Trail Break Radio is the podcast channel from Winter Wildlands Alliance, bringing you stories and conversations from across America’s wild snowscapes and beyond the well-trodden path. Our first two season were built around audio recorded at our most recent Biennial Grassroots Advocacy Conferences. From promoting equitable outdoor access to sharing tales of adventure, Trail Break Radio offers fresh insights into recreating on and stewarding our cherished spaces.
Supported By
SEASON 2
Public Lands From the Ground Up: Where Do We Go From Here?
The agencies charged with managing our federal public lands have been deeply understaffed and chronically underfunded for decades—even before the current administration’s chainsaw approach to government. Many in the public have long been frustrated with the perceived complexity and inefficiency of public process and decision-making. Now, in the wake of the deepest cuts in the history of America’s public lands, are there silver linings for the future? Are there (or will there be) opportunities for legitimate reform that might actually improve the ways that public lands agencies balance sustainable recreation management with resource protection and conservation?
- Susan Jane Brown, Principal & Chief Legal Counsel, Silvix Resources
- Hilary Eisen, Federal Policy Director, Wild Montana
- Megan Birzell, Washington State Director, The Wilderness Society
- Fitz Cahall, Dirtbag Diaries (moderator)
Release Date: February 4, 2026
Avalanche Forecasting in a Time of Uncertainty
Avalanche forecasts are one of the most trusted safety tools in winter recreation and travel. Built daily by professionals who wake before dawn, dig into the snowpack, analyze storms, track wind, and translate complex data into clear public guidance that shapes life-or-death decisions for as many as 30 million people. But can avalanche forecasting survive the current administration? How stable is the system that keeps us informed (and alive) in the backcountry?
- Caroline Miller, Executive Director of the Utah Avalanche Center
- David Reichel, Executive Director of the Sierra Avalanche Center
- Scott Schell, Executive Director of the Northwest Avalanche Center
- Brody Leven, professional chairlift-free adventure skier (moderator)
Release Date: March 10, 2026
Indigenous Leadership in Public Lands Stewardship
Tribal ancestral lands and treaty rights are heavily impacted by ever-increasing numbers of people participating in outdoor recreation on public lands and waters. In Washington, the Tulalip Tribes and Snoqualmie Tribe have both pursued initiatives to bring awareness to these concerns. In addition, Washington State is working with tribes to co-develop recreation management tools and a framework to coordinate cooperative stewardship of natural and cultural resources and preserve protected tribal rights on state lands.
- Sarah Ballew, External Affairs Program Manager, Snoqualmie Tribe
- Ezekiel Rohloff, Wildlife Biologist, Snoqualmie Tribe
- Libby Nelson, Sr. Environmental Policy Analyst, Tulalip Tribes
- Joel Sisolak, Lands Planning and Recreation Manager, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
- Betsy Robblee, Conservation and Advocacy Director, The Mountaineers
Release Date: March 25, 2026
Big Enough for the Both of Us? Balancing Recreation and Wildlife Habitat
With winter recreation and mountain town populations booming, more people are recreating in sensitive wildlife habitat. That raises a tricky question: when land managers decide to close a trail or restrict access, and what evidence do they use to make that call? Often, those decisions rely on research from studies done somewhere else, in different places with different conditions. And that can make it difficult for land managers and wildlife advocates to explain those decisions to the public. It also leads to some bigger questions. Is there such a thing as enough wildlife habitat? Is there such a thing as enough trails and outdoor access? What about “enough” trails or outdoor recreation access? And, how do we balance these sometimes-competing uses of public lands?
- Joel Sisolak, Lands Planning and Recreation Manager, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
- Cal Waichler, Project Coordinator, Cascades Wolverine Project
- Trevor Kostanich, AMGA-certified ski guide and author
- Moderator: Kurt Hellman, Wildlife-Recreation Coexistence Senior Coordinator, Conservation Northwest
Release Date: April 9, 2026
Show Me the Money! Paying the Cost for Public Lands
Outdoor recreation on public lands is booming, but the funding to manage those lands is shrinking. As maintenance backlogs grow and budgets vital for outdoor recreation, public lands and waters tighten— the question is dire: will anyone bear the cost of managing public lands? And what happens if no one does? As federal funding falters, states, nonprofits, and local communities are stepping in. But is that a sustainable solution—or does it fundamentally reshape what national public lands are meant to be?
