Revelstoke is home to a vibrant community that attracts outdoor enthusiasts, including some of Canada’s most experienced female guides. Yet, in a male-dominated industry, women – whether recreationists or aspiring professionals – often struggle to find support and succeed, particularly in winter backcountry sports.
Organizations like the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) are committed to better understanding the industry landscape with the goal to support women succeeding in their careers. Despite efforts to create more opportunities, women remain underrepresented in the field. Industry statistics from these organizations highlight the ongoing disparity.
Only 15 of 173 active ACMG-certified mountain guides and 26 of 355 active ski guides identify as women, according to Erin Moroz, ACMG communications and engagement coordinator
Locally, organizations and advocates are working to boost representation through mentorships and skill-building camps designed to inspire and support women in backcountry skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.
Local camps and mentorship opportunities
Founded by professional skier Leah Evans, Girls Do Ski (GDS) offers camps and programs tailored specifically for women, with a focus on backcountry exploration.
GDS has seen growing interest in its women’s backcountry programs, particularly among those who want to feel more confident and take on leadership roles.
“A common theme we hear in the backcountry camps is women go touring with their (often male) partner and take a backseat when it comes to decision-making. They’re looking to build the confidence to become part of the decision-making conversation,” administrator of GDS, Carmanah Minions explained.
The camp’s all-female environment encourages open discussions, allowing participants to feel at ease asking questions and discussing terrain and avalanche safety to develop a collaborative approach to backcountry travel.
“This year we offered over 15 different backcountry camp dates, ranging from beginner touring for someone who’s never stepped into the backcountry before, all the way to a guide training course for women looking to take their ACMG ski guide exams,” Minions added.
Participants range in age from 26 to 57 this season. In the past, the organization welcomed women as young as 19 and as old as 65.
Ascent Mentorships is another local program that pairs women for a season-long mentorship. Founder and executive director Emily Wright has seen steady interest, with more mentees applying than mentors, underlining the ongoing demand.
Eliana Griesser is one of the mentees in the 2024/2025 program. She loves spending her time snowboarding and going on backcountry adventures as much as when she can.
“Being in the mountains has always been a humbling experience for me,” she shared. “It is the most calming and grounding activity I know.”
While Griesser hasn’t faced major challenges entering backcountry riding, she has noticed a gap in how women and men are viewed in this space.
“Once I started touring more frequently, I did notice that women are sometimes not immediately perceived as equally knowledgeable,” she said.
Since joining the program, she has gained confidence in route planning and decision-making.
“I’m truly grateful to have been paired with my mentor. She has deep backcountry knowledge, and just listening to her articulate her thoughts while we’re out together has been incredibly valuable. Beyond that, she takes the time to teach me specific skills, which has accelerated my learning.”
As initiatives to help women in skiing and snowboarding gain traction, another backcountry activity—snowmobiling—remains largely male-dominated. The sport’s rugged, high-powered image can be intimidating and difficult to access, particularly for women looking to break in. Nadine Overwater, a professional snowmobile coach and guide, is committed to changing this perception in Revelstoke and B.C.
Through the La Niña Sled Camp, which she founded in 2012, she created a welcoming space for female riders to develop skills and confidence while navigating the backcountry on their own terms. La Niña Sled Camp offers clinics that cover everything from basic handling and safety to technical mountain riding, ensuring women feel empowered to ride independently.
Overwater recognized a growing interest among women wanting to ride and a gap in learning opportunities designed for them.
“I saw a huge increase in women riders and a niche for learning that would help them build confidence in a positive environment without the stress of having to keep up with their partners,“ she explained.
According to the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations, roughly 30 per cent of snowmobilers in Canada are women. Locally, Overwater’s work is not only fostering a strong women’s snowmobiling community but also reshaping the snowmobiling culture to be more inclusive and supportive.
Her efforts, alongside other programs in Revelstoke, highlight a growing movement toward greater representation and leadership for women in all aspects of winter backcountry sports.
Mentoring the next generation of female backcountry adventurers
Madeleine Martin-Preney, an ACMG ski guide, shares this commitment and is among the local advocates working to encourage more women in backcountry sports.
After mentoring, guiding and teaching both professionals-to-be and enthusiastic recreationists, Martin-Preney sees the backcountry as a powerful space for women.
“The backcountry is an incredible environment that allows women to connect with and challenge themselves in a unique way, when they have the opportunity to be in a supportive space. In winter, it’s next-level. Women who learn how to take care of themselves in that environment and feel successful are incredibly empowered.”
While she acknowledged progress, she also sees ongoing challenges for women in the field.
“There is still prejudice, exclusion and an ‘us vs. them’ mentality that is harmful and doesn’t foster an environment where women feel safe and supported to explore their own way of learning and challenging themselves,” she said.
There is growing recognition that women approach risk, hazards and communication differently—something Martin-Preney believes the industry can learn from.
“The culture is thankfully shifting to include female perspectives, female stars, role models and women regarded as authorities in certain sectors of the backcountry. It’s still the exception, but hopefully, we’re moving towards that becoming more common and less ‘notable,’” she added.
To thrive in the industry, Martin-Preney recommends finding mentors—regardless of gender—who embody the skills and lifestyle one aspires to.
“This will likely involve several different people, so you have to put time and effort into building these connections and relationships,” she said.
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