Why I Joined the Alaska Safe Riders Team
- Sierra Winter
- Dec 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Sometimes opportunities don’t feel like a decision at all — they feel like a natural next step.
Joining the Alaska Safe Riders (ASR) team to help with marketing, event promotion, community relations, and more is exactly that for me. It aligns deeply with who I am, what I believe in, and the kind of impact I want to leave in Alaska’s riding and backcountry communities.
A Natural Fit with The Sierra Winter Way
At the surface, many people know The Sierra Winter Way for art, wraps, and creative projects. But at its core, this brand has always been about more than visuals.
It’s about connection, community, growth, and lifting people up.
It’s about bringing Alaskans together — celebrating our shared love for the outdoors, our resilience, our creativity, and our responsibility to look out for one another. Alaska Safe Riders embodies those same values. The mission isn’t just safety — it’s education, awareness, preparedness, and community-driven support.
So when the opportunity came up, it didn’t feel like stepping into something new. It felt like stepping deeper into what I already stand for.
When Mike Buck Asks for Help… You Say Yes
If you know Mike Buck, you know the phrase “the man, the myth, the legend” isn’t an exaggeration.
Mike gives so much to the communities he serves — his time, his energy, his heart, and his voice. His reach across Alaska is vast, and the trust he’s built is earned through years of showing up when it matters most.
When Mike said he needed help, the answer was simple: how could I say no?
I aspire to leave a mark like he does — one rooted in service, integrity, and genuine care for people. Being invited to support Alaska Safe Riders alongside someone who leads that way is an honor.
Learning, Growing, and Becoming a Safer Backcountry Enthusiast
One of the things I’m most excited about is how much I get to learn from the ASR team.
This isn’t just about contributing skills — it’s about growth. Over time, I’ll become a safer, more informed backcountry enthusiast myself, gaining knowledge that I can carry forward and help pass on to others.
Education multiplies. Safety multiplies. Community multiplies.
And that ripple effect is powerful.
So… What Am I Doing for Alaska Safe Riders?
I’ve stepped into several roles to help strengthen communication, outreach, and connection across the state:
Trail Report I’ve taken over the Alaska Safe Riders Trail Report — the one you may hear on local radio stations or read in newspapers and online. This helps keep riders informed with timely, accessible information.
Event Promotion & Social Media I’m supporting event promotion and managing social media pages to help keep the community more informed, engaged, and connected.
Membership Program Growth I’m working to grow the membership program by connecting brands within the industry who share the same goal: keeping riders safe while strengthening the community.
Website Improvements I’m helping make the ASR website more user-friendly, accessible, and easy to navigate so information is easier to find when it matters most.
Community Connection Across Alaska I’m working to connect individuals and organizations across the state who share a common vision — like bringing emPOWDERd and AK Powder Pursuit together under the supportive and protective umbrella of Alaska Safe Riders.
Events Moving Forward — Together
Another exciting shift that comes with this partnership is how events are being hosted and shared.
My events will now be hosted alongside Alaska Safe Riders, meaning the events page connected to The Sierra Winter Way will redirect to the Alaska Safe Riders platform. This helps centralize information, avoid fragmentation, and make it easier for the community to find events focused on education, safety, connection, and shared experiences.
By bringing everything under one trusted umbrella, we strengthen visibility, collaboration, and participation — ensuring events reach more riders and continue building a safer, more informed backcountry community.
This isn’t about losing identity; it’s about amplifying impact through partnership.
Looking Ahead
I’m incredibly excited to see where this newfound friendship, collaboration, and community takes me.
This is about learning, growing, and building something meaningful — together. I’m grateful for the trust placed in me, inspired by the people around me, and committed to helping Alaska Safe Riders continue to serve riders across this state with clarity, care, and heart.
Here’s to safer rides, stronger connections, and a community that looks out for one another.
— The Sierra Winter Way
Sierra Winter Owner & Designer | Artwork by Sierra Winter ✉️ Email: sierrawintersmith@outlook.com 🌐 Website: www.artworkbysierrawinter.com 📞 Phone: 1-907-491-5016 (text preferred due to limited cell service)
Offering custom wrap designs, print products, and personalized artwork. Specializing in snowmobile wraps, swag, branding, and creative design solutions to bring your ideas to life. Design it the Sierra Winter Way.
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