RIDE~ W.I.S.E Mentorship Series, Where Goals and Mentorship Collide

Snowboarders hiking their way up Summit for some fresh tracks

Being a woman in the snow industry is no easy feat. From a lack of resources to searching for your community and more importantly, finding and maintaining success is a whole other challenge in itself. W.I.S.E Mentorship Series aims to foster an environment that women who are in the industry and those who have a passion are searching for, a place to expand take space, and be themselves both on and off the snow. Welcome to the W.I.S.E Mentorship Series, where goals and mentorship collide.

This is not your average clinic. Focused on women who are in the snow industry or those who are exploring a career path the W.I.S.E clinic offers women a chance to connect and grow all thanks to the Women's Initiative Fund developed by (Stephanie Wilkerson) this opportunity is to help break down the barriers that women face in snowsports.

When you arrive get settled in by meeting Stephanie Wilkenson (founder of Altitude Attitude) that's the moment it hits you this isn't your average "Ladies Clinic". Stephanie is warm and radiates this you got this energy that gets you stoked for what lies ahead.

Group photo before a warm-up run

After a quick intro, you get placed into your group for the morning session. Boarders and skiers get split into what they are hoping to gain from the experiences. Some wanted to improve their technique for an upcoming PSIA exam; others simply wanted to improve their riding for themselves. Each group is led by women who are leading the industry from National PSIA Coaches/ Instructors, giving some serious girl power vibes. Our instructors (full list below) are all top-notch in the snow industry.

Our group was focused on steeps and deeps with an emphasis on cliff/rock dropping because, you know, spice is the flavor of life. We had Kristin was our instructor. We started the day with fresh powder laps in the "side country" of Sugar Bowl. We enter the gates and are met with fresh, perfect powder, untouched and ready to be ripped. Focus on control and pop all the things you need for a successful day of riding freshies and bumps. We switched focus once we entered the gates off Lincoln Chair, from searching for steeps to practicing jump turns to learn how to spot places that are good for hucking (jumping off a cliff/ feature) and spotting your landing.

Working on off-piste skiing in off the Gates of Lincoln Chair at Sugar Bowl Resort

After a nice long morning, we meet for a group lunch, everyone sharing their stoke over what new skills/techniques they are working on and learning. Everyone was stoked and ready to take on more. Breaking once again for another afternoon clinic on snow. Chasing good snow and searching for cliffs to send the second half of the day was spent focusing on snow objectives as well as discussing the importance of mentorship. The open heart-to-heart is refreshing and critical. The ability to hear women openly discuss their personal experiences, both positive and negative, is needed. Having these frank discussions in regards to mentorship breaks down the gatekeeping that feels ever so daunting.

Stephanie Wilkerson (founder of Altitude Attitude) helping others identify and create a SMART goal

The day doesn't end there; we transition to pushing your mental boundaries. After all, aren't we all searching for our full send? Focusing on goal setting and creating a plan to achieve those goals while making some pretty rad crafts (think summer camp crafts but for the snow girlie).

Andrea crushing her goal of sending Hidden Gully off of the Lincoln gates. This is what the WISE Clinic is about, supporting and showing woman to think beyond what they believe their potential to be.

One of the most interesting things we noticed is how a group of random women who can have such different goals, both professionally and personally, could so quickly support each other. Never mind that a few hours prior, most of us were strangers. Everyone is open, honest, and willing to share their goals, creating a sense of camaraderie. Where no woman is another's competition but each other's pillar to help grow, explore, and find new perspectives of your peak that you yourself may not be able to see.

The next day, we arrive happy and tired (in the best after-powder day kind of way) to again be split into groups. My group ventures off with Allie (yes, Allie Ace) to focus on both on and off-piste fundamentals. From jump turns to proper body alignment, even getting into spicy terrain, and learning how to initiate a turn when you absolutely do not think you can (something that I am personally working on). After Allie successfully found my comfort level and coached me through a tight section, stoke was immediately followed.

Allie Ace is making it spicy before lunch. Not pictured: the amount of stoke after conquering this line.

Have you ever seen an entire park session with a group of badass women? Yeah, we hadn't either until the last portion of the clinic: mixed discipline park. We had everything from first-time parkgoers to legit steezy park girlies who are working on 360s and everything in between. Stephanie and Kara coach you through hitting jumps from proper pop and take-off to landing and finding your flow. With real-time video analysis and coaching, the level of instruction was incredible. By the end, we all felt more confident on jumps, park etiquette, and new skill sets that we could carry on and off-piste.

Kara Strehle showing us how it's done with a clean grab

After a successful park session, we head back for one final group lap to celebrate all of our sends. The energy is high, the stoke is palpable, and you can feel a bond that has been created. Stephanie and her team's ability to make everyone feel as though their goals are not only achievable but within their reach is a true testament to what Altitude Attitude's mission of women empowerment and progression on and off the snow means to them. I can personally say I walked away with: better technique, a few goals accomplished, my skiing feels more balanced, and most importantly new friends who truly support and raise each other.

The only question to ask yourself, what's your full send and how do you plan on making it happen?

What stoke looks like: completing my first little front flip. HUGE thanks to the entire WISE Clinic for creating this highlight of my season!

Looking to improve your riding? Join Stephanie and Altitude Attitude at Tahoe Woodward for their upcoming session. To learn more click here.

Instructors:

Kara Strehle 

Instructor and trainer at Palisades for 20+years

Member of PSIa-AASI Ed staff for 6 years 

High Cascade coach at Mt Hood for 13 years

PSIa-AASI Level 3 snowboard certification 

Stephanie Wilkerson 

PSIA-AASI Level 3 Instructor & Trainer, FS2, CS2

PSIA-AASI National Team Alumni 

USASA Coach 

Owner of Altitude 

Founder of WISE 

Allie Ace

USSA Level 400 Coach, Coach Developer & Alpine Official

PSIA Alpine Level 3, Children’s Specialist 2, Freestyle Specialist 1, AASI Snowboard Level 1, Resort Trainer & Divisional Trainer Accreditation

AIARE Course Leader & Pro 2

AMGA Apprentice Alpine & Ski Guide

Kristin Cooksey

USSS Level 300

PSIA Level 3

NZSIA Level 2 Certificates

Palisades Tahoe Ski Team Development Senior Manager

U10 Chair for the Far West ACC

Have you ever attended a ski clinic/ workshop that changed your skiing? Tell us in the comments below!