Doug Stoup skinning up the track in Antarctica with Ice Axe Expeditions.

Photo by Tyler Wilkinson-Ray, @tylerwilkinsonray

This profile was originally featured in our Fall 2023 Trail Break issue.

“We need everyone’s help! This is not political! We have the opportunity to bring balance to the backcountry and help protect the places we love for recreation!“

Doug moved to Tahoe 23 years ago to ski year-round in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. There he started Ice Axe Expeditions, a backcountry ski company that specializes in human-powered ski adventures in remote places around the world. As a North Face athlete, he connected with other backcountry travelers who were similarly concerned about how we recreate on public lands and wanted to protect and preserve our outdoor environments.

Today, through his work with WWA and Tahoe Backcountry Alliance (a WWA Grassroots Group), Doug is helping to spread awareness and knowledge of climate change’s impact on the winter backcountry, how we can reduce noise pollution, commercial development, privatization and industry, and minimize our impact on wildlife. Doug showcases WWA’s Backcountry Film Festival in Antarctica every year, helping to bring international attention to the critical issues we are working on.