A strong El Niño is heating up the Pacific and offering clues about what the 2026–27 winter could bring. From ocean temperatures and shifting storm patterns to mountain snowpack, water supply, and coastal ecosystems, the forces shaping our winter landscapes are deeply connected. Follow the story from surf to snow and see why protecting healthy, resilient natural systems matters from the coast to the mountains.
Winter Wildlands Alliance heads to Washington, D.C. for Outdoor Alliance’s annual fly-in, meeting with lawmakers to advocate for winter recreation, public lands, the Roadless Rule, and the Travel Management Rule. Here they reflect on why showing up matters.
Season Two of Trail Break Radio features conversations recorded at Winter Wildlands Alliance’s 11th Biennial Grassroots Advocacy Conference at the University of Washington Pack Forest, bringing voices from across the winter advocacy and public lands community.
From grassroots advocacy to national policy battles, our community is standing strong to defend public lands, protect wild snowscapes, and keep decision-making close to the mountains we love.
From snowy solstice hikes to Capitol Hill meetings, we’ve been hard at work defending wild snowscapes across the country.
. 