Alyssa Wendt on the Get Stoked Girls Podcast
- Rhianna Walzer
- Aug 28
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 30
A conversation about ski mountaineering, assessing risk, finding reliable partners, cultivating community, and empowering women.
Meet Alyssa Wendt — multi-sport mountain athlete, health and wellness coach, loyal mountain partner, and lover of all things outdoors. In this episode of Get Stoked Girls, we caught up with Alyssa in Crested Butte, Colorado, where she shares her journey from growing up playing traditional team sports to discovering her passion for technical mountain disciplines. She talks about navigating barriers as a woman in the outdoors, balancing risk and adventure, and the importance of strong, trustworthy partners in high-stakes terrain.
Alyssa also reflects on stepping away from Olympic aspirations in ski mountaineering (skimo) to pursue joy-driven adventure, how health coaching has influenced her life as an athlete and person, and the value of community in Crested Butte. She offers practical advice for women looking to explore the mountains, find mentors, and embrace a multifaceted identity beyond competition.
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Becoming a Mountain Athlete
Rhi: How did your journey as a mountain athlete begin? Were sports always a big part of your life?
Alyssa: I often think of a photo in an old scrapbook of me in ski boots before I could even walk. My parents got my sister and me into sports at a very young age. I discovered cross country and track, which eventually led to a sponsorship at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. That was my first real step into endurance sports.
After college and moving here, I began exploring more, even mountain biking during the pandemic, something I once said I would never do. Sports have always been a building block in my life. The theme that keeps coming up is team. After college I struggled with my identity as an athlete, but I realized what I loved most was being part of a team, in sports and in life.
Rhi: After your collegiate running career, which sport first sparked your love for the mountains, and how did that grow?
Alyssa: Trail running was the easiest sport to start when I moved here. All I needed were shoes and a watch to explore the trails. A few years earlier, I had seen the Grand Traverse skimo race in Crested Butte and thought I would never do something like that. After moving during a big life transition and managing an autoimmune disorder, I tried skimo, which combined skills from running and skiing and became my next passion. That led me into backcountry and Nordic skiing, and mountain biking came last during the pandemic. I don’t compete much in it, but it has become my joy sport. That’s how I ended up exploring all these disciplines.
Rhi: How do you balance all these sports? Is it mostly seasonal, or do you find yourself focusing on goals in one more than the others?
Alyssa: The balance has shifted over the years, and seasonality definitely plays a big role. Lately I like having an A goal for each season, whether it’s a race or an adventure. Doing multiple sports keeps things exciting and helps me stay healthy. Working with a coach has also helped me maintain a routine without overthinking. Overall, it’s about finding a balance that keeps the joy and motivation alive for each sport.
I’ve realized I love adventure just as much, if not more, than competing.
Skimo, Olympics & the Evolution of a Sport
Rhi: Let’s talk about skimo, since it’s such a big part of your life. Can you explain what it is and how it differs from backcountry or Nordic skiing?
Alyssa: Ski mountaineering, or skimo, is a mix of alpine skiing and backcountry skiing but on a much lighter setup. You climb uphill on lightweight skis with your heel free and use skins on the bottom to prevent slipping. At the top, you remove the skins, lock your heel, and ski down like a traditional downhill or backcountry ski.
Skimo has multiple disciplines and will debut in the 2026 Olympics. There’s the sprint, a four-minute all-out race with uphill, boot packing, and downhill sections; the vertical, which is purely an uphill race; and the individual, which is the original European-style race with technical descents, boot packing, and sometimes roped or crampon sections. The Olympic events will focus on the sprint and a team relay, but that gives a good overview of the sport.
Rhi: Skimo and the Olympics were a big goal for you for a long time. What led to your decision to step back from pursuing the Olympics, and how do you view your relationship with skimo now?
Alyssa: When skimo was becoming an Olympic sport, I thought, why not me? I put energy into it, but then the individual discipline was removed, and I realized that pursuing the Olympics would mean sacrificing the joy of training, time with friends, and adventures I love.
