We had the good fortune of connecting with Zach McCarthy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zach, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Initially Inclusive Ski Touring started as a passion project. Simply myself organizing group tours from seeing a demand to meet others, learn backcountry gear, and build community. Throughout the first winter we got out over 270 participants so I organized as a non-profit organization and began the steps of filing to be a 501(c)(3) designated charity.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Professionally I work as the Executive Director for Inclusive Ski Touring as well as handling Communications for Mt. Abram Resort. On all aspects of my professional career what I am most proud of is my impact on others and facilitating opportunities for others.

Through Inclusive Ski Touring I have facilitated the opportunity for over 750 people to get out ski touring and/or split-boarding in the last two years and hope to double this next season.

What I am most proud about with Mt. Abram is my efforts in implementing the Community Pass Program with our prior General Manager and continuing to grow the program after. Through this program we provided over $100,000.00 in free season passes to local school kids giving the opportunity for healthy winter recreation in the form of skiing or snowboarding.

To get where I am today stemmed from years of developing relationships throughout the outdoor industry, having a drive to figure things out when others had given up, staying true towards what I believe in and the positive impacts that I considered possible. I’m not a genius, a business expert, or a non-profit expert. I’m a skier and an outdoorsman with a passion to share this with others and a drive to figure things out.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m incredibly grateful for my family and friends who have been nothing but supportive throughout the entire endeavor. While founding IST I was also finishing my undergraduate degree, working full time, and making attempts at athletic pursuits. I would have given up many times over without the help of family and friends.

Website: https://www.inclusiveskitouring.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zmccart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-mccarthy-28a243203/

Image Credits
Kyra Hunsicker – Kyra Hunsicker_@kyra_creativesIST.2.5.22 Cait Bourgault Photography – edit 50 Andy Gagne Photography – 0093-21-21LR08038 Brett Protasiewicz – 1644927127015 Patrick Casper – DSC01085

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.