Mandi Frinskie
My name is Mandi and I am the Founder of BackCountry BombSh3lls, I am also a Primary care Paramedic. The backcountry means so many different things to me. Not only is it where I find my #mentalhealthescape but it gives me solace and peace; a breath of fresh air to clear my mind body and soul.
I have been sledding for as long as I could hold my own head up. My brothers and I used to ride out at our grandparents lake lot, in the Smoky Lake area. If we weren't sledding we were out riding our custom built go carts that our grandpa made for us, or out on the boat, knee boarding, tubing and fishing.
I bought my very own Sled in 2018, and it was just a lil 600, 144, but let me tell you, that sled made me fall back in love with sledding. I struggled the first year really bad, but I kept working and went to some ladies rides, and put myself out there to really start connecting with ladies in motorsports. I met some of my amazing supports and ambassadors through exactly that; putting myself out there to be able to meet ladies and gentlemen in the sports I loved and wanted to try.
I met a lot of the sponsors through sledding, and now dirt biking. being able to talk to amazing humans in this industry and being able to have the chances and opportunities that I do I have to say I am so very blessed.
I can assume that if you have made it this far, you too are a supporter and I wanted to thank every single one of you. If it weren't for you this could never be possible.
David Frinskie
...stay tuned ...
Alicia Humphries
In a nutshell I’m a daughter, sister, cousin, mother, step mother, wife, auntie, and grandma, from little old Hinton, AB! I LOVE getting out and living life. I’m the kind of person who will always choose to leave the dishes in the sink and head outdoors to spend time with my family & friends! I’ve been a work from home, stay at home mom for the past 15 years raising our two boys. Volunteering my “extra time” at the school, minor hockey board, and our local boxing club where I also coach ladies fitness boxing classes! Inspiring others to do better, feel better and just be better truly fills my cup!
No matter how I’m feeling I know if I just get outside I feel 1000% better. This past year has brought me back to dirtbiking, which was put on the back burner for the past 10 years as I was busy being a mom and more focused on my family than myself. I didn’t realize how much I missed it and how truly free and happy I am when I’m on my bike in the middle of nowhere. The beauty, the friendships, and also being lucky enough to share my passion for dirtbiking and getting out into the wild with at least one of my boys is a bonus! In this crazy fast paced insta world we live in, I strongly believe everyone needs some sort of mental health escape to just be where they are happy
Cassie Jares
My name is Cassie, but some call me Sassy (big stretch I know). @Sass307 is my instagram handle, check it out! I'm 27 years old and love just about everything BackCountry! Snowmobiling, dirtbiking, hunting, fishing, snowboarding you name it, I've probably done it and love it. I'm from northern Minnesota, USA but my heart and husband are from Wyoming, USA. I spent roughly 7 years living at the base of the Bighorn Mountains honing my love for it. My life endeavors involve quite a few jobs in the first responder world, I've been an EMT/Firefighter for nearly 10 years, I was a 911 Dispatcher for 4, and in the Bighorn Country Search and Rescue team for the majority of my time living there. Since all that I often struggle with PTSD and horrible panic episodes. The Backcountry and the activities associated with it have definitely become my #mentalhealthescape and allowed me to have a semblance of peace again. I think it's extremely important to take care of yourself, and I work to promote that to others struggling like myself.
Darren Bockus
My name is Darren Bockus, I grew up in the Okanagan and enjoyed the summers and the outdoors and backcountry while growing up. After collage a found a job in Alberta and started my first job as an aircraft maintenance engineer. After finishing my apprenticeship I ended up in grande prairie Alberta, I have very limited days off in a year so when I have a day off I go directly to the backcountry. Anything outdoors I enjoy either hunting, fishing, quadding, snowmobiling, I got addicted to backcountry snowmobiling and fell in love with the freedom and the escape from day to day life. Through snowmobiling I have met some incredible friends. I always try to push myself to be a better rider everytime I go out on a sled and learn from those that have been riding more then I have. I will always try my best to help others and so they can enjoy their backcountry experience as well, either helping fix there sled or getting someone unstuck. I am very excited to be apart of the backcountrybombshells team and helping others enjoy the backcountry and bring awareness to mental health. I'm always up for good time in the backcountry with good friends and to meet other while I'm there. Feel free to say hello and ride with me if you get the chance.
