold or sweaty feet! 

>“Use baby powder on your feet before your put your ski or snowboard socks on, and it absorbs any moisture and stops your feet from getting cold.” – Anna Segal, POW Athlete & Professional Skier 

Our friends from Arc’teryx pulled out all the stops, transporting our attendees into virtual backcountry huts with their VR experience. The ReBird team was a special addition to this year’s events, joining us to share their circularity journey through their ReCARE, ReGEAR and ReCUT programs. We talked tips and tricks on how to preserve and extend the life cycle of their gear, through maintenance and repairs, with the goal of keeping it out of landfills.  

*Photo: Carolyn Campbell / @carolyn_campbell*

A winter celebration wouldn’t be complete without ski films to get us excited about the season ahead. We were stoked to showcase two films that should definitely be on your must-watch list! First up we had [Unlikely Duo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwWxR57MMfI&feature=youtu.be), presented by Arc’teryx, that explores the adventures and partnership of world-class competitive skiers, Tom Peiffer and Eric Carter.

We were in for a treat as one of our panelists, pro skier and POW Athlete, Anna Segal, was in Vancouver to present her film.  Directed by Jeff Thomas, [23.4 Degrees](https://vimeo.com/869394960) follows a skier across the valleys, forests and mountain summits of BC as she explores her affinity with seasonal change and the role it plays in connecting our modern lifestyle to the natural world. 

3,2,1...Dropping into Montreal, where we were in search of the best "yeeeewwww". If you haven't watched our reel yet, [here](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0CoCFrMQL1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) you go (and you're welcome). We were so stoked to have Arianne Dufour from the POW Canada team as the host, alongside our panelists [Pascale Vezina Rioux](https://www.instagram.com/pascvr) (from [Les Chèvres de Montagne](https://www.instagram.com/les.chevres.de.montagne/)), [Phil Marquis](https://www.instagram.com/philmarquis), [Marion Thenault](https://www.instagram.com/marionthenault) and [Félix Savard-Côté](https://www.instagram.com/skifelix).  

Another hot tip from our pro-athlete panel to keep you enjoying winter all season long? 

>“Progress gradually and respect your limits this winter to have fun until March, April and May.” - Philippe Marquis, POW Athlete & Professional Skier 

With all the energy from Montreal keeping us going, we made our third stop in Toronto. The event kicked off with a special message from POW Athlete and Eco-explorer [Mario Rigby](https://www.instagram.com/mariorigby) to set the stage for conversations to unfold that evening. We were joined by POW Canada’s Executive Director Ali Wines and two incredible panelists, MEC Ambassador and POW Athlete [Yuki Tsubota](https://www.instagram.com/yuki_tsubota) and POW Canada chapter lead [Dave Spies](https://www.instagram.com/davemspies).  

We were able to get a different perspective from Dave Spies, whose work focuses on environmental law and public lands defense. Yuki shared her firsthand experiences on the mountain and how the landscape has become very unpredictable, making it more challenging for folks to enjoy the backcountry.

We continued our chase for winter, packed up our parkas and headed to Calgary. We didn’t think that anything could top the Vancouver event (sorry, I’m a born and raised Vancouverite and I love my city!) but Calgary brought the energy and level of stoke up to ten. Attendees queued down the block with skis and snowboards in-hand for the ski-wax-by-donation, drinks flowed from local breweries and the tunes were pumping from our [DJ Sonidef.](https://www.instagram.com/djsonidef)  

Our last panel of this tour included: [Anna Segal](https://www.instagram.com/anna_segal), [Dahria Beatty](https://www.instagram.com/dahriabeatty) and [Elladj Balde](https://www.instagram.com/elladjbalde) hosted by Kieren Britton from POW Canada. Another amazing winter sport? Figure skating - Elladj Balde is on a mission to make it cool again! You heard it here first, folks.

Our lineup of prizes this year was jam-packed, including a 4-of-a-kind YETI Tundra cooler customized by the WKNDRS, some sweet gear from Arc’teryx, a MEC Label Ski Kit, Salomon AT ski boots, Osprey packs, Backcountry Access safety kits and much more.  

Thank you to everyone who came out to join us at these events. It’s always so special to be able to connect IRL with our community. 

