She Touring - An ACC Community Event
Katee Pederson
This winter my good friend and event coordinator extraordinaire Kirsten of Headwaters Marketing had a dream of creating a community building backcountry ski touring event for women in Revelstoke. She went back and forth with some big ideas before deciding on a manageable plan for the inaugural event, with dreams of growth in years to come.
Through the Alpine Club of Canada Columbia Mountains Section and with support from Tourism Revelstoke, Kirsten put together an evening of connection and learning for women who ski tour and splitboard or are interested in getting started. Laura Szanto also organized a photo contest as part of the event and myself and Madelaine Duff joined in the judging, handing out prizes from Society Snow and Skate, Skookum Revelstoke, and Free Spirit Sports. As attendees arrived, they were encouraged to meet new people and discuss some questions around their participation and identity in touring. These were later brought to a panel of local industry professionals - Lynnea Baker, Kim Vinet, and Janelle Smiley to ponder behind the mic. Other organizations like Revelstoke Search and Rescue, Open Mountains, and Queer Shred Revelstoke also had a chance to share about what they do and the opportunities that exist for participants to get involved.
The event went off without a hitch and it was so rewarding seeing women connect over their love for winter travel in the backcountry. And of course I need to highlight the optional dress code of “apres fleece” which is very evident in the photos below.
