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All month long we are celebrating the badass women who get out there in the world. We take pride in creating gear for women who share the goal to get outside, move, feel good and look good while doing it!
As an independent outerwear brand, Strafe wouldn't be where we are today without our the humans behind it. This month we'll highlight a few of our female ambassadors and employees on our Instagram account and blog. We asked them about their experiences as a woman competing/working/participating in the outdoor industry plus who and what their biggest influences are.
We're so grateful to have these strong women contributing to our brand and we're so excited to share their stories with you! #StrafeWomen
Strafe (S): Give us a brief background and history of your introduction and later career in the snowsports industry!
Pia (P): I'm from Sweden and pretty much everyone I knew growing up was into winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, hockey, you name it. Wanting to spend more time in the mountains after graduating, I moved to Aspen and just fell in love!
My first job was as a retail salesperson in a snowboard shop, and over the years I worked my way to become the head soft-goods buyer for the main ski-shop and resort operations in town.
About 10 years ago I decided to switch gears and get a job where I would use my schooling (I studied clothing design, construction, pattern making), and ended up landing a job in the design department of a larger brand here in town.
Fast forward a few years and I stopped by the Strafe office to see what they were up to. I knew a couple of the guys already and really liked their technical features and the great colors I'd seen on the mountain. Fortunately for me, they were looking for someone to take on their design and development and offered me a job pretty quickly. I've been at Strafe for a little over 5 years now and absolutely love it!
S: What's the difference in designing for women v. men?
P: I actually don't think there's a huge difference here at Strafe.. Our men's and women's products are almost identical when it comes to tech features and materials, I even use the majority of the color palette for both genders, with 2-3 women's specific colors mixed in each season. Fit is of course the biggest difference, I spend a lot of time working on that for both women's and men's products. We now also have a couple of unisex fit touring styles, which was a really fun project to work on!
S: What do you love about designing women's ski clothing?
P: My favorite part is hearing women talk about how our products make them feel when they wear them. The best compliment is when women say they didn't even think about the clothes while they're out there, haha! I also love the process of choosing the women's specific colors each season, and then seeing how our customers come up with their own unique combos.
S: What did you want to be when you grew up?
P: I told mom when I was around 6 that I was going to be a designer and I remember drawing lots of pretty figure skating and Disney princess dresses.. the passion for snow and mountain living came a little later but the creative drive was always there.
S: Who did you look up to as a female in the sport?
P: Growing up there were a couple of really great female Swedish ski racers that I looked up to, Pernilla Wiberg was one of them, Anja Parson... Currently I love watching Jamie Anderson and Chloe Kim snowboarding, just mind blowing to see the progression of women's snowboarding over the last 5-10 years.
S: In your opinion what impact have women had in snowsports?
P: I think no matter what, the snowsports world has always had great female role models and participants, and there's no question that women will continue to impact and grow their presence in this industry. I've worked in snowsports for a long time and even though I might've been the only female around in a lot of situations, I've never felt out of place. It might be predominately male right now, but I definitely see more and more females getting involved in all aspects of the industry, not just as athletes.
S: How have you seen the sport evolve for women over the past 10 years?
P: Like I said earlier, the progression over the last 10 years has exploded and women are getting more coverage and accolades. And women's gear has finally caught up to the guy's which is great! Personally I get really excited when I see women crushing it on the mountain, it inspires and motivates me to push myself, I think a lot of women feel that way.
S: What would you like to see for women in the snowsports industry?
P: My hope is that women thinking of a career in this industry won't be intimidated by what can seem like a complete bro-fest at times. I actually like to think of it as more progressive and forward thinking than many other fields, and to me it's always felt very inclusive, so yea, I hope our world will feel less intimidating for women as we move into the future.
S: Any advice to other women wanting to get involved in the outdoor community?
P: Just go for it! The outdoor community is full of passionate people sharing the same values and ideas, it's an awesome community to be a part of.
S: What's your favorite Strafe gear to ride in?
