Our Mission
Building community and empowering women and queer people in the backcountry through connection, education, and growth.
History
Backcountry Baddies was founded in 2023 by Laila Hakkarinen and Addy Jacobsend, two passionate backcountry skiers united by a shared commitment to empowering women and queer people in the mountains. After recognizing how many barriers exist in backcountry skiing, from cost, to safety knowledge, to finding trustworthy partners, they set out to build a community in Salt Lake City where everyone feels supported, welcomed, and encouraged to grow.
From the beginning, their vision was simple: create a space where underrepresented skiers and riders could learn, connect, and explore the backcountry together. In their first season, Backcountry Baddies launched uphill meetups after resort hours, giving all levels of backcountry skiers & splitboarders a safe, accessible way to build skills and confidence in a more controlled snowpack. These meetups quickly became a hub for connection, mentorship, and friendship, proof that community is one of the most powerful tools for breaking down barriers. What started as two skiers with a shared mission has grown into a vibrant, inclusive community dedicated to education, safety, and collective stoke in the mountains. And this is only the beginning!
