Meet the inspirations
Professional skier and director of Girls Do Ski, Leah Evans, started Girls Do Ski fourteen years ago to gather women⁺ skiers and create a community. Thanks to Leah’s vision and drive, GDS helps ladies improve their technical skills, build confidence, break down and conquer mental barriers on the slopes and develop self-awareness all while creating relationships with other females to get out there and ski with!
Girls Do Ski is proud to welcome the leading ladies of freeskiing as our camp coaches and ACMG ski guides. On and off skis, these athletes are remarkable women⁺ – together they are a dominating force in the female ski industry. From appearances in ski media, big backcountry expeditions, and podium finishes in international free-skiing competitions, these women⁺ are leading the charge.
We find that the type of people who push themselves to excellency in their sport also push themselves in all other arenas of their lives. Our coaches and guides are generating change in their communities by starting non-profit organizations, developing creative fundraising projects, leading youth organizations, and gracefully transforming the world.
Leah Evans she/her
Leah is the founder of Girls Do Ski. As a passionate and professional skier herself, her dream was to get more female skiers on the slopes and connect those already out there. Leah continuously strives to get out into the mountains and help others do the same.
Carmanah Minions she/her Carmanah is the administrator for Girls Do Ski. Carma grew up skiing in the Canadian Rockies, and has chased her love of snow all around the world in the Kootenays, Japan, and New Zealand. She now calls Revelstoke home year-round. When she’s not out touring or answering your emails, she’s probably planning her next thru hike.
Sydney Badger she/her
Sydney loves helping skiers feel more confident on the mountain. She is a big believer in understanding the ‘why’ behind technique, and supports student athletes through an embodied approach to their mental game. Syd is a Level 3 CSIA instructor, a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner in training, and soon-to-be Psychotherapist. Her passion for coaching runs deep!
Madeleine Martin-Preney she/her
Madeleine strives to continuously pursue an outgoing lifestyle through mountaineering, guiding and adventuring in the backcountry. Madeleine is an ACMG ski and hiking guide and is committed to exploration and adventure, personal growth and positive connections with people and the natural landscape. We are so excited to have Girls Do Ski included as part of Madeleine’s outdoor life.
Emelie Stenberg she/her
Emelie follows her passion for the mountains wherever she goes. Originally from Sweden, Emelie traveled to Canada to experience BC powder skiing and was immediately hooked. She has since completed her Adventure Guide Diploma, Bachelor of Tourism Management and ACMG Ski Guide Certification. With patience, knowledge and a vigour for the outdoors, Emelie is one of the best to guide you through the mountains in search of outdoor, winter filled adventures. We are lucky to work with amazing women like Emelie Stenberg.
Cecelia Mortensen she/her
Out of the twenty years Cecelia has been exploring mountains, fifteen of those years have been guiding explorations. Cecelia’s passion and enthusiasm for the mountains is addicting. She is one of twenty women in North America with her full Mountain Guide certification and is also a certified IFMGA guide. Cecelia has the knowledge and experience to help you achieve your backcountry goals. Cecelia’s enthusiasm only adds to the Girls Do Ski team.
Rachel Sloan she/her
Rachel grew up ski racing in the Okanagan. The transition from spandex to ski pants lead her to Revelstoke. She spent 4 years patrolling at RMR resort before making the transition into woodworking, which she does now in Canmore.
Jessica Leahey she/her
Jess is a Girls Do Ski coach and a full time artist and illustrator living in Revelstoke, BC. Jess loves skiing. Everything about it… the activity, the culture and the people.
Megan Harvey she/her
Originally from Ontario, Megan grew up sliding down the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment. As a former ski racer wanting to explore other aspects of the sport, Megan moved to Revelstoke and quickly found big terrain, deep pow and a sense of belonging in the Girls Do Ski community. She strives to stay curious and playful on the mountain and is stoked to help others build their skills and confidence this winter.
