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OutsideDB Blog
OutsideDB  ·  Data-Driven Backcountry

Backcountry Analytics

Snow science, SNOTEL data guides, and the numbers behind backcountry trip planning.

Latest Articles
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Data Guide
How to Read SNOTEL Data for Backcountry Trip Planning
SNOTEL stations record snow water equivalent, depth, temperature and precipitation every hour across 800+ sites in the western US. Here's how to interpret that data to make smarter go/no-go decisions before you skin up.
March 2026  ·  8 min read
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Analysis
Montana Snowpack: 2025–26 Water Year in Numbers
Comparing this season's SWE to the 30-year average across the Bitterroot, Beartooth and Glacier regions using live SNOTEL data.
February 2026  ·  5 min read
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Data Guide
Snow Water Equivalent Explained
SWE is the single most useful snowpack metric for backcountry skiers. Here's what it means, how it's measured, and why it matters more than depth.
January 2026  ·  4 min read