A very special shout out to all the MEC staffers, volunteers and sponsors: Arc’teryx, YETI, Osprey, Backcountry Access and Salomon. To our drink sponsors, thank you for keeping us hydrated: Backcountry Brewing, Athletic Brewing, Boréale, Burdock Brewery, Eighty-Eight Brewing and Strait and Narrow.  

See you on the slopes! 

 

For more photos from the event, check out our full [Facebook album](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=mec&set=a.736080728551319). 

The MEC x POW Season Opener kicked off in October 2023 with our most epic tour yet.

The POWer of positivity, uniting for environmental climate advocacy

Giving back to the outdoors is what the MEC community is all about. Since our first community giveback in 1987 **we’ve donated over $48 million**, and continue to donate every year nearly $1 million a year, through our [Outdoor Impact program](/en/explore/outdoor-impact): our outdoors initiatives that aim to **teach** outdoor skills, **protect** wild spaces and **grow** the communities of people getting outside. Through partnerships, grants, gear donations and hosting rad events like our [Season Opener](/en/explore/season-opener) and [Evening Talks with Tommy Caldwell and Sonnie Trotter](/en/article/stories-from-an-evening-with-tommy-caldwell-and-sonnie), MEC is committed to the ongoing journey of celebrating and supporting our outdoors community – and having as much fun as possible in the process.

Our community’s most recent peak? Well, thanks to you, our awesome members, MEC and Smartwool were able to donate **$15,000 to Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)** as part of our Sock week promotion to continue to help protect and conserve Canada’s beautiful wild spaces. When it comes to showing up for the outdoors, nobody does it better than the MEC community. 

*Photo: Royal Creek joins the Wind River, a tributary of the Peel River in northern Yukon Territory, Canada © Peter Mather/CPAWS*

This year we want to shine the spotlight on the incredible work, goals and accomplishments of our awesome partners. From breaking down socio-economic barriers to the outdoors, to doubling community member involvement in workshops and programs, 2023 has seen a lot of peaks for our partners. As any hiker can tell you: on the journey it’s just as important to keep your eyes on the trail ahead as it is to celebrate the miles you’ve logged and the summits you’ve reached. So we asked our partners to share some 2023 highlights and future goals for where they’re headed – check it out below to see just a few of their epic achievements. 

# Teaching outdoor skills 

These incredible organizations are committed to teaching outdoor skills like avalanche safety, backcountry risk management, outdoor learning for youth, intros to camping and so much more to inspire safety when recreating outside. 

## Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) 

The [ACMG](/en/explore/association-of-canadian-mountain-guides) and MEC have a rich history of partnership, much of which centres around the [Adventure Access program](https://www.acmg.ca/03public/partner/mec.aspx). To support this program, MEC provides funding for schools, clubs and other youth groups to hire ACMG-certified guides and instructors for outdoor adventure trips that may not otherwise be accessible to them because of the cost and potential liability. 


*Photo: ACMG summer Adventure Access Program with the K8 Mountaineering Club of Alberta*

**2023 highlight reel:**  

- 2023 was **the most impactful year yet** for the MEC X ACMG Adventure Access Program with over **170 youth and equity-deserving groups** across Canada taking part. 

- Adventure Access Program participants ranged from Algonquin National Park to Vancouver Island.

## Avalanche Canada 

Canada’s national public avalanche safety organization with a mission to inspire, engage and empower recreationists in the backcountry and to stay safe in avalanche territory. [Avalanche Canada](/en/explore/avalanche-canada) offers online webinars, Avalanche Skill Training (AST) programs and deliver outreach to winter backcountry users. 



*Photo: Avalanche Canada outreach team at on Vancouver Island an event during Avalanche Awareness week*

**2023 highlight reel:**

- Last winter we were lucky enough to welcome **12,046 students** into an Avalanche Canada Training course, **8,572 students** into our schools program and people looked at our website **7.6 million** times. Getting the message out and keeping people safe is always a highlight for us. 

## Avalanche Quebec 

Based out East? [Avalanche Quebec](/en/explore/avalanche-quebec) is a non-profit organization dedicated to avalanche safety. This is a unique program in eastern Canada that was initiated in the fall of 1999 in the heart of the Chic-Choc Mountains, in Gaspésie. 


