There were around 600 participants at ISSW 2002 in Penticton. The
registration list showed just how international the workshop has
become, with folks from Canada, the United States, Russia, Norway,
France, Switzerland, Japan, Chile, India, Iceland, Denmark, the
Netherlands, Germany, England, Scotland, New Zealand, Austria, Sweden,
Andorra, and Spain in attendance. Just by strolling around during
the social breaks and checking out name tags, it became apparent
that there were a lot of heavy hitters in the house. Canadian heli-ski
pioneers, Swiss science gurus, guidebook authors, extreme skiing
pioneers, and snowboarding legends alike were hoisting beers and
talking shop.

ISSW 2002 was the place to find out what's happening in the snow
world. Commercial exhibits included the latest advances in explosive
control devices, rescue technology, and backcountry gear (not to
mention pro deals and stickers). Presentations covered everything
anybody might want to know about snow and avalanches: avalanche
accident studies, rescue and survival techniques, avalanche forecasting
tools, experiments and models to explain snow and avalanche behaviour,
avalanche awareness education, mountain weather, and even some discussions
about the way we look at mountain systems.

Although the week was busy, there was time to let it all soak
in and hang out with old friends. A mid-conference day off in the
ever-awesome Okanagan weather let everybody get outside for some
climbing at the famous Skaha bluffs, mountain biking in the nearby
hills, and touring the local wineries. The banquet on Thursday featured
a great slideshow by Chic Scott,
author of the Canadian ski-touring bible, "Summits and Icefields",
and some post-banquet antics from the crowd.

By Friday afternoon, brains were full of snow, livers were tired,
and many hands were being shaken as everybody headed back to their
own little corners of the snow world to dust off the gear and wait
for the coming winter.

Thanks to the ISSW 2002 committee and everybody
who came and made it a great conference! See ya in Jackson Hole
in 2004!