P: I recently got a Castle Jacket, it's a longer fit, insulated, and super warm! I really like that I only need a long-sleeve base layer underneath, keeps it simple. For pants I always wear the Scarlett bib, by far my favorite piece, they're lightweight and keeps the snow from getting in your pants if you take a tumble.
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Strafe (S): Jordie, give us a brief background and history of your career as a professional athlete.
Jordie (J): I grew up in Aspen Colorado and was a part of the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club until I graduated high school. I began competing when I was 8 years old in local events and ended up eventually climb- ing the ladder to compete in National and Regional events.
In 2011 they created a US Team for Slopestyle and I was invited to be a part of the team. I traveled around competing with the US team for a few years and unfortunately missed the 2014 US Olympic Team by two spots.
S: What was it like competing as a young woman in a male dominated sport?
J: Well, I guess if we take it all the way back to the beginning, growing up in Aspen as a female snowboarder there weren’t many females competing at my age. My older sister, who’s four and a half years older, was also snowboarding and competing along with a few other local names like Gretchen Bleiler. But really, I grew up riding with the boys.
My older brother was only 16 months older than me and so between my older brother and his friends, that’s who I grew up riding with. I was truly thrown into the mix with the boys and I have to say I do think that led to developing skills at a different rate than some other girls because I was being pushed all the time and I wanted to keep up with them. So, I was really immersed into this male-dominated culture pretty severely and I just adapted to it but there also just weren’t many females my age doing what I was doing.
Growing up around the boys was beneficial to becoming a better rider, faster.
S: How have you seen the sport evolve for women over the past 10 years?
J: One of the biggest changes has been to the competition courses because men and women compete together on the same course. Women always had smaller jumps made for them. They didn’t have to hit them, but I think it slowed the progression. Now in the larger events like XGames, there is just one jump for men and women to hit.
I think the pay has also equaled out. We definitely did not have equal pay back in the day.
Another example would be Burton’s unisex board that I ride. So, there are brands out there who are making boards that were originally for men but they're making them in a smaller female size and also tweaking the stiffness a little bit so that it’s a little more compatible to our lighter-weight bodies.
S: Who did you look up to as a female as a young athlete?
J: Gretchen Bleiler absolutely because she was also a local girl and she was a little bit older than me and had already accomplished a lot. And then of course there were other female riders like Victoria Jealouse and Kimmy Fasani, who was a really big inspiration for me.
S: What would you say to young females wanting to compete in this male dominated sport?
J: I mean if you love it stick with it, because there's so many important things that can be learned from the sport, whether that's just overcoming challenges or gaining new friendships. Traveling the world is a huge bonus and experiencing other cultures, too.
S: What would you like to see for women in the snowsports industry?
J: I love seeing women get after it whether in downhill skiing or snowboarding! And, I’d love to see women continue to encourage each other and to not come from a place of jealousy. We need to keep looking up to each other and supporting one another because that’s how we’re going to continue to evolve in these sports and encourage future generations to get involved.
S: What is your favorite Strafe gear to ride in?
J: I love the Scarlett Bib, Lynx Pullover and the Aero Insulator Pullover!
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Strafe (S): Give us a brief background and history of your introduction and later career in the snowsports industry!
Brooke (B): I didn't fall in love with skiing until later in life (25!), but started skiing every chance I got, trying to ski 90+ days a season. Soon I began working on different projects and lines in the backcountry.
At the tail end of my best ski season, I found out I was pregnant with my son! I was worried that skiing would mostly be over for me, but I had NO IDEA. I started introducing him to winter adventure when he was a few days old, and soon began working on different projects in the outdoor industry.
Now I work in the outdoor industry with brands like Nordica, GoPro, Thule, and Merrell to help invite families to take their adventure to the next level.
S: What did you want to be when you grew up?
B: When I was younger I thought I'd work as a researcher in science. I studied Neuroscience in school, and worked as a molecular biologist in human genetics before I worked in the outdoor industry. Being a mom wasn't on my radar, but now my life revolves around getting out to ski with my kids every chance we get!
S: Who did you look up to as a female in the sport?