Zoe Hendrickson Marchand she/her
Originally from The States, Zoe moved north eight years ago and hasn’t looked back. She calls Revelstoke, BC, home. She has been working in the guiding industry since 2016 and is an apprentice ski guide through the ACMG. When Zoe isn’t in the mountains skiing and climbing, you will find her with her son, Rylan.
Melanie Mclean she/her
Melanie has called Golden, BC home for the last 12 years and she is now working as an ACMG apprentice ski guide.
Whether it’s skiing, running, biking or climbing, movement and interacting with the outdoors is top priority. The mountains provide constant opportunity for learning and personal growth. Being a part of Girls Do Ski will help her share her knowledge and passion while learning more along the way!
Shannon Werner she/her
As soon as Shannon could walk she was on skis. Shannon grew up in Lake Louise and has lived in Revelstoke for the past 13 years. She strives to explore new places, stay true to old ones and continues to learn and respect the mountain environment. Working as an ACMG Ski Guide and an Avalanche Forecaster allows Shannon to spread knowledge and share her passions and enthusiastic mountain attitude with others.
Kendra Hicks she/her
Kendra grew up in Canmore, AB, ski racing both cross-country and downhill. When she discovered there was such a thing as "ski touring," combining the up and down, it was all over. Kendra became an ACMG Apprentice Ski Guide in 2020. Female role models were essential to her journey and that's why she enjoys days in the mountains shredding with girls of all levels. In her spare time, she enjoys making art and memes.
Haley Wright she/her
Haley moved from Ontario to Fernie in 2012 to do the Mountain Adventure skills training program at College of the Rockies. After this program she went on to raft guide for 10 years on the Elk and Kicking Horse River's while working on becoming an ACMG Ski Guide. Haley’s passion and “why” for becoming a guide is to show herself and others that we can push past what we once thought was possible and prove to ourselves that we are capable and strong. Haley is now an ACMG Ski Guide. She loves her golden retriever named Fish and is excited about all things CrossFit as well as staying strong for life !
Zoe Ryan she/her
Zoe grew up skiing in the Rockies and has loved spending time in the mountains from a young age. She enjoys the authentic connections and pure joy that come from shared experiences in the mountains. Zoe works as a public avalanche forecaster and apprentice ski guide and is lucky to call Revelstoke, BC home.
Sarah Snowsell she/her
Sarah is an ACMG Apprentice Ski guide and Hiking guide living in Revelstoke, BC. Originally from Canmore, the days are full with attempting to balance ski guiding and family life, along with her husband and two young children, Nino (1) and Fernly (4). Originally a biathlete, Sarah competed at the 2010 Olympics representing New Zealand, before changing paths to be a ski guide.
Evian Rowlands, she/her
Evian grew up in northern BC and has called Revelstoke home for the past 10 years. Her love for skiing began early—having grown up as a ski racer, she developed a soft spot for wide-open slopes, speed, and big GS turns.
As a passionate ski tourer and an ACMG Apprentice Ski Guide, Evian loves sharing the joy of skiing with other women. Whether it’s a big backcountry mission or a quick lap in the slack country, she’s always up for the adventure.
In the off-season, you might find her working as a paramedic on the ambulance or out in the mountains, finding new ways to bring her dog (Boots) along for the ride.
What brings Evian the most joy? Spending time outside in creation, whether it’s skiing, biking, running, or simply being outdoors with her dog and husband by her side.
Natalie Segal she/her
Nat Segal is a professional skier and film producer based in Revelstoke. She began her career competing in moguls in Australia and spent six year competing on both the Freeride and Freeskiing World Tours while based out of the USA and Chamonix Mont-Blanc. In 2018 she co-produced 'Finding The Line' a documentary film that explores fear and risk through skiing. She has five years experience coaching freeride and freestyle skiing. She loves skiing with other chicks!
Celine Rytz she/her
Celine grew up as a ski racer with a need for speed. Her career brought her around the world to many beautiful places but once she retired her spandex and skinny skis, she knew there would be no better place to continue her passion for skiing than Revelstoke. Celine is a ski patroller at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and spends every day outdoors playing in the snow with her friends - something her 5-year-old self would be very stoked to know about her future “grown-up" life.