- Betsy Robblee, Conservation and Advocacy Director, The Mountaineers
- John Garder, Senior Director of Budget & Appropriations, National Parks Conservation Alliance
- Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources
- Moderator: Garrett Brennan, Raven Analytics + Three Pin Strategy
Release Date: May 8, 2026
Getting There: Sustainable Access for All
Public lands are for everyone, but not everyone can access them. In winter, that gap only grows. From finding a place to park, to affording gear, to knowing what’s safe—winter recreation comes with real barriers. And for many communities, those barriers go far beyond logistics. So what does it actually take to make winter access possible for all? Across the country, organizations are working to open the door through new partnerships, community-led programs, and rethinking what access really means. Because access isn’t just about getting people outside—it’s about connection. The more people connect with wild places, the more they’ll care about them and fight to protect them.
- Cal’ Smith, Director of Winter Programming, Climbers of Color
- Megan Fiske, California Stewardship Director, Winter Wildlands Alliance
- Will Russack, Board of Directors, Cascade Backcountry Alliance
- Anthony Cupaiuolo, Executive Director Tahoe Backcountry Alliance
- Moderator: Kerry McClay, WWA National Snowschool Program Director at Winter Wildlands Alliance
Release Date: June 4, 2026
Project 2035: Mapping the Future of Winter, One Community At a Time
When people want very different experiences from the same winter landscape, can a map help them find common ground? Winter travel plans determine where snowmobiles and other over-snow vehicles may travel on public lands—and where areas are managed for quieter, non-motorized recreation, wildlife, and other resources. In this episode, panelists draw on examples from Idaho, Colorado, and Montana to explore how local collaboration can shape fair, durable plans, even as federal capacity and the policies guiding that work become increasingly uncertain.
The conversation was moderated by Winter Wildlands Alliance Executive Director David Page, who died unexpectedly in July 2026. We are deeply grateful to share David’s voice and to hear him doing what he did so well: asking thoughtful questions, bringing people together, and imagining a better future for public lands. We dedicate this episode to his memory.
Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded at the Grassroots Advocacy Conference in September 2025. Since then, the Rio Grande National Forest in Colorado has released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for winter travel management and completed a public comment period. While some of the discussion in this episode reflects an earlier stage of the process, planning on the Rio Grande National Forest is actively moving forward.
- Brittany Leffel, Colorado Policy Manager, Winter Wildlands Alliance
- Lynn Padgett, Commissioner, Ouray County, Colorado
- Zach Angstead, Federal Legislative Director, Wild Montana
- Moderator: David Page, Executive Director, Winter Wildlands Alliance
Release Date: August 14, 2026
BONUS EPISODES
HYPOCRITE: WITH AMIE ENGERBRETSON
How much do our individual actions actually matter in the face of climate change and systemic environmental issues? And are environmentally conscious skiers (motorized or not) inherently hypocritical? Amie Engerbretson, professional skier, advocate and snowmobiler sheds light on the importance of uniting all outdoor enthusiasts–regardless of their recreational choices–in the fight against climate change while giving us a behind the scenes look at her latest film, “The Hypocrite.” Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation that challenges us to rethink how we approach environmentalism, our shared outdoor community, and each other.
Sponsored by INSIDE SNOWSCHOOL WITH KERRY MCCLAY
How do we break down barriers to winter access and inspire the next generation of outdoor stewards? What does it take to connect 35,000 kids annually to snow, science, and conservation? Kerry McClay, the founder and director of SnowSchool at Winter Wildlands Alliance, sits down with Life in Motion host Jeremy Lux to explore how SnowSchool has grown into a national program. Kerry shares his journey into outdoor education and conservation, discusses the importance of introducing kids to wild snowscapes, and highlights the challenges of making winter recreation accessible to all.
KEEPING WINTER WILD: WITH HILARY EISEN
What does it take to protect your favorite wild snowscapes—and who’s actually making those decisions? Hilary Eisen, our National Policy Director at Winter Wildlands Alliance, joins the SnowBrains podcast with Miles Clark to peel back the curtain on how we’re advocating for backcountry recreation access for all, how grassroots organizations play a vital role in public land management, the challenges and successes of navigating winter policy, and much more.
Episode produced by “The SnowBrains Podcast”
Release Date: April 15, 2025
SEASON 1
GOING BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WITH CONNOR RYAN
Did you know that in the Lakota language there’s not a word for “nature”? Connor Ryan, Hunkpapa Lakota professional skier, Natives Outdoors Athlete and one of Outside Magazine’s “20 Most Influential People in the Outdoor Industry” explains why. Listen to his story of ecological realizations and work to re-indigenize our collective culture.