B: Honestly, I STILL look up to my best friend, Caroline Gleich. She is always crushing the "norms", and invites others to set higher goals, both on the mountain and for the environment.
S: In your opinion what impact have women had in snowsports?
B: Because the ski industry is still very much a male dominated sport, women have become creative in bringing a deeper purpose to their skiing. I love seeing how many women use skiing to bring attention to social and global issues (like the environment or equality to name a few). I hope we continue to shine the spotlight on women and share their stories, goals, and projects in the ski industry!
S: How have you seen the sport evolve for women over the past 10 years?
B: Because I'm either skiing the resort with my kids (my youngest is 2!), or skiing the backcountry with my girlfriends, having a dynamic layering system is EVERYTHING.
S:What's your favorite Strafe gear to ride in?
B: My Scarlett bib pant is my go-to pair of pants, and I always pack my cirque puffy to add extra insulation as needed under my meadow jacket. This way I can play hard and stay warm and dry no matter the conditions!
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Strafe (S): Give us a brief background and history of your introduction and later career in the snowsports industry!
Meredith (M): I've been skiing since I was 2. There weren't many other girls to ski with my age so around the age of 10 started skiing with the boys who used me as the guinea big for all the kickers they built. I started to learn more and more tricks and from there began competing in big air comps. There were no girls categories at the time, so I competed with the boys and still did pretty well. My big air/slopestyle skiing transitioned towards big mountain skiing and comps when I moved to BC. Now I coach for the Whistler Freeride Club and my own camp Rippin Chix with Susan. It's cool because I never had a coach through any of it, so it's really rewarding to be able to share the things I've learnt along the way with those on a similar path or just wanting to get better and feel more confident/comfortable on skis in general.
S:What did you want to be when you grew up?
M: I wanted to be a pro skier. While it's not the way I had envisioned being a pro skier as a kid, I do get paid to ski, so I guess it qualifies in some sense of the meaning!
S:Who did you look up to as a female in the sport?
M: I was lucky enough to know Sarah Burke. She was a bit older than me, but we were both up and coming at the same time so it was impossible not to look up to her. Now, it's the young girls that I ski with every weekend that I look up to. Even though I'm coaching them, they are fearless and I am in awe every day watching them progress to levels beyond what I could have imagined for myself at their age!
S:In your opinion what impact have women had in snowsports?
M: So many ways. Female coaches, guides, athletes etc. act as inspiration and examples of what is attainable to younger girls and women. But more than anything I think women are impacting and growing the sport by showing up. Knowing your friends are out there and are having fun, it makes you want to have fun too and so the party grows a bit more every day!
S: How have you seen the sport evolve for women over the past 10 years?
M: This is more than 10 years ago, but when I was getting into it, women's categories at big air competitions didn't even exist because there weren't enough women to warrant having one, or they weren't considered good enough to be there. That's just one example. In the last 10 years, the level of skiing coming from female skiers is mind-blowing. There is more and more female representation in ski movies, magazine shots, high-level coaching roles, photographers, brand athletes etc. etc. I wouldn't say the playing field is even but it's definitely not just a boys club anymore. The gear has changed and improved so much. In the earlier days it was obvious that the outerwear I had was designed by a guy, it just didn't fit properly. I also used to ski in boots a size too big because the women's boots weren't stiff enough. So much is changing on so many levels and I think all these changes make it more and more inclusive and enticing to everyone.
S: What would you like to see for women in the snowsports industry?
M: Equal representation and pay of women at competitions, in photos, movies on teams etc. Changes are happening but I've never been on a trip where I wasn't the only girl.
S:What's your favorite Strafe gear to ride in?
M: Scarlett bib pant is by far my favorite Strafe gear. I keep them on LONG after I've gotten home from the mountain because they are just so comfortable.
S:Any advice to other women wanting to get involved in the outdoor community?
M: Don't be afraid to ask for help or guidance - you're not expected to know it all. But when you do, be kind, humble and approach with the perspective of establishing how you can help one another grow together.
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Strafe (S):What did you want to be when you grew up?
