Sarah WallockOutdoor Inclusivity Awards 2025: The Awesome Orgs & People Making Outdoor Spaces More Accessible
It was only recently when recovering from brain surgery, that through some of my travels and outdoor excursions, I really noticed the importance of championing and celebrating inclusive orgs and programs.
I took it upon myself to create the super legit, tried and true and tested, where’s wallock’s outdoor inclusivity awards for 2025!
As a writer, photographer, and longtime storyteller for mission-driven orgs, I’ve spent the last 15+ years capturing what it feels like when people see themselves reflected in outdoor spaces.
These awards are rooted in that same spirit. Honoring the people and programs who make these spaces safer and more accessible.
From adaptive ski programs to women trail runners rewriting the rules, this roundup is full of community, kindness and heart. Resilient, brave, bold and powerful.
And if you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in the outdoors—these allies are here to say you do belong. And, even welcome you with open arms.
Sneak Peak:
Women Who Move Mountains
Accessible Winter Adventures
Inclusive Winter Sports
Ski Patrol – Safety & Compassion
Snow Safety Efforts Protecting Place & People
Femme Focused Bike Community
Bikes, Belonging & Boulder
Fueling Movement & Community Collabs
Making Travel More Accessible
Women Who Move Mountains
Trail Sisters
- Mission: “To increase women’s participation and opportunity in trail running through inspiration, education, and empowerment. 150+ local chapters; 300+ retreats, races, and workshops led by women for women.”
- My Connection: Ran with Trail Sisters after months of hesitation, after being left behind in other run clubs. When they said “no-drop run” and waited for me as I slogged up a hill, I nearly cried. I’ve been an avid participant ever since. These women are the BEST!
Accessible Winter Adventures
Boulder Nordic Club
- Mission: “Provide and support cross-country skiing in the Boulder area. We act to represent skier interests and maintain a liaison status with Eldora Mountain Resort, Snow Mountain Ranch, and other nordic centers.”
- My Connection: My love for nordic skiing is born out of my love for the outdoors. BNSC made this sport feel accessible as they groom my local park and provide inclusive events. They have a community WhatsApp chat with trail conditions and generous question answering.
Inclusive Winter Sports
Ignite Adaptive Sports
- Mission: “To ignite personal growth, independence, and confidence in people with disabilities on the Front Range, and in surrounding mountain and Northern Colorado communities, by providing caring, safe, and fun adaptive winter snowsports opportunities.”
- My Connection: Speaking with the volunteers at Ignite struck something inside of me. Though I haven’t had a chance to volunteer with this team yet, some of their volunteers have been helping for 20+ years. More snowboarders are needed, so I hope to volunteer my time next season!
Ski Patrol at Copper – Safety & Compassion
Copper Mountain
- About: “Provide efficient, professional emergency response to guests at Copper Mountain. Patrollers’ primary focus is on mountain safety. Assisting the ski patrol is the Mountain Safety Patrol who works with the ski patrol to ensure guest safety.”
- My Connection: This season on the slopes, I had an onset of symptoms related to my brain at Copper and one of the patrollers was so quick to grab me a water and ensure my safety back at base with the helpful ask from my husband. Nick sent in a thank you letter to the ski patrol team after.
Safety Efforts Protecting Place & People
Eldora
- About: “Skiing and riding have inherent risk– awareness of your surroundings and respect for others can help minimize that risk. Being courteous and follow the Responsibility Code (see below) to help keep yourself and others free from injury and accidents.”
- My Connection: With three seasons of riding my local mountain under my belt, I can confidently speak to the kindness, compassion, generosity and safety-mindset exuded by the team at Eldora. Between the community education and interventions with unsafe riders, I respect the team here.
Femme Focused Bike Community
Cassiopeia
- Mission: “we dream of a world where everyone, including women, are stoked to ride bikes.”
- My Connection: Connected with the team a few months ago and popped in to see what all the excitement was about. It was well worth the trip! Inclusive, accessible, encouraging community rides.
Bikes, Belonging & Boulder
Community Cycles
- Mission: “Powered by our love of cycling, our community, and our planet, we increase the use of bicycle-based transportation for everyone through access, education, and advocacy.”
- My Connection: Bought my first bike here for $300 and learned about the anatomy of it. I got not only the bike but a discounted helmet and bike lock. The staff were patient, kind and inclusive on my test rides. They host a number of community workshops.
We believe that everyone who wants a bike should have a bike. Whether for transportation, exercise or recreation, the bicycle is a wonderful way to get around. We strive to make that happen for all ages and abilities through our used bike shop where we sell used bikes and parts, workshops in bike care and repair, and advocating for safer places to ride. – Sandee Cirian, Director of Marketing and Programs
Fueling Movement & Community Collabs
Skratch Labs
- Mission: “To help people feel and perform better through real food, thoughtful science, and a deep commitment to care.”
- My Connection: Talk about best job rejection EVER!? From what started as a social media manager interview, developed into an adorbs rejection gear package, new friendships and a hub for epic community events… I am so lucky this local cafe and international sports fueling brand came into my life!
- Thanks Joy (brand marketing manager/hiring) and Ashley (pro cyclist who was ultimately chosen for the role)! I asked them to pose with me for a pic because I was starstruck.
- Get Involved: Their Movemint page is a great spot for finding upcoming events at the cafe. And if you have fueling qs reach out to info@skratchlabs.com to get connected with their Athlete Care team.
Making Travel More Accessible
Hidden Disability Sunflower
- About: “The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a globally recognized symbol for non-visible disabilities, allowing individuals to discreetly indicate they may need additional support, help, or a little more time.” Used in 25+ countries, at 100+ airports, and adopted by major transit and travel providers
- My Connection: First encountered the lanyard at the Santa Barbara Airport and thought, “this isn’t for me? Is it?” Since then, I can’t imagine getting through travel chaos without it. While it is not directly outdoor inclusivity, I thought this was a necessary addition as I travel on shared planes, subways, buses and shuttles at times.
What Belonging Feels Like
The future of the outdoors is already here. It’s joyfully and radically inclusive.
The trail is better when everyone’s invited.
These awardees? They’re holding the door open and waving us in.
Now, we just have to show up!
