Trail Break Radio is the new 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 nine episodes are built around audio recorded this fall at our 10th Biennial Grassroots Advocacy Conference in Colorado. From promoting equitable outdoor access to sharing tales of adventure, Season One offers fresh insights into recreating on and stewarding our cherished spaces. Join the conversation with experts in public lands management, policy, ecology, activism and more. 
Season One was sponsored by Outdoor Alliance, Mighty Arrow Foundation, and REI.
If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode, or would like to be on the podcast, please reach out to Emily Scott, WWA Operations Manager, at escott@winterwildlands.org.
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.
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.
