There’s always a moment at the beginning of something like this—when everyone is standing around, gear half on, half off, not quite sure what the next few days will hold. A mix of nerves, excitement, and that quiet question in the back of your mind: am I ready for this? VENTURE OUT Femme Backcountry Festival 2026 started there. New and familiar faces, people arriving from different places and different points in their backcountry journeys—but all showing up for the same reaso

When I know snow is coming in, I wake up, grab my phone, and check OpenSnow. Ten inches of fresh overnight at my local mountain. Nice. Then I swipe over to another favorite and see Silverton  is lining up for another 15 tomorrow. I look at my calendar. I’ve got the next five days off. That’s all I need to know — it’s time to storm chase. All smiles under the snow This is where OpenSnow really shines for me. It’s not just a single forecast or a snapshot in time — it’s the full

Somewhere between packing snacks, triple-checking your gear, and booting up in the cold at the trailhead, trip planning can start to feel optional. We’ve all been there. You meant to read the forecast more closely. You assumed everyone had the same goals. You figured you’d “talk it through in the parking lot.” Life is full — and when time gets tight, it’s tempting to cut corners. In the backcountry, those corners matter. Most incidents aren’t caused by one bad decision. They’

You keep telling yourself, “I’m not ready for AIARE 2.” But what if that doubt is the best reason to take it? This course isn’t about being an expert—it’s about gaining the skills and confidence to make your own backcountry decisions.

Introducing VNTRbirds’ AIARE Course Leader, Mentor, and Backcountry Educator - Janine Prout

As a seasoned backcountry instructor, here are my top 3 reasons why I encourage you to sign up for your first avalanche education course.

This mentorship scholarship opened my eyes to the vast perspectives of what a community can bring to you and the importance of preserving  those spaces. One of the coolest things I was able to experience was the unity of unique, badass women who were brave enough to be curious.

What an incredible weekend! We just wrapped up the 4th Annual VENTURE OUT Femme Backcountry Festival, and