Celebrating 25 Years

25 Years of Keeping Winter Wild

Winter Wildlands Alliance began in 2000 with a bold vision: to give backcountry skiers, snowshoers, snowboarders, and winter adventurers a united voice. Over the past 25 years, we have grown into a leading advocate for wild snowscapes and human-powered recreation.

From grassroots advocacy to national impact, we have worked tirelessly to protect winter ecosystems, empower communities, and inspire individuals to cherish and safeguard the places they love. Join us in celebrating the progress we have made together and the exciting path ahead! We are just getting started.

Accomplishments by the Numbers

Engaging the Next Generation of Climate Stewards

500,000 kids engaged
53% from underserved communities
72 active program sites
17 states

Protecting the Experience

33 local/regional affiliates
16,000 activists
30+ Ski Kind partners
14 states
83 National Forests
1 Over-snow Vehicle Rule (2015)
11 Completed Land Use Plans
6 Winter Management Plans

Inspiring and Engaging the Backcountry Community

350,000+ viewers reached
110+ tour screenings annually
25 states, 9 countries + Antarctica
$2.3 million+ raised for local projects

Yellowstone rally 2002

One of WWA’s founding members (Kim Hedberg) and WWA’s first Executive Director (Sally Grimes) 2005

Snowmobile tracks in a no over-snow-vehicle area.

Early days of SnowSchool 2002

Our Journey: The First 25 Years

Explore our history and the milestones that shaped Winter Wildlands Alliance into the national nonprofit we are today:

2000 – A group of Nordic and backcountry skiers from Idaho, Colorado and California come together to stand up for one of America’s most precious resources: our wild snowscapes. Winter Wildlands Alliance was founded to protect the backcountry experience and advocate for responsible winter recreation.

2001 – WWA SnowSchool program kicks off at Bogus Basin, Idaho, inspiring kids to connect with winter ecosystems.

2004 – WWA Backcountry Film Festival screens for the first time in a backyard in Boise, ID.

2005 – Winter Wildlands Alliance co-founds and serves as first fiscal sponsor for Outdoor Alliance.

2013 – Yellowstone National Park publishes a long-term winter use plan, leading to a remarkable recovery for the unique winter ecosystem of our nation’s first national park.

2015 – WWA secures the forest service Over-Snow Vehicle Rule, requiring thoughtful winter travel management on National Forest lands.

2020 – WWA and Granite Backcountry Alliance launch the Ski Kind initiative. With full-court press from WWA and Outdoor Alliance, the Great American Outdoors Act becomes law, marking the largest investment ever made in U.S. public lands and permanently (and fully) funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

2021 – WWA protects Idaho’s Centennial Mountains from an ill-conceived heli-skiing proposal that threatened wolverines, grizzly bears, and existing winter recreation uses.

2022 – WWA celebrates publication of the first winter travel plans under the 2015 Over-Snow-Vehicle Rule, on the Stanislaus and Lassen National Forests. Along with other members of the Gallatin Forest Partnership, WWA celebrates the inclusion of a 92,500-acre Gallatin Range Wilderness recommendation in the Custer Gallatin Forest Plan, the first time the Forest Service has recommended permanent protections for this landscape. The Inflation Reduction Act becomes law, initiating the biggest climate investment in US History ($369B).

2023 – Moose Mountain saved! After a 7-year campaign, the Superior National Forest in Minnesota denies Lutsen Mountains Resort’s proposal to develop the cherished backcountry ski zone as a commercial resort.

2024 – WWA campaigns successfully to exempt 12 avalanche forecasters from seasonal hiring freeze. After years of work by WWA and allies, the Explore Act becomes law, mandating the completion of winter recreation maps on 83 national forests by 2036.

2025 – The landscape of winter recreation has changed radically—with record numbers of people seeking the backcountry experience—and our work is more relevant than ever.

The Next 25 Years

As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we are looking ahead to the future of wild snowscapes, winter recreation, and climate resilience. The challenges we face—climate change, growing pressures on public lands, and shrinking outdoor access for the next generation—are immense. But with your support, we have a bold vision for the next 25 years:

Educate the Next Generation of Climate Stewards

In today’s screen-dominated world, we are doubling down on the importance of outdoor education and snow play. Through our SnowSchool program, we aim to engage another one million next-generation climate stewards over the next quarter century. We will expand our SnowSchool network and provide targeted support for underserved students across the country.

Make Our Voices Heard

With the explosion of human-powered winter recreation, the need for collective action is greater than ever. Winter Wildlands Alliance is committed to mobilizing a diverse and active community of at least 50,000 advocates for wild snowscapes, healthy winter ecosystems, and climate resilience on public lands. Together, our voices will have a greater impact.

Protect the Places Where We Play

The U.S. Forest Service is legally required to map winter recreation use on 83 National Forests in the coming decade. This represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure protections for wildland ecosystems, natural soundscapes, and equitable, non-motorized winter recreation. We are ready to lead this charge alongside our local partners. With your help, we can safeguard the places and experiences we all cherish, ensuring that future generations can enjoy wild snowscapes for decades to come.

Restore Investment in Public Lands

After decades of funding cuts, our public lands need champions. We will work to pass critical national legislation that restores funding, protects wild places and watersheds, supports stewardship partnerships, increases equitable access, and mitigates climate change impacts.

Photos by Jason Hummel, Adam Clark, and Emily Sierra

Explore More: How We Are Celebrating

Member Profile: Mark Menlove

25 Year Anniversary, Blog Posts, Membership

Meet Mark Menlove: Former Winter Wildlands Alliance Executive Director, Idaho State Director at the Nature Conservancy, and Winter Wildlands Alliance member (Boise, ID).

Finding The Line: A Journey In Advocacy With Outdoor Alliance

25 Year Anniversary, Advocacy, Blog Posts

To celebrate Outdoor Alliance's 10 year aniversary, Outdoor Alliance interviewed our Executive Director, David Page, to reflect on ten years of conservation.

Backcountry Film Festival 20th Annual Season Lineup

25 Year Anniversary, Backcountry Film Festival, Blog Posts, Events, Festival Tour News, Updates

The 2024-25 Backcountry Film Festival lineup and trailer are here. Find your local screening, virtual and in-person all winter long!

SnowSchool Grows Up!

25 Year Anniversary, SnowSchool, Uncategorized

Discover how SnowSchool has inspired students like Koson Verkler and Lily Murnane to pursue careers, passions, and stewardship in the natural world.

Enjoy a Complimentary WWA Membership with Every Purchase of 25th Anniversary Swag

Your membership directly supports the next 25 years of wildland conservation, nature-based climate solutions, sustainable recreation advocacy, and SnowSchool and Backcountry Film Festival programs. Learn more about all the membership benefits and become a member here.

25TH ANNIVERSARY MEMBER SHIRTS

Donate to Support the Next 25 Years of Wild Winters

Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to
inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.