Remembering David Page

We encourage everyone to read Winter Wildlands Alliance's tribute to David and, if you are able, consider making a gift in his memory to support the organization and mission he dedicated so much of his life to.

Everyone at Outdoor Alliance is heartbroken by the loss of David Page, Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance, who died last week in a car accident on Teton Pass.

David was a colleague, a friend, and a longtime leader within the Outdoor Alliance coalition. For more than a decade, he helped shape Outdoor Alliance's work—first as Winter Wildlands Alliance's Advocacy Director and a member of our Joint Policy Shop, and later as Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance, where he also served on Outdoor Alliance’s board. His sudden passing is an immeasurable loss to Winter Wildlands Alliance, to the backcountry skiing community, and to the broader conservation movement.

David was a lifelong backcountry skier, mountain biker, and devoted outdoor recreationist who had dedicated his life to protecting the outdoors and outdoor recreation experiences. He was also a brilliant writer, a deep thinker, and a persistent advocate for the people and places he cared about. David had a remarkable ability to translate complex public lands policy into stories that reminded people what was truly at stake: the experience of moving through wild places, the communities built around them, and our shared responsibility to protect them.

Throughout his career, David was a steadfast advocate for public lands and waters. He championed stronger national forest planning, defended the National Environmental Policy Act and meaningful public participation in land management, and worked tirelessly to ensure that outdoor recreation had a voice in decisions affecting America's public lands. Under his leadership, Winter Wildlands Alliance helped advance conservation solutions that protected both winter recreation and the wild landscapes it depends on.

David pioneered Ski Kind, a campaign that encouraged skiers to recreate responsibly, welcome newcomers, and care for one another and the places they love. The campaign became a widespread and influential effort in the backcountry ski community, reflecting David's conviction about the interconnection between people and outdoor places. 

Those who worked alongside David knew his conviction well. He believed deeply in the mission of Winter Wildlands Alliance, held himself and others to exceptionally high standards, and never stopped pushing for stronger conservation outcomes. He asked hard questions, challenged assumptions, and expected the outdoor community to meet the moment. 

David also understood that conservation is ultimately about people. Through Winter Wildlands Alliance's annual conferences, partnerships, and collaborative leadership, he helped build a stronger, more connected community of advocates working on behalf of winter recreation and public lands. He knew that lasting conservation depends not only on sound policy, but on trust, shared purpose, and the willingness to work together.

"David believed deeply that the outdoor community has both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead on conservation," said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance. "He brought extraordinary intellect, conviction, and generosity to our coalition for more than a decade. He challenged us to be better advocates, better partners, and better stewards of the places we love. David helped shape Outdoor Alliance into the organization we are today, and his legacy will continue to guide our work for years to come."

David was also a devoted husband and father, who shared a love of outdoor adventures with his wife and two boys, skiing, mountain biking, climbing, and paddling with his family often. 

Our hearts are with David's family, his friends, and everyone at Winter Wildlands Alliance during this time. We are profoundly grateful for the years we had the privilege to work alongside him, and we will honor his legacy by continuing the work he cared about so deeply: protecting America's public lands and ensuring future generations can experience the wild places that inspired him throughout his life.

In David's memory, we encourage those who are able to support the continued work of Winter Wildlands Alliance by making a contribution to the organization he loved and led.

Katherine Tsai, Chair of Outdoor Alliance’s Board of Directors, said, ““The conservation movement, our wild places, and our board was so lucky to have David. He never shied away from the hard work and difficult conversations that made us a stronger community. Our deep condolences go to David’s family, his friends, and the many people he uplifted.”

“For everyone who loves wild places and especially winter in the mountains, David’s absence will be truly missed. He brought out the best in our Outdoor Alliance team and was a passionate, steadfast advocate for America’s public lands. His dedication, generosity, and commitment left a lasting impact on everyone he worked with and the special landscapes he fought to protect,” said Mark Singleton, former Executive Director of American Whitewater.

"David was a good friend and tireless advocate for wild places who lived comfortably in that sometimes uncomfortable intersection of fun and hard work. And he looked good in a pair of lederhosen. Cheers to you, David. You’ll be missed by so many,” said Chris Winter, former Executive Director of Access Fund and currently Executive Director of Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment.

"Working closely with David has been such an honor. He was one of those rare people who combined passion, intensity, and levity into everything he did. I'll greatly miss David's thoughtfulness and sense of humor, and my heart aches for his Winter Wildlands Alliance colleagues and especially his family.  We'll do everything we can to carry forward the work that was important to him,” said Tom Vogl, CEO of The Mountaineers.

"During my tenure as Executive Director at Winter Wildlands Alliance, I was so fortunate to have David as part of the team leading our advocacy efforts,” said Todd Walton, former Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance. “I learned so much from him and as we worked together, shared a skin track, a musical stage, and a platform to bring people into the important work we were doing, I couldn't have asked for a better partner. When I left and David stepped into the ED role, I was excited for him to step into what he called his dream gig and truly foster the organization into a new era. He will be missed as a leader, collaborator, father, musician, writer, skier, and passionate advocate for our wild spaces."

“The outdoor community and the world have lost one of our brightest lights. We lost a best friend,” said Mark Menlove, former Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance, “As with everyone fortunate enough to share a path or a skin track, David was my model in how to move through the world with grace, kindness, and curiosity, especially in spaces where those attributes are in short supply. David’s legacy and his spirit live on in the places and people he cherished. All of these places and people are forever changed for the better. Godspeed, my friend.”

“David was an incredible father, husband, friend, thinker, and a fierce advocate for wild places. He seemed happiest exploring our public lands through any means, but especially on skis. Through his leadership at Winter Wildlands Alliance, David built community, championed protections, and inspired countless people to engage in our shared stewardship of our public lands and waters. He will be missed, but certainly not forgotten,” said Chad Nelsen, Chief Executive Officer of Surfrider Foundation.

"'Better, together' is how David always showed up to our shared work, and I'm heartbroken that work now continues without him. His collaborative spirit stays with me, along with real gratitude for everything he taught me in the short time I knew him. My heart goes out to his family and friends, who will miss him most,” said Clinton Begley, Executive Director of American Whitewater.

"David was brilliant, principled, humble, and kind. He had the ability to quietly and respectfully challenge conventional thinking and call on all of us to do what was right for public lands. He often did it with a sparkle in his eye—offering a wry observation that revealed an uncomfortable truth, while still conveying optimism and a deep belief that things could be better. That same spirit animated his incredible stoke for skiing, paddling, mountain biking, and climbing. He was a gifted mountain athlete and a true lover of wild places, and that devotion shaped both how he lived and how he led. I feel incredibly fortunate to have known David and served alongside him.  I miss his friendship and mentorship, and the joy he brought to Outdoor Alliance and the broader outdoor community," said Heather Thorne, Access Fund’s Executive Director.