Back in 2023, SnoRiders introduced readers to Kelsey Fay, a fearless and dynamic rider who was already making waves in avalanche education with her infectious energy and talent. Fay’s passion for snowmobiling and backcountry safety stood out, inspiring riders to improve their own skills. At that time, she was balancing professional growth in Canada with ambitions in the U.S., navigating the hurdles that come with cross-border certification and avalanche training.
Fast forward to today, and a lot has changed. Fay has completed her Pro 2 certification, giving her the freedom to teach independently, and she now runs Elevated Backcountry solo. In this interview, she opens up about the evolution of her business, the challenges of recent seasons, her renewed focus on personal riding goals, and her mission to empower women in the backcountry. From overcoming obstacles to pushing her own limits with bigger jumps and complex techniques, Fay is all about persistence, independence, and a deep commitment to backcountry safety.
What’s changed the most for you—personally or professionally—since we last featured you in 2023?
I think the biggest thing that changed for me professionally would be, no more hoops to jump through. Having completed my Pro 2 allows me the freedom I didn't have prior to that, to teach on my own. Moving to the states and trying to continue my avalanche profession had created a lot of road blocks and obstacles to move through. I went from being able to teach on my own in Canada, to not being able to teach here in the U.S. It definitely wasn't a seamless and smooth process, something I believe needs some work, but I am just glad to be on the other side of it now,definitely feeling like I lost that spark I once had, after having to go through all this.
How has Elevated Backcountry evolved in the past couple of seasons?
Truthfully, Elevated has had a couple rough seasons, and we aren't exactly off to a great start this season with the flooding and lack of snow. Owning a business is challenging, especially one that relies on Mother Nature. To own an avalanche company in the state of Washington requires you to have pure determination and a whole lot of optimism, because the snow sure has been lacking these last couple years!
What new challenges or goals have you taken on recently in your sledding or avalanche-education career?
My goal is to get back to where I used to be, constantly pushing myself to progress, trying new things, bigger jumps, bigger drops, re-entries and bow ties. I feel like I really took a back seat these last few years just trying to figure out the company and all the stresses that come with that, and I haven't really felt like I've been getting at it in the backcountry. Time to shake off the cobwebs and really push myself to the next level. It's Go Time!
What’s something you’ve learned in the past year that genuinely surprised you?
If you truly set your mind to something you can do anything! I took over running Elevated on my own, no more business partners, and it is a lot of work, but hard work and persistence pays off, and I got everything all together on my own this year.
Has your coaching style changed as you’ve grown your business?
Now that It's just me, I can add my own pizzazz to teaching and clinics. I'm really going to focus on the ladies, and give the best experiences I can. I'm going to focus on women's clinics, women's avalanche courses, and guiding women. Of course I will still offer courses for everyone, but I really want to give back to the ladies that once stood in my shoes.
What progress have you seen for women in backcountry sledding in the last few years?
Women are pushing the boundaries like crazy! I can't believe it! From woman nailing flips in the air, to re-entries, and bow ties!!! Ladies, give yourself a serious pat on the back! This isn't just a men’s sport anymore because ya'll are crushing it!
What’s the biggest misconception people have about avalanche or riding clinics?
That they don't need them. Still to this day, I meet people that think they don't need the education, or that clinics are just for girls. There is so much to learn in both aspects and education is always evolving—so get the education, and if you're just looking to hone some skills, a clinic is a great way to do that!
What does success look like to you as an educator?
Success is seeing your students out on the hill applying their education, and truly and wholeheartedly believing in it. Changes to this industry cannot be made if nobody believes. You only need one true believer to create a ripple effect, and I love seeing it in real life.
What specific skills do you find riders struggle with most today—and why?
I think technical riding is a real challenge for a lot of people I come into contact with, and a lot of it comes down to how your sled is set up. A simple manoeuvre like being able to get your sled on its side can be greatly impacted by how your sled is set up. If your riser is way too high for you, it impacts your ability to get your arms into a position of power.
What’s a skill you’re working on right now that pushes your own boundaries?
I am trying to nail down the re-entries this season. I want to be able to do them clean and with ease, I think my biggest fear honestly is just getting hurt, it is after all a very heavy machine, add the effects of gravity and injuries are a real thing!
How do you see avalanche education evolving in the next five years?
Education requirements are already evolving in Canada with an advanced mountain guiding course becoming the standard for taking people out in the backcountry, although I do not see this becoming the standard in the States in the next five years, I know it will eventually be coming down the pipe. There is a lot of risk in taking lives into your hands, so the requirements for the highest amount of education and skills must hold true.
What’s a recent moment in the mountains that reminded you why you do this?
I definitely had an "Oh s***" moment in Whistler last year, and it had me pretty rattled to be honest.
It brought me back to my roots and why avalanche education is so important, because mother nature doesn't care if it's Saturday or Sunday or your days off, and low and behold it was my day off, and the situation I got myself into could have been sooooo much worse. We were riding down through some super tight trees, and got funneled with very few options, and here came this big open space. The avalanche conditions were high that day so we chose to hide in the trees, but here came this big open section we were forced into taking. I didn't feel good about it, so I had my husband Joey stay high in the trees and keep an eye. Luckily the slope never let go, but the snow was so deep I got ripped off my sled and found myself engulfed in snow upside down.
To be honest with you, It happened so fast that I honestly thought the slope had broken. The only thing I had to rely on was my education, knowing I had the right gear, Joey was sitting in the right place, and that he knew what to do if I had gotten buried. That's why I do this, to give you the right information to make the right decisions and when all fails, you know how to rescue!
