Granite Backcountry Alliance

What Granite Backcountry Alliance does

Granite Backcountry Alliance is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization headquartered in North Conway, New Hampshire, that maintains and promotes backcountry skiing in the White Mountain National Forest and contiguous state, municipal, and third-party properties across New Hampshire and Western Maine. The organization was founded by Tyler Ray and operates as a grassroots, volunteer-driven entity structured around named role tiers including Pack Leaders, Glade Chiefs, Saw Dogs, Quarry Dogs, BC Ski Patrol, and Ski Kind Squad, who collectively maintain glades, deliver education, and serve as community ambassadors.

Its core offerings include GraniteMap (an interactive mapping tool for backcountry skiing locations), a community-powered Backcountry Ski Conditions and Observations reporting system, and the Ski Kind program developed in collaboration with Winter Wildlands Alliance to promote responsible backcountry practices. Underlying technology consists of a web-based platform on Squarespace commerce, the Trafx trail counter system for usage data collection, and an Avenza Maps integration for mobile navigation. The organization runs recurring events including the Wild Corn Shindig, Graniteland Grassroots Film Fest, and Glade Tour 2025.

The business model is nonprofit and diversified across four revenue streams: tiered annual memberships (free Trailhead email tier and $45/year paid tier running September 2025 to September 2026), tax-deductible donations funding infrastructure (signage, snowplowing, bathrooms), branded merchandise sales through its own e-commerce store and 15+ retail partners, and event revenue. Commercial sponsors including DPS Skis, Helly Hansen, Fischer Sports, Mammut, Synnott Mountain Guides, and Ragged Mountain provide additional in-kind and financial support. Distribution leverages direct-to-consumer digital channels, a regional retail partner network spanning Ski The Whites, REI North Conway, AMC Pinkham Notch, Gorham Bike & Ski, and Outdoor Gear Exchange, plus volunteer-driven word-of-mouth through community events.

Name

Granite Backcountry Alliance

Legal name

Granite Backcountry Alliance

Website

https://granitebc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Granite Backcountry Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that maintains backcountry ski glades across New Hampshire and Western Maine, providing community-driven trail maps, ski condition reports, and education to human-powered backcountry skiers in the White Mountain National Forest region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Recreation Non-profit Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Winter & Mountain Guides (Ski, Snowshoe, Avalanche, Ice Climbing) (THAAALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mountain Safety & Patrol Services (Avalanche Training, Rescue, Medical) (THAAAJAI)

Keywords

• Backcountry skiing
• Glade trail stewardship
• Winter recreation nonprofit
• Community ski programs
• Outdoor trail mapping

Headquarters

HQ city

North Conway

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership program with tiered benefits including a Trailhead-level free tier with email updates, and paid memberships ($45/year mentioned) with perks like member gifts (mini-first aid kit for 2025/2026). Membership period runs September 1, 2025 - September 1, 2026.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to support non-profit operations, funding signage, snowplowing, bathrooms, and other infrastructure expenses for backcountry ski areas.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded merchandise including Ski Kind trucker hats (with proceeds supporting outreach efforts), with sales through own e-commerce and retail partners.
4. Event Revenue: Revenue from events including Wild Corn Shindig (annual spring skiing celebration), Graniteland Grassroots Film Fest, and other community gatherings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Granite Backcountry Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that maintains and develops backcountry ski glade areas across the White Mountain National Forest and contiguous properties in New Hampshire and Western Maine. It provides digital tools (GraniteMap, ski condition reporting), volunteer-led stewardship programs, the Ski Kind safety initiative, annual community events (Wild Corn Shindig, Glade Tour), and is funded by memberships, donations, merchandise sales, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Granite Backcountry Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates a collection of interconnected programs and tools to promote backcountry skiing in New Hampshire and Western Maine. The core offerings include GraniteMap for interactive trail mapping, Backcountry Ski Observations and Conditions for community-driven reporting, the Ski Kind safety initiative developed with Winter Wildlands Alliance, and event programs like the Wild Corn Shindig and Glade Tour 2025. The organization functions as a community platform rather than a traditional software product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ski Kind: Backcountry skiing etiquette and safety program developed in collaboration with Winter Wildlands Alliance to promote responsible backcountry skiing practices.

Products and services

• Annual Membership Program Annual membership subscription program supporting Granite Backcountry Alliance operations, with tiered benefits ranging from email updates (free Trailhead tier) to member perks and a yearly gift (e.g., mini-first aid kit for 2025/2026) for paid subscribers.
• Ski Kind Trucker Hat

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports outdoor economy contributing $8.2B in Maine

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Winter Wildlands AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGranite Backcountry Alliance is a grassroots member of Winter Wildlands Alliance, a national non-profit dedicated to promoting and preserving winter wildlands and a quality human-powered snowsports experience on public lands through education, outreach and advocacy. GBA collaborated with WWA to develop the Ski Kind program for responsible backcountry skiing.
• Maine Outdoor Brands (MOB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGranite Backcountry Alliance is a partner of Maine Outdoor Brands, an organization committed to driving Maine's $8.2B outdoor recreation economy and creating a brighter economic future for the state through collaboration with public and private sectors.
• Ski The WhitesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner location for Ski Kind merchandise and Granite Backcountry Alliance promotional materials.
• REI (North Conway)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner location for Ski Kind merchandise and Granite Backcountry Alliance promotional materials.
• AMC - Pinkham NotchminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppalachian Mountain Club partner location for Ski Kind merchandise and Granite Backcountry Alliance promotional materials.
• Gorham Bike & SkiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner location for Ski Kind merchandise and Granite Backcountry Alliance promotional materials.
• Outdoor Gear ExchangeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner location for Ski Kind merchandise and Granite Backcountry Alliance promotional materials.
• DPS SkisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSki equipment sponsor providing support to Granite Backcountry Alliance operations and community events.
• Helly HansenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnical outdoor apparel sponsor supporting Granite Backcountry Alliance operations and community events.
• Fischer SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSki equipment sponsor supporting Granite Backcountry Alliance operations and community events.
• Synnott Mountain GuidesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMountain guiding service sponsor supporting Granite Backcountry Alliance operations and backcountry education.
• MammutminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor equipment sponsor supporting Granite Backcountry Alliance operations and community events.
• Ragged MountainminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSki area partner and sponsor supporting Granite Backcountry Alliance operations and community events.
• Winter Wildlands Alliance (Ski Kind Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative program where Granite Backcountry Alliance developed Ski Kind in collaboration with Winter Wildlands Alliance. Half of Ski Kind merchandise proceeds go towards outreach efforts promoting responsible backcountry skiing.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/granite_bc
• Facebookfacebook.com/graniteBC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/granitebackcountryalliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Granite Backcountry Alliance