A Season of High Stakes and Higher Resolve
Through unpredictable conditions and mounting pressure on our public lands, this winter proved the strength of a community committed to protecting wild snowscapes and the experiences they hold
May 1, 2026 – This season brought it all: packed film festival crowds and quiet backcountry moments, first tracks and first snowshoes, deep storms and devastating loss, uncertainty on the landscape and urgency in the policy arena. From classrooms in the snow to conversations in Congress, from grassroots action to national storytelling, this was a winter defined by variable conditions and unwavering commitment. Dive into our 2025–2026 season recap to see how this alliance turned challenge into momentum and why the work ahead matters now more than ever.
David Page
Executive Director
Here at the tail end of my 10th winter season with Winter Wildlands Alliance, I never have to look far for proof that this community is something special. I see it in packed film festival venues in mountain towns across the West, in the faces of kids stepping into snowshoes for the first time, on the skintrack and in the conversations around the woodstove of a backcountry yurt. And while I know this community cares deeply, I also know that not everyone governing our country has the same connection to America’s wild snowscapes. That’s why we continue to show up in communities, to listen, collaborate, document and carry their stories to decision-makers in public lands agencies and in Congress with the goal of protecting, stewarding and making sustainable human-powered winter recreation. The strength of this alliance has never lived in any one office or organization, it lives in grassroots groups, in the members, and in the passion that continues to drive our work forward. Thanks for being a part of it!
Anneka Williams
Policy Director
I joined WWA in August 2025, so I’m just wrapping up my first full winter season with the team. The policy landscape for public lands and winter recreation has been turbulent, to put it mildly. Nevertheless, we continue to work to protect our wild snowscapes and winter backcountry access. I have been thrilled to bring together members of our grassroots network for our monthly Winter Advocacy Roundtable discussions. I have learned so much from the work our network is doing on the ground and am excited to have these discussions as a resource moving forward. I also was able to spend time traveling around Idaho and Colorado this winter, meeting about our winter travel planning efforts in Colorado, networking with supporters and members in Idaho, and working on a film that tells the story of travel management in the Wood River Valley.
What I’ve come to appreciate deeply in my first full season here at WWA is the power of our model: local knowledge combined with national reach. When our Colorado Policy Manager and California Stewardship Manager are in the field building relationships with land managers and community members, that ground-level credibility is what makes our policy work meaningful. Not only are we sending letters to Congress, we’re also a real part of these communities. Heading into next season, we’re focused on the Travel Management Rule and continuing to ensure that wild snowscapes have the representation they deserve.
Kerry McClay
National SnowSchool Director
Did you know the average child plays outside just 10 minutes per day and logs 44 hours of screen time each week? I think about that number a lot. When I watch a group of students pile off a bus into a snowy parking lot, eyes wide open and snowshoes in hand, I’m reminded of what we’re offering them: a screen swapped for a snowpit, a landscape they’ll never forget, because they played, explored, and built in it with their own hands. This season was another great one, with thousands of students stepping into the wilds of winter for the first time and discovering what it means to learn outside. Read winter recaps from SnowSchool sites here.
I often tell folks that one of the best aspects of SnowSchool is that every season and day offers a unique teachable moment. Even low snow conditions that prevent skiing become a hands-on opportunity for SnowSchool students to explore snow drought conditions. This year, we focused heavily on the critical connection between snow—the main source of water in the Western US—and our river flows. Instilling this link between snow, water, and our way of life is essential for cultivating our next generation of stewards. Support for our public winter wildlands depends on an engaged populace who have experienced these places and understand their ecological importance.
Emily Scott
Operations Manager
The Backcountry Film Festival had another incredible tour this season, and I’m still feeling the energy from communities across the country who showed up for a night of human-powered inspiration. This winter, the festival screened across more than 75 locations worldwide, raising funds that stay local.
This year’s film selection was one of the strongest we’ve curated. We received an outpouring of positive feedback on the diversity, representation, and pure stoke featured in the lineup. The films ranged from heart-pounding backcountry lines to deeply personal stories of stewardship and climate grief. We’re proud that audiences left feeling more connected—to their backcountry buddies, their sense of adventure, and the movement to protect wild winters—at a time when community and public lands advocacy are more important than ever.
We’re grateful to our brand partners, grassroots groups, and community members who turned out to make the 21st season of Backcountry Film Festival a success. If you hosted a screening this year, thank you. If you attended one, thank you. And if you’re reading this and haven’t experienced the festival yet, we hope to see you next season!
