Tom went from bumming around the mountains snowboarding, to receiving
a masters degree in Avalanche mechanics from the University of Calgary
and landing what some would consider a dream job.Tom's vast knowledge
of snow and avalanches runs far deeper than the legendary Selkirk
powder he calls an office.



As indicated by our front
page poll, there is a significant number of users here who do
not have formal avalanche training. Biglines would like to welcome
Tom to the community as he will be sharing his knowledge about snow
safety with us this coming season.



Read an Interview with Tom




Name: T.S. Chalmers

Born: July 17, 1975, Halifax,
Nova Scotia

Home: Golden and Rogers Pass,
British Columbia

BL: Skis or board?

T.C: I skied for a long time,
then got on a board six or seven years ago and haven't looked back.

BL: What is your current profession?

T.C: I am an avalanche technician
with the Avalanche Control Section of Glacier National Park in Rogers
Pass, British Columbia. I also moonlight as a product tester and
backcountry/avalanche consultant for Burton Snowboards/ RED Corp.

BL: Describe a typical day
at the office...

T.C: That depends, but it can
be anything from touring the backcountry and doing snow profiles,
driving the snowcat, spotting avalanches along the Trans-Canada
Highway, or shooting down avalanches with the ACS crew and Army
using a big ole' 105mm Howitzer.

BL: Do you see any big avalanches?


T.C: Hmmm...at Rogers Pass,
we don't see any SMALL avalanches.

BL: How did you get into that
gig?

T.C: I did a university degree
on the East Coast, then spent some time out in Whistler, and somehow
ended up doing a Masters in Avalanche Mechanics at the University
of Calgary, under Bruce Jamieson. I spent two winters doing field
research and slaying pow up at Rogers Pass, then was fortunate enough
to get on with Parks Canada right after I finished at U of C.

BL: How many days a year do
you spend on snow?

T.C: I try to get at least a
hundred. Most of 'em in the backcountry, and usually about twenty
or thirty on a lift to keep the skills fresh. I try and get on snow
in early October and finish in May or whenever.

BL: Favourite spots?

T.C: The Columbia Mountain backcountry
is the best riding in the world, so I don't stray too far from my
neighbourhood. There are some sweet goods in the Dogtooth Range
in and around Kicking Horse. As for other stuff, I could tell you,
but then I'd have to kill you.

BL: What are you riding?

T.C: At the ski hills, I ride
a Burton Custom. In the backcountry I ride the Omen and Omen Split
boards. Ruler and Driver boots, Mission bindings. I also use Burton
AK(457) backcountry gear, packs, and outerwear.

BL: Do you own a sled?

T.C: Yep, just bought a Ski-Doo
Summit 600 with a few mods. I am super stoked to explore some new
spots this winter!

BL: What's the best thing about
living in The Pass?

T.C: Other than the obvious
stuff outside my door, I'd say Friday nights at the Army's Snowpunchers'
Lounge. Thanks to those guys for not letting things get too quiet
up there!

BL: What's the scariest thing
you've seen in the backcountry?

T.C: Weekend warriors. Sorry,
weekend warriors without enough knowledge or experience. Everybody
needs to respect the mountain environment and be prepared. That
means taking an avy course, getting the right gear and knowing how
to use it, and putting in the time to get a handle on things before
getting too aggressive in the backcountry!

BL: What can we expect from
you on Biglines this winter?

T.C: I have a ton of ideas...some
avalanche safety stuff, pictures and videos of some dope lines,
mountain ranges and snowpack climates, backcountry gear and travel,
interpreting the weather from forecasts and in the backcountry,
making sure your transceiver is working properly, reading avalanche
bulletins, snowpack updates, and I will be peeking in on the Biglines
avalanche/backcountry forum and answering questions from readers
from time to time.

BL: Shout outs?

T.C: I feel VERY lucky and stoked
to be where I am today, so there are lots of people to thank!



Dr. Bruce Jamieson for being a great mentor,
and the rest of the U of C crew. The entire Avalanche Control Section
of Glacier National Park.



The awesome folks at Burton Snowboards/RED- David Van Mullen, Chris
Mask, John Lacy, Scotty Taylor, Todd Christenen, Sean McVeigh, Markus
Koller, Steve Cleary.



Pete and Robyn Navin at Darkside Snow and Skate in Golden.



Scott, Tim, Brandon, Robin and Dave at Biglines



My doctors for keeping my knees together!



My shredding pals -E.K.O., H.P., the Rancho Relaxo crew, Johan Schleiss,
Greg Johnson, the MT.A. riders, Ryan Creary, and everybody else
who comes out with me in the winter! My family (east and west) for
always backing me!