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.
MEET HILARY EISEN:
Hilary is an avid backcountry skier and ice climber with a passion for wild landscapes. She leads Winter Wildlands Alliance's work on National Forest winter travel management, forest planning, and other policy issues. Hilary works with our members, grassroots and grasstops partners, agency staff, and elected officials to protect wild snowscapes across the United States.
Hilary started her career in public lands in the backcountry, maintaining Forest Service trails and educating the public about Wilderness stewardship as a Wilderness Ranger while spending winters working on wildlife research projects. Prior to joining WWA in 2014, she worked on public lands conservation in Wyoming and Montana. She received her B.A. in conservation biology from Middlebury College and a Master’s degree in wildlife biology from the University of Montana.
Email Hilary at heisen@winterwildlands.org.
LINKS:
CREDITS:
Trail Break Radio Producer: Emily Scott
SnowBrains Podcast: Created by Miles Clark, Edited by Liam Abbott, and music by Chad Croutch
Theme music: Rattlesnake Preachers feat. 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.
MEET KERRY MCCLAY:
Kerry joined Winter Wildlands Alliance in 2013 after helping establish the National Flagship SnowSchool site with Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area and the Boise National Forest. Kerry is a graduate of the University of Montana and Prescott College, and completed a Doctorate of Education at Boise State University. Working collaboratively with snow scientists and educators, Kerry designed the innovative SnowSchool curriculum now utilized across the US snow-belt to introduce thousands of children to the joy of exploring their local winter wildlands every season. Kerry lives in Boise and enjoys being outside whenever possible with his wife and their young daughter.
Email Kerry at kmcclay@winterwildlands.org.
LINKS:
Learn more and support SnowSchool
SPONSORED BY:
CREDITS:
Trail Break Radio Producer: Emily Scott
Life in Motion Host: Jeremy Lux with Illumine Collect
Theme music: Rattlesnake Preachers feat. Kerry McClay
How do we address "The Hypocrite" in all of us? How much do our individual actions actually matter in the face of climate change and systemic environmental issues? Can we drop our judgments of others and of ourselves in order to take positive action and work together for the common good? Will snowmobilers and skiers ever find a way to get along?
Amie Engerbretson, snowmobiler, filmmaker and professional skier, sits down with David Page, Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Executive Director, to shed 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."
MEET AMIE ENGERBRETSON:
Amie is a multifaceted professional skier known for her dynamic presence in the mountains. Beginning her skiing journey at Palisades Tahoe, she has since showcased her skills in renowned productions such as ‘Weak Layers,’ ‘Timeless,’ and ‘Boots Over Brim.’ With a degree in Media Management from Columbia College, Amie transitions often between roles behind and in front of the camera. Her diverse portfolio includes films, print, videos, and her podcast, "Long Underwear." Recognized for her climate advocacy, she was awarded the 2021 Alliance Member of the Year by Protect Our Winters for her impactful contributions to climate action.
Follow Amie on Instagram @AmieSki.
LINKS:
SPONSORED BY:
Mammoth Brewing Company’s Ski Kind Mountain Lager
TRANSCRIPT:
CREDITS:
Editor and Audio Engineer: Tess Goodwin
Host: David Page
Producer: Emily Scott
Theme music: Rattlesnake Preachers feat. Kerry McClay
With more of us recreating on our winter snowscapes, 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?
SPEAKER BIOS:
RESOURCES:
Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area
SPONSORS:
The Mighty Arrow Family Foundation
TRANSCRIPTS:
(click here)
CREDITS:
Produced/Edited by Tess Goodwin
Co-hosted by David Page
Co-hosted and Directed by Emily Scott
Music by Rattlesnake Preachers feat. Kerry McClay
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?
SPEAKER BIOS:
RESOURCES:
Teton Bighorn Sheep Working Group
Bighorn Sheep Working Group Recommendations
Wintering Wildlife Conservation Initiative
Poster: Minimizing our Impacts to Wintering Wildlife
SPONSORS:
The Mighty Arrow Family Foundation
TRANSCRIPTS:
(click here)
CREDITS:
Produced/Edited by Tess Goodwin
Co-hosted by David Page
Co-hosted and Directed by Emily Scott
Music by Rattlesnake Preachers feat. Kerry McClay
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 the land managers, policymakers, and other advocates for wild snowscapes and quiet winter recreation zones. How can we leverage new cutting-edge tools to make better-informed decisions?
Speaker Bios:
Resources:
OnX Backcountry - Become a Winter Wildlands Alliance member for 20% off!
Trail Counting Program with Wasatch Backcountry Alliance
Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures
The Mighty Arrow Family Foundation
Transcripts:
Credits:
Produced/Edited by Tess Goodwin
Co-hosted by David Page
Co-hosted and Directed by Emily Scott
Music by Rattlesnake Preachers feat. Kerry McClay
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?