*Photo: Avalanche Quebec doing field testing for the avalanche forecast*

**2023 highlight reel:**

- Welcomed **1,024 students** into an AST course, and facilitated 150 avalanche safety bulletins during the winter season. 

- Hosted the second edition of the Youth in the Mountains, where 24 young people had the opportunity to take part in a **free two-day introduction to mountain skiing**, including avalanche safety workshops.  

- Worked with schools to engage and educate youth on backcountry safety. In total, approximately **200 students across 7 schools** learned about avalanche safety.  

## North Shore Mountain Bike Association 

A volunteer-driven non-profit organization, [The North Shore Mountain Bike Association](/en/explore/north-shore-mountain-bike-association) is dedicated to caring for a network of community trail systems on Vancouver, BC’s legendary North Shore. Fun fact: MEC built and maintains the Expresso on Fromme trail – keep an eye out for friendly staffers and volunteers moving rocks and shaping berms. 



Shore Sessions Ep 1_NSMBA Trail Crew

**2023 highlight reel:**

- The NSMBA contributed over **8000 volunteer hours** to the trails in 2023, through **117 public trail days** (45 more than 2022). They also had 1517 individual volunteers come out with 500+ of those being new volunteers and 350+ youth volunteers. 

- In 2023 they launched their first women, trans, non-binary (WTNB) dig series and Fiver series to support breaking down barriers within the mountain bike industry. 


**Goals and milestones:**

- NSMBA’s 2022-2027’s strategic plan outlines 3 main pillars: Responsible land use, community impact and financial resilience. Growth in these three areas is a primary goal for the coming years. 

## Take Me Outside 

[Take Me Outside](/en/explore/take-me-outside) is on a mission to create a world where spending time outside learning, playing and exploring is a regular and significant part of every student’s day. They work with other organizations, school boards, teachers and individuals to encourage children and youth to spend more time outside through various initiatives. 


National Outdoor Learning Conference 2023

**2023 highlight reel:**

- The 13th annual Take Me Outside Day in October was the largest yet, with almost **500,000 educators and learners** taking part in a weeklong event celebrating outdoor learning. 

- The National Outdoor Learning Conference in Banff, Alberta took place in May — the first of its kind in the country. Registration for 2024 opened in November and **sold out in 24 hours!**   

- Approximately **19,000** people from dozens of countries signed up for the free seasonal virtual workshop series this fall, which **broke all previous records** for participation.

 **Goals and milestones:**

- Another sold out conference in Banff in May 2024.

- Brand new educator training program coming soon. 

- Creating a full-time position for TMO’s Executive Director. 

# Protecting wild spaces  

Our partners dedicated to conserving and protecting the incredible wilderness areas we’re so lucky to learn, explore and play in. 

## Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)  

[The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society](/en/explore/canadian-parks-and-wilderness-society) (CPAWS) is Canada’s only charity dedicated to the protection of public land, freshwater and ocean with a strong national and regional presence across the country. They are **Canada’s leader in conservation** and have played a lead role in protecting over half a million square kilometres. 


GIVING TUESDAY!

**2023 highlight reel:**

- For COP 15, many CPAWS staff and Indigenous partners came together in Montreal. The event enabled the coordination of over 30 environmental organizations that support the collective work of more than 130 civil society organizations. A total of 196 countries and their respective governments **committed to conserving at least 30% of land and ocean globally** while respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples.  

- In February, CPAWS was honoured to be the key environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO) partner for IMPAC5. This landmark event resulted in several significant advancements for marine protected areas (MPAs) in British Columbia including the pathway to 25% by 2025. 

**Goals and milestones:** 

- This year, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is celebrating their 60th anniversary. This milestone marks six decades of dedicated conservation work. 

- Inspiring a new generation of conservation enthusiasts with a common vision: permanently protecting at least half of land, freshwater and ocean in Canada to sustain nature and people for current and future generations. 


## Leave No Trace Canada 

Since 2006, MEC has supported [Leave No Trace](/en/explore/leave-no-trace-canada) (LNT) Canada’s mission to promote the responsible use of outdoor spaces through education, research and partnerships to help people discover the value of natural environments.   



