Trail Break Radio

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 op...

Outdoor recreation on public lands is booming, but the funding to manage those lands is shrinking. As maintenance backlogs grow and budgets vital for outdoor recreation, public lands and waters tighten— the question is dire: will anyone bear the cost of managing public lands? And what happens if no one does? As federal funding falters, states, nonprofits, and local communities are stepping in. But...

With winter recreation and mountain town populations booming, more people are recreating in sensitive wildlife habitat. That raises a tricky question: when land managers decide to close a trail or restrict access, and what evidence do they use to make that call? Often, those decisions rely on research from studies done somewhere else, in different places with different conditions. And that can mak...

We often talk about public lands as playgrounds. But for many tribal nations, these places are homelands. Outdoor recreation is growing. Trailheads are full. Alpine lakes see record visitation. Social media drives more people to once-quiet places. And while that growth is a testament to how much people love wild places, it can come with real consequences. For tribal nations across Washington State...

Avalanche forecasts are one of the most trusted safety tools in winter recreation and travel. Built daily by professionals who wake before dawn, dig into the snowpack, analyze storms, track wind, and translate complex data into clear public guidance that shapes life-or-death decisions for as many as 30 million people. But can avalanche forecasting survive the current administration? How stable is...

The agencies charged with managing our federal public lands have been deeply understaffed and chronically underfunded for decades—even before the current administration’s chainsaw approach to government. Many in the public have long been frustrated with the perceived complexity and inefficiency of public process and decision-making. Now, in the wake of the deepest cuts in the history of America’s...

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 chall...

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...

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...

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: Tyler Ray: Tyler is an outdoor recreation attorney and advocate based in New Hampshire. He is the founder of Backyard...

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: Sarah Dewey: Sarah is a Wildlife Biolog...

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 dec...

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 gr...

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...

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 hear...

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: Hilary Eisen is Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Policy Director. Based in Bozeman, she...

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:  Jami...

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. C...