Others Working
With Us
The Backcountry Snowsports Alliance is a founding member organization of the Winter Wildlands Alliance.
BSA is also a member organization of the Southern Rockies Conservation Alliance, a coalition of nearly 30 local, regional, and national conservation groups, working together to protect and restore the region's wildlands and native biological diversity.
If you would like to start a chapter and protect quiet recreation in your area, please contact us.
Our Members
We have members in Canada and these states.
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other Alliances
See our list of other alliances and groups advocating quiet use of the backcountry.
Who We Are
Our organization comprises a diverse mix of esteemed and dedicated members of our Board of Directors, hardworking paid staff, vital and committed volunteers, devoted members, and concerned constituency. To learn more about BSA membership, please visit our Membership page. To inquire about volunteer opportunities or learn more about your role in our organization, please contact us.
Brian Holcombe, Executive Director
Brian comes to the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance following a four-year stint split between The Mountain Shop in Fort Collins and Moonlight Basin Ski Resort in Big Sky, Montana. He looks forward to infusing the BSA with his wide-ranging experience in business management and sales, public land management, fundraising, event planning, and recreation programming.
The BSA Board of Directors
Tom Gordon, President
Tom Gordon has been involved in the outdoor and ski business for 30 years. As an avid backcountry skier, snowshoer, hiker and cyclist he takes his passions to work every day. An important function that Tom performs with the BSA is to bring greater outdoor industry involvement and support to the cause.
Kristyn Econome, Vice President
Kristyn Econome grew up in New York State, spending as much time as possible in the Adirondacks. Her love of the outdoors eventually brought her to Colorado to explore new terrain. An avid backcountry skier, she began volunteering with the BSA shortly after her arrival to Colorado. What was a "friendship" became a passion, and after a couple years of volunteering, Kristyn joined the BSA Board and is now the Vice President of this organization. Advocating for a quiet, environmentally sound winter backcountry is a top priority for Kristyn.
Ben Dodge, Secretary
Ben Dodge, of Aspen, has been on the Board since 2001. Ben is the Executive Director of the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. He also serves as the Treasurer for the BSA and the Vail Pass Task Force. and is a member of the White River Interpretive Association. "I joined BSA because I think it will become increasingly important to have reasonable access to conflict-free areas of backcountry recreation." Ben has twin daughters with whom he is trying to keep up on the cross country race circuit.
David Belin, Treasurer
David Belin moved to Boulder County in 1998 from Jackson Hole, WY, where he was introduced to backcountry skiing. Dave is a Director at RRC Associates, a marketing research and consulting firm in Boulder. His experience in conducting surveys, market research, and general knowledge of the winter skiing outdoor industry are beneficial in directing the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance.
Rich Cook
Rich Cook Rich is the consummate outdoorsman with a passion for winter recreation. Rich’s talents go well beyond skiing the steep and deep; he is also an experienced and well respected consultant, photographer, writer, and business leader. Rich is currently employed as Development Director for the International Mountain Bicycling Association. While living in Summit County, Rich was the Executive Director of the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center for ten years and Managing Director of the Summit Huts Association from 2002-2004. He brings a wealth of outdoor industry, strategic planning and non-profit management knowledge to our Board.
Heath Mackay
Heath has been exploring the backcountry of Colorado since his childhood in Fort Collins and brings a wealth of non-profit leadership and event planning experience to the Board of Directors. Heath served as the Projects Manager for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado from 2000 – 2004 and acted as the Interim Executive Director for BSA during late 2006 and early 2007. Heath provides our organization with a focused vision for projects, special events, membership development, and fundraising.
Greg Mears
Greg Mears has lived and skied in Colorado since 1977, and he is personally invested in protecting our state's quiet winter backcountry experience. His passion for sharing his love for the outdoors lead him to work in the outdoor retail industry. Benefits to the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance are understanding these industry affiliates and communicating the need to be involved.
Bob Moore
Bob Moore, of Morrison, Colorado, has been on the board since 1999. After 40 years, he retired from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as the Colorado State Director, so he has a good understanding of federal land management agencies, an important skill for the BSA. He serves as Vice President for the the BSA as well as for the boards of Bicycle Colorado and 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. Bob is an avid backcountry telemark skier, mountain biker, and hiker.
Chuck Ogilby
Chuck Ogilby is a founding member of the BSA. He's been involved in environmental and water issues since the early 70's. He's also a founding member of the Holy Cross Wilderness Defense Fund. As a founding member of the Vail Pass Task Force, he is still looking for the solution. He is a PSIA certified backcountry ski guide and still chasing after his kids and now his grandchild!
Lee Rimel
Lee Rimel moved to Colorado in 1969 where he was the founder and co-owner of an integrated real estate company. Lee, long active in community activities, has been a Director of the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance for 4 years, has worked with Jimmie Heuga during the formative years of the Jimmie Heuga Center, has organized the Gore Valley Soccer Club, is a member of the Colorado Mountain Club and is co-founder of Unity of the Mountains, a non-denominational church.
Rocky Smith
Rocky Smith moved to Colorado in 1975 and immediately became enthralled with recreation in the state's high country. He soon took up cross-country skiing, backpacking, and climbing high peaks. He joined the Colorado Mountain Club in 1976 and became a trip leader. While on a backpack/climbing trip in 1979, he saw blatant abuse of wilderness ethics, which spurred him into action to protect public lands. He has worked for numerous environmental organizations and as a consultant to protect Colorado's 14.4 million acres of national forest land. He joined the BSA Board in 1998 to help create and preserve quiet areas for non-motorized winter recreation. He still skis and hikes regularly and works for Colorado Wild, a non-profit group he helped found, which is dedicated to protecting wildlife and their habitat on Colorado's forested lands.