IN THE HOT SEAT: WILDFIRE, FOREST HEALTH, AND RECREATION
What does winter recreation have to do with wildfire? What if backcountry skiers could help improve skiable terrain and climate resiliency at the same time? Jamie Ervin (Outdoor Alliance), Jason Kuiken (Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor) and Matt Williams (Catamount Trail Association) discuss the complex drivers of wildfires and a system out of balance. Tune in to hear solutions and a reimagination of the role recreation can play in re-establishing wildfire resilience.
TRAILS FOR TOMORROW AND POLICY FOR PUBLIC LANDS
What does it take to turn the dream of sustainable recreation into a reality? How can we shape policies that genuinely impact the landscapes we love? Hilary Eisen (WWA) and Jaime Ervin (Outdoor Alliance) talk to Sam Rider, United States Forest Service National Recreation Planner, about the keys to a future where outdoor enjoyment and environmental preservation coexist on public lands.
TRANSIT TO TRAILHEADS: NAVIGATING EQUITABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY ACCESS
From microtransit to gondolas to reservation systems, how do we ensure access to the backcountry is sustainable and equitable? Do we build parking lots and infrastructure to improve access? Or do we limit infrastructure to give greater opportunities for solitude and to give the resource a rest? Gary Kofinas from Teton Backcountry Alliance, Jay Erickson from Wasatch Backcountry Alliance, and Anthony Cupaiuolo from Tahoe Backcountry Alliance share their innovative ideas on how to access the heart of public lands—efficiently, equitably and sustainably.
OUT OF BOUNDS: CORPORATE SKI RESORT DEVELOPMENT AND THE PUBLIC GOOD
The number of people participating in resort skiing is generally on the decline, while the number of backcountry skiers and riders has exploded. And yet we are now seeing a significant spike in proposed ski resort development and expansion onto wild public lands. What’s going on here? Cindy Reigel (County Commissioner in Teton County, ID), Chris Pitcher from Wolf Creek Ski Area, and Erik Lambert from Bluebird Backcountry and Bonfire Collective look at what we can do to keep things in check and what other models we can look at to improve both resort-based and backcountry winter recreation.
ATHLETE ADVOCACY: POWDER AND PURPOSE
How can athletes support local and national advocacy efforts, contribute to advocacy outside of social media influencer-ship, and more? What are the challenges and opportunities of working with brand names and big-name advocacy orgs? Pro-athletes Caroline Gleich and Connor Ryan demystify the advocacy process. Moderated by Nicole Brown from Outdoor Alliance.
SILENT SLOPES AND LOUD DATA
We’re talking apps, maps, data collection, and the tricky dance between citizen science, data bias and user privacy. We’ll unravel the importance of reliable visitor-use data, not just for solitude-seekers but for land managers, policymakers, and other advocates of wild snowscapes and quiet winter recreation. Will Sladek (onX Maps), Nicole Budine (Colorado Mountain Club and RIMS app), and Chelsea Phillippe (Tails Inventory and Planner on the Salt Lake Ranger District) discuss how can we leverage new cutting-edge tools to make better-informed decisions
BACKCOUNTRY BLISS AND WILDLIFE WELLNESS
Is our growing presence in the backcountry stressing wintering wildlife and degrading their habitats? Can we responsibly use wildlife habitat as our playgrounds? How can we keep wildlife in mind, keep disturbances and displacements minimal as climate change increases, and ensure that wildlife populations can be resilient in an uncertain future? Hilary Eisen (Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Policy Director) chats about wildlife conservation strategies Sarah Dewey (wildlife biologist at Grand Teton National Park and the Chair of the Teton Range Bighorn Sheep Working Group), Kurt Hellmann (Senior Coordinator of the Wildlife-Recreation Coexistence Program for Conservation Northwest), and Mike Crosby (Colorado Division of Wildlife, President of the Open Lands, Rivers, and Trails committee, and co-founder of the Wintering Wildlife Conservation Initiative in 2021).
Release Date: January 5, 2024
STEWARDING WINTER
How can we improve partnerships with land managers and other users to educate the growing number of winter recreationists? How can land managers help us reduce our collective impact on the lands where we recreate? Panelists Tyler Ray (Backyard Concept, Granite Backcountry Alliance, and Ski Kind), Anne Gaspar (US Forest Service and Program Manager for Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area), and Shane Tulp (Great American Outdoors Act Coordinator and snow ranger for Colorado Mountain Club) bring insights from different corners of the winter recreation landscape.
Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to
inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.
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