Dear Arc’teryx Team,
I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible opportunity provided to me through the Arc’teryx Backcountry Scholarship. This generous support enabled me to embark on an amazing journey of personal growth and confidence in backcountry, through the Backcountry Basics and AIARE Level 1 courses offered by VNTRbirds.
As someone who grew up in Colorado, I was very fortunate to start snowboarding at a very young age, and have been in love with it ever since. Driving up I-70 and seeing the track filled mountains of Loveland and Vail pass I had always dreamed of one day gaining the experience and gear to be able to venture deeper into the mountains with my snowboard. However, after graduating college I immediately fell into the role of a full time care-taker for my mom. While I was so thankful to be able to stand by her side through her amputation, and cancer journey, my financial priorities made the goal of taking the necessary course to ensure my safety in the backcountry unobtainable. But thanks to the generosity from the Arc’teryx scholarship through VNTRbirds, I was finally able to turn this dream into a reality!
P: Katie Young @kaytii
P: Katie Young @kaytii
Participating in these courses has been an unparalleled experience. After 20 years of snowboarding I can easily say taking the Backcountry Basics and AIARE Level 1 course have been the highlight of my snowboarding career. The skills acquired and the connections I made have ignited a passion within me to make backcountry skiing more accessible and inclusive, particularly to females and individuals with disabilities like my mother. Thus, next season I will be taking the AIARE courses necessary with aims of getting certified as a splitboard guide!
Now, I would like to share a bit about how I came across the VNTRbirds community, and the amazing opportunity the scholarship provided through them. My introduction to the VNTRbirds initially came through Instagram. While doom scrolling through mundane posts on my instagram feed I came across a page with colorful photos of groups of women absolutely tearing it up on touring skis and mountain bikes. As someone working in the male-dominated field of Wildland firefighting, I had been yearning for a community of women who had the itch to grow outdoors like myself. Being a woman in the outdoors doesn’t come without hardship. Despite defeating great big icy peaks, dropping into double black diamonds, and staying away from loose slabs in the backcountry, it can often be challenging for women to find their voice and assert their confidence. I immediately knew I had found my people in VNTRbirds.
P: Katie Young @kaytii
Spending two days with what were soon to be life-long friends, swapping binding tools, navigating the peaks of Monarch Pass and putting our AIARE skills to the test, the instructors gathered us all in a circle. Each participant was then asked to share a “low” of the course and a “high” of the course for them. After these two days spent in the backcountry there were some sore legs, cold feet, and “shitty boots” that needed to be replaced among the group. But when it came time to share the “highs” of the course, I immediately understood the importance of a femme-centered space, on a whole new level. So many of us were immensely moved by the support we had received throughout the courses. Standing next to all these badass women I had grown so close to in the matter of days, I would have never guessed that they too had felt silenced, belittled or unsupported at some point while recreating in the outdoors. These courses provided not only the skill set and knowledge for us to recreate safely in the backcountry, but also gave us a safe space to gain confidence in using our voices, while creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie among women, in a sport that is highly male dominated. Something so many of us had been so deeply yearning for! These two courses showed me I am capable of tackling hard, and intimidating challenges, especially when surrounded by a supportive girl gang!
Once again, I cannot express my gratitude enough for the opportunity afforded to me through the Arc’teryx scholarship. It has granted me an extensive new set of skills, introduced me to new backcountry partners, and empowered me to pursue my aspirations in the outdoors in ways I never thought possible! I encourage everyone to apply for these scholarships provided by VNTRbirds to strive for their backcountry goals and dreams.
Warm regards,
Sage Windell
Sage Windell (she/her) recently moved back to Colorado after graduating from college and now resides in the San Juan Mountains go Durango. Sage has been snowboarding since she was little and cannot see a future without it. Now that Sage has her AIARE Rec Level 1 training, she’s looking for new opportunities to continue her education and gain the qualifications to become a backcountry splitboard guide.