Susan Medville (SM): I wanted to be an action and adventure-based archeologist in the spirit of Indiana Jones. I also knew from a very young age that I wanted to live in the mountains.
S:Who did you look up to as a female in the sport?
SM: As I transitioned from ski racing to freeskiing I was inspired and pushed by the women I encountered skiing around Crested Butte, CO- Alison Gannett, Jill-Sickels Matlock, Kim Reichhelm and Wendy Fisher. As I was competing it was the women who I traveled with and skied with that became my inspiration to improve. Now it is my friends I get to ski with most of who have careers outside of the snowsports world, yet charging is a foundational part of who they are. I also gain a ton of inspiration from the women I coach because I admire their drive to improve and the commitment to work to do it.
S:In your opinion what impact have women had in snowsports?
SM: I think women have brought innovation, creativity and humility to snowsports. We bring new ideas on how gear should function and look. As more of us gain experience we are willing to share it and mentor others creating space in snowsports for all types of people.
S:How have you seen the sport evolve for women over the past 10 years?
SM: Women have become more visible in every level of snowsports. On the professional level you see more patrollers, guides, coaches, photographers and athletes. You see it on a recreational level too, more women participating in all aspects of snowsports from resorts to the backcountry.
I think that there was a lot of talent ten years ago and even farther back but there was little opportunity for it to be seen or heard. Snowsports companies are now more willing to work with a wider variety of women and have gained an understanding that the time has passed for a token team female. Social media and other opportunities to document and share our adventures is becoming more accessible and has helped level the playing field in some ways too.
S:What would you like to see for women in the snowsports industry?
SM: I want women to get rid of any inkling that they do not belong in snowsports. There should be no reason for anyone to be excluded, being female does not create any physical barriers for excelling in snowsports. The only barrier is outdated societal expectations and I’d like to see those continued to be smashed down.
We need more winter sports instagram feeds with photos of women charging and showcasing the things that inspire them in this world and way fewer photos of them trying to look pretty for the camera.
I’d like to see the continuation of numerous women taking on the creation of photos, film and articles and the increased inclusion in projects that they are not driving.
I want to see the very best of both hard goods and soft goods be available to people of all shapes and sizes.
I think that it is fantastic that there is now equal prize money for men and women on the Freeride World Tour, however, I would like to see an equal number starting spots too currently there are nearly double the number of men on the start roster.
S:What is your favorite Strafe gear to ride in?
SM: I’m loving the Scarlett Bib and the Lynx Pullover. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a non-bib ski pant.
S:Any advice to other women wanting to get involved in the outdoor community?
SM: Dive in even if you feel intimidated, you are going to find joy in being outside that will outweigh your reservations. You will be surprised that there are so many people that will welcome you. Take a course that looks appealing to you that will help you with the basics, to refine your skills or to learn something completely new. Remember that you are getting involved because it looks fun and exciting so revel in that when you are out there even if it feels awkward at first!
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Strafe (S):Brief background history:
Rian (R): I grew up skiing Bridger Bowl in Montana. My mom was a ripping tele skier and I learned how to ski following her around the mountain. My mom and I shared a mutual love of the moguls, which led me to compete in mogul skiing until 2018 when I made the switch to big mountain skiing. I now enjoy using my “mogul toolbox” in the big mountain ski scene. I think mogul skiing teaches amazing fundamental skills that carry over very well into the backcountry and more technical terrain.
S: What did you want to be when you grew up?
R: Since a young age I have been a passionate writer. As a recent college graduate with a degree in Communication, I hope to use this passion to tell stories of my adventures in the mountains. I want to inspire others to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the natural world.
S: Who did you look up to as a female in the sport?
R: In moguls, I looked up to Heather McPhie. She is a fellow Montanan and during her time on the World Cup circuit, she pushed the sport as the first woman to compete a back full and a d-spin in the same run.
In the big mountain scene I look up to Tatum Monod and The Blondes. They incorporate tricks such as backflips, 360s, and flat spins into their skiing. I am so inspired by women throwing tricks in the backcountry. I want to see women skiing progress and these girls are doing exactly that!
