Alaska powder pursuit – women’s snowmachine clinics
Alaska Powder Pursuit is a Valdez-based snowmachine education program for women, offering Level 1, 2, and 3 clinics tailored to beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. Each clinic is designed to meet riders at their skill level and support confident, safe progression in Alaska’s backcountry.
Alaska safe riders membership required
Alaska Safe Riders membership is required to participate in all paid ASR events. Pricing for Alaska Powder Pursuit clinics has been set to reflect this requirement and already accounts for the cost of membership. Event registration and ASR membership registration are separate steps, and both must be completed in order to fully secure your spot. Please be sure to complete both your event registration and your Alaska Safe Riders membership registration prior to the event.
2026 clinic dates
January 31st – February 1st 2026 – True Beginner/Beginner
February 28th – February 29th 2026 – Beginner/Advanced Beginner
March 28th – 29th 2026 – Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
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What is your current skill level?
Designed for riders who are new to snowmachines or have limited experience. This level focuses on foundational skills including basic controls, throttle and brake management, balance, body positioning, and understanding how a sled responds on snow. Riders will learn safe habits, communication practices, and the fundamentals needed to build confidence on groomed trails and low-angle terrain.
For riders who are comfortable operating a snowmachine on groomed trails at slow to moderate speeds. This level focuses on refining throttle control, body positioning, and balance while introducing terrain awareness and intentional movement through varied snow conditions. Riders continue building confidence while learning safe recovery techniques and foundational off-trail concepts.
Designed for riders who are beginning to explore off-trail terrain and want to improve consistency and control. This level introduces countersteering, carving, sidehilling fundamentals, and navigating variable snow. Riders work on refining technique, improving efficiency, and building confidence while maintaining strong safety and communication practices.
Designed for riders with consistent on- and off-trail experience who are ready to advance their skills in deeper snow and more technical terrain. This level focuses on efficiency, line choice, terrain management, and advanced riding techniques. Riders work on confidence in steeper features, problem-solving in complex conditions, and making informed decisions in dynamic mountain environments.
Alaska Powder Pursuit courses are intentionally designed to support lower-level and developing riders, with instruction centered on foundational skills, confidence-building, and safe backcountry travel. However, we strongly believe there is always something to be learned by riding together—especially in the mountains and especially among women.
Advanced and confident riders are welcome to join any course date, not as professional experts, but as experienced community members who value shared learning, mentorship, and time on snow. Confident riders typically have strong on- and off-trail experience, are comfortable navigating varied terrain and snow conditions, and demonstrate solid throttle control, body positioning, and terrain awareness.
For advanced riders, these clinics offer the opportunity to refine efficiency, sharpen decision-making, and ride with intention—while also supporting newer riders as they learn and grow. Riding alongside women at different stages builds stronger habits, deeper awareness, and a more connected backcountry community.
These courses are about more than skill progression—they’re about community, confidence, and learning together, no matter where you fall on the experience spectrum.
Meet the founders
Galen bridgewater
Founder & Instructor
Galen grew up between Vermont and Colorado, raised in a ski-industry family that kept her outside more than in. The mountains were her playground from the start, and that constant pull toward snow and adventure shaped everything that followed. Snowboarding eventually took her to Montana, where she spent 13 years riding hard, competing in big-mountain events, and racing banked slaloms.
Chasing a slower pace and the opportunity to access bigger lines, Galen moved to Valdez, Alaska—where she discovered her love for snowmachining and found a tight-knit, inspiring community within Alaska’s snowmachine and ski culture. The mountains are where she feels most at home, and her enthusiasm for exploring vast terrain shows in both her riding and her teaching. She is deeply committed to helping women step into their own confidence in the mountains, sharing the freedom, adrenaline, and joy that this landscape has given her.
Moanna bradshaw
Founder & Instructor
MoAnna was born in Fairbanks and raised in North Pole, Alaska, in a creative, hardworking family that taught her early how to show up, push through challenges, and take pride in the life you build. She discovered her love for snowmachining at a young age and eventually moved to her favorite place to ride—Valdez—where she has become a respected and familiar presence in the snowmachine community.
MoAnna is as passionate about riding as she is about understanding the weather and terrain that shape Alaska’s mountains. She has raced and placed in the iconic Arctic Man and earned multiple podium finishes at the Valdez Hill Climb. Known for her grit both on and off the mountain, she brings the same determination to riding, work, and leadership. That balance of strength and grounded creativity is what makes her such an inspiration within the community.
Teslin hoyem
Founder & Instructor
Born and raised in the Alaskan wilderness, Teslin grew up surrounded by alpine mountains, deep snow, and the untamed beauty of the North. Life in the bush taught her self-reliance, grit, and a deep respect for nature and wildlife. From a young age, she found freedom outdoors—running dogs, exploring frozen rivers, and learning to read the land and weather as second nature.
That deep connection to the wild remains the foundation for everything she does. Teslin’s love for riding deep snow and exploring untouched terrain evolved into a lifelong passion for snowmachines and Alaska’s rugged landscapes. From backcountry rider to racer, she has lined up at local races, snowcross events, and earned podium finishes at cross-country races including the Valdez Mayor’s Cup. Driven by challenge and community, Teslin is committed to helping build a stronger, safer, and more inspired snowmachine culture.
Thankful for our supporters
If you have already registered for a course date, please be sure to complete the pre-ride survey located at the bottom of this page. This survey is required for participation and helps our instructors better understand your experience level, goals, and riding background so we can provide the safest and most supportive on-snow experience possible. Thank you for taking the time to share this information and help us create a positive learning environment for everyone.
Pre-clinic required rider survery
If you have already registered for a course date, please be sure to complete the pre-ride survey located at the bottom of this page. This survey is required for participation and helps our instructors better understand your experience level, goals, and riding background so we can provide the safest and most supportive on-snow experience possible. Thank you for taking the time to share this information and help us create a positive learning environment for everyone.
Alaska Powder Pursuit Women's Snowmachine Clinics
Alaska Powder Pursuit Women's Snowmachine Clinic