**Achievements in partnership with MEC:**  

- Developing online learning workshops. 

- Hosting Leave No Trace workshops at MEC stores. 

- Translating informational and educational material. 

- Producing Leave No Trace reference cards. 

- Launching a [video series](https://leavenotrace.ca/video-training-page/) to share the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. 

## Protect Our Winters (POW) Canada  

The mission of [Protect Our Winters](/en/explore/protect-our-winters-canada) (POW) Canada is to turn outdoor enthusiasts into climate advocates. They lead a national community of professional athletes, forward-thinking industry leaders and outdoor enthusiasts to advocate for **systemic policy solutions to climate change** with 13 chapters nationwide. 

*Photo: POW Canada staff and Athlete Alliance members during a lobby trip to Ottawa*

**2023 highlight reel:**

- Bringing a team of 6 to Ottawa to discuss **transit and recreation access** across Canada with MPs such as Minister of Tourism Randy Boissonnault, and other policy makers in Canada. They had change-making conversations about what our next steps can be to improve access to the places we recreate and **minimize the carbon footprint.**

 

**Goals and milestones:**

- With these policy makers, they aim to bring their community of scientists, athletes, creatives and members together to propose real change for Canada. From transit to protecting natural resources, environmental law to education — the goals are never ending. 


# Growing communities getting active outside 

Breaking down socio-economic or even physical barriers to the outdoors. These organizations are connecting communities with the outdoors and creating new generations of nature lovers and conservationists. 

## L.A. Foundation  

With local chapters across the country, the [L.A. Foundation](/en/explore/la-foundation) aims to make the outdoor industry a more inclusive place, one adventure and adventurer at a time. They support women+, non-binary adventurers and allies in the outdoors. 


*Photo: L.A. Foundation during a winter chapter event in the Yukon*

**2023 highlight reel:**

- This year marked a pivotal moment as they dedicated focused efforts to refine and enhance their **scholarship delivery program.**

- L.A. Foundation proudly granted seven individuals from our community **fully-funded scholarships**, enabling them to pursue their aspirations in outdoor education. With additional scholarships in the pipeline, they’re excited to continue expanding on this initiative, solidifying their commitment to fostering **diverse leadership** in the outdoors. 

**Goals and milestones:**

- Currently, L.A. Foundation proudly oversees 12 active chapters from Whitehorse, Yukon to Vancouver Island and Ottawa, Ontario. In the coming years, they aim to expand their reach to 15 active chapters nationwide. 

- They’re also excited about the evolution of their scholarship program. Collaborating closely with educator partners and looking forward to providing more scholarships each year. 

## Parkbus  

By offering accessible transportation options to connect city dwellers with nature, [Parkbus](/en/explore/parkbus) helps connect thousands of people across Canada with parks, wilderness and outdoor spaces they wouldn’t otherwise be able to access. 

*Photo: Parkbus NatureLink program in Ontario during the fall*

**2023 highlight reel:**

- Facilitating of **over 70 guided trips** to various conservation areas and provincial parks. This extended reach allowed connected even more city residents with the wonders of the outdoors, fostering a sense of community and exploration. 

**Goals and milestones:**

- Primary focuses include expanding their programs’ reach, introducing innovative outdoor experiences and fostering an even stronger relationship with community partners. Weekday and overnight trips and the first hiking competition are also in the works for future adventures. 

## Parks Canada  

[Parks Canada](/en/explore/parks-canada) is proudly committed to the preservation and presentation of some of Canada’s natural and cultural wonders. They manage over 200 protected places across the country, including 12 of Canada’s 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.   


*Photo: Learn-to Camp program participants at a workshop*

**2023 highlight reel:**

- **Parks Canada's Outreach booths** became vibrant hubs of information and excitement at popular trailheads. Families, adventurers and curious minds gathered to learn about camping, outdoor safety and the wonders of natural spaces. 

- Learn-to Camp: Transforming interested or novice campers into seasoned outdoors dwellers for **13 years and counting**. A newfound appreciation for the great outdoors blossomed, **fostering a sense of stewardship** for our natural treasures. 