Heather Simmons
My name is Heather, friends call me Simmons, social media knows me as ditch bitch. I’ve been riding snowmobiles since I was in diapers, I count being dragged around behind a sled in a toboggan as baby sledding. When I was younger it was just an activity I could do to spend time with my dad and brother, while my toes froze into popsicles. When I was 17 I stopped sledding for a few years due to an unexpected fight with depression. I fought for years and almost lost.. I got help, got meds, took myself off the meds and continued on with my journey of life. As I started to crawl out of the hole that was my mental illness, I started realizing how important sledding was to me as an individual. I got a new to me sled in 2013, it was my first big girl purchase, an 2009 Skidoo MXZ Renegade X, that’s when I started to ride for me, and my mental health. I started to push myself to the point where I was doing things I didn’t think I could do, I was trying things that a trail sled wouldn’t allow but I was damned if that would stop me. Last year, in 2019 I decided I needed to grow my skills as a rider and my patience as a woman. I bought a brand new 2020 Skidoo Summit x, this sled has changed everything. From the darkness I had to climb out of it is super important to me to keep a level head and keep my stresses low. Sledding has been one of the saving graces in my life, and will continue to be a great point of growth and positivity for me. When you're out there, snow in your face, freedom under your skis, adrenalin pulsing through your veins, it makes all the worries or stresses of life just ebb away. The people you meet , the adventures you have (even just getting to the staging area sometimes!) the laughs, the tears, the frustrations, are all a part of the amazing experience that is snowmobiling . Sometimes you just need to forget it all and go shred some pow. our team since the beginning. They are a key part of assuring we provide high quality products and that our clients receive top-notch customer service.
Jenny Hashimoto
Hi my name is Jenny, I grew up in the West Kootenays. Spending most of my time outdoors, I was surrounded by beautiful glacier Mountains and a crystal clear glacier fed Lake. I never realized it at the time but now that I’m older I can see my life in the outdoors has been my mental health escape. In my opinion getting outside in nature is the best therapy for mental health. You can’t beat the fresh air, beautiful scenery in all seasons. I am so thankful for the life I have the opportunity to live in the great outdoors. This is my 4th season snowmobiling. I am riding a 2022 Skidoo turbo expert. I am a mother of two daughters & the wife to an amazing, supportive husband.
Kayla Chamberlin
My name is Kayla Chamberlin and I feel honoured to be apart of Backcountry BombSh3lls and getting to tell my story about what #mentalhealthescape means to me.
Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to our girl Mandi for doing a phenomenal job on this as I know it isn’t easy doing all that she does. She goes above and beyond for what she believes in and her time that she dedicates to not only this group but to what she stands for. I may not be a paramedic but I do work in the health field as a continuing care aide going on 4 years and one day hopefully further my career in the health field. I have so much respect for anyone in the medical field as some days are not an easy one.
I have a son who is 10 and trying to teach him what the outdoors can do for one’s mental health is important to me as I suffer with anxiety myself. Whether it is hiking, fishing, quadding, hunting, sledding, dirt biking and so much more. It’s been a life changer for my mind and soul. We have been through a lot of obstacles over the years and getting ourselves outdoors has been a huge help to not only myself but to my son. To see him smile after a ride on the dirt bike or quad or sled with me or my partner knows he enjoys it too.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Cheers!
Liz Mounter
“You know you’ve reached a milestone when you’re cautioned to slow down by your doctor, instead of by the police.” —Joan Rivers If I ever get to this point. My friends and family have been instructed to euthanize me immediately. It’s not about the age, but better yet, the miles. My name is Elizabeth Mounter. I was born and raised in a small town outside of Leavenworth, Washington, USA. Nestled in the core of the Evergreen state. I have been addicted to the mountains pretty much since day one. I am loud and outgoing. And I have an unstoppable drive. I care a lot about people and want to see people succeed. I think healthy outlets like snowmobiling, dirtbiking and getting outdoors are some of the most important things in life. I’m a very supportive person and believe in doing little things that can have big positive affects on people. I have been around the racing and sledding community my entire life. But it wasn’t really until my late teens that I got deeply involved in the sports myself. I bought my first “race bike” when I was 17 and my first backcountry sled when I was 21. It was a snowball effect from there. I spent every weekend and every extra dollar traveling to ride and meet new groups. I have had amazing experiences and not so great ones as well, learning more as I go. But the riding community has brought with it some of the biggest blessings for me over time. Using the backcountry as a mental escape to me, means being able to shut off the rest of the world, other worries, and other things that may be happening around me on the normal day to day. Being able to go to a happy state of mind, even if there are a lot of other things falling apart. It has been my pleasure to join the Backcountry BombSh3lls Foundation and everything it stands for. I look forward to growing with them as a team!
