Initiatives

Colour the Trails builds community through diverse content creation, accessible outdoor events and mentorship. Our advocacy initiatives aim to raise awareness and dismantle barriers that limit BIPoC and QTBIPOC participation in outdoor activities. Our hope is that Colour the Trails will be a catalyst for change in the outdoors industry, helping to make it a more inclusive and welcoming space for all.

Media

Through our media initiatives, our goal is to bring visual representation to the varying intersectional identities through meaningful conversations surrounding outdoor adventure, sports and recreation, and also conservation.

• Content Creation:
  • We invest in Black, Indigenous and racialized models, writers, photographers, and videographers, connecting them with opportunity in the outdoors industry to creatively represent brands and organizations. View some of our past work here:
    • On Running
    • Adidas Terrex
    • Canadian Cycling Magazine & Smith
    • Atomos 1
    • Atomos 2
    • Ikon Pass:
    • Sport Chek | The Joy of Hiking
    • Sport Chek | Community Chek In – Colour The Trails
    • Destination BC
    • Canada Goose

• Film: I Am Because You Are
  • Discover how far we can go together. Our first short film, I Am Because You Are, had its World Premiere at the 2023 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF)! “I Am Because You Are” follows the journey of six CTT members as they embark on their first mountaineering trip in the beautiful and rugged Bugaboos.
• Like Me – Outdoor Edition Film Festival
  • Like Me – Outdoor Edition is a five-part film series focused on stories of communities that have been intentionally and historically excluded from outdoor media and storytelling. Our first offering was the “Black Like Me” film festival, and we are currently looking for support to continue the series:
    • Indigenous Like Me – Outdoor Edition
    • Queer Like Me – Outdoor Edition
    • Fat Like Me – Outdoor Edition
    • Disabled Like Me – Outdoor Edition

Events

We offer community events and mentorship programs year-round through our chapters in AB, BC, ON and QC, connecting participants with nature via land, water and snow. View Events.

Land

• Hiking, Camping, Backcountry, Mountaineering (AB, BC)
• Birdwatching (BC, ON)
• Climbing Mentorships (ON, BC, AB)
• Mountain Biking Mentorship (BC)
• One-off events (i.e. Rollerblading, QC)

Water 

• Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Windsurfing, Rowing (BC, ON)
• Annual Sailing at Princess Louisa Inlet
• Kayaking Mentorships coming soon to BC, ON

Snow

• Intro and Progression in Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding (AB, BC, ON)
• Cross Country Skiing (AB)
• Ice Climbing (AB, BC, ON)
• Snowshoeing (AB, BC, ON)
• Annual Colour the Slopes Summit held in Revelstoke B.C.

Colour the Sails coming soon!

What is the Colour the Slopes Summit?

The inaugural Colour the Slopes Summit took place in December 2022 and we are excited to launch the 2023 edition. For four days, participants gather to develop or hone their outdoor skills, try new activities, and celebrate the BIPOC community.

We are always working to raise awareness, build community and create change. Sign up for our newsletter to see what we create next.