Interview with Amy Jane David: Connecting to the Land, Backcountry Skiing in June, and Nature’s Healing Power – The Way Back

We caught up with with TGR Optics athlete, pro skier, and outdoorswoman extraordinaire Amy Jane David to talk about her latest project, The Way Back. Heres what she had to say:

NJ: The Way Back retraces your family’s history in Wyoming. How did learning more about your family’s homesteading past shape the experience?

AJD: I’ve been interested in my family’s western heritage most of my life, so have held an appreciation for the past for a long time. As a kid I loved hearing stories about their adventures on horse pack trips in the mountains and often looked through old photo albums. I clearly remember visiting the first homesteads during a family reunion as a kid and being in awe of that way of life. Over the past 10 years I started asking more questions about farther generations back and what it really meant to live in the mountains year round back then. The more stories I heard really shaped what I imagined while we were on our trip retracing their footsteps and being on the David Ranch. Knowing the way they embraced the challenges back then really influences my perspective and appreciation for what I have in this life.

NJ: What did it feel like to follow these old trails cut by your ancestors? What emotions came up?

AJD: I felt a deep sense of connection to the land and the horses while imagining past generations of my family riding the same trails. I can feel the energy of the landscape which draws out the feeling of being part of both the ruggedness and beauty of the natural world. Wherever we are in life and whatever our backstory is, I see such profound importance in being connected to nature. For me this place holds deep memories, so I was full of gratitude for what my ancestors experienced and appreciation for how easy access it is to us now. Taking care of horses in the mountains requires a softer and more aware presence, which in turn results in a deeper emotional experience.

NJ: You describe a profound sense of belonging in the simplest aspects of the trip, like the sound of the panniers brushing up against trees or the footsteps of the horses. What is it like to connect with and renew that deep lineage between your family and those mountains?

AJD: Western lifestyle has a timelessness to it and seeing Tre leading the pack string and looking back at us with a huge smile saying, “This is the best life!” I teared up thinking how special it is to carry on a tradition - whether it be Tre and his family, or myself. I felt a greater sense of belonging during these moments on the trip because I was in line with where my heart is - in the mountains, honoring the past, and exploring new ways of life in the mountains. Being in a moment where you feel like you’re in the right place at the right time doesn’t come without resistance, challenge, and being brave enough to make your voice heard. This trip felt like a culmination of all those things. The ski industry can be an interesting place that can encourage comparison of ski style, views on media, and who skis the gnarliest lines; however, being on this trip and telling my true story felt like I finally was able to be my full authentic self in this space and not be wrapped up in comparison culture. Being there with Tatum and Emilé as strong independent women was meaningful, and to be working alongside the four cinematographers and cowboys who fully supported our vision connected all the dots from how the past generations forged their own path to now our team forging a new path in the same place.

NJ: Combining horse-packing and skiing is an interesting blend—what were some of the biggest challenges of merging these two elements?

AJD: The obvious challenge was to plan a route in June that had enough snow melted at lower elevations to safely ride horses from camp to camp, yet held enough snow in the alpine to ski exciting lines. After multiple scouting missions both in the winter and late spring, we agreed on a plan A, B and C. Once we were in the mountains we adjusted our route according to what conditions existed. Tre and Franco of Jackson Hole Outfitters are some of the best in the business for horse packing, so they masterminded the way we would rig the skis on the pack mules similar to hauling logs out. Just like any complex adventure, teamwork and open communication made it all work.

NJ: If you could go back and relive one part of the trip, what would it be?

AJD: My favorite day of the trip was the second ski objective. This day encompassed all the aspects I love about adventure: sunrise, navigating new terrain, teamwork, high speed ski lines, sweaty boot packs, a little bit of struggle, and ending with a lot of laughs and a meal around the fire. We started quietly hiking on foot from camp at 3:30am navigating the route we planned the day before. As a team, we reached the top of the peak exactly on time as the sun crested the horizon. I was in awe of the vast beauty seeing wildflowers popping out of the dirt next to the remaining snow patches. We napped on the top waiting for the sun to warm the snow for couloir corn skiing. Earlier this winter I had seen this zone on Google Earth, scouted it on a snowmobile in April, then we hiked in for the film in June. It was a huge reward to ski three lines each that day. On the ski down to the horses, we found a turquoise pool of water, had a hilarious water fight, then rode back to camp. The day ended with the full crew around the fire eating steak, laughing and singing. This day was one for the books.

NJ: What do you hope audiences take away from the film?

AJD: My hope is that people take away a message from the film that resonates with their own life story. By being vulnerable about a few hard times in my life, I hope viewers resonate with the healing power of nature, community, and the simple joys of being outdoors. A key takeaway is knowing you’re not alone in this journey. Some people may simply be inspired by a unique adventure. I hope the audience leaves feeling like they can have a wild dream, and by rounding up people with shared passions, it’s very possible to make that dream come true. Another few take-a-ways I hope folks experience is the genuine appreciation for nature, the beauty that exists in the quiet moments, care of other beings (horses or humans), and to get back on the horse when you get bucked off.

NJ: What’s next for you?

AJD: I’ve submitted The Way Back to multiple film festivals and am motivated to share the film at in-person events. Connecting with the audience through genuine conversation has been a meaningful experience beyond publishing the story online. I’m also valuing my personal time with loved ones simply enjoying being in the mountains. Going forward, I plan to continue expanding film projects and storytelling about experiences in nature, but in a way that hopefully inspires people beyond the outdoor industry. Another short term goal of mine is to lead a guided horse access ski trip in collaboration with Jackson Hole Outfitters for others to experience a similar adventure - keep an eye out for that!

We want to extend our sincere thanks to Amy for taking the time to answer our questions. Thank you, Amy!!