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.

SPEAKERS: 

• 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

RESOURCES:

Winter Wildlands Alliance SnowSchool

Climbers of Color

Tahoe Backcountry Alliance

Cascade Backcountry Alliance

Find your local Winter Wildlands Alliance Grassroots Group

SUPPORTED BY: Outdoor Alliance, REI Co-op, The Mountaineers, Duct Tape Then Beer/Dirt Bag Diaries, High Country News, Phreem Family Brewers,University of Washington’s Pack Forest, and Mountain Training Center

CREDITS:

Produced and co-hosted by Anneka Williams and Emily Scott

Edited by Adam Titmuss

Theme music by Rattlesnake Preachers feat. Kerry McClay

Additional Music by Blue Dot Sessions