Sending the Right Message: We Belong Here

Recent sunny days at Woodward Killington in February, and Woodward Eldora in March provided the perfect backdrop for over 60 women to come together with a shared message: we belong here.

Led by Park Affair and hosted by POWDR + Woodward at its Eldora and Killington resorts, snowboarding events for women of all ages and abilities created an opportunity for skill development and shared fun. It also served the greater purpose of encouraging women to dive into an outdoor lifestyle and help build an even larger community of women inspiring women to be confident both in and out of the park.

Park Affair is a women-led organization with a mission of encouraging women to go beyond their comfort zone on and off the slopes. The partnership with POWDR, an outdoor adventure lifestyle company, and Woodward, who is on mission to inspire the next generation of action sports, underscores the commitment by both organizations to creating supportive environments for women in the adventure recreation space. We recognize that historically, women and minorities have not felt included in the outdoor lifestyle because of messages and practices that make them feel as if they don't belong. Together, we're working to change that because the truth is far from that perception.

Inclusion begins with breaking down the belief that "you can't be what you can't see." Historically excluded groups are up against years of images, marketing, social pressure, and exclusionary barriers that keep them from feeling as though they should be enjoying all of what the outdoors has to offer. By bringing women together for events like our Park Affair snowboard camps, we're helping more women to feel and see themselves as part of a community of outdoor enthusiasts.

Making more people feel included in the outdoor lifestyle also means making outdoor adventure more accessible. Even if people live far from the mountains, they should not feel out of sight or out of mind. That's why we're going to create more opportunities for everyone to get out and enjoy the outdoors - regardless of the sport.

We are grateful for the opportunity to work together on our shared mission to make people feel like they belong on the slopes and outdoors. This is just the start of our efforts to change the way women see themselves in the outdoors and beyond. Together, we can raise awareness for the many opportunities for women in the outdoors and create a supportive space to build a community of women inspiring women for generations to come.