Section 1: Skier Profile & Experience
Where do you mostly ski?
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Western Canada (BC/Alberta)
US Rockies (CO/UT/WY/MT)
US Pacific Northwest (WA/OR)
Northeast (QC/ON/VT/NH/NY)
Other
What is your typical split between resort and backcountry days in a season?
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100% Backcountry
Mostly Backcountry (75% / 25% Resort)
Even Split (50% / 50%)
Mostly Resort (75% / 25% Backcountry)
100% Resort (Just starting or wanting learn to explore the backcountry)
Would you be interested in a one day intro to backcountry skiing course?
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Yes
Maybe
No
How many days per season do you typically spend in the backcountry?
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1–5 days
6–15 days
16–30 days
30+ days
What is your experience level in the backcountry?
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Novice: New to touring, still learning to use gear and read terrain.
Intermediate: Comfortable with standard routes, can navigate simple-to-challenging terrain.
Advanced: Comfortable in complex terrain, experienced with glacier travel and technical descents.
Professional: Guide, SAR, or industry professional.
What is your highest level of avalanche education?
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None
Intro / Awareness Clinic
AST 1 / Level 1
AST 2 / Level 2
Professional Lead (CAA/A3)
Section 2: Gear & Equipment
How would you describe your primary ski/binding setup?
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Dedicated Backcountry: Lightweight tech/pin bindings and touring-specific skis.
Hybrid / 50-50: High-performance crossover gear (e.g., Salomon Shift, Marker Duke PT, ATK Hybrid) used for both resort and touring.
Frame Bindings: Traditional alpine-style bindings with a walk mode (heavier, but resort-compatible).
Dedicated Resort: Standard alpine gear (No walk mode; I rent or borrow for the backcountry).
What about your boots?
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Dedicated Touring Boots: Lightweight with a large range of motion (pin-compatible only).
Hybrid Boots: Stiffer boots with a walk mode and tech inserts (e.g., Tecnica Zero G, Atomic Hawx XTD) used for both resort and touring.
Dedicated Resort Boots: Standard alpine boots (No walk mode).
Do you own multiple setups, or are you a "One Quiver" skier?
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The Specialist: I have separate, dedicated setups for the resort and the backcountry.
The Generalist: I use one hybrid setup for everything I do.
The Fleet: I have 3+ setups for different conditions (e.g., ultra-light, powder, resort-stiff).
Section 3: Research & Sources
What sources do you use to research new routes? (Select all that apply)
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Paper Guidebooks (Classic local references)
Digital Route Platforms (BackcountrySkiingCanada.com, Fatmap/Strava, Trailforks)
Navigation & Planning Apps (Gaia GPS, onX Backcountry, CalTopo)
Weather & Snow Apps (OpenSnow, Windy, SpotWx)
Social Media/Forums (Instagram, Facebook Groups, South Coast Touring, etc.)
Word of Mouth (Friends, local mentors, or shop talk)
How much "Digital Scouting" do you do?
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Minimal: I look at a map and go.
Moderate: I look at different map sources and check the avalanche forecast and a few photos.
Heavy: I use 3D flyovers, slope-angle shading, and recent satellite imagery/webcams.
Which of the following online tools do you use?
Backcountry Skiing Canada Members Area
CalTopo
Gaia GPS
Powder Project
OnX Backcountry
Outmap
Rakkup
Strava
Trailforks
Other
Any general comments you would like to add that you felt the survey did not cover.
Section 4: Demographics
All demographic questions are optional
What is your age range?
Under 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 or older
What is your gender?
Male
Female
Non-binary
Prefer not to say
Other
What is your highest level of education?
Less than high school
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college
Associate degree
Bachelor's degree
Graduate degree
Other
What is your employment status?
Employed full-time
Employed part-time
Self-employed
Unemployed
Student
Retired
Prefer not to say
What is your approximate annual household income?
Under $25,000
$25,000-$49,999
$50,000-$74,999
$75,000-$99,999
$100,000-$149,999
$150,000 and above
Prefer not to say
Enter your email to be included in the prize draw (optional)
example@example.com
Skill Testing Question: What is (150 + 50) x 2 for prize draw
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