At Alberta Snowboard, we are committed to getting more girls and women involved in snowboarding—not just as riders, but also as leaders, coaches, officials, and judges. We envision a future where participation in snowboarding is truly equal, with as many women as men thriving in all aspects of the sport. While this vision is ambitious, we’re taking meaningful steps to make it a reality.
The Rally Report 2024 by Canadian Women & Sport underscores both the progress made and the barriers that remain in making sports like snowboarding accessible and inclusive for all girls and women. According to the report, girls are motivated by community, fun, and the joy of learning, yet face unique challenges such as body confidence, financial barriers, and a lack of visible role models. With this in mind, Alberta Snowboard is dedicated to fostering an environment where women can thrive—not just as participants, but as leaders shaping the future of our sport.
Our Vision: Growing Women’s Snowboarding Together
Through initiatives like Elleboard and Kindred Collective, we are building a strong, supportive community for women in snowboarding. These programs offer training sessions, events, and mentorship opportunities designed to empower female snowboarders at every level—whether they’re competing, coaching, officiating, or judging.
Elleboard was created to provide women in Alberta with the opportunity to develop as snowboard athletes, technical leaders, and coaches. With the support of Sport Canada, the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport, and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), Elleboard’s mission is to level the playing field and bring more women into leadership roles within snowboarding.
Key Objectives of Elleboard:
- Supporting the development of female coaches through equitable opportunities.
- Providing training and certification for women officials and judges.
- Creating pathways for women to become Learning Facilitators within the Alberta Snowboard Coach Program (CSCP).
- Offering tailored training and competition opportunities for women athletes in the Learn to Train stage of development.
Ride Days: A Provincial All-Girls Snowboarding Experience
One of the standout opportunities offered through Elleboard is Ride Days, a provincial tour of one-day, girls-only sessions led by some of Alberta’s top snowboarding coaches. These sessions provide a supportive environment where women and girls can progress their skills, connect with others, and be inspired by role models in the sport. Ride Days reflect our commitment to creating inclusive spaces where women can grow in confidence and ability while building lifelong connections.
Building a Future Together
The Rally Report 2024 challenges all of us to reimagine sport as a space where girls and women feel welcome, supported, and inspired. At Alberta Snowboard, we’re proud to be part of this movement. By creating programs that break down barriers and build community, we’re shaping a future where snowboarding is accessible to everyone—regardless of gender, background, or ability.
We invite you to join us in this effort. Whether you’re a rider, coach, official, judge, or simply passionate about making a difference, there’s a place for you in this movement. Together, we can create a more inclusive snowboarding community and ensure that all women and girls have the opportunity to thrive on and off the slopes.