Get Inspired by Women Leaders in the Backcountry

Little did Amanda Marchiani know that a Facebook post in 2022 would spawn a nonprofit organization that would host a panel of experts speaking about the role of women in the backcountry on Thursday. Marchiani is the founder of Gore Range Gravity Alliance and is excited to host Making Waves in the Outdoors: A Female Perspective.

“Gore Range Gravity Alliance was developed to meet the need to find people to go backcountry skiing with. It started with a Facebook post for drinks at the local restaurant, Root and Flower, where about five women (out of 65 interested in the event) survived the holiday hubbub and yet another wave of COVID in the hope to make new friends. ” said Marchiani.

Events like Ladies’ Wax ‘n Wine Night at Cripple Creek Backcountry to teach ski and snowboard waxing techniques during a hut trip to the Polar Star Hut were quickly organized. Today, the group hosts about 14 unique events a year and has even launched an ambassador program in Eagle and Summit counties that offers women the opportunity to come together outdoors to downhill ski, Mountain biking and trail running.

True to the grassroots organization’s mission to provide education for women to develop their skills in their outdoor pursuits and to create opportunities for women to form lasting relationships and build community, Making Waves in the Outdoors: A Female Perspective was created.

“This event has different aspects that help us accomplish our mission,” Marchiani said. “We have a welcome reception with local women-owned businesses. The goal here is to not only create a social environment for women to meet, connect and network with each other, but also to develop relationships with these local businesses that can grow into partnerships and build on this sense of community.

The event will feature three panelists and a moderator who all have extensive experience in the outdoors but are also making an impact in their communities.

“The idea here is to create a dialogue that women can relate to and be inspired by for their own outdoor goals,” Marchiani said.

Thursday’s guests include the following players in the outdoor industry today:

Brittany Konsella – Panelist

Became the second woman to ski all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks
Co-author of “Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding Routes: Colorado”
Avalanche course instructor, preparing to become an AMGA certified ski guide

Bianca Germain – Panelist

Independent photographer for eight years, specializing in skiing, hunting, fishing
Customer list includes YETI Coolers, Nat Geo Adventure, Orvis, Sitka
Still photographer on the recent all-female ski film, “Advice for Girls”

Hailee Rustad – Panelist

Creator and leader of the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance Ladies Trail Crew
Member of the Vail Mountain Rescue Group
Business Owner and Leadership Coach

Ellen Miller – Moderator

First American woman to climb Everest from both sides in 2001 and 2002
Climbed Lohtse, Manaslu and Cho Oyu, all 8,000 meter peaks in the Himalayas.
Certified track and field endurance trainer in the United States for 20 years
Winter Alpine Skiing Advocate, Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance Ambassador and Town of Vail Trail Host

Marchiani said it was difficult to limit the panel to this small group.

“There are so many amazing women making a difference in the outdoor community in Eagle County alone, let alone the entire state of Colorado. We are grateful for this and know that it means we will have a lot of women to bring in and this event will continue year after year,” Marchiani said.

The event will take place at the Vail Golf Club starting at 5:30 p.m. on May 30. In addition to the panel discussion and reception with local women-owned businesses, there will be a silent auction to raise funds for Gore Range Gravity Alliance programs. Tickets are available at My.OneCause.com.

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