A belated and very large ‘Thank You’ to EVERYONE that volunteered, attended or donated something to the Backcountry Film Festival we co-hosted on January 11th!
If you like this event, and can help plan for next year, please email sovtoutdoors@gmail.com ! Planning will have to start by the end of summer. Silvia is stepping down from helping plan, however, there are folks interested in keeping it (or similar film fest) going, but will need some more hands on deck.
Through hosting this film fest and providing a gathering space for the past 3 years we aimed to cultivate community and raise awareness of winter recreation in our area though the sharing information about what these smaller area non-profit groups are doing related to winter outdoor recreation.
We know the first year in Bennington wasn’t the best for all groups. We know the space has been tight at Williams, but it was donated and what was available to us. For that, we are grateful. Raffle could work this way or that. But we think it went pretty darn well considering we are not pros at this by any means, but we know what can be improved. We couldn’t have done it without you and the extra volunteers! We definitely couldn’t have done it without the support of the Williams Outing Club and Williams College Facilities! We do miss the old Williamstown Outdoor Film Fest too (thanks Tom M!).
But most of all, we really think it is valuable to host something like this, and we love having all our old and new friends in one place where we can talk winter, trails, activism, and swap stories!
Thanks for helping us raise $300 each for the Bennington Area Trail System, Green Mt Club Bennington Section, Dutch Hill Alliance of Skiers and Hikers and the Thunderbolt Ski Runners ! Also, the Massachusetts Appalachian Trail Management Committee is also a great group to volunteer and get outside with year round (more than just trail work)! We hope you become a member and/or volunteer for one of these groups or another local land stewardship group this year!
A big Thank You to all these businesses or organizations who donated to our super Raffle and door prizes:
Bennington Area Trail System
Berkshire Outfitters
Dutch Hill Alliance of Skiers and Hikers
Catamount Trail Association
Empire Cafe
Green Mountain Club
Harvest Brewing
Mt Greylock Ski Club
Peak Resorts / Mount Snow
Nature’s Closet
Nor’east Trail Runs
PowderJet Snowboards
Prospect Mountain Ski Area
Ramblewild
Ramuntos North Adams, MA
The Distillery at Greylock WORKS – Forager Gin & Ski Bum Rum
Ski Fanatics
Thunderbolt Ski Runners
TOURISTS Welcome
Wild Wings Ski Touring Center
and Winter Wildlands Alliance sponsor donations from Mt. Khakis, Flylow, and Mt. Flo Eco Skin Wax.
Until next time; may your trails be happy and powdery,
Silvia Cassano
BATS Board of Directors/BCFF Organizer
#GiveBack #Stewardship #KeepWinterWild #ProtectOurWinters