What backcountry babes does

Backcountry Babes is a privately-held, women-focused outdoor education company headquartered in Truckee, California, that has operated continuously since before 1996. The company delivers AIARE-certified avalanche safety training (Rescue, Level 1, Level 2), backcountry ski and splitboard tours for beginner through advanced skill levels, ski mountaineering clinics, and multi-day international guided adventure trips to destinations including Hokkaido (Japan), Iceland, British Columbia (Selkirks), and Chile, plus summer mountain biking in Crested Butte. All instruction and guiding is delivered by female-certified AIARE instructors, addressing a documented gap in the traditionally male-dominated backcountry education market. Revenue is generated primarily through per-participant course and trip fees billed at undisclosed prices on a pay-as-you-go basis, supplemented by a direct-to-consumer e-commerce merchandise line (hoodies, t-shirts, trucker hats, stickers, iron-on patches at $5-$40). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the company's own website (backcountrybabes.com) with organic acquisition driven by a blog dating to 2010, an email newsletter, and Instagram/Facebook/Pinterest channels; the company also operates a scholarship program supporting women in avalanche education. The business is independently owned (current owner Emily Hargraves, founder Leslie Ross), bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding, and supported by a sponsor ecosystem of outdoor brands (BCA, Scarpa, G3, Osprey, DPS Skis, Patagonia, Weston Backcountry, Pistil Designs).

Name

backcountry babes

Legal name

Backcountry Babes

Website

https://backcountrybabes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Backcountry Babes is a privately-held, women-focused outdoor education company offering AIARE-certified avalanche courses, backcountry ski and splitboard tours, and guided international adventure trips to women outdoorists in the U.S. and abroad.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure Education and Guided Backcountry Travel

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing) (THAAAJAD)

Keywords

• Avalanche safety education
• Backcountry ski instruction
• Women's adventure travel
• Guided backcountry trips
• Outdoor education courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Truckee

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, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Aviation & Backcountry Courses: AIARE avalanche courses (Level 1, Level 2, Rescue) and backcountry ski/splitboard tours offered at various locations. Courses are priced per participant and taught by certified instructors. One-day to multi-day formats available.
2. Backcountry Trips & Guided Adventures: Multi-day international and domestic backcountry ski trips to destinations including Chile, Iceland, Japan, British Columbia, and Crested Butte mountain biking. All-inclusive guided experiences with professional local guides.
3. Private Guiding: Private guiding services for individuals or small groups seeking personalized backcountry instruction and mentorship.
4. Merchandise Sales: Direct e-commerce sales of branded merchandise including trucker hats ($30), hoodies ($40), t-shirts ($25), stickers ($5.55), and iron-on patches ($5). Sold through the company's own online storefront.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Backcountry Babes is a women-focused outdoor education company that delivers AIARE-certified avalanche courses (Rescue, Level 1, Level 2), beginner and intermediate backcountry ski and splitboard tours, advanced ski mountaineering clinics, and multi-day guided adventure trips to destinations such as Chile, Iceland, British Columbia, and Japan. Offerings are delivered as in-person instructional courses and guided experiences led by female instructors and local guides. The company also retails branded apparel and merchandise (hoodies, t-shirts, trucker hats, stickers, patches) through its own online storefront.

