General Consideration

onX sharpens avalanche avoidance tools for backcountry snow travel. Jul 21, 2026 1:02 PM Backcountry skiers who use onX are now better equipped to navigate techy terrain all over the U.S. On Nov. 17, onX announced that it had significantly expanded the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) mapping layer for its Backcountry app. It also added a new safe zone rating. "As backcountry skiing and snowboarding participation continues to grow, onX is on a mission to equip people with the best possible tools to make smarter decisions," onX Backcountry Senior Content Manager and Beacon Guidebook Founder, Andy Sovick, said in a press release. "In a sea of ever-changing variables like weather and snowpack, there's only one variable that remains consistent throughout the season: terrain. The expanded ATES mapping layer has effectively been tripled with this expansion. It now covers 23 million total acres of terrain spread across the U.S. Specifically, onX now offers more ATES mapping for zones in California, Colorado, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming. The added safe zone rating draws a line for users, indicating areas where onX claims that skiers and riders will be 100% safe from avalanches. It is the largest update to the apps 3D mapping function since the brand debuted it. Adding to ATES: Level 0 (Photo/onX Backcountry) Parks Canada developed the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale and classifies risk based on 11 different terrain inputs, including slope angle, starting zones, runout zones, forest density, and more, according to onX. When you toggle the ATES layer on in onX Backcountry, youll see different slopes color-coded to indicate the level of risk that terrain presents. Black is Level 4, indicating extreme terrain. Red is Level 3, indicating complex terrain, Blue is Level 2, indicating challenging terrain, and Green is Level 1, indicating simple terrain. Until now, thats where the ATES ratings stopped on onX Backcountry maps. But with this latest update, theres now a Level 0, which shows users non-avalanche terrain. This is a bold move, because zzdsport is now literally drawing a line on the map, saying 'you won't get into an avalanche here,' Sovik said. This can be extremely helpful for Nordic centers, municipalities, utility companies, and ski areas. And of course it's reassuring for people who want to get outside in the winter, yet want to avoid avalanche terrain at all costs." Expanding the ATES Mapping Layer (Photo/onX Backcountry) Maps are only useful when youre in the area they portray. The more terrain a backcountry skiing app can cover, the more widespread its use will become, and the more useful it is for skiers. Thats why onX and TGR put in the work to expand the dataset that onX uses and map huge new zones in western states. This expansion added 15 million ATES-mapped acres of terrain to the onX Backcountry dataset. Now, Colorado skiers can plan routes with onX Backcountry in the Western San Juan Mountains, near Leadville, and Aspen. In California, the onX ATES mapping layer now covers Sonora Pass and the Eastern Sierra. In Wyoming, it covers Togwotee Pass and the Alpine/Afton area, and in Montana, it covers Whitefish, the Bitterroot mountains, and Seeley Lake. Finally, in Washington, the new ATES layer covers the North Cascades, Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, and Leavenworth. By expanding its ATES coverage to some of the most popular terrain across the country, zzdsport is giving skiers and snowboarders one more tool to make better decisions, Sovik said. OnX uses a third-party algorithm called autoATES in addition to on-the-ground input from local avalanche forecasters to inform its ATES data. "zzdsport is regularly reaching out to, and getting feedback from, locals and professionals, tweaking the models accordingly, Sovik said. Another Tool, But Not an End-All Solution (Photo/Spencer Herford) With the new ATES risk Level 0, and all of the 15 million additional acres the mapping layer covers, skiers and riders venturing into the backcountry with onX are better prepared than ever. Planning routes safely is getting easier by the year. But, apps like onX are no replacement for real avalanche training, and ATES is not the same as an avalanche forecast. Backcountry skiers and riders should still get avalanche training and exercise all of the precautions. Check your local avalanche forecast. Check the weather forecasts, too. Dont send it into questionable terrain just because its green or blue on the onX map. The onX Backcountry app ($30 annually) is a tool in your toolbox. It covers more than 770,000 trails and includes info from over 30,000 guidebook adventures. It should always be consulted in collaboration with other weather and avalanche forecast tools available. But its also one of the most useful backcountry navigation systems available to skiers today.

