Photo by Dan ReesBack in 2011 a group of seasonnaires in Meribel got together to create the first She Rides event. Their aim was to build confidence amongst female skiers and boarders and to provide coaching in park technique - so that girls could enjoy and be part of it as much as the boys. For the 2013-14 season She Rides is still going strong and promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Here, Claire of AktivExperience in Meribel gives us a bit of the history of She Rides and tells us what's new for 2014.
"The ethos of She Rides is to encourage female skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the mountains, gain experience, confidence and have fun on the hill no matter what your standard.
She Rides Freesessions was born out of a love of riding the mountains & parks of Meribel. Fed up of feeling the parks were dominated by the guys, it was time to encourage, instruct and build confidence in the female seasonaires to hit the parks.
She Rides Freesessions was founded in Meribel in 2011, when the first She Rides day was held in the Moon Park of Meribel, a girls-only shred day. It was aimed at seasonaires from Meribel and beyond with local snowboard school Cab9 taking on the coaching and judging of the competition. The day included tuition to gain confidence and new skills then after lunch a bit of a comp to show off those skills and pick up some swag!
Since 2011 the day has returned in 2012 & 13, and with each passing year it is growing in size, popularity and reputation. 2014 will see the She Rides come back bigger and better, not just one day in March but there will be several half days for the female seasonaires to pop along to and try out something new."
This year AktivExperience are hosting their first ever She Rides Freesessions week, where girls who can`t make a season can still enjoy the whole She Rides experience, with the aim being to improve riding skills and have fun.
This unique camp for women takes place during the week of the big She Rides day (16-23rd March), so guests are entered free into the comp with a chance to win some amazing prizes (last year there were boards, boots, bindings, clothing plus more to give away). For more details on what's included take a look at their Chalet du Fruit - a great setting for a week of fun and the opportunity to learn new skills with like-minded females.
For more information about She Rides take a look at their Facebook page and for more information about AktivExperience see their website!