S: What impacts have women had in snow sports?
R: In recent years, I have seen so many women pushing the sport by skiing bigger lines and throwing bigger tricks. Progression for ALL women starts with one female pushing the limits. When I first watched Tatum Monod throwing massive backflips off of natural features, I felt inspired that I could do the same. It creates a chain effect of women inspiring each other to ski harder and do things they didn’t realize they were capable of.
S: How have you seen the sport evolve for women in the past 10 years?
R: In the past 10 years, women’s skiing has progressed exponentially. I am most excited to see women progressing freestyle tricks in the big mountain scene. Skiing around my home mountain, Snowbird, it is not uncommon to find women hucking backflips and 360s. The community of women in skiing is progressing together. It is so empowering to improve and progress together.
S: What would you like to see for women in the snow sports industry?
R: I would like to see more opportunities for women in the film and photo scene. I think the hottest topic in skiing right now is women’s progression. I want to see that progression highlighted in ski movies and ski photography. The more we can display women shredding, the more young females will be inspired to keep pushing the sport.
S: What is your favorite Strafe gear to ski in?
R: I am a big fan of the Sickbird suit. The onesie feels so retro and fun. It is also super warm. It makes me feel confident and comfortable.
S: Advice for other women wanting to get involved in the outdoor community?
R: Don’t be afraid to reach out to other women who inspire you! Ask other women to go skiing with you. Even though it might feel scary to reach out to someone you look up to, the most likely thing that will happen is they will be stoked to get out with you and help you progress. The dynamic of women in skiing is very progressive. Women are building each other up. Don’t be afraid to be on the front lines of the change and build a community of support and love.
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Strafe (S): Give us a brief background and history of your introduction and later career in the snowsports industry!
Evelyn (E): My dad and mom put me on skis as I was learning how to walk. I grew up in Basalt so I got to ski once to twice a week, if that growing up. When I moved up to Aspen later on, I really started to ski my sophomore year of highschool. I was pushed to become a better skier every day when I skied with my group of absolute badass skier boys. As I kept skiing, I pushed myself to learn new things and ski harder runs. Now, I am looking forward to pursuing skiing for the rest of my life!
S: What did you want to be when you grew up?
E: I never had my mind set on anything growing up. I just went with what I liked and thought maybe I could continue that. So soccer (wanting to go pro) for a little when I was younger. Then when I got into skiing that was it. I wanted to ski, travel, be sponsored, and meet new people along the way that would push me to be better. So far it's going pretty well!
S: Who did you look up to as a female in the sport?
E: I looked up to Alex Morgan with soccer and her commitment and perseverance to continue on in a sport and be the best player she could be. Recently, I have been looking up to Kajsa Larsson in the ski industry. She started freeskiing later on in life and fell in love with it, became sponsored, met amazing people, and is now traveling and shooting for ski companies all over the world.
S: In your opinion what impact have women had in snowsports?
E: I think women have impacted snowsports in a very positive way. They have opened the door for so many athletes wanting to pursue skiing, snowboarding, etc. I love looking up to women with positive attitudes and the boost of confidence they have when doing what they love. It has allowed me to look up to so many women and aspire to be like them and realize how much happier I am doing what I love with positive, amazing, badass women surrounding me.
S: How have you seen the sport evolve for women over the past 10 years?
E: From the formation of the National Women's soccer league in 2012, to the inclusivity of women in almost all sports now, women have pushed and pushed to get to this point and it shows. Women have worked so hard to promote themselves in previously male-dominated sports, that now, especially in the past few years, there has been a spike of women in many different sports all over the world.
S: What would you like to see for women in the snowsports industry?
E: I would love to see more women push themselves and try new things in the ski industry. I realized last year that its not as hard as I thought it was to just send it haha. I love seeing women try new things and gain more confidence in the ski industry.
S: What's your favorite Strafe gear to ride in?