**Goals and milestones:**

- 35 overnight events at 19 different locations (Parks Canada administrated sites and partners’ venues). 

- All-summer activities in 7 urban hubs: pop-up outreach, workshops, Learn-to Camp overnight events, other Learn-to activities. 

- Fall season activities are on their way in a few hubs and we’ll be offering in-person and virtual activities including Learn-to cross-country ski. 

- 94,000 contacts so far this year and still counting. 

## Spirit North  

[Spirit North](/en/explore/spirit-north) has delivered programs to **over 13,000 Indigenous youth** in **103 communities** and **182 schools**, across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the Northwest Territories – breaking down socio-economic barriers to the outdoors through recreation and adventure. 


Spirit North - Just Add Play - Ski

**2023 highlight reel:** 

- Working in partnership with communities, **we reached more Indigenous children and youth this past year** than at any other time in the history of the organization.  

- From the tundra of the Beaufort Delta to downtown Winnipeg – the numbers of programs, activities, events, communities, children, youth, leaders, and staff has increased at an astonishing rate – **nearly doubling** in some cases.  

 
**Goals and milestones:**

- In their path ahead, the Spirit North team is focusing on partnering with more Indigenous communities to bring programs to more youth.   

- Hiring more program leaders from Indigenous communities.  

- Growing our Youth Leadership Program to include employment opportunities for Indigenous youth. 

## Hike MTL 

[Hike MTL](https://www.hikemtl.com/) is a team of educational facilitators who curate excursions and experiences for BIPOC and marginalized communities. Their mission? To **empower and destigmatize BIPOC communities** by engaging in outdoor recreational activities, while **reducing the economic and social barriers** and promoting a healthy lifestyle, both physical and mental. 

BLK Winter Fest 2023

**2023 highlight reel:**

- This year marked a significant milestone with the successful **launch of BLK WinterFest.** This month-long initiative introduced winter sports to Black Montrealers of all ages, featuring **7 diverse events** that attracted **over 200 attendees.**  

**Goals and milestones:**

- Introducing a corporate wellness team-building package to their offerings. This addition aims to foster team connections in the outdoors, addressing issues of isolation, enhancing the sense of belonging and promoting mental well-being in the workplace. Engaging in outdoor spaces offers a unique and valuable alternative to traditional team-building activities, bringing a refreshing perspective to workplace dynamics. 

## Les Chèvres de Montagne 

[Les Chèvres de Montagne](https://en.leschevresdemontagne.com/a-propos) is the largest outdoor community of women in Canada. They organize unique events that bring like-minded women together to recreate outside, share best practices, gain confidence and, most importantly, have fun.   

*Photo: Les Chèvres de Montagne program participants during a climbing event*

**2023 highlight reel:**

- They launched their **new website** in February 2023! This was a huge step forward for their customer service as it allows them to **facilitate events, share knowledge and recipes** on their blog and so many other projects. 

**Goals or milestones:**

- Growing their support of trail maintenance and clean-ups on local mountain bike and running trails.  

- Creating an incentive system for the initiatives our community takes to protect the environment. For example, anyone who carpools to an event will be able to receive a credit or discount for a future activity. 

# Doing it all 

When it comes to giving back to the outdoors, some partners really do it all. Alpine Club of Canada  is just one of these organizations running initiatives that fall under all three of our MEC Outdoor Impact program pillars. **Teaching** outdoor skills through a variety of skill courses, **protecting** wild spaces through their sustainable recreation and environmental fund (check out some of the hut improvements they’ve rolled out below) and **growing** local outdoors communities by facilitating community events and adventures. So rad, right? Keep reading to see even more. 

  

## Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) 

With **25 regional sections**, year-round mountain adventures and a big system of backcountry huts, the [Alpine Club of Canada](/en/explore/alpine-club-of-canada) has a **117-year history** of getting into the alpine. 

*Photo: Sustainable energy systems at the Louise and Richard Guy Hut along the Wapta Icefield in Yoho National Park, BC*

**2023 highlight reel:** 

- The ACC made enormous progress on upgrading their backcountry hut system, including seven major improvement projects. **Solar, micro-hydro,** and **wind power installations** are replacing many of the older energy systems in the huts.   

