Miss me? Well, I missed you! And after my long hiatus recovering from an accident, I’m excited to back in the saddle and announce the release of Wool Hat Creative’s and my latest documentary film, Snow Rangers: Fresh Tracks, a film we made together with the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC). The story is the sequel to the first Snow Ranger film and follows a close-knit team of snow rangers in the mountains of Colorado while they work to keep people safe, educate the public, and enjoy one of the “best jobs in the world” in one of the most dangerous winter mountain environments in the world. This 20-minute film will be playing around Colorado and we anticipate in a few film festivals as well. In fact, it’s already set to play in the Alta Film Festival in Big Bear, CA on October 23, 2026!

Visit the film page for details on screenings, how to get involved, and more. Read on below for the full story.

This film has a special place in my heart as the snow ranger program is run by an organization I’ve long participated in and supported. The Colorado Mountain Club overseas this program as a public/private partnership with the US Forest Service, BLM, and local partners like the CAIC (the Colorado Avalanche Information Center), Ouray Mountain Rescue, Silverton Avalanche School, local guide services like Moxie Mountain Guides, the sherif’s department, corporate gear sponsors, and more. This is especially important as federal and top-down funding is changing and creative ways of funding these programs become more important than ever before.

Longtime CMC snow ranger, Kricket Olin, being interviewed.

Snow rangers are crucial for the management of public lands, public safety, education, and data collection in the winter in some very dangerous and extreme environments like Red Mountain Pass and Grand Mesa, where winter recreation in the backcountry has exploded over recent years. We need programs like this as more and more people acquire gear, apps, and awareness of these previously less often explored winter environments, and head into the winter mountain backcountry seeking adventure, beauty, and solitude.

CMC Snow Ranger, Andrew Smyser looks out over the backcountry.

This program also was in danger of closing its doors for good this past year but managed to raise enough money to be bigger than ever and is funded through the end of the year. Events like the Backcountry Film Festival hosted by Winter Wildlands Alliance, another partner in the program and film, and other fundraisers, along with generous private donations have made this program and film possible. We’re especially grateful for a donation from north forty five that made this film possible.

Lastly, tragically as we worked on this film, a friend and ally of the snow rangers was lost in an automobile accident. David Page, Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance at the time, was a passionate, unrivaled advocate fighting for the conservation and proper management of these spaces. Our film is dedicated to him. He is sorely missed.

CMC Snow Ranger Matt Rothrock heads into the backcountry.

We hope that you’ll watch the film, learn, be entertained, get inspired, and donate to support this program. Thanks for reading friends and see you on the slopes or in the theater this season!

To learn more and support the Snow Rangers Program, click here to visit Colorado Mountain Club’s website.

The premiere in Colorado is happening on October 30 in Golden, CO with the Colorado Mountain Club! Click here for details.

Here’s our FilmFreeway Page.

Screenings:

Follow Wool Hat Creative and Colorado Mountain Club on IG for more screening and film updates!

Post by Phil Hüffeldt

Founder of Wool Hat Creative

Director | Writer | Advocate