Now my relationship with skimo is stronger than ever. I choose races and goals that excite me and help me grow. I love seeing the talent in the sport develop and I am thrilled for the women chasing the Olympic path. For me, stepping back allows me to focus on adventure and what truly makes me happy.
Rhi: We talked about how skimo has changed a lot, especially with its introduction to the Olympics and the differences between Europe and here. What is your perspective on how the sport and its culture have evolved? What do you like about those changes, and what concerns you?
Alyssa: It’s multi-faceted. On the positive side, the Olympic exposure is amazing and will help the sport grow in the US, where skimo is still small. It’s exciting to see youth teams developing, especially in places like Utah. On the other hand, changes like removing the individual discipline take away part of the sport’s roots and the adventure element that drew me to it. Overall, I’m thrilled to see the sport getting more attention and growing.
Rhi: Barriers to entry are high in many technical mountain sports. As an early female participant in skimo, what was your experience with those challenges?
Alyssa: The gear and races can get expensive, so I was lucky to have mentors who reminded me you do not need the best equipment to start. Being a woman in the sport was intimidating at first. In my first few races I could literally count the number of women on one hand. I am so grateful that some of those women became mentors and friends because otherwise I might not have stuck with it.
There was also a mental barrier. Many skimo races have a recreational division and a competitive division. At first I hesitated to enter the competitive division, feeling I was not experienced enough. My coach encouraged me and I realized you do not need to have everything perfect to participate. It was a mix of underrepresentation, cost, and working through my own confidence. I have seen the sport grow and more women getting involved in recent years, which is amazing.
I could count the women in my first races on one hand.
Rhi: How can women get started in more technical forms of skiing like skimo or backcountry?
Alyssa: It has been really exciting to see more programs developing. In Colorado, for example, Boulder Skimo runs free or low-cost clinics where you can rent gear and try the sport. That kind of access is huge. The biggest step is just getting started. Find a local event, reach out to someone who can mentor you, and ask questions. You will learn a lot and gain confidence just by taking that first step.
Calculated Risk: Navigating the Mountains Safely
Rhi: How do you approach risk when you are out in the mountains?
Alyssa: I’m actually very risk-averse, especially living in Colorado where the snowpack can be unstable. Most of the winter I stick to low-angle terrain, and I only start thinking about bigger objectives in the spring. Being cautious is key, but I also focus on preparation. I take avalanche courses to stay sharp and keep my wilderness first responder skills up to date so I can be a reliable partner in the backcountry.
Rhi: Is it difficult to balance your personal risk tolerance with the desire to push yourself?
Alyssa: Early on, I think I felt a need to prove myself, which was really ego-driven. I’m thankful I’ve mostly moved past that. Now, I’m happy to wait for the right conditions. If a line or peak doesn’t feel right, I’m fine saying, today is not the day and reassessing for next week. Of course, it can still be frustrating, especially when traveling and the conditions don’t work out, but I know it’s the right decision.
Rhi: Can you walk us through your decision-making in high-consequence terrain? What factors are most important to give yourself the green light to go?
Alyssa: I break decision-making in high-consequence terrain into a few parts. Before we even leave for the trailhead, I make sure I’m up to date on avalanche forecasts, have studied and downloaded the route maps, and am well-fed and in a good head space to make smart choices. On the day, I focus on having the right gear and communicating clearly with my team. For example, if I’m nervous about rappelling, I ask a partner to double-check my system. Throughout the day, I constantly reassess conditions, check in on how everyone is feeling, and monitor the weather.
Trust, Communication & Backcountry Partnerships
Rhi: You mentioned communication and competence with your partner. What else do you look for in a mountain partner, and how important is that relationship for safety and trust in the backcountry?
