Vermont BC Alliance’s Ethics, Crested Butte Basecamp, Guide Killed in B.C. Avalanche, TransWorld Partnership, Record Snowfall

Vermont Backcountry Alliance Publishes Backcountry Ethics

In partnership with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Green Mountain Club, Green Mountain National Forest and Winter Wildlands Alliance, the Vermont Backcountry Alliance (VTBC) has published a new set of Leave No Trace guidelines for Vermont backcountry skiers and riders. The seven principles, adapted from the guidelines developed by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, will be posted at backcountry trailheads, ski areas and other locations throughout the state. “Our hope is that the Vermont Backcountry Ethics will help make the winter backcountry experience safer and more enjoyable for everyone,” says Ned Houston, a volunteer with VTBC. Check out the ethics, here.

Backcountry Basecamp Heads to Crested Butte

CRESTED BUTTE, COLO. The Backcountry Basecamp, presented in association with GORE-TEX, Patagonia and Voilé, heads to Crested Butte this weekend for a resort-based showcase of all things backcountry. The Crested Butte Basecamp stop began in Gunnison last night with a presentation by skier Caroline Gleich and continues all weekend long at Crested Butte Mountain Resort with a showcase of backcountry equipment, safety gear, free demos and guided tours and instruction from AIARE educators. On Saturday night, at 4 p.m., Basecamp hosts a party and raffle at Butte 66 to benefit Crested Butte Ski Patrol, the Crested Butte Avalanche Center and Western State Mountain Sports. For more on the Backcountry Basecamp, and a schedule of the weekend’s events, click here.

Guide Killed in Sorcerer Lodge Avalanche

GOLDEN, B.C. Robson Gmoser, Canadian Mountain Guide and co-owner of Battle Abbey—the backcountry hut in the Selkirk Mountains—was killed in an avalanche on Tuesday near Sorcerer Lodge, reports The Globe and Mail. Gmoser, 45, was guiding a group near Mt. Iconoclast and was reportedly assessing a slope when the slide broke loose, burying him under approximately 1.5 meters of snow. Forecasted avalanche danger throughout the region was rated low to moderate. “He was one of those exceptional people,” Sara Renner, Gmoser’s cousin, told The Globe and Mail, “one of those people you can never get enough of.” Gmoser is survived by his wife, Olivia Sofer, and his son, Max.

TransWorld partners with Backcountry Magazine Split Test

JEFFERSONVILLE, VT. This week, Backcountry Magazine announced a new partnership with TransWorld SNOWboarding to conduct the 2016 splitboard test. For eight years, Backcountry Magazine and a fleet of riders have traveled to Crested Butte, Colo. for a week of on-snow testing to create the industry’s most detailed and credible splitboard, boot, binding and accessory reviews. This year, TransWorld is teaming up with Backcountry to bring that beta to even more readers. “More and more of our readers are chasing powder into the backcountry every year and it’s our duty to make sure they have the right gear to get there and back safely,” says Scott Yorko, Associate Editor and Gear Editor at TransWorld SNOWboarding. “If we’re going to advise our readers’ buying decisions, it only makes sense to team up with Backcountry Magazine, who’ve been testing splitboards since their inception.” Read the full story, here.

Italian Town Gets Whopped with Record Snowfall

CAPRACOTTA, ITALY The Italian village of Capracotta, located about 200 km east of Rome, received some 100 inches of snow in just 18 hours last Thursday, reports the Italian weather site meteoweb.eu. According to CNN, the snowfall may be a global record—yet to be confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization—breaking that of a 1921 storm that brought 75.8 inches of snow in a single day to Silver Lake, Colo. By comparison, Boston, Mass. has received 105.7 inches this winter, CNN reports.