NOTABLE:
In 2000, 3% of ski guides in Canada were female. Today, that number has risen to 9%. Over the years, I've taken many courses, mostly from men. It was really common for me to feel intimated, discouraged, or in some cases harassed, often being the only girl in some of these courses. I found that with any female instructor I took a course from, I would cling to them like a small child to their mother. It was incredible to feel like I could take a course without feeling like I was too nervous that I couldn't even ask a question. I was able to relate to their style of teaching. More than anything it was a huge relief seeing someone like me, a girl, setting an example. I finally felt like I belonged.
I SKI BECAUSE:
Skiing makes me so happy. Experiencing this happiness allows me to show up 100% in other areas of my life. Whenever I experience an uncomfortable situation, a challenge, a storm in life, I believe skiing has equipped me with these skills to get through almost anything. Through communication, through pushing yourself, through hard and rewarding experiences.
Skiing makes me healthier.
Skiing has provided me with an incredible community.
Skiing grounds me to the environment.
I WANT TO:
I want to strive to be outstanding at my job, simply just to set a good example. This is important to me because in so many ways I want to reinforce the fact that women make incredible leaders and guides. I want to strive to make the guiding industry, and back-country skiing as a whole, a much more inclusive environment.