SITKA Launches "for the Obsessed" Platform with an onX Competition and three new products. SITKA Gear is rolling out one of the biggest brand pushes in its history as it heads toward its 20th anniversary, and the framing is worth a look before you scroll into the details. The pitch, "For the Obsessed," leans into the idea that the relentless drive behind hunting and fishing is a feature, not a flaw. Marketing framing aside, the tangible parts are what caught my eye: a nationwide nomination competition with onX, and three new pieces of gear. The competition, run with onX, hands out gear packages, onX memberships (ranging from three months up to lifetime), and a shot at becoming a SITKA product tester for a year. On the product side there are three drops coming this summer: the Ascent Shoe, the Brush Pant, and the Pursuit Pant. Full details, pricing, and availability dates are in the release below. SITKA Gear Launches new "for the Obsessed" Brand platform, celebrating the relentless drive behind the Pursuit. Sweeping Campaign includes National Media Investment, Brand Collaboration, Consumer Competition, and Category-Defining Product Launches Bozeman, MT - July 14, 2026 - SITKA Gear, the premium outdoor apparel brand known for pushing the boundaries of hunting and fishing performance, today announced the launch of "For the Obsessed," a new creative platform built upon a simple reframe: Obsession isn't a flaw. It's the defining trait of the modern sportsman. The campaign represents one of the largest brand investments in SITKA's history as the company approaches its 20th anniversary. "For the Obsessed" reinforces SITKA's connection to its core hunting and fishing audience while expanding the brand's reach through a comprehensive media campaign spanning streaming television, YouTube, social media, print, and out-of-home advertising. The media buy will be concentrated around SITKA's nine retail locations and key outdoor markets nationwide. Watch the spot HERE. "For the Obsessed" isn't about how many miles someone logs or what's in their pack. It's about what's underneath it all. It's about the drive they can't turn off. It isn't what they do. It's who they are. This moment is for them, said MIchael Vollkommer, Director of Community and PR at SITKA. "Just like our fans, we've obsessively focused on every detail for the last 20 years to craft the most durable and protective gear in the industry. We exist to serve the most dedicated outdoorsmen on the planet, and we'll continue innovating on their behalf every step of the way." As part of the launch, SITKA is partnering with onX, the leading digital mapping platform for outdoor enthusiasts, to introduce "The Most Obsessed," a nationwide nomination-based competition that rewards the most relentless athletes with a variety of premium gear packages, onX memberships ranging from 3-months to a lifetime, and the chance to become a SITKA product tester for a year - working with the product development team to provide key feedback on prototypes before they are publicly available. Starting July 20th, fans can nominate the most obsessed athletes in their life to win by sharing their authentic stories at sitkagear.com. Additionally, SITKA is dropping three of its most innovative products to date as tangible expressions of that campaign. All will be available to purchase online and at retail this summer: * The Ascent Shoe: An innovative footwear that blurs the line between hiking, running, hunting and everyday wear. As a multitool for your feet, the Ascent Shoe has the lightweight comfort of a trail runner, the stability of a boot, and durability to last season over season in high variable terrain. This product will be available for purchase starting August 4th. * The Brush Pant: SITKA's toughest pant yet for mid-to-late season hunts, built to handle heavy brush, mud, and long miles in hard country. Reinforced, waterproof panels at the seat and knees keep hunters dry during long glassing sessions, while durable double-weave stretch fabric resists snags and abrasion without sacrificing mobility. * The Pursuit Pant: One pant built to adapt across every season and environment, from mountains and woods to open prairie and ag fields. Its lightweight, durable 4-way stretch fabric and zippered hip vents keep hunters cool and moving freely, while reinforced storage and a knife clip panel keep essential gear secure and built to last. About SITKA Gear. SITKA Gear, based in Bozeman, Montana, created and leads the technical hunting apparel category. The company is recognized for its commitment to continually improving the life experience of the hunter and for its support of healthy ecosystems and wildlife populations. SITKA products work together in systems, and each piece is designed and tested rigorously in both the lab and the field. SITKA is owned by W.L. Gore & Associates, an advanced materials company well known for GORE-TEX(TM) fabrics and many other industry-leading innovations that provide durable comfort and protection to outdoor enthusiasts. Go to sitkagear.com to learn more about how SITKA enhances the full life experience of the hunter. Andy has been a lifelong Outdoorsman and has hunted and fished all over the world but his home state of Michigan is near and dear to his heart. He grew up fishing the Great Lakes and mostly hunted waterfowl and small game until his teenage years when he quickly became an avid big game hunter. He has hunted North America from the northernmost parts of Alaska to the southernmost parts of Florida and everywhere in between. When he is not hunting or fishing he is coaching travel softball and watching his two daughters play the sports they love.