Last Saturday was International Women’s Ski Day at Solitude. That’s right… a whole day dedicated to ladies who love to get after it on the mountain! The Spread Stoke crew rolled up to Solitude to join other organizations such as She Jumps, Utah Avalanche Center, and K2 Alliance to help celebrate female empowerment.

After exchanging phone numbers with local rippers, I headed up to the top of the mountain to meet an array of bright colored jackets, flower leis, and pink tutus, all ready to charge down the hill together. As we glided down the hill, I couldn’t help but feel the exciting energy that I was immersed in. Every other turn, someone busted a dance move or yelled a “waaahooo”, “hehe”, and “ya girl!” Don’t get me wrong, the “dudes”, “siiiiick”, and “hell ya’s” were just as abundant, just in a higher pitch and with a cute giggle to follow.

That’s what it’s like skiing with girls. The energy is high because not only are you shredding among incredible and talented female rippers, but you are also experiencing this collective, supportive energy. It’s the energy of girls encouraging one-another to hit a drop, try a certain technique, or even blow a kiss at the cute lifty. Growing up in a ski town, I always thought girls were few and far between, with so many baggy pants, hefty beards, and bros of the snow on the mountain. But, the more I dive into the community and industry, I am finding that notion to be less and less true.  There are TONS of girls out there – those who rip and those who are just discovering this thrill-seeking lifestyle for the first time.

Whatever their skill level, these ladies bring a beautiful dynamic to the mountains. A lighthearted, but determined one. We want to get after it, and also laugh our asses off on the chairlift. We want to go fast, ski hard, send that cliff, and do all the gnarly little tid-bits, but we also want to blast music in the parking lot, put on lip gloss, and talk about where we got our jackets. International Women’s Ski Day was filled with this vigor. Not only did a crew of lady shredders show up, but lots of guy friends, boyfriends, husbands, dads, and sons all showed up to support the women they love (the free beer helped too)!

Casey busting some dance moves in the Spread Stoke booth.

In between turns on the hill, everyone stopped by the parking lot party to grab a hot dog, beer from EPIC Brewery, Silver Bean Coffee and warm themselves up by the bonfire. Stoke was spread at a huge raffle with ladies walking away with awesome Eider jackets, an Elan ski bag, Solitude passes, and SLC Fitness Collective classes. The day concluded with worn out legs and lots of hugs. For those who missed IWSD, don’t be shy and come shred with us some other time! We’ll make our own dance party!

Boys, if you feel left out… you can come too!

The Pit Viper crew, looking amazing as always.

Check out these awesome Spread Stoke Lady Hats!

These hats make great gifts for the Holidays! Check out all versions in the Spread Stoke Store.

All photos courtesy of John Alberts.

For more information on the incredible Women of Winter (W.O.W) Series that Solitude is putting on the entire season, check out their schedule of events here. 

Living in a ski town is amazing for many many reasons. You get to skip school on powder days. You get to be surrounded by incredible people who are willing to live on couches, out of cars, and survive on PB & Js in order to follow storms across the country in their beat, but adored, Subarus. You ‘get’ what it is to be obsessed with the mountains and will do anything (including bail on relationships, career climbing opportunities, and steady cashflow) in order to make sure you’re able to take full advantage of every single damn winter! I know, sounds like paradise, right?

There is a small dilemma that comes with most mountain towns – and dudes have known this for years! They know that it’s not easy to find a plethora of ladies around town. Generally, this has certainly been in our (I’m speakin’ for the gals here) massive favor when it comes to dating. But – there’s more to it than that. Lookin’ for fellow female comrades to shred with on a daily basis can be tough, intimidating, and sometimes, downright frustrating. I’ve spent most of my life skiing with guys – and I love every damn one of them. Then there are days that are extra special,  spent with my best girlfriends on the mountain while laughing, dancing, being silly, pushing each other harder than they boys, giving each other endless shit when we crash, talkin’ smack on the chair lifts. But, to be honest, meeting and connecting with other female riders can be tough when jobs, kids, sleeper pow days, boys and everything else in life gets in the freakin’ way. That’s why International Women’s Ski Day is super exciting!

Solitude Mountain Resort is hosting a massively awesome “Women of Winter” series and they are kicking it off with International Women’s Ski Day. This is the perfect excuse to get your butt out on the slope and meet some new friends, get a little wild with fellow female athletes, and simply celebrate being a chic. Below are details on the entire W.O.W series. Spread Stoke will be up at Soli next weekend for International Women’s Ski Day. So come say hi and meet the crew.

For more information on the incredible Women of Winter (W.O.W) Series that Solitude is putting on the entire season, check out their schedule of events here.