Megan Fiske
California Stewardship Manager
California’s winter wildlands had a season full of contrasts — dramatic snowpack in some ranges, concerning shortfalls in others — and through it all, our work on the ground continued.
With the variable snowpack, it was critical to have ambassadors on the ground documenting impacts and visitor use numbers. People seeking out snowy winter recreation often found themselves unable to find snow, which led to some creative but not so desirable behaviors. Even the most seasoned winter recreationists found themselves feeling the pinch of the boom and bust winter in the Sierra Nevada. After more than a month without snow, multiple feet came down in a matter of days. Unfortunately, it melted as quickly as it came, and left quite a bit of heartache in its wake.
The loss of 9 backcountry skiers in Tahoe this season shook the community. While we all know the risks inherent in what we do, it is always a sobering reminder when lives are lost. It is also a moment to reflect on why we do what we do, despite the risk.
Brittany Leffel
Colorado Policy Manager
From the San Juans to the White River National Forest, winter recreation is growing faster than the systems designed to manage it and our work this year focused on helping those systems catch up in ways that protect both people and place.
This was also my first full season on skis, which gave me a personal understanding of the landscapes we’re working to steward. I experienced firsthand the learning curve, the decision-making, and the responsibility that comes with traveling in the winter backcountry. Whether I was hosting cross-country ski days or patrolling with Snow Rangers, I was able to use this learning season on skis to connect with human-powered users across the San Juans and better understand how we make winter recreation more accessible and safe for all.
One highlight of the season that sticks with me: a conversation during BSI about the Snow Ranger program, and what it would take to sustain it amid federal funding cuts. That conversation grew into something bigger — a vision for how Snow Rangers could address capacity gaps across National Forests and create a lasting on-the-ground presence for education and stewardship.
Addi Jenkins
Communications & Marketing Director
Buckle up, because my first season as WWA’s Communications and Marketing Director was anything but slow. Between SnowSchool videos, grassroots spotlights, and a film festival tour spanning 75+ cities, there was never a shortage of stories worth telling — and as most comms folks know, endless content is a dream. This winter, we leaned hard into storytelling: growing our newsletter, showing up louder on social media, and shining a light on the humans who make this whole thing work. The SnowSchool educator leading a group of kids into the field. The BSI crew troubleshooting challenges from a backcountry hut. The film makers turning wild adventures into world-class cinema. These are the stories that make WWA more than an advocacy organization — they make it a community. Thanks for tuning in, we hope you’ll keep reading, watching, and growing with us.
John Smidlein
Policy Intern
I care about public lands, policy, and skiing, so joining the team this winter was a dream opportunity. Getting to work alongside Policy Director Anneka and learn from her expertise has been one of the highlights of my season. From research to action alert drafting and comment letter support, I got a front-row seat to how federal policy shapes the places we love to recreate in, and how much behind-the-scenes work it takes to protect them.
In a time when public lands are under threat, it feels good to be part of the effort to keep them in public hands. My favorite project this winter was writing the Advocacy 101 blog. If you care about these places but aren’t sure where to start, it’s for you. Check it out for actionable steps on how to join the fight.
Marty Simpson
Volunteer Winter Recreation Ambassador on the Stanislaus National Forest
This is my 25th year here in bear valley and I have seen many low tide or drought years. I have never seen a season with these kinds of consistently warm temperatures. I do not think anyone has ever seen a swing like we witnessed late February. From a storm that dumped 8+ feet and closed the highway and the ski resort for most of a week , to inches of rain and warm temps that caused that new snow to vanish. As the snow fell I was thinking at least we would have a spring touring season out of it but that has not proved true. Weird, sad winter but after volunteering the last few years it has been great to be involved with helping people understand and enjoy the amazing resource of our public lands.
With an introduction from the forest service recreation person, I had a great conversation with the folks who founded both the Bear Valley Riders and the Sled Fest that has been held at Bear Valley Resort for several years. I had a good conversation about how living in BV I own and use a snow machine regularly. That I value both the ability to enjoy touring in the non-motorized areas easily accessible from town or by car and also the ability to use my machine to ride the groomed highway to the edge of the wilderness and skin from there for some amazing turns. We are lucky to have that kind of hybrid touring and access to the Stanislaus.
