Silverton Mountain was host to “Sisters in the Steeps” this past weekend,
put on by Leslie Ross’s Babes in the Backcountry. Ross, the founder of
Babes, who has been working in the field of snow/avalanche for the past 10
years and as an instructor for the past 18 years, has been able to offer
well-supported programs to advance outdoor education and adventure. As part
of her mission states, “Babes in the Backcountry is an organization of
powerful, professional, knowledgeable women and men dedicated to raising
awareness of how we walk in the natural world. Our year-round inspirational
outdoor adventures provide awareness, education and useful skills to enhance
not only your outdoor experiences, but to also impact all aspects of your
life.”

As guides for this group, fellow instructor Patti Banks, who has been named
one of Ski Magazine’s top 100 instructors, and I had the opportunity to work
with some amazing women skiers looking to broaden their scope on skiing, and
who were motivated to pursue the famed steeps of Silverton with other like
kinded and minded women. Over the three day period, we were able to
introduce these women to a new bigger picture on skiing, and start many of
them on their first backcountry type of experience. In our wrap-up
discussion at the close of the weekend, these women each touched upon the
growth they experienced from their time together, their progression as
skiers, and as women in the outdoors.

Babes offers a variety of outdoor opportunities through winter workshops and
adventure programs; this includes co-ed clinics and workshops, Backcountry
retreats, Intro to the Backcountry courses, Avalanche Level 1 training,
Backcountry refreshers, Telemark Clinics- all levels, Advanced Clinics-
Alpine/Telemark, Ski Mountaineering/Big Mountain Skiing, Celebrations and
more.

Ski Adventure Get-a-ways that are slated for 2008’s remaining season:

1. Campbell Icefields Hut Trip | April 26th to May 3rd
2. Mt Shasta, CA | June 13th-15th

For summer and more:
2008 Winter Calender

April 24-27 | Best of Moab
3 Spaces

Apr 26-May 3 | Spring Hut Trip~Canada
5 Spaces

June 13-15 | Durango Single Track
8 Spaces

July 18-20 | Bike Babes~Breckenridge
8 Spaces

August 16-23 | Summer Snow Divas in Chile
8 Spaces

Sept 11-14 | Women’s White Rim
12 Spaces

For more information, contact:
Leslie Ross
www.babesinthebackcountry.com
970-453-4060