- The **6th annual State of the Mountains Report** was published in October. Each year, this collection of expert commentaries and climate science articles raises awareness about Canada’s mountain places and the current challenges facing them. 

**Goals and milestones:**

- The club will be replacing the popular, but out of date Castle Mountain Hut with a larger, modern structure in 2024. The upgrade of this climbers’ hut half-way up Banff’s Castle Mountain will be a major event for the climbing community.

# Want to learn more?  

With so many rad organizations doing such important and incredible work, it can sometimes feel overwhelming – where do you event start? Check out our MEC Outdoor Impact program page to see more details on each organization and how you can get involved through **donations, volunteer opportunities, events** and more.  

Giving back to the outdoors is what the MEC community is all about.

Giving Tuesday 2023

Giving Tuesday: Mountains of good together

Looking to buff up your skills or start learning about safe travel in snowy environments? We asked the pros at Avalanche Canada about the best ways to get set for the season.  

## What are your top 3 backcountry travel tips?  

Avalanches might not be the first thing on your mind when you're exploring mountains, but you don’t have to ski or snowboard in big terrain to be at risk. Lots of hiking and snowshoe trails are in avalanche terrain and knowing how to stay safe is an important part of travelling in the winter environment.  

1. Take an [Avalanche Canada Training course](https://www.avalanche.ca/training). Avalanche Skills Training 1 (AST 1) is a must for everyone recreating in the backcountry. You’ll learn how to recognize avalanche terrain, understand forecasts, plan trips and perform a companion rescue. It’s also a great way to meet adventure partners.  
2. Check out our online tutorial, [Avy Savvy](https://avysavvy.avalanche.ca/). It’s a free, interactive introduction to avalanche safety. It’s also a great refresher for those with some education.  
3. Being prepared for the season starts long before the trailhead. We never head out until we’ve checked all of our gear, replaced batteries in our transceivers, and most importantly, done a few companion rescue practice scenarios with our group.

*Photo: Jennifer Coulter, Field Program Supervisor at Avalanche Canada*

## Are there other good resources people might not know about?  
- [Rescue at Cherry Bowl](https://avalanche.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=865353c8e713ab831d1fde08f&id=5aad11093c&e=6656f3523e) is a gripping story of a real avalanche rescue, and a great reminder that keeping your companion rescue skills sharp can save lives.  

- [The Ice Climbing Atlas](https://www.avalanche.ca/resources/ice-climbing/atlas) is a resource that outlines the avalanche terrain and lists historical observations for popular climbs in the Canadian Rockies. It’s spearheaded by our Avalanche Ambassador, [Sarah Hueniken](https://www.avalanche.ca/ambassadors#sarah-hueniken). It’s a must-have tool for anyone planning to ice climb this winter.  

- [Avalanche Canada Forecasters’ Blogs](https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs) are useful for in-depth analyses of the snowpack, discussions about conditions for specific areas, incidents and avalanche rescue technologies – any topic forecasters want to talk about either directly or loosely related to avalanches.  

## Tell us about the webinars  
Avalanche Canada hosts a [free webinar series](https://www.avalanche.ca/events/avalanche-canada-webinars-series-2023-24) on Wednesdays at 7pm PT. You need to register to secure your spot for the live sessions, but you can access the [recorded webinars](https://avalanche.ca/education/recorded-webinars) anytime. Topics for the 2023-24 season include recognizing avalanche terrain, trip preparedness, skiing in out-of-bounds areas and advice from Search and Rescue specialists.  

*Photo: Avalanche Canada, Avalache Canada mobile app*

## How does someone check an avalanche forecast throughout the season?
Forecasting begins November 24, 2023. Forecasts are issued every day at 4pm (a little later in Newfoundland) for the following day and include an outline of expected trends for two days after that. This three-day forecast allows you to plan ahead.  