Lou Potter
My name Is Lou; the back country is my back yard. I live for it. It’s where I can stop take a breathe and meditate. And then also climb a mountain and recharge.
I feel at home In nature and breathing the fresh air. My favourite is when I am in the middle Of no where and there is absolutely no cell service. I love to disconnect.
I always have survival gear with me, and always respect nature. Never litter! And never ever scare animals, always take out what you bring in.
Mark Fontaine
My name is Mark Fontaine, I grew up in Northern Alberta, I enjoyed the summers, outdoors and backcountry while growing up. Originally from a small place an hour outside of Grande Prairie Alberta. When I have a day off I go immediately to the backcountry to do whatever I can. I love anything outdoors, whether it is either hunting, fishing, quadding, snowmobiling. I got addicted to backcountry snowmobiling and fell in love with the freedom; the escape from day to day life. I have met some incredible friends and people through my love for the backcountry. I always try to push myself to be a better rider and learn from those that have been riding more than I have every time I go out. l always try my best to help others so they can enjoy their backcountry experience as well, either helping fix their sled or getting someone unstuck. I am very excited to be apart of the BackCountry BombSh3lls Team; by helping others enjoy the backcountry and bring awareness to mental health. I'm always up for good adventure in the backcountry with new and old friends friends. Feel free to say hello and come join the ride with me if you get the chance.
Nikki Kelley
Hi, my name is Nikki Kelley, and I use the backcountry as a mental escape frequently. Most often, I dirtbike, snowmobile or mountain bike. The backcountry has been an integral part of keeping me sane throughout all of the transitions of motherhood, marriage and the pursuit of a graduate degree.
The backcountry is unlike any other escape because I feel at peace when I am there. There is something about being on top of the world that calms my soul.
I am also very goal-oriented, and these sports allow me to push myself mentally and physically. More importantly, they have provided me with human connection when connecting with others has been difficult because of the pandemic. I feel so fortunate to have been introduced to this lifestyle because there is nothing else like it. If you know, you know. See you out there!
Sam Kyle
hello, my name is Sam, I am a self employed metal fabricator/welder. I have been in the Alberta trades for almost 10 years now. (Tried quite a few different ones), I also farm with my parents.
The backcountry is my mental health escape because it allows me to get away from civilization and technology. Basically encourages you to let go of the daily stresses at hand and just focus on what is in front of you, literally haha. My motto is if one still have cell service in the back country, you are not far enough in. I’ve always loved the mountains. And the peace being surrounded by then brings you. Fell in love with backcountry sledding about 4 years ago. (My ex bf and his friend at the time didn’t want me to get into it as it was “their” thing. I did it anyway and look at me now years later )
Unfortunately, the sledding off season is my full time work season. But when I do find some free time, you can find me on a boat surfing or tanning, quadding, camping, or farming
Dana Gardner
My name is Dana and from a small town in northern BC. I’m a mother of two girls and I have been a LPN for 13 years. Snowmobiling makes my heart beat especially when I’m deep in the backcountry!
I am so fortunate I don’t have to go far to the backcountry, but the deeper I go the more healing will happen. I learnt my strength and independence from loading my sled, and adventuring in the mountains. I would Find unique way to problem solve and overcome many things. It’s incredible the healing power of mountains and the backcountry have to make your mind clear and your soul feel complete.
