EMPOWDER: Freeride is for the femmes

Just last weekend, the inaugural EMPOWDER FESTIVAL went down at Sugar Bowl Resort in Truckee, CA, and let me just say, this event was something different. We were lucky enough to witness some of the action-packed weekend and catch up with some of the competitors, coaches and the all-powerful Empowder Core Team (ECT) as the event unfurled. It was a weekend full of high-fives, laughs, and some seriously impressive riding.

EMPOWDER brought femmes from all walks of life together to celebrate, learn, and compete in an atmosphere like no other. The buzz around town was palpable, and didn’t just come from the skiers on the slope; it radiated through every lift ride, every moment among the riders, coaches and spectators, it felt like the whole town of Truckee was on an elevated vibe. By the time the weekend wrapped up, it was clear that Empowder is more than just a ski festival—it’s a movement. Mark my words, you’ll be hearing about Empowder for years to come.

The mix of freeride clinics and community-building activities on the weekend’s itinerary created a space where everyone from seasoned pros, to first-time freeriders, to casual appreciators of winter sports could thrive and have a blast. The range of activities at Empowder made for a weekend that wasn’t just about competing—it was about fostering community and building the stoke for these gals and pals to shine. For many, it was a chance to reconnect with what freeride sports are all about: having fun while pushing your limits. This weekend at Sugar Bowl was just the beginning, the foundations have already been laid for bigger things on the horizon. I’ll speak for myself when I say there is an overwhelming sense of excitement about what’s to come. Empowder is here, and these rippers are ready to reshape the landscape of women+ in freeride.

Vibes: High, Stoke: Even Higher, Freeride: For the Femmes. Empowder! Photo: Mariah Grover

Brigid White: “We've joked about being the "lost generation" - women who grew up with limited competitive skiing options beyond racing, but Empowder Festival aims to promote the message that it is not too late to keep progressing or to start competing. Hopefully this festival brings more women+ into the sport of freeride.”

In the world of competitive freeride, many women+ athletes in their 20s and 30s came up in this era where youth development programs, junior freeride circuits, and professional female role models were few and far between. Freeride, as a competitive sport, was still in its infancy when this generation was learning to ride, and many had no outlet to participate at a competitive level.

Coach Kelsey Hyche talking through a feature on Saturday at the comp venue. Photo: Mariah Grover

The founders of Empowder noticed and experienced this gap in opportunities for women+ to compete. This disparity left many wondering whether they’d missed their shot at entering the scene. This thought was unacceptable for all those riders out there with a competitive spirit who weren’t ready to give up on skiing or snowboarding but didn’t know how or where to channel their drive.

Empowder was born from a desire to bridge that gap—creating a platform where women+ could feel not only welcomed, but empowered to progress, compete, and find community in freeride. By offering a chance to learn and compete in a supportive environment, Empowder provides an opportunity to push limits, increase participation, and redefine what it means to be a woman+ freerider in this space.

The Empowder Core Team. From left to right: Adi Sadeh, Mariko Kelly, Maia Bickert, Brigid White, Mariah Grover, Daphne James, Amanda David, Savannah Dayberry (coach). Photo: Empowder

Empowder's roots trace back to founder Brigid White’s first freeride competition at Sugar Bowl last year, where she saw both the potential and the gaps in opportunities for women+ riders.

Brigid White: The supportive atmosphere and athlete-judged format made me feel safe to push myslef as a rookie. Crafting a line I was proud of and landing my 360 left me with a lasting smile, but I couldn't ignore the disparity in participation (9 women compared to 40+ men) and difficulty-level of the runs between the women and men. This observation sparked questions about why fewer women competed and why there was such a difference in skiing caliber between genders.

The experience inspired me to build on the inclusive elements of the Silver Belt Qualifier. I approached Sean Carey, Director of Freeride at SBFA, with the idea of a one-day women's freeride clinic, which evolved into a larger event with Sugar Bowl's support. Sharing the concept with friends revealed unexpected enthusiasm and a clear need for such an opportunity...

The iconic Disney Peak at Sugar Bowl Resort. Photo: Mariah Grover

Daphne James and Mariah Grover were those lucky friends to be clued in on Brigid’s newborn brain-child. With the support of these two additions, the vision for Empowder began to take shape.

BW: We envisioned an event that would empower women+ in winter sports, leading to Daphne coming up with the name "EMPOWDER." Our visions aligned on creating a learning environment tailored to women+, focusing on progression, supportive community, playfulness, and knowledge sharing.”

Fast forward to this season, and the original Empowder team of three had expanded to eight. The formidable ECT includes Brigid White, Daphne James, Mariah Grover, Adi Sadeh, Mariko Kelly, Maia Bickert, Amanda David, and Danielle Green. Together, they brought the Empowder founders' vision of an event that would combine coaching, competition, and camaraderie into reality.

The goal: To create a freeride event where participants could feel supported in a way that many of them hadn’t experienced before, empowering them to realize their full potential in a sport often dominated by men.

Scoping out the run on Saturday. Photo Mariah Grover

For everyone participating, the weekend kicked off with a day dedicated to progression, learning, and getting to know each other. Saturday’s schedule was packed with a variety of skill-building workshops designed to challenge participants and help them push their boundaries—all while keeping the atmosphere light, fun, and supportive. The focus was on creating an environment where everyone, regardless of skill level, felt encouraged to take risks and progress at their own pace.

