Sideline Stories: Zach McCarthy, Executive Director, Inclusive Ski Touring and Marketing Director, Mt. Abram
Inclusive Ski Touring
As the popularity of ski touring continues to grow, opportunities to learn the basic fundaments have also gained momentum.
Often referred to as “skinning,” “alpine touring,” or “backcountry skiing,” ski touring is where participants hike uphill with their skis before skiing down, a challenging, yet fun activity deserving of the phrase “earn your turns.” The snowboarding equivalent is called split-boarding, aptly named for how the snowboard is split lengthwise, turning it into two ski-like boards for the ascent.
Inclusive Ski Touring (IST), a newly founded 501(c)(3) non-profit, is taking strides towards making this sport more accessible. IST’s mission is to “develop an inclusive uphill community through organized group programs.” The organization is breaking down misconceptions about the ability needed to ski tour, providing a place for people to ski tour at little to no cost and creating a welcoming learning environment. According to Zach McCarthy, founder of IST, “Touring is something achievable for anyone of any ability level. It can be as simple as taking a walk up the powerline hill in your town and skiing back down or as intense as going up Mount Washington to ski avalanche terrain mid-winter. You don’t need to be an expert at the downhill, all you need is a desire to get out and adventure.”
During the winter of 2021, Zach McCarthy had just transferred from Suffolk University to the University of Southern Maine (USM). Working full-time in a ski shop and taking classes at USM, Zach saw a need for community touring programs and began organizing group tours through social media inviting anyone to join. The gatherings were a way to meet other people in the ski touring community, encourage first-timers to try the sport and ask gear questions, and for Zach to share his passion with others. The community rallied for participants who did not have access to gear, finding equipment to lend out for the day. Word of the get-togethers spread, and soon Zach began more formally organizing by setting up a website and an email list. This is when the organization of ‘Inclusive Ski Touring’ was truly born, and they partnered with Mt. Abram for a consistent and supportive venue. The group tours throughout the first unofficial season totaled over 200 participants. Recognizing the success of the program and seeing the true potential of the concept, Zach worked over the summer to register Inclusive Ski Touring as an official non-profit organization, successfully achieving the 501(c)(3) status in July of 2022, backdated to June of 2021.
Inclusive Ski Touring enjoyed a successful first season and hosted several programs including a Women’s Program, a DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) Focused Program, Future Generations Program, and Intro to Backcountry Touring Program. Recognizing the lack of diversity throughout the outdoor industry and striving to help work towards a better future, IST has been engaging with partner organizations such as Outdoor Afro and The Kindling Collective as part of their Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts to work to provide underrepresented individuals the chance to get out ski touring and/or split boarding, reducing barriers. The vibrant, friendly atmosphere paired with their supportive, encouraging leaders transforms the slightly nervous but excited participants into confident, empowered skiers. Connecting like-minded individuals at the group tour level also fosters genuine friendships amongst participants. In total, the 2021/22 season attracted over 500 participants, and with its strong momentum, they are hoping this coming winter brings even more growth and participation.
As an organization, Inclusive Ski Touring strives to create opportunity and help build the path toward a more diverse and inclusive ski industry. Please check out the Inclusive Ski Touring website for information about tours this season or to find out how to help support their mission.
Meg Pierce Bio: This was contributed by Meg Pierce, an engineer based out of the greater Boston area. She is a member of the Inclusive Ski Touring Board of Directors and enjoys leading the Women’s Program tours throughout the winter. Stories of her skiing, biking, hiking, and climbing adventures can be found on Norrona’s blog.
Images: Portrait of Zach McCarthy by Chris Bennett Photo
Landscape images by Andy Gagne Photography