Inspiring Women Through Outdoor Adventure
Backcountry Babes, LLC operates under special use permit from the USDA Forest Service, White River National Forest,
and is an equal opportunity service provider and employer.
About Us
Why Take a Women's- Specific Clinic or Trip? >>> view
Our Story
Backcountry Babes was founded in 1996, as “Babes in the Backcountry”, by 3x national champion telemark skier, Leslie Ross. At the time, Leslie recognized the lack of equality of women participating in recreational activities and outdoor sports. Her passion was to create a business that would provide instructional opportunities and adventures specifically for women to learn more, and gain access to outdoor recreation in a comfortable and inspiring environment.
Our Philosophy
Backcountry Babes is an organization that is founded on providing opportunities for women to improve skills, define themselves, and feel empowered through outdoor recreation. Our mission is to be mentors and guides for women in the outdoors so that they can learn new skills and develop confidence, gain new insights and experiences, and share in adventures that build friendships and camaraderie.
We believe in women; their power, their strength, their individuality, and their beauty!
Studies indicate that women who participate in outdoor recreational activities reap many physical and emotional benefits from their experiences. Yet, gender-related feelings of objectification, vulnerability, and fear often limit women’s participation in these activities. Gender-related dynamics also alter the experience and empowerment that some women gain while participating in co-ed instruction or outdoor recreational activities. We offer women-specific programs because we believe in providing non-threatening opportunities for women to become more skilled in outdoor recreational sports. We build confidence and inspire and empower you with independence and companionship.
Who we are and what we are about…
Our Programs
Our programs aren’t elite training clinics, and we aren’t an outdoor recreational company that also offers women’s programs. We are a company that "specializes" in working with women. We understand that women learn in a different manner and have different needs than men, and we want learning and participating in outdoor sports to be a fun and enjoyable experience! We design programs for the common, everyday but exceptional woman; the woman that just needs a good mentor, guide, or companion from which to learn outdoor skills.
Now you have a choice: Be exhilarated, not exasperated!
Our instructional programs cater to all levels and ages of women that want to learn or improve at a specific sport. We also provide other events and outdoor adventures so that women can get out in a non-threatening and fun environment with like-minded women.
Our events are diverse and ever changing to meet all the opportunities that exist to enjoy the outdoors. Our programs are designed to bring women together in a fun and empowering environment to feel confident and independent in the outdoors.
Our Staff
Our staff is top notch! Our instructors, coaches, and guides are highly qualified, certified, and experienced women that are passionate about what they do. This isn’t just business to us. The Backcountry Babes squad does what it does because we love the experience. We love the opportunity, the camaraderie, and the fun we have mentoring and sharing our expertise and experiences with other women who want to get outdoors. We relish in the work we do because we enjoy being with you as much as we hope you will enjoy being with us!
In 2011, the company was purchased by one of Leslie’s alumni. The company name was transformed to Backcountry Babes, and Jenna Boisvert now owns and manages “Babes” with the same passions and philosophies Leslie believed in…
...Inspire and empower women through fun outdoor recreational instruction and adventure.
What Women say about our Events
Everyone in the clinic was just raving about their experience and that it was the best intro avalanche course they had ever taken. I would agree!
Kolleen D. - Backcountry Basics 101, Breckenridge, CO
What a great introduction to Telemark! I absolutely enjoyed everything about the day and can't wait to get back on the slopes!
Kari L. - Mtn Telemark Tune-up, CO
I had an awesome trip...amazing guides and great people!!
Jennifer P. - Backcountry Yoga Hut Trip, Breckenridge, CO
It was an amazing experience with an amazing group of women. I am thrilled that this trip was all women and the canyon and river could not have been more magical. This trip exceeded my expectations!!
Katie M. - Grand Canyon Raft Trip