Speaker Bios:
Nicole Brown: Outdoor Alliance’s Communications and Marketing Associate. She has been exploring and advocating for the outdoors most of her life. She grew up racing BMX, but it was quiet hiking trails and long backpacking trips that brought her back to outdoor recreation as an adult. Nicole founded Women Who Hike and has worked with American Hiking Society, Hydro Flask, Merrell, and the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.
Caroline Gleich: American skier, mountaineer, and environmental activist. She is notable for her advocacy for environmental justice and climate reform. She is an Ambassador for Winter Wildlands Alliance and Protect Our Winters. She has submitted Everest and is the first women to ever complete all 90 lines in "The Chuting Gallery" of the Wasatch.
Connor Ryan: Proud Hunkpapa Lakota and passionate skier—in 2022 named one of the “20 Most Influential People in the Outdoor Industry” by Outside Magazine—Connor was born and raised in the homelands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute peoples, who have become some of his biggest inspirations and closest relatives, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Skiing is his dance and prayer, a ceremony of its own, one that offers a chance to center himself within nature and the Great Mystery of the universe surrounding him. Connor works to inspire others to deepen their connection to the places they live and play in order for us all to be better relatives to our planet, our communities, and ourselves.
Resources:
Sponsors:
Outdoor Alliance, Mighty Arrow Family Foundation, REI
If you're interested in sponsoring an episode, email Emily at escott@winterwildlands.org.
Transcript:
(here)
Credits:
Directed by Emily Scott
Hosted by David Page
Edited and produced by Tess Goodwin
Music by Rattlesnake Preachers
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? And what can we do to keep things in check? How can we improve both resort-based and backcountry winter recreation?
Speaker Bios:
Resources:
Grand Targhee Community Assessment
National Association of Counties
"Kissing The 'Quieter Side' Of The Tetons Goodbye?" by Cindy Riegel
Sponsors:
Outdoor Alliance, Mighty Arrow Family Foundation, REI.
If you're interested in sponsoring an episode, email Emily at escott@winterwildlands.org.
Transcript:
Credits:
Directed by Emily Scott
Hosted by David Page
Edited and produced by Tess Goodwin
Music by Rattlesnake Preachers
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, Jay Erickson, and Anthony Cupaiuolo share their innovative ideas on how to access the heart of public lands—efficiently, equitably and sustainably.
Speaker Bios:
Resources:
Winter Wildlands Alliance Ski Kind
Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP)
TBA Volunteer Ambassador Program
WBA's stance on Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola
Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola
Wasatch Backcountry Skiing Map App
Sponsors:
Outdoor Alliance, Mighty Arrow Foundation, and REI
Tahoe Mountain Sports - Coupon code: keepwinterwild for 15% off
Transcripts:
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 and Jamie Ervin talk to Sam Rider about the keys to a future where outdoor enjoyment and environmental preservation coexist on public lands.
Speaker Bios:
Resources:
A Framework for Sustainable Recreation
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS)
Outdoor Alliance Forest Planning
Forest Service Equity Action Plan
Sponsors:
Outdoor Alliance, Mighty Arrow Foundation, and REI
Transcripts:
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, Jason Kuiken, and Matt Williams discuss the complex drivers of wildfires and a system out of balance. Tune in to hear solutions and reimagine the role recreation can play in re-establishing wildfire resilience.
Speaker Bios:
Resources:
Social and Ecological Resilience Across the Landscape (SERAL)
Vermont Backcountry Ski Handbook
Sponsors:
Outdoor Alliance, Mighty Arrow Foundation, REI
Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q9nAjd6A_95dnlOHqncwVR-uEY69rC4gkiJFzc999cA/edit?usp=sharing
Did you know that in Lakota language there is not a word for “nature”? Connor Ryan, proud Hunkpapa Lakota skier, explains why. Listen to Connor’s story of ecological realizations and working to re-indigenize our collective culture.
Bio:
Connor is a proud Hunkpapa Lakota and passionate skier. In 2022 he was named one of the “20 Most Influential People in the Outdoor Industry” by Outside Magazine. Connor was born and raised in the homelands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute peoples, who have become some of his biggest inspirations and closest relatives, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Skiing is his dance and prayer, a ceremony of its own, one that offers a chance to center himself within nature and the Great Mystery of the universe surrounding him. Connor works to inspire others to deepen their connection to the places they live and play in order for us all to be better relatives to our planet, our communities, and ourselves.
Resources:
Connor's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sacredstoke
Winter Wildlands Alliance - https://winterwildlands.org/
Trail Break Radio - https://winterwildlands.org/trail-break-radio
Braiding Sweetgrass - https://milkweed.org/book/braiding-sweetgrass
Spirit of the Peaks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSwmJMH04Ww
Natives Outdoors - https://www.natives-outdoors.org/
Sponsors:
Dan Bailey's Outdoor Company - https://danbaileys.com/
Outdoor Alliance, Mighty Arrow Foundation and REI
If you’re interested in becoming a Backcountry Partner sponsor, reach out to Emily at escott@winterwildlands.org.
Transcript:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LoJyp2zl_P5Yjpe_2sBnS32miLUydMPYgq8tKPL83Fk/edit?usp=sharing