Visit [avalanche.ca](https://avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network) (for info from forecasters in Quebec, visit [avalanchequebec.ca](https://avalanchequebec.ca/bulletin-davalanche/)) or use the [Avalanche Canada mobile app](https://app.avalanche.ca/) on iOS or Android. The app is also available from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Make sure to check for the Avalanche Canada logo to download the right one. Use the site or app to find a region on the map or by searching a place name, then open the forecast for that specific region. We use a flexible forecasting system, so the regions change with conditions and the map may look different from day to day. Check out this [video tutorial](https://vimeo.com/758096039/ef015aba9e) and [FAQs](https://www.avalanche.ca/forecasts) to learn more.  

You can also use the Mountain Information Network (MIN) to get updates as users add them.  

## Tell us more about the MIN – how does it help?  
The [Mountain Information Network](https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network) is a free service for getting and sharing real-time, location-specific information. It’s an important tool for recreationists and forecasters to share info about riding, ice, avalanche, snowpack and weather conditions plus incidents in real time. You can post and view info on our website or through the app.  

Sharing information helps others make better decisions about where and when to ride safely. It also helps forecasters provide better public information in areas where data sources are scarce, such as the northern Rocky Mountains and parts of the southern Purcells.  

> “You don’t need to be an expert to post on the MIN, often a simple description of the conditions and an image make an incredibly helpful report."

*Photo: Avalanche Canada, K8 Mountaineering Club of Alberta during AST-1*

## Other than the big 3, any other safety gear you recommend?  
If you’re in avalanche terrain, you must carry the right gear and know how to use it. Everyone in your group needs essential rescue gear (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe) and the training to use it effectively in an emergency.  

Other safety tools to consider:  
- [Avalanche airbags](https://www.mec.ca/en/products/snow/avalanche-safety-gear/avalanche-air-bag/c/2084) can help reduce the severity of the effects of being caught in an avalanche by reducing burial depth or even preventing burial. It’s important to remember though that they aren’t a “silver bullet” for avalanche safety.  
- [Emergency communication devices](https://www.mec.ca/en/products/electronics/satellite-communicators-and-locators/c/1149), though not a substitute for [companion rescue](https://www.avalanche.ca/glossary#companion-rescue) or self-sufficiency, being able to communicate in an emergency is valuable. GPS-based devices that rely on a commercial satellite network allow you to communicate short text messages and/or location coordinates to friends and family or send emergency calls for help.  

## What’s the biggest myth you want to bust?  
There are so many backcountry safety and avalanche myths – we could write an entire blog post about them. Probably the most important one: if your group got back safe, don’t assume you didn’t make any mistakes. We all get lucky sometimes. When you debrief at the end of the day, it’s valuable to discuss where the group might have made poor choices and got away with it.  

We also want to remind people that avalanche terrain doesn’t need to be in front of you. Overhead hazard can be easy to overlook when planning a route, especially when you’re not planning to enter avalanche terrain directly.  

## Favourite snacks for a backcountry trip?  
Our team has lots of opinions about backcountry snacks, but our go-to choices include dried mango, peanut butter and crackers, and chocolate covered almonds. They’re easy to eat on the skin track and provide lots of quick energy.  

On particularly chilly days, consider bringing a hot beverage. Nothing hits the spot on a cold day quite like a flask full of hot chocolate, tea or coffee.  

## Must-pack items (beyond the obvious) for a ski trip?  
There are so many things to make your trip safer and easier (e.g. extra layers, spare gloves) it’s hard to narrow it down. But we’d highly recommend a first aid kit and a gear repair kit. If you’re staying in a lodge or hut, earplugs are a small addition that can change your entire trip experience!

Advice from the experts at Avalanche Canada

How to get ready for winter backcountry adventures

Empowering more people to get outside is one of our favourite things. That’s why we’re super excited to launch technical plus size hiking gear from MEC Label – because awesome outdoor adventures start with finding your right fit. While we haven’t been able to make all the gear we have in mind (idea overload!), we’re psyched that this collection marks the start of our latest MEC Label journey.

As a retailer, MEC has carried plus sizes from brands like Girlfriend Collective, Alder Apparel, Gregory and Outdoor Research for years. But when it comes to plus size gear designed by our in-house MEC Label team, we totally recognize that we’re late to the party. So this is long overdue, but we’re stoked to finally be able to offer technical plus size hiking gear by our very own MEC Label.


