We know one thing for certain: in skiing we are our best selves. What unites us? We care about sliding over snow in the backcountry. We care about each other. We care about snowpack. We care that our public lands are open, accessible, inclusive, and well managed – not just for ourselves; but for our neighbors, for the health of the planet, and for future generations. Winter Wildlands Alliance was formed to be the collective voice advocating for issues that impact the winter backcountry – and what better way to use our voice than to be a welcoming and uniting force in that space. With the challenge of many people (new and experienced) flocking to wild spaces this winter, we have the opportunity as an Alliance to inform, invite, and inspire fellow winter adventurers. As part of our Alliance, we ask that you Ski Kind this winter. A set of principles with the intention of protecting wild spaces and each other, the #SkiKind code of conduct contains easy to share messages focused on stewardship, safety, etiquette, and civility. From experienced backcountry users to newcomers, we can all Ski Kind. We ask that you dedicate yourself this winter to: - Ski Kind
- Ski Aware
- Ski Smart
- Ski Respectful
- Ski No Trace
- Ski Inclusive
- Ski Fun
We’ll be sharing more resources throughout the season for this code of conduct, but for now we encourage you to think about what these seven principles mean to you and your backcountry experience. Let’s invite others to join us in taking responsibility for the spaces we love so we can continue to access and share them with future generations. Positive and informed experience inspires action and together we can raise the collective awareness about the value of the backcountry landscape. Thanks for being a part of our community – we look forward to a long winter of skiing kind with you! -Winter Wildlands Alliance
The Tongass National Forest Needs YouLast week, the Trump administration announced it would strip protections from the country’s largest national forest, the Tongass National Forest in Alaska – opening it up to logging, road building, and other intensive development. The Tongass is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. It captures an enormous amount of carbon, making it a crucial part of protecting against even more severe climate change. Our partners at Outdoor Alliance have made it easy for you to comment and share your voice. Take Action
Skin Tracks Versus Lift LinesGrand Targhee has long been Teton Valley’s community ski hill, known for it’s laid-back atmosphere and uncrowded slopes. Recently, however, the resort submitted an expansion proposal to the Forest Service that could turn Grand Targhee into a busy resort along the lines of Teton Village and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The proposed development has serious implications for backcountry skiing, wildlife, and Wilderness on the west side of the Tetons. Comment Today
National Snowpack Prediction ChallengeDo you have what it takes to be a snow hydrologist? Show off your snow knowledge (“snowledge”) by competing in our National Snowpack Prediction Challenge! Join fellow snow nerds of all ages and locations around the nation in competing for a monthly prize October through January. Whoever makes the most accurate prediction for how much snow there will be – whether you predicted it this month or the last day of January – wins a wild prize package. Four prizes will be awarded for the closest guess in each month of predictions. Take the Challenge
16th Annual Season Film LineupWe believe in the power of humans and their spirit. A collage of human-powered stories and backcountry-inspired experiences, Winter Wildlands’ Backcountry Film Festival brings wild conversations to and inspires action in communities that celebrate the present while looking towards the future. Welcome to the 16th annual season. Film Lineup
Welcome Oregon Backcountry AllianceWe work with grassroots groups across the country to protect winter wildlands and a quality human-powered snowsports experience on public lands. As our newest Grassroots Group, Oregon Backcountry Alliance (OBA) is dedicated to preserving the region’s human-powered snowsports experience while working to bring awareness to the impact on Oregon’s environment, wildlife, and community. Read More
Trail Break Fall 2020 EditionHave you received your copy of our Trail Break – Fall 2020 issue? Featuring stories about our human-powered founder 20 years ago to today, the skinny on NEPA, our JEDI commitment, why our members matter, the Backcountry Film Festival, and SnowSchool’s homeschool journey – this issue is packed to the brim with wild winter inspiration. All in print and delivered to your door, hut, tailgate, PO box, or wherever the trail has taken you. To get your copy, email us! View Online
Wild Winter EventsDon’t miss out on the following upcoming wild winter events hosted by us and our partners! These are just the highlights – we’ll be adding more and more events throughout the winter season. Make sure to bookmark our website calendar or follow us as we post events in the next few weeks. Did you miss out on our Wild Winter Workout with Sarah Histand? Check it out here and consider the $10 suggested donation to benefit our policy and advocacy work in Alaska. Interested in signing up for Sarah’s “Ski Babes” training? Use discount code WWABABES for $20 off and 10% of your purchase goes back to support WWA’s work! Looking for your Backcountry Film Festival screening? Check out our tour schedule here. If your local screening is listed as “TBA” or your home base is not listed, let us know you’re interested in a screening and we’ll make sure you get notified when ticket sales are live.
“This season, more than ever, our Alliance members are making the difference. We are advocates for human-powered, winter recreation. We’re skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, monoskiers, fat-bikers, snowball warriors. Everything we do is focused on protecting the places that we love to explore and adventure in the snow. By place we mean access, habitat, designation, and use management. Ultimately, our work protects the places that we love to explore and adventure in all yearlong – no matter the season.” Read more at our Instagram profile. Become a Member | 
