​The Backwoods Project was founded in 2008 by Gregg Janecky in response to an absence of accessible and affordable public freestyle ski and snowboard terrain in Missoula, Mont. It is a 100 percent volunteer run non-profit organization created to support Montana's Freestyle Community, and improve lives through the healthy activities of snowboarding and freestyle skiing. Backwoods encourages people to get outside and be active by instituting a safe,professional-quality, education-oriented Terrain Park in Missoula. Backwoods strives to keep its’ park in line with Missoula's unique culture, supportive of the local riding community, and most importantly is open to anyone with a lift ticket.

Since its first in 2009, The Backwoods Project has made freestyle skiing and snowboarding
terrain available to hundreds of Montana children. Initially working with Montana Snowbowl, Backwoods began renting venues while working toward owning its own venue. Moving away from an established for-profit resort has enabled Backwoods to offer a more affordable and friendly experience to Montana’s youth. Often renting the beloved former ski area at Marshall Mountain for weekend events, Backwoods has been able to offer their services for $10 a day or less, making the sport available to many people who would not normally be able to afford it.

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The Backwoods Project went on an extended hiatus in 2012 when Janecky moved on to other national level projects, but the momentum Backwoods created continues to push on Missoula’s Freestyle Community.