One thing we’re especially pumped about? The collection is created to be a system. We’ve designed base layers, insulated jackets, rain shells, hiking pants and more to work together for rain, wind, snow and demanding conditions. It’s thoughtful, it’s technical and it’s just part of our continued commitment to supporting diversity in the outdoors.

It’s also just the beginning. Think of this launch as our arrival to the trailhead: we’ve double-knotted our laces and plotted our route, but we have a long way to go (and a lot more ideas).

*We took classic MEC favourites like the Rapidi-T Long Sleeve Shirt, Uplink Jacket and Borderland Pants and tailored them to plus size requirements.*

## What is plus sizing?

There are a lot of terms floating around out there: plus sizes, extended sizes, straight sizes – so let’s break it down a bit. “Plus sizing” means we don’t just take “straight sizes” (a.k.a. small, medium, large) and make them bigger. Plus sizes consider fuller hip to waist ratios, so you don’t end up with shells that squeeze the shoulders or rain pants that gape at the hips.

**Fun fact:** the [Smash + Tess x MEC collab](/en/explore/smash-tess-mec-collab) on the Fresh Air Fleece Jumpsuits in 2022 was a pivotal learning point for our design team when it came to working with measurements and fit for women’s plus size clothing.


> “We went through interviewing and fitting to make sure that we had 1X, 2X, 3X and 4X sizes. It was important that we weren’t just doing one fitting for one size and grading.” – Sophie, Director Product Creation, MEC Label  

## Community-led design 
All this work: designing, testing, fitting, gathering feedback, re-designing and re-testing, took about two years from initial design conception to seeing gear land in stores and on mec.ca. 

In the development process, we leaned on the expertise of our community to pinpoint the problem areas in plus size gear on the market right now. Our in-house design team collaborated with other outdoor brands and plus size voices in the outdoor industry to identify challenges people face, from in-store shopping to summit.



> “It was great to be part of the gear-testing process. Being able to contribute suggestions and changes to the clothing was a good feeling. I’m excited for people to try the Uplink Jacket!” – Kaila, MEC product tester

The key takeaway was simple: women want technical performance gear without compromising on comfort and colour. 

## More technical options. More people outside.
We listened to what our community was looking for: a plus size performance hiking gear collection with base layers, insulation, shells and pants that are versatile, but work together. We wanted to give more people more technical options, which meant layers you can mix and match, pull on and peel off as needed. Adventuring outdoors in gear that forces you to choose between staying dry and staying warm is not only uncomfortable but can be seriously unsafe in the wrong conditions. The   leggings you wear running errands and summer car camping just aren’t going to cut it when you’re pushing pace up Mount Robson.

Another theme we heard? Not enough colour options. Outdoor brands with great technical gear mainly carried plus sizes in neutral colours like black, greys and navy, which not only can be unsafe as they’re hard to spot in the dark, but also begged the question: what good is great performance gear if you don’t love wearing it? So we took the colours we have for other sizes, and continued them in this collection, too.

> “I look for fit, function and colour. I feel MEC has done this well and I can’t wait until they have even more plus options going up to 4X.” – Kaila, MEC product tester

*MEC product tester, Rebecca took her Uplink Jacket and Borderland pants for a spin in Grasslands National Park this fall.*

When you’re investing in gear, you want to make sure it’s something you’ll love year after year. That’s why we’re carrying MEC plus size hiking products in select stores so you can try them on for fit and comfort before your next multi-day or alpine ascent. “Through the fitting process we started to whittle out products that weren’t right. We wanted to make sure the gear we launched with fit the best, was the most comfortable, retained the most warmth and kept [testers] the driest,” says Emily, Category Manager of MEC Label.

## What’s next for plus size MEC Label?
The new MEC Label plus size hiking gear collection is our first step on a much longer journey. It’s been awesome hearing such incredible feedback from our community and we’re looking forward to releasing more MEC favourites in plus sizes in the future.

**Hint:** Hey skiers, keep an eye on our channels when the season picks up. Our plus size ski gear lineup will be dropping with the first powder flurries. 


*Photo credits: Header image and bottom image courtesy of MEC product tester, Kaila.*

We're excited to launch plus size hiking gear by MEC Label, a technical collection of base layers, rain shells, insulated jackets and more.

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