CELEBRATING INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN

Scarlett's Story

Name: Scarlett
Rider Type: Skier

1. Can you share your personal journey into free riding and what initially inspired you to explore the mountains?

I don’t think I can credit my journey into free riding to it being my own personal decision. My father has always been one of the biggest diehard ski bums that I know, and wasted no time before putting me on my first pair of skis at 3 years old, hoping I would develop the same love for skiing as he has. There were many bribes involved in the beginning, with promises of hot chocolates and crepes at the end of the day (which I am still yet to be rewarded), but fast forward 17 years and I couldn’t imagine my life without this sport. Without boosting his ego too much, my dad has always, and will continue to be my inspiration for free riding. Instead of homework (not that I was complaining) my sister and I would watch documentaries like ‘Steep’ as if they were a compulsory subject at school, whilst my dad swooned over his idols and hung up yet another free riding poster in our house. When beginning my journey into free riding, I was continuously encouraged to create my own tracks, rather than following in my fathers, and I feel that this rule inspired my love for free riding, as I learned a new sense of independence that allowed me to explore the mountains in a way that was unique to me. The scenery that I had access to was enough to keep me wanting to explore them forever, but what I loved and continue to love most about it is the ultimate feeling of freedom that I am granted, because I am never bound to a singular path.

2. What does International Women's Day mean to you, and how does your passion for the mountains fit into that celebration?

When International Women’s Day comes around, I love to recognise all the achievements throughout history that have led to where we are as a society today, however it has never felt personal to me because I like to think of myself as a woman for the remaining 364 days as well. From this, I think this day has a special focus which highlights the power, independence and solidarity of all female skiers and boarders across the globe, and is nice to know that we are all celebrating each other together.

3. Can you describe a memorable day or moment on the mountain that really captured the spirit of free riding for you?

With the little powder that was left from the night before, my dad and I were enjoying our annual explore of the Saint Martin Valley, and after breaking up the dappled areas of sunlight through the trees, we came across a herd of Roe Deer that were peacefully grazing about 30ft away from us (I wasn’t lying when I said ‘little powder’), and began moving with us as we continued on.  This moment alone captured the spirit of free riding, which, for me, is the unpredictability of it. I mean this in the sense that you can never have the same experience twice, even if you have explored the same valley for years, and that is what I find so exciting and what sets it apart from every other style of skiing.

4. Have you encountered any challenges as a woman enjoying free riding, and how have you learned or grown from those experiences?

I have had to overcome being taken seriously when I express my passion for free riding, and not having people think I mean skiing in the areas of powder just outside of the piste markers. I feel there is a belief that young people cannot have the same enjoyment for free riding as those who are older and therefore are more ‘experienced’. At the start I used to believe this to be true, and always thought of myself as the anomaly for enjoying a sport that is dominated by males and those of older generations. As I have grown older, I have realised that not only can experience come at any age, but others’ opinions about something have come from their own personal experience, and not your own, so you should embrace what makes you happy.

5. How has being part of the free riding community, whether locally or through FreeRide Republic, enriched your overall experience in the mountains?

It is such a privilege to me to be able to have so many connections, not only in the free riding community, but in other styles of skiing and off the mountains as well. One of the things that I have always been so jealous of when my dad talks about his time skiing when he was my age, is the lifelong friendships that he made purely through the love of a sport. Don’t get me wrong, I love a solo ski, but having a community allows you to benefit from others’ discoveries, and explore areas of the mountains you didn’t know existed.

6. In your view, what unique contributions do recreational free riders bring to the mountain culture, especially for women?

I think that recreational free riders bring a more public view to free riding, as there is a sense of eagerness in all of us to explore every inch of the mountain, and get everything out of our turns as we can because we have limited time to do so. This therefore involves people ducking under lines to access the off-piste at every given opportunity, and I think that it is inspiring for me and hopefully other women to see this, as it sends the message that we can also push the boundaries sometimes in the simplest ways

7. What advice would you give to women who are curious about free riding but might feel hesitant to give it a try?

I think one of the simplest things that people forget when trying something new, is that everyone has to start somewhere, and it is important not to rush it. My dad always said to me ‘if you are not falling, you are not trying’, and I have always remembered that when trying something new, because I think that as people, we tend not to give ourselves any credit for stepping outside our comfort zones. I also believe that starting off in small doses is a lovely way to ease into free riding, as you are learning a new technique, and so it can be less overwhelming to do a short run rather than chucking yourself straight into the deep end. Having someone that you trust to help you is extremely beneficial in my opinion, as you want to feel comfortable and safe when trying something new, as it can lower those initial levels of hesitancy and make the process easier and calmer.

8. How do you balance the thrill of free riding with the importance of staying safe on the mountain?

A high mountain guide once said to me ‘the only thing you can predict about avalanches is that they are not predictable’, so I always go with the right kit that I have tested before, and more importantly, go with the people who know how to use it. When looking at the conditions, I try to bear in mind that I can come back another day, because in my view, whether you are guiding or being guided, everyone is responsible for each other, and you will always enjoy yourself more when not worried if you have made the right decision.

9. Who or what has been a significant source of support or inspiration on your free riding journey?

I have been extremely privileged to have been surrounded by so many inspiring and supportive individuals that have come into my life through this sport. I am inspired not only by those who have been skiing for far longer than I have, but by incredibly cool women close to my age who I watch get it wrong sometimes, but get back up and try again. I have always found that people in the free riding community are always so eager to help others, with no air of competition which I think is such a refreshing feeling outside of ‘real life’. Whilst International Women’s Day is about celebrating the power and strength that women hold in this community, I think it is vital to acknowledge the important influences in their lives that supported them to where they are today. For me, that is my dad, and whilst sometimes I want to whack him over the head with a pole as he reminds me of his mantra ‘no friends on powder day’ as he stands and watches me fight with my skis and poles in every direction to get back up after a tumble, I owe my love of free riding and every memorable moment that I have in this sport to him. He put me on my first pair of skis when I was 3, and I will be forever grateful to him for that.

10. What does your ideal day on the mountains look like, and what keeps drawing you back to this lifestyle?

Whilst I could rattle off all the perfect conditions that would make up my ideal day, like blue skies and a crisp wind, with gorgeous deep powder underfoot, I am going to be that annoying person and say that the people you are with make the difference. For me, I can walk out from a day where I have been showered in the elements and left with freezing hands and feet, and still have had the best day because I surround myself with free riders that find the humour in times like that, and make the most out of every situation. However my non-negotiables are a bolognese sandwich, and of course some mandatory chocolate in the closest pocket. What draws me back to this lifestyle is having the unique connections with nature and people that you aren’t able to experience anywhere else, over something as simple as sitting and looking over the top of an untouched valley, with the rolling hills of white snow before your eyes, and having a sense of pure joy and freedom in that moment.