Leslie created the Babes program to provide more women with backcountry skills in a fun, safe, supportive atmosphere. Her outdoor education and teaching background dates back to her college days as an Alpine Ski Instructor at Mount Snow Vermont and an after-school art teacher for elementary age kids. Since moving to Breckenridge, CO in 1991, Leslie has worked for the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center in both their summer and winter adaptive programs, the Summit Huts Association and has speared headed the Telemark programs at both the Breckenridge Ski Resort and Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort.

Converting to the "Free Heel World" in 1990, Leslie went beyond just making recreational Telemark turns. She holds top finishes on her pins in several Alpine Extreme Contests including 2nd in the 1999 Rolling Stone South American Free Skiing Championships, Las Lenas, Argentina, 6th at the 1997 Big Mountain Extreme Skiing Competition, Jackson Hole, WY., 8th at the 1997 National Extreme Skiing Championships, Crested Butte, CO and 9th at the 1998 North American Free Skiing Comp, Whistler, BC. Three Time National Telemark Free Skiing Champion, earning the 2002 overall USTSA National Telemark Free Skiing Championships Series Title, Leslie has stood on the podium for the past 5 years in all the Telemark Competitions she has entered.

In the spring through fall, Leslie loves to both road and mountain bike as well as run with her dog Sky. In her free time, you'll find her busy at her craft table, practicing T'ai Chi or helping maintain one of the Summit Huts Association's backcountry cabins. Her writing has appeared in: the Patagonia Catalogue, Couloir Magazine, Backcountry Magazine, Summit County Vacation Planner, Mountain Gazette, and Element Magazine, womenoutdoors.com and the Beacon, Colorado Avalanche Information Center Newsletter. Leslie kicked off her public speaking career with a presentation for Ladies' Night, a Mountain Sports Fundraiser for the Boulder Women's Shelter. Leslie is proud to represent several companies in the industry as an Ambassador: Breckenridge Ski Resort, Patagonia and Black Diamond, Clif Bar, Garmont, Smith and Blue Ox, as well as a being a backcountry educator for Backcountry Access. Although Leslie believes more in life certifications rather than paper cards, her qualifications include a current CPR and Wilderness First Responder, AAI Level II, American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education Certified Level I Instructor, AAAP Associate Member, PSIA Level II Alpine, Level III Nordic Downhill (Telemark). 

For more info about Leslie or Babes in the Backcountry go to: www.babesinthebackcountry.com