If you are a backcountry skier Mark Menlove is someone you should know. As the executive director of Winter Wildlands Alliance, Mark works tirelessly to protect the wild winter landscapes on which we love to ski. Additionally he is a seasoned conservationist, backcountry ski guide, and outdoor writer. He has been a leading voice for quiet recreation and is a co-founder of the Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of national human-powered recreation organizations. Mark’s passion for skiing runs deep, and we (the backcountry ski community) are lucky to have him as a leading voice, speaking up for backcountry skiing on local & national levels. In this episode we chat with Mark about growing up in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, leaving the corporate world to pursue creative writing, becoming the ‘voice of winter,’ and building a backcountry ski community.