Product overview

Backcountry Babes is an outdoor education company offering a portfolio of AIARE-certified avalanche courses (Rescue, Level 1, Level 2), backcountry ski and splitboard tours (beginner through intermediate), and international adventure trips (Chile, Iceland, British Columbia, Japan). The company specializes in all-women's courses focused on building women's leadership in the outdoors. Services also include private guiding, mountain biking trips, and a scholarship program for avalanche education. The company operates e-commerce for branded merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, stickers, patches, and hats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course A one-day stand-alone avalanche rescue course for women, teaching companion rescue basics and advanced scenario practice, offered at US locations including Breckenridge, CO.
• AIARE Level 1 Course A foundational multi-day avalanche course for women recreating in or near avalanche terrain, covering travel planning, terrain identification, risk management framework use, and companion rescue; offered in Truckee/Tahoe CA, Breckenridge/Vail CO, and New Hampshire.
• AIARE Level 2 Course A three-day advanced course for women with AIARE Level 1 and Avalanche Rescue training, focusing on advanced avalanche knowledge, decision-making, leadership within small teams, and forecasting framework implementation; offered in Truckee/Tahoe CA and Breckenridge/Vail CO.
• Ski & Splitboard Mountaineering Course An advanced course for experienced women backcountry skiers covering avalanche safety, adventurous line skiing, and basic mountaineering skills; offered in Breckenridge/Vail CO.
• Beginner Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Tour A one-day introductory workshop for women learning backcountry touring basics with Alpine Touring, Splitboard, or Telemark setups; offered in Breckenridge/Vail CO.
• Intermediate Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Tour An intermediate-level tour for women refreshing and practicing backcountry techniques with experienced mentors; offered in Breckenridge/Vail CO.
• Backcountry Ski Chile Trip All-women's multi-day backcountry skiing adventure trip to Chile, typically scheduled in August during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
• Backcountry Ski Iceland Trip All-women's corn skiing adventure trip to Iceland featuring backcountry touring experiences.
• British Columbia Backcountry Ski Lodge Trip Remote multi-day backcountry ski lodge trip in British Columbia featuring helicopter access, hut accommodations, sauna, and untracked powder skiing in the Selkirk Mountains.
• Hokkaido Japan Backcountry Ski Trip All-women's multi-day backcountry skiing trip to Hokkaido, Japan featuring legendary Japanese powder skiing.
• Crested Butte Mountain Biking Trip All-women's mountain biking adventure trip in Crested Butte, Colorado offered during the summer season.
• Private Guiding Private backcountry guiding services for individuals or small groups seeking personalized instruction and touring experiences.
• Scholarship Program Scholarship funding for women to attend AIARE Level 1, Level 2, or Rescue courses in Colorado and California locations, supporting women's leadership development in outdoor education.
• Hoodie Soft, lightweight hoodie made from eco-jersey material (50% polyester, 38% cotton, 12% rayon) containing organic and recycled materials; available in women's sizes Small through XL; priced at $40.00.
• Backcountry Babes T-shirt Soft cotton/poly blend heather navy t-shirt available in women's sizes XXS through XL and unisex sizes S through XL; priced at $25.00.
• Trucker Hat Durable, comfortable trucker hat made locally by We the Trees, available in Moss Green, Pink, Purple, Yellow, and Black; one size fits all; priced at $30.00.
• Backcountry Babes Stickers Set of 3 waterproof Backcountry Babes stickers (3" x 4") for decorating skis, helmets, or water bottles; priced at $5.55.
• Iron on Patches Embroidered patch (2.4" x 3") with iron-on backing, available in black or white for decorating ski packs; priced at $5.00.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates gain AIARE certification recognized by avalanche forecasting centers and ski industry employers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Backcountry Access (BCA)minorOthersBackcountry Access (BCA) is listed as a sponsor on the Backcountry Babes website. BCA manufactures avalanche safety equipment including transceivers, shovels, and probes. The sponsorship relationship provides product support for courses and visibility for BCA among the women-focused backcountry education audience.
• Pistil DesignsminorOthersPistil Designs is listed as a sponsor and their hats and accessories are featured in Backcountry Babes content. Pistil Designs specializes in women's outdoor accessories and headwear.
• ScarpaminorOthersScarpa is listed as a sponsor. Scarpa manufactures backcountry ski boots (including the Scarpa Gea RS and Scarpa F1, which are recommended in Backcountry Babes gear guides). The sponsorship provides product visibility and support for courses and trips.
• Genuine Guide Gear (G3)minorOthersG3 (Genuine Guide Gear) is listed as a sponsor and featured in Backcountry Babes gear guides. G3 produces backcountry ski equipment including skis, bindings (G3 Ion), and skins. Backcountry Babes uses G3 demo equipment for ski courses and trips.
• Osprey PacksminorOthersOsprey Packs is listed as a sponsor. Osprey manufactures backcountry ski and hiking backpacks (including the Kresta and Mutant lines, recommended in Backcountry Babes gear guides). Provides product support for courses.
• DPS SkisminorOthersDPS Skis is listed as a sponsor. DPS produces backcountry skis including the DPS Skis Wailer 112, which is featured in Backcountry Babes gear guides for powder skiing.
• PatagoniaminorOthersPatagonia is listed as a sponsor. Patagonia manufactures outdoor apparel and is featured in Backcountry Babes gear recommendations (R1 Hoodie, base layers, etc.).
• Weston BackcountryminorOthersWeston Backcountry is listed as a sponsor. Weston manufactures backcountry splitboards and skis. Products are featured in course offerings including intro to splitboarding courses with demo boards.
• We the TreesminorOthersWe the Trees is a local independent artist who makes the Backcountry Babes branded trucker hats. This is a local artist partnership for merchandise production rather than a formal sponsorship.
• 10th Mountain Division HutsminorOthersBackcountry Babes references 10th Mountain Division Huts extensively for hut trip planning resources. The company offers hut trips in Colorado using the 10th Mountain Division hut system and recommends the organization for trip planning.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Mountain Madness: Mountain Madness provides mountaineering courses, guided climbs, ski touring, and avalanche education. Its mix of professional instruction and high-altitude adventure travel is closely comparable despite a broader outdoor portfolio.
• Wild Women Expeditions: Wild Women Expeditions operates women-only, small-group outdoor and adventure-travel experiences. It closely matches Backcountry Babes' combination of female-focused community, guided trips, and outdoor skill-building.
• AdventureWomen: AdventureWomen sells small-group adventure vacations designed specifically for women. It is comparable through its women-only positioning, multi-destination itineraries, direct-to-consumer booking, and emphasis on confidence and community.
• Exum Mountain Guides: Exum Mountain Guides provides avalanche courses, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, and guided mountain experiences. It is comparable through a professional-guide model, technical instruction, and premium destination adventures.
• American Alpine Institute: American Alpine Institute offers AIARE courses, ski mountaineering instruction, and guided alpine adventures. Its course ladder, certified guides, and expedition offerings closely overlap Backcountry Babes' core services.
• Colorado Mountain School: Colorado Mountain School provides avalanche education, backcountry ski instruction, mountaineering courses, and private guiding. It competes directly for the same technical-course customers, although it serves a broader co-ed audience.
• Sierra Mountain Center: Sierra Mountain Center offers avalanche education, backcountry ski programs, and professional guiding near the Sierra Nevada. It serves similar participants and competes directly with Backcountry Babes in the California and Tahoe market.
• Blackbird Mountain Guides: Blackbird Mountain Guides provides backcountry skiing, avalanche education, mountaineering, and private guiding. It is comparable through its instructor-led progression from foundational skills to advanced mountain travel.

Emerging players

• SheJumps: SheJumps is a nonprofit focused on increasing women's participation in outdoor activities through education, mentorship, and community events. It matches Backcountry Babes' female-focused mission and skill-development audience, though its nonprofit model differs.

Broad incumbents

• International Mountain Guides: International Mountain Guides offers mountaineering, ski programs, expeditions, and technical training worldwide. It overlaps with Backcountry Babes' guided and instructional model but operates at greater geographic and activity scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BackcountryBabe
• Instagraminstagram.com/backcountrybabes
• Pinterestpinterest.com/bcbabes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/backcountry-babes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 backcountry babes