Last weekends event hosted at Mount Cain was a fundraiser for the Vancouver Island Avalanche Bulletin put on with help from Outdoor Van Isle and Island Alpine Guides.  I kept busy Saturday morning in the IAG tent signing people up and collecting donations for ACMG guided educational backcountry laps.  In the afternoon I was fortunate enough to join in on a lap with a group to ski the Dream Chute as a "tail guide/photographer".  After the lifts closed down a raffle with thousands of dollars worth of sweet prizes from generous sponsors, then a steak and prawn dinner followed by an epic outdoor dance party with four DJ's spinning into the early hours of Sunday.  The weekend continued on with more skiing and touring, blue skies, stoked skiers and snowboarders and recovering partyers.  There was so much going on during the weekend it was hard to be everywhere to document it everything (especially when the skiing was so good!) it's definitely a must see event.

DS_130210_72003 Stunning views from the village to wake up to in the morning, Mount Cain (left) and Mount Abel right.

DS_130210_71992 Guided tours were in high demand, people were lined up within minutes of the tent going up.

DS_130210_72050 Cliff (dark green jacket), a guide from IAG discusses our plan with the group

DS_130210_72048 Our proposed route

DS_130210_72097 Hiking up the bed surface and over the old fracture line proved to be an efficient route.

DS_130210_72114P Cliff leading the pack with Cain's summit behind.

DS_130210_72108 Looking back at the ski area and our traverse line across the "East Bowl".

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DS_130210_72137 The wind was blowing hard for some of the approach.

DS_130210_72145 Tele drop into the Dream Chute.

DS_130210_72185P In total 16 people skied the line and all were stoked!

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DS_130210_72207 Traversing back to the village through the old growth.

DS_130210_72214 Back just in time for the raffle

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DS_130210_72277 People walked away with some really sweet prizes

DS_130210_72293 and a beauty sunset.

DS_130210_72315 Volunteers worked hard all day to dial in the party site with a multi level dance floor, firepit and a DJ Booth (with lasers).

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DS_130210_72388 A very successful event indeed, over $4000 raised for the bulletin, Mount Cain broke their previous record in lift ticket sales and a truly amazing vibe from everyone all weekend long.  Can't wait for next years festival!   Check out the Van Isle Backcountry Festival website

The rest of the photos from the weekend can be viewed here