On The Edge, Surviving The Slopes

Photo credit: Leigh Caporal

For Leigh Caporal, time spent in mountain environments is organized around preparation, observation and the physical effort required to travel safely across alpine terrain. Her routine often begins early in the morning and continues through changing weather conditions, complex snowpack structures and terrain that requires careful evaluation before every descent. Skiing in these environments demands continuous attention to environmental variables such as visibility, temperature shifts and wind patterns, all of which influence how safe travel decisions are made.

Skiing has been a central part of Caporal’s life since childhood. She first developed an attachment to the sport at age 10, when time at the ski hill became a consistent part of her routine. The environment surrounding the sport provided more than physical activity. The community associated with skiing created a stable social setting that supported her through adolescence and early adulthood.

A later trip to Whistler Blackcomb expanded her understanding of the scale and possibilities of mountain recreation. Exposure to athletes and outdoor professionals working in large alpine environments introduced Caporal to a different form of skiing than she had experienced growing up in Ontario.

Although Ontario provided access to winter sports, the province lacks the extensive mountain terrain found in western Canada, and that contrast eventually motivated her to relocate closer to larger alpine landscapes. Caporal later moved to Revelstoke, British Columbia, a community known for steep terrain, significant annual snowfall and extensive access to backcountry travel routes. Skiing in this region requires a high level of technical awareness because weather conditions, avalanche hazards and terrain exposure can shift rapidly throughout the course of a single day.

The peace of mind. When I’m skiing, I have to be fully present. I’m thinking about the technical side, reading terrain, choosing the right line. It pulls me out of everything else. The mountains have a way of giving back, even on the hard days~Leigh Caporal

Her progression in skiing has also included significant setbacks. Approximately six seasons ago Caporal sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament, commonly referred to as an ACL injury. Injuries of this type often require extensive rehabilitation, and athletes returning to high-impact sports frequently encounter both physical and psychological challenges during recovery. In Caporal’s case, the injury forced her to stop skiing for two full seasons.

“Those moments can be exhausting, disappointing, and frustrating, but they’re also where the biggest lessons happen. You come out more prepared, more confident, and more comfortable navigating uncertainty. Over time, you learn to trust your judgment and understand your limits.”

The break from skiing created a prolonged mental barrier that affected her confidence on snow. Even after physical recovery was complete, returning to steep terrain required rebuilding trust in her body and relearning how to approach risk in complex environments. Accepting a job in Revelstoke ultimately forced her to confront that hesitation, because the surrounding terrain presented challenges that required deliberate engagement with the sport.

Photo credit: Leigh Caporal

Community support within the local ski environment played a significant role in that process. Ski partners and colleagues demonstrated patience while Caporal gradually rebuilt her confidence and technical ability. The experience reinforced an important principle of mountain travel, which is that safe decision making often depends on collaborative planning and shared responsibility among partners.

Caporal now spends much of her time skiing both within resort boundaries and in self-propelled

backcountry terrain. Backcountry skiing requires athletes to climb uphill using climbing skins attached to the bases of their skis before descending natural slopes. This approach is often described as earning turns because the descent follows extended periods of physical effort.

Traveling under human power allows access to landscapes that remain beyond the reach of ski lifts and road systems. For Caporal, the physical demands of this process represent an essential component of the experience. Uphill travel requires endurance, route planning and continuous evaluation of environmental factors such as snow stability and weather changes.

Backcountry environments also present objective hazards that require specialized training. Caporal

invested early in formal outdoor education, including wilderness first aid instruction, bear safety training and avalanche awareness courses. She completed Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 and Level 2, commonly referred to as AST 1 and AST 2, which are widely used in Canada to teach avalanche forecasting, terrain assessment and emergency rescue procedures.

Before entering mountain terrain, Caporal reviews weather forecasts, avalanche bulletins and local trail or park reports. These sources provide detailed information about snowpack layering, recent storm cycles, wind transport of snow and temperature changes that can affect stability. Interpreting these conditions allows skiers to determine whether a planned route remains appropriate.

Before any adventure, I check weather, trail reports, avalanche conditions, and closures~Leigh Caporal

Standard safety equipment is also essential in avalanche terrain. Caporal routinely carries an avalanche transceiver, collapsible probe and metal shovel, which together form the basic rescue system used during avalanche incidents. Additional equipment includes a helmet, avalanche airbag backpack, insulated layers, headlamp, navigation tools and a first aid kit. Communication devices capable of reaching emergency services in remote areas are also commonly included.

"I always carry enough gear and supplies to be prepared for the unexpected, including the possibility of spending the night out. Preparation builds trust, both in myself and in the environment I’m moving through."

Because mountain conditions can change quickly, Caporal prepares for situations in which a planned day trip may extend longer than expected. Emergency supplies can include extra food, water purification equipment, additional gloves and insulated clothing that allows safe travel during sudden temperature drops or unexpected delays.

Environmental challenges remain a consistent element of alpine travel. Caporal has encountered sudden thunderstorms, strong winds, low visibility and complete whiteout conditions during both skiing and hiking trips. These situations require rapid decision making and often lead to the decision to abandon a planned objective.

Turning around is a well-established safety principle in mountain sports because deteriorating conditions can significantly increase risk. Learning when to retreat requires experience, situational awareness and the willingness to prioritize safety over completion of a planned route.

Photo credit: Leigh Caporal

Caporal emphasizes that these realities are an essential part of outdoor travel. Many forms of adventure media focus on ideal conditions and dramatic outcomes, but mountain environments frequently involve uncertainty and difficult decision making. Presenting the full range of experiences helps newer participants understand the level of preparation required.

“True adventure is about presence... Adventure doesn’t have to be adrenaline-driven. It can be quiet, exploratory, and deeply personal.”

Her perspective has also evolved since the ACL injury. Earlier in her skiing career she often evaluated progress through measurable achievements such as technical difficulty, speed or vertical gain. Over time that focus shifted toward long-term engagement with mountain environments and the process of learning from each season.

Fatigue and overexertion can increase the risk of injury in alpine sports, and maintaining balance between progression and recovery has become an important part of Caporal’s approach. Sustaining a long-term relationship with skiing requires both physical conditioning and an awareness of personal limits.

“I’m not chasing a pro career, and I want to be able to show up fully, both outdoors and in my work.

Burnout leads to fatigue, and fatigue leads to injury. Progression should enhance your life, not drain it.”

Life in mountain communities also involves practical challenges. Towns located near major ski terrain frequently experience high living costs and seasonal employment cycles. Many residents adapt by sharing housing, working multiple jobs or relying on secondhand equipment in order to maintain access to the landscapes that support their outdoor routines.

Despite these challenges, Caporal continues to prioritize time in alpine environments because each season presents new conditions to observe and understand. Snowpack structure, weather patterns and terrain interactions shift from year to year, creating a constantly evolving environment that rewards preparation and careful attention.

Her experiences illustrate how modern mountain recreation combines athletic skill, environmental

knowledge and risk management. Safe travel in alpine terrain depends not only on physical ability but also on education, planning and respect for the natural systems that shape mountain landscapes.

📍You are encouraged to follow Leigh’s continued journey and adventures on Instagram: @heyimleighh