About Us

Brent Wm. Gardner grew up in the snowbelt of western New York, where lake-effect storms dumped just enough snow to turn small hills into proving grounds. Swain Ski Resort became his home mountain, the place where he spent winters learning to carve, crash, and eventually instruct others in the late 90s. Those formative years on modest, wind-scoured slopes instilled in him a love for skiing that was less about glamour and more about community, resilience, and the simple joy of sliding downhill.

An extended break brought on by a knee injury pulled him away from the sport, but when Brent returned, it was with renewed purpose. Each run felt like rediscovery—a reminder that skiing isn’t just a pastime, but a rhythm, a ritual, and a way of seeing the world. From the tight glades of Vermont to the broad, powder-filled bowls of Utah, he has chased snow across the country, drawn back to the mountains that always felt like home.

Alongside his life on snow, Brent has built a career of more than 20 years in public policy, government affairs, and grassroots advocacy. That work has given him a deep appreciation for strategy, persistence, and community—qualities that echo on the mountain just as much as in civic life.

Brent now skis with his wife and children, weaving the sport into the fabric of family life. He isn’t just teaching them to ski; he’s passing down traditions—early mornings, shared chairlift rides, the language of turns—that shaped his own youth. Skiing has become a family ritual, a constant reminder that joy is worth pursuing at speed.

Out of this passion he founded Savage Mountain Collective, a media and culture project dedicated to celebrating skiing in all its forms. Through writing, podcasts, gear, and travel, Savage Mountain explores not only the mechanics of skiing but its soul: the stories, the characters, the humor, and the stubborn devotion to snow that binds skiers everywhere.

For Brent, skiing isn’t a hobby to pick up and put down. It is a lifelong conversation with gravity, a way of connecting to the people and places that matter most, and a reminder that the mountains will always be waiting.

Heather Gardner has spent more than two decades in public policy and government affairs, building a career on innovation, strategy, and results. For 21 years she has driven impactful campaigns and initiatives across industry associations and the corporate world, shaping how organizations connect with their audiences and influence change. Known for designing creative approaches that bring people together, Heather has consistently worked at the intersection of ideas, advocacy, and execution.

Though she grew up in the shadow of Hunter Mountain in New York’s Catskills, Heather didn’t click into skis until later in life. But what she found on snow was more than a sport—it was a community, a culture, and a set of experiences that felt both exhilarating and grounding. Approaching the mountain with fresh eyes has given her a unique perspective: skiing is not only about turns, it’s about the people and places that make it possible, and the opportunities it creates for families to share time together.

At Savage Mountain Collective, Heather leads the technology development program, building online tools and digital solutions that lower barriers and expand access to snow sports. Her focus is on creating ways for busy people and families to carve out their time on the mountain—whether that means smarter trip planning, easier connections to resources, or digital platforms that bring ski culture closer to home.

For Heather, skiing is both discovery and possibility. Her work reflects the belief that the mountains are for everyone, and that the right mix of technology, storytelling, and community can open the door to a wider, more welcoming future for the sport.