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
Production Company: Well Travelled Collective (@wearewelltravelled)
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