Whitney Booth
Hello my name is Whitney Booth. I am beyond excited to be a Backcountry Bomshell Ambassador.I grew up in a small town in southern Saskatchewan very close to the U.S. border. My family owned a cattle ranch and I absolutely loved it. I love all animals but growing up the cows found a special place in my heart. Whenever I had a bad day I could walk out and go be with the cows and it brought me mental peace which is what I needed. Just being with them took my mind off the daily pressures of being a kid.It wasn't till after high-school when I was introduced to sledding in the mountains. My boyfriend at the time started to go. I loved the mountains and I really loved snowmobiling. We didn't get to do it much at home because we don't usually get much snow. So I told him I wanted to go with him. There was a pretty big push back. He told me that it was only for guys and that this was his getaway. To be fair, it wasn't just him saying these things. It seemed nobody thought I had any business going because I was a girl.This was hard for me to swallow. I grew up being one of the boys. I could do everything they could. I could wrestle calves the best of them. I played hockey with the boys. Why was it so different when it came to sledding? Luckily I was born persistent. I rarely ever take no for an answer. So I decided to sell some of my calves and I bought myself an old sled and all the gear I needed to be safe in the mountains and I thought to myself, dammit I'm going with you guys whether you like it or not. My dad always encouraged me. If it was something I wanted to do and fear or doubt was holding me back, he would push me and motivate me to go and do it anyway. He believed in doing what you want to do in life and not holding back for any reason, even money. He always found a way to make it happen. He always said "You can't take your money with you when you die so may as well spend it on things you enjoy while you’re here." I learned there is always a way.After I had a few seasons of mountain riding under my belt I found myself absolutely obsessed with it. I have tried a few different sleds during the years but am currently riding a 2019 Skidoo Summit 154".The adrenaline and the satisfaction of proving my strength and ability has built my confidence in myself. There always seems to be a new struggle as your riding progresses and you begin trying new things. That's what I love so much about it. I love the challenge it brings and I love the satisfaction you feel when you pull some fancy maneuver off.Life still likes to throw its curve balls. Last season I had to take a season off riding because my husband and my father were fighting their own battles. They were both diagnosed with cancer only a few months apart. This put me in a whole new challenge. I wanted to go riding so bad during that time because it was my therapy. It was my escape. But I knew my husband needed me and I didn't want to miss any opportunities I had to spend time with my dad. I persevered, I faced my fears and I made it through.My husband is in remission but sadly my dad passed in the fall. Losing my dad was so hard. I had to find ways to work through the grief. So this past riding season I spent some time doing what I love and that was sledding. I had a huge growing year and my riding shows it.I have an awesome riding group that is a mix of guys and girls all enjoying the sport and respecting one another. I absolutely love it. I also love meeting new people on the mountain and sharing stories and tips and tricks and just the interaction with like minded people is amazing.Now I have a great job working with guess what? Cows! My husband and I live beside a lake and I have purchased a seadoo spark to continue my much needed throttle therapy into the summer months. I think my dad would be proud of me. He taught me to never give up. I found a way.I have struggled with mental health for as long as I can remember. This past year has been the most challenging year of my life. There is something about squeezing a throttle that makes all the confusion and the intrusive, critical and negative thoughts just disappear. When I ride, it is like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. I love what Backcountry Bombshells stands for and I'm so excited to help spread mental health awareness. Hope to see you on the mountain. <3
Sarah Barlee
Hi! My name is Sarah. I grew up in Langley, BC. I knew the city wasn’t a place for this girl so I headed to the mountains the day after I graduated highschool. I spent 3 years in Banff, AB and then moved to Revelstoke where I was introduced to back country snowboarding only to fall absolutely in love with snowmobiling that I forget to bring my board now. In 2015 I got married, bought a home in the Shuswap and in March of 2016 I became a mother. I sold my dirtbike and sled thinking I wouldn’t have time to ride and slowly became more and more depressed. I didn’t realize how much I depended on my machines to get me out into the backcountry where I feel most grounded. My #MentalHealthEscape! After struggling with depression and a failing marriage I moved out and separated with my husband and started purchasing toys again. First came the sled and then came the dirt bike! And now my 6 year old son rides too making these hobbies even more exciting! Teaching my son to snowmobile and dirtbike is an absolute dream come true and watching him enjoy it makes my heart feel so full!
The snowmobile community has introduced me to some of the most badass babes ever and I am so grateful for each and every one of them! I have made some of the most amazing life long friends who all share the same passion and are out there doing these sports for the same reason. To have fun, the adrenaline rush and for our mental health! I appreciate the BackCountry BombSh3lls and what they represent! Bringing awareness to Mental Health is detrimental in this day and age! Please know if you are ever struggling I will always be there for you! My Instagram handle is @SarahBarlee. I am
Not a professional but I am always here to listen and offer guidance and love. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help! You are not alone!
Become an Ambassador
Are you interested in representing BackCountry BombSh3lls?Apply now by emailing us!BackCountryBombSh3lls@gmail.com In your email, include a run down of Why BackCountry BombSh3lls, tell us about how the backcountry is your #mentalhealthescape, what sport you do, where you live and what you do for work when you aren’t in the backcountry escaping.
Currently the applications are open until September 15th, 2023.
BackCountry BombSh3lls Ambassadors
Meet The Ambassadors