E: I switch between the Stealth Camo Meadow jacket and the Turmeric Lynx Pullover and always wear the Stealth Camo Scarlett Bib Pant. The bibs are by far my favorite piece of strafe gear to ride in.
S: Any advice to other women wanting to get involved in the outdoor community?
E: Do it!! You’ll never regret getting outside and doing something. If it's a walk, run, hike, or ski, you can always make it fun. My best memories are all in the outdoors and I have gained such a love for the outdoors over the years and am so thankful for it. Push yourself to do new things and learn how to love being outside! You won’t regret it!
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Strafe (S): What did you want to be when you grew up?
Laura (L): When I was little I knew I wanted to be a "raft-guide and a ski-instructor" when I grew up because that's what my older brother was. Now that I am older and have done both of these things I am just trying my best not to grow up.
S: Who did you look up to as a female in the sport?
L: I grew up ski racing so when I was really little female racers were my idols. A Picabo Street poster hung on my wall ever since I could remember and I think one of my first essays ever was about her. As I shifted from racing to big mountain skiing I looked up to new athletes, one who was pivotal in carrying my passion for skiing from racing to big mountain was my sister-in-law Jamie Britt. She competed in big mountain and won pretty much every comp she entered, even beating the boys sometimes. I remember following her around the mountain and realizing I wanted to be just like her.
S: In your opinion what impact have women had in snowsports?
L: I think the impact women have had in snowsports is immeasurable. I just think that women tend to be more thoughtful and empathetic and we are able to bring a much more well-rounded perspective to the industry. In the past snowsports have been so male dominated I think it got stuck in that mindset and way of doing things, but as more women have come to the forefront of the industry athletes and companies are starting to see things differently. This has had an impact not only on what professional athletes are capable of, but what the experience of being outside and sliding on snow is like for everyone that straps a wooden plank to their feet.
S: Have you seen the sport evolve for women over the past 10 years?
L: It has been really cool to watch how much skiing has evolved for women in the past 10 years. When I was really little there were just a few females highlighted in the industry, and even just those few were really important to inspiring me as a young girl to want to do the same things. Now, as more and more women are gaining recognition it has had a snowball effect that inspires even more women to push themselves and believe they can do those things. With the support and encouragement from the industry and each other it has been amazing to watch what women are capable of on snow that 10 years ago no one would have ever believed would be done. I believe that capability was always there, women just didn't have the support from the industry, each other, or even themselves to know we could do it.
S: What would you like to see for women in the snowsports industry?
L: I don't think it is that crazy to hope for a time when women are as valued as men in the snowsports industry. I think as a community, though, we need to shift what we value in general. I think it needs to be more about lifting each other up no matter what gender, race, economic status, able-bodiedness or background we come from. We need to put more value in the experiences we share together than just who did the coolest trick, skied the raddest line or has the nicest new gear. Don't get me wrong, these things are important to celebrate and are inherent to pushing the limits of what humans are capable of on snow, but the more value we put on showing each other we can do this together, the more we will be able to push our limits on snow.
S: What's your favorite Strafe gear to ride in?
L: The Scarlet Bibs changed my life this year.. okay maybe that's an exaggeration but seriously everything is so much more comfortable and functional. It was a deep February here in Jackson and they helped keep me dry on the way down (I'd be lying if I said I never hot-tubbed a time or two) and move so well on the skin track on the way back up for another lap.
S: Any advice to other women wanting to get involved in the outdoor community?
L: Be nice to yourself. Be willing to feel silly. Be willing to fall, to not be perfect. I think as an adult and as a woman- especially when we are trying new things, and especially in the outdoor community, we feel like we can't try something new in fear of holding someone back or not being good at it right away. But the truth is no one is good at something the first time they try it! I think women can often be too hard on themselves because we've made up all of these extra pressures of needing to keep up with the boys or look cool, but if we can be as kind to ourselves as we would be to our sisters and friends, we could really do incredible things.
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Strafe (S): Give us a brief background and history of your introduction and later career in the snowsports industry!