Workshops covered everything from basic freeride techniques to more advanced maneuvers, with topics like cliff drops, powder skiing, and crafting competitive lines – all taught by some of the best in the business. The key element to these workshops was balance: while skill-building was at the forefront, there was always an emphasis on enjoying the process and having fun with others in the group. Coaches and participants engaged in dynamic discussions, sharing personal experiences and tips that weren’t just about improving technique, but also about growing confidence and trusting instincts on the mountain.

The vibe was contagious—there was a shared sense of excitement and nervousness as the riders found themselves in all kinds of new situations. Whether it was the first time attempting a big cliff drop or perfecting a tight line, all the contestants were pushing their abilities.

Corynn Bricker tweaking a little air on Saturday. Photo: Mariah Grover

After a full day of building confidence and camaraderie, all the contestants that were of age, joined by ski buddies from around town met at a local brewery for an Empowder fundraiser and raffle. It was here where we felt the goodness of the event really start infiltrating the whole town of Truckee. Every type of snow enthusiast was in attendance sharing stories and strategizing how to get their hands on the shiny new pair of Atomic Bents up for raffle. It was truly a classic ski-town get together. The fun and games quickly wrapped up though as there was a big day of riding to be had…

The ECT on Saturday Night crushing the raffle in Truckee. Photo: Empowder

Sunday transitioned into the competitive aspect of the festival. The day began with a classroom session that laid out the judging process for the riders—helping participants understand the importance of style, line choice, control, and risk management. This educational component gave participants insight into what would be evaluated during their runs.

The competition was intense, but there was an underlying sense of joy and excitement that never waned. Coaches and athletes alike could feel the energy—there was something deeply empowering about watching these women+ push their limits and shine. Whether it was nailing a difficult line or overcoming a fear of dropping into a steep chute, the focus was always on personal growth and collective success.

Mackhelia MacDonald dropping into a critical feature. Photo: Mariah Grover

By the end of the weekend, it was clear that Empowder had succeeded in its mission to create a space for these sendy femmes to not only compete but to feel empowered in the process. The festival embodied the belief that competition, when framed in a supportive, inclusive way, can be a powerful catalyst for growth—both on and off the mountain.

The Coaches. From left to right: Savannah Dayberry, Makhelia MacDonald, Colleen Terra, Kelsey Wittles, Maia Bickert, Daphne James, Kate Amore, Kenzie Bathurst, Kelsey Hyche, Kestrel Sullivan. Photo: Mariah Grover

The true measure of any event’s success is in the voices of those who attend, and the feedback from Empowder participants was fervently positive across the board. When asked about their experience, many attendees spoke to the lasting impact the event had on their confidence, skills, and sense of belonging within the freeride community.

"I came to Empowder not knowing what to expect, but I left feeling like I could conquer anything. The support and encouragement I got from the coaches and the other women was amazing. I never thought I could drop cliffs like that, but now I know I can!" — Kara, first-time competitor

"The atmosphere was so positive and supportive. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this empowered to push myself, and I’m taking that confidence back with me on every mountain I ride." — Jessie, experienced freerider

“I used to think competition wasn’t for me. But at Empowder, it wasn’t about who was the best. It was about progression and sharing in the experience with others. I feel like I found my place in the sport.” — Emily, mid-level competitor

“The biggest difference this weekend I felt was a drive to push myself to be a better skier. Skiing with female coaches and other girls I had the confidence and mentality of “if they can do then I can do it” and I wasn’t feeling embarrassed about wiping out in the supportive environment. That environment continued into social hour, hearing about everyone’s work, life, ski balance.

Overall I started off nervous to compete but by comp time I was excited and amped to test my new skills!” -Katherine Faulkner

EMPOWDER’s impact is already creating change in the freeride community and inspiring future generations of women+ to believe that they, too, belong in competitive action sports. The event was successful in its design to make sure that the barriers to entry—whether they were logistical, emotional, or psychological—were broken down, offering a welcoming and empowering space for all participants.

Empowder is fostering the growth of future athletes by helping them build the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in freeride. But it doesn’t stop there, the event is showing the broader sports community that women+ are not only ready for this space—they’re pushing it forward.

Kelsey Wittles dropping a cliff on Disney Peak. Photo: Mariah Grover

On the admin side of things, Empowder credibility was bolstered by strong backing from some of the most respected brands in the industry. Atomic Skis, Jones Snowboards, and other well-known sponsors caught word of the movement and quickly came on board to lend their support. With over $5,000 in sponsor contributions, Empowder demonstrated its ability to attract significant industry partners who see the value of this forward-thinking event.

Maitlin Combs goin' spread eagle during Sunday's comp. Photo: Mariah Grover

The all-star coaching team brought a wealth of experience and insight to the event, and their connection with participants was immediate. The all-star coaching team was chalked full of impressive resumes:

Throughout the weekend, they were hands-on, offering guidance, encouragement, and advice to every participant. They made sure that each person felt confident in their abilities and ready to tackle whatever challenge lay ahead.

Empowder's inaugural festival was only the beginning. The success of this past weekend, combined with the energy and support from the community, has set the stage for even greater things to come.

Make sure you are on the lookout for the next EMPOWDER event if you want to be a part of something special. Whether you attend as a participant or a spectator, your presence adds to the energy and excitement that makes this event unique.

Join the community by following Empowder on social media, where you’ll stay updated on future events, sponsorships, and ways to contribute. Spread the word to friends and fellow riders who would benefit from being part of the Empowder experience. The more people that get involved, the greater the impact Empowder will have.