Alyssa: Having the right mountain partner is crucial, especially in backcountry skiing where there are many variables. Communication is key — not just sharing what you see, but expressing needs like de-layering, taking a break, or eating. It’s also important to have aligned risk tolerance and similar skill sets. If I haven’t skied with someone before, we’ll start with an easy, low-consequence route to see if we’re compatible. Energy and willingness to spend long days together also matter. These factors make a big difference for safety and enjoyment in the mountains.
Rhi: What advice do you have for women looking to find backcountry ski or mountain adventure partners?
Alyssa: When I first moved to Crested Butte it was intimidating because people already had their networks. What helped me was just showing up by attending local ski events, volunteering at avalanche fundraisers, or working with organizations like the local adaptive center, which introduced me to my first ski partners. Mentorship is also very important. Programs exist to pair newcomers with experienced mentors, which is extremely valuable. Finding partners can still be challenging and there is a real need for more ways to connect people who are excited to get outside.
Finding ski partners and mentors made all the difference when I moved here.
Community as a Catalyst
Rhi: What has it been like to be part of the close-knit Crested Butte community with like-minded, stoked people? What are some of your biggest takeaways from being involved?
Alyssa: It has taken time to build this community. At first it was about forming strong friendships, but now I feel incredibly lucky, especially with my female friends. They are inspiring women, small business owners, moms of four who still crush mountain biking, and they push me to be a better person. Community here is huge. In a place as beautiful but challenging as Crested Butte, having people to check in with after a tough day, a race, or a low season is essential. These friends are a lifeline in life and in the backcountry. Being part of this community fills me with gratitude for all the people who support you and want to see you thrive.
Empowering Others Through Coaching
Rhi: You are also an entrepreneur as a health and wellness coach. Can you talk about what you are working on with your clients and the main topics you focus on?
Alyssa: I still coach in the corporate world, mostly with people dealing with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and recently I have been focusing on women’s pelvic health, learning more about hormonal health and other conditions women experience. I am also preparing to launch my own health and wellness coaching company. My work focuses on behavior change, including healthy habits, stress management, work-life balance, sleep, nutrition, and hydration.
Health coaching is not about telling someone what to do, but creating a sustainable plan tailored to their goals and challenges.
Rhi: What inspired you to pursue health and wellness coaching?
Alyssa: I was on track to go to physical therapy school with all my hours and applications ready, but I was also navigating a recent autoimmune disorder, so I put that on hold and worked briefly in the outdoor industry. I realized I missed helping people, but physical therapy was not the right fit. A mentor suggested health coaching, and it clicked. It felt like a blend of physical therapy and counseling, focusing on behavior change and understanding why people do what they do. Health coaching allows me to use my skills in exercise therapy and communication in a meaningful and impactful way, which aligns with my core value of making an impact.
Rhi: How has health and wellness coaching influenced your life both personally and as an athlete?
Alyssa: I try to practice what I preach, though I am not perfect. I focus on finding work-life balance and setting attainable goals, both short-term and long-term. Breaking bigger goals into smaller steps is a key part of coaching. Since becoming a coach, this process has become easier and it has also helped me in my endurance sports and other challenges.
More Than an Athlete
Rhi: We talked before about athlete identity and how you are so much more than just an athlete. You are an entrepreneur, a creator, a friend, and more. How has this mindset evolved for you over time, and how did you come to embrace the idea that you are more than your athletic achievements?
Alyssa: This is a constant work in progress for me and a topic I discuss often with close friends. People tend to label others quickly, like calling me 'the athlete,' and it can be hard when you are multifaceted or exploring different parts of yourself. I have been focusing on how we ask questions and get to know each other, not just what someone does, but who they are. It is an ongoing process of moving beyond boxes and truly understanding each other.
Get Stoked Girls
Rhi: What advice would you give to help more women get excited about moving their bodies and spending time in the outdoors?
Alyssa: Use social media to find people and activities that inspire you. Remember that you are more capable than you give yourself credit for. Most importantly, just start. Go to that first pottery class or join an intro women’s mountain biking session. Once you begin, the pieces of the puzzle often fall into place. Find something that excites you and get stoked about it.
