Arc'teryx Presents: The Pass

In Rogers Pass, the Trans-Canada Highway and Canadian Pacific Railway wind underneath 134 avalanche paths that release 2,000 avalanche events each winter, controlled by military artillery, helicopters, and remote control systems. It was off-limits to ski touring for decades. Then a surprising player stepped up to help mastermind the Pass’s modern winter permit system that’s designed to keep skiers safe from Howitzers and controlled avalanches.

In this 12-minute film, we meet Sylvia Forest (63), a woman who rose to leadership in the rugged worlds of mountain rescue, guiding, and avalanche safety before equal representation was a blip on the radar, and one of the architects of the permit system in 1995. In turn, she mentored Danyelle Magnan, who recently became–after her own formidable experience in remote backcountry rescue and ski guiding–the first woman on the elite Rogers Pass avalanche forecasting team that’s responsible for thousands of lives on a daily basis. The duo reunite in the Pass for their first ski tour together after ten years, to reflect on their journeys in the face of high-risk elements, immense pressure, and long-established cultural norms. In quietly and impressively showing what’s possible, these two women represent a small but pivotal part of the seismic shift happening to the face of mountain culture.

LIST OF TALENT:

Name: Danyellye Magnan
Role: Avalanche Operations Officer, Parks Canada
Town: Revelstoke, BC

Name: Sylvia Forest
Role: Visitor Safety Manager, Parks Canada (2005-2013)
ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide
Town: Golden BC

LOCATION INFORMATION

Glacier National Park
Revelstoke, BC
Golden, BC

Filmed on location with permission of Parks Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces,
in Glacier National Park

Drone/UAV shots used in this film were taken from outside the park boundary and/or in compliance with the Parks Canada Agency UAV rules and regulations. Please note that Recreational use of drones at all Parks Canada places is prohibited.

CREDITS

Director: Andrea Wing
Producer: Zanny Venner
Director of Photography: Christopher Clark
Additional Cinematography & Drone: Joël Barrow
Writer: Cassidy Randall
Photographer: Zoya Lynch
ACMG Guide & Locations Support: Andrew McNab
Helicopter Support: Glacier Helicopters

Post Production: Holocene
Edited by: Mattias Evangelista, Micah Evangelista
Original Score: CORBEN
Sound Design & Mix: Caleb Carroll
Colourist: Dylan Hageman
Graphic Design: Tora Hylands

Avalanche Footage: Francois Desrosiers
Archival Film Footage: Royal BC Museum / National Film Board of Canada
Archival Photos: Revelstoke Museum & Archives
Rescue Footage: Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass, British Columbia, Canada

0:00 Introduction
1:07 About Danyelle Magnan
2:34 About Sylvia Forest
4:55 Navigating The Selkirk Mountains
6:05 Ups & Downs of Building The Rail Line
7:09 Avalanch Control Program
10:15 Backcountry Skiing In Rogers Pass
11:23 Winter Permit System
13:16 Ending Credits

#arcteryx #arcteryxpresents #rogerspass #backcountryskiing #transcanadahighway

[arcteryx]

Did you enjoy the ride through Rogers Pass?🏔Drop your thoughts below and hit subscribe for more inspiring mountain adventures!👇

[christopherdesantis]

Thank you for something other than just another ski movie.

[colincarver]

Cool. As an avid user of the pass, in the ski season, im stoked for this to become more recognized / respected by the ski community, since they have a lack of understanding, to varying degrees, as to the importance of the corridor, as well as the relative unimportance of their pastime. Ripping those peaks has been a cornerstone to my existence, which pales in comparison to the reality of why the pass is there. Good flik

[CaasiAndestein]

Rogers pass has got to be one of the most beautiful (and dangerous) passes I've ever seen.

[SimplyBllisss]

Beautiful film. Incredibly inspirational story of these two pioneering women and their work.

[whiplash]

So many memories! I've been snowboarding in that area many years ago and I remember the permit-system to avoid being in the shooting lane. There is a hut somewhere close to Rogers Pass, we used to hitchhike to Revelstoke to buy groceries. Young and without money but lots of powder and fun. And coming all the way from Europe those were some memorable weeks.

[johannesschmidt]

Danke für diesen gut recherchierten Bericht. Und meinen größten Respekt für die Damen und Herren die daß passieren dieses Passes ermöglichen! Da ich selber beim ÖRBD tätig bin kann ich dies sehr gut nach empfinden. Danke an die beiden bezaubernden ladies vor die Kamera zu treten. Namaste Joe

[Ethan_Coble]

The cinematography here is beyond exceptional.... Well done.

[shreddonkers]

So happy to see this and Danyelle shining in her element! I’m so proud to consider her a friend too! What an amazing film! For the Dream!!!

[nathanielrosa]

Fabulous. Visited the region from the UK at July in the summer. Beautiful seeing it from this snowy perspective. I was very impressed with parcs Canada and their mission, throughout my visit. A massive asset to the nation.

[everyeniw]

Thanks for the film. And thank you for the avalanche control team.

[albertaadventures]

Beautifully captured film. Thanks so much for highlighting the amazing work these folks do everyday ❤️

[ryhinton]

I love that area in the winter time. It really is magical. Thank you to all who make it possible to access.

[TanzTier]

Whoop whoop. Way to go Danyelle, congrats on achieving your dream. 🤩 Shout-out from Germany and regards from Gret and Brigitte.

[JossKenyon]

incredible story, cinematography, editing, sound.

Just an incredibly well produced documentation. Well done to everyone involved!

[alexdesbiens]

I visited Glacier National Park and the other BC Interior parks this last summer. Absolutely stunning, thank you for keeping them accessible to the public!

[devinbartley]

Awesome work. Proud to call this region my home. Thank you for putting everything into making the pass as safe as possible.

[welshmanwalking]

OMG what a documentary, that was brilliant and beautiful

[herveviens]

Thanks for the great work, for keeping us safe and keeping the playground open!

[alemodena]

Super inspiring! Hope to visit Canada soon 😍