Katy (K): I started skiing before I could walk, and haven't missed a season yet. While I used to compete as a ski racer in FIS and on the DIV 1 NCAA circuit, I have shifted my focus to backcountry and freeskiing over the last several years. Ski racing and being a part of the mountain community has given me almost all of my best friends.
S: What did you want to be when you grew up?
K: Growing up I spent every weekend (and many weekdays) racing down Mad River, a small, ungroomed, low-maintenance ski area in Vermont. My dad is a ski patroller there, so being at the mountain all the time was just part of life, and for me quickly transitioned into a mode of freedom for me, ripping around the bumps and trees as fast as possible with my friends. This love of speed transitioned into ski racing for me, and my goal of all goals was to become an Olympic Gold Medalist.
S: Who did you look up to as a female in the sport?
K: My bedroom walls were plastered with posters of Picabo Street, Bode Miller, and Tommy Moe.
S: In your opinion what impact have women had in snowsports?
K: I think women seeing women perform in sports allows them to feel a confidence and strength that carries into work and personal life. I also believe seeing more and more strong, capable, athletic women plays a huge role in how men view and value women. Women in snowsports have created a much more equal playing field overall.
S: How have you seen the sport evolve for women over the past 10 years?
K: I have definitely seen a huge transition. 10 years ago going skiing with the fast boys was much more of a rarity, a lucky invitation. Now men invite and look forward to skiing and riding with women, because they can go fast and go hard, and because they bring a different viewpoint to the discussions.
S: What would you like to see for women in the snowsports industry?
K: I would love to see this feeling of equality and equal admiration continue to grow, and I think that's a guarantee as more women enter the snowsports industry. I hope for women to build confidence and courage in their riding styles; this will grow the sport in huge ways.
S: What's your favorite Strafe gear to ride in?
K: The Scarlett Bib Pant, Meadow Jacket, and Alpha Hooded Insulator
S: Any advice to other women wanting to get involved in the outdoor community?
K: Say YES! I've found my biggest moments of growth in skiing have been when I have said yes to an invitation, or made a plan that made me feel a little bit out of my comfort zone. "Am I ready for this? Will I be able to keep up? Will I contribute in a positive way?" The answer has always been yes but it doesn’t mean these feelings of self doubt disappear! I hope that with more females entering the snowsports industry overall, our moments of doubting our place and value to the sport will diminish.
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Strafe (S): Give us a brief background and history of your introduction and later career in the snowsports industry!
Tamara (T): I grew up in Serbia, and I started my photography career in the music industry. After I moved to Aspen, it was only natural to switch to shooting snow sports.
S: What did you want to be when you grew up?
T: I was always into arts growing up, but I ended up studying languages. I was gifted my first camera at 20 years old and I got my first photography job within months. I’ve been a full time photographer ever since.
S: Who did you look up to as a female in sports photography?
T: Sadly, there are not many women in adventure sports photography, but the ones that are out there are definitely pushing the boundaries. Kristle Wright and Taylor Rees are just a few of the names I look up to. Dasha Nosova has been crushing snowboarding photography!
S: How have you seen sports photography evolve for women over the past 10 years?
T: I’m seeing more female photographers at sports events which is quite refreshing, and adds a different angle of documenting things. It is still a heavily male dominated industry and I hope to see it continue to change.
S: What would you like to see for women in the snowsports industry?
T: More women shooting women! Female skiers and snowboarders are finally putting all girls' edits out, but they are filmed completely by male crews.
S: What's your favorite Strafe gear to ride in?
T: My Aspen Camo Lynx Pullover is stylish for the freeride days and blends in perfectly with the scenery for when I’m trying not to stand out while shooting events :)
S: Any advice to other women wanting to get involved in the outdoor community?
T: Get out there and shoot! Grab your friends on a powder day and create content! The only way we can find equality in the industry is if we are actively showing that we can do it!
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Thank you #StrafeWomen for sharing your stories in helping us celebrate Women's History Month! You are strong, bold, brave, and inspiring to everyone around you. Let's be grateful for all women empowering each other to be the best versions of ourselves! Please join us in celebrating her and you by tagging #StrafeWomen.
