My favorite thing I’ve ever written at Freeskier.

I have been employed at Freeskier for what is going on four years. In that time I have been an Editorial Intern, Assistant Art Director, Associate Editor, Sales Executive and Special Projects Editor.

I have designed some really fun things including the Ten-Year Anniversary piece in issue volume 10, issue 4 and the Road Trip feature in volume 10, issue 2. I have written some interesting pieces including the same Ten-Year Anniversary piece and the Two Strokes and Curling Irons piece in volume 11, issue 3. I have planned parties, ski tests and organized numerous buyer’s guides and — my labor of love — two Women’s Annuals.

But the singular thing I am the most proud of and the most happy to have been a part of is the Paving the Way piece that ran in the volume 13, issue 3 Women’s Annual.

I was able to interview seven extremely influential women in the ski industry. Suzy “Chapstick” Chaffee, Kim Reichhelm, Kristen Ulmer, Wendy Fisher, Ingrid Backstrom, Kristi Leskinen and Sarah Burke.

Here is the piece as it appeared in the most recent Women’s Annual. Volume 13, issue 3.

PAVING THE WAY

Seven Women Who Changed the Face of Women’s Freeskiing

Suzy Chaffee was allowed to be a member of the Denver University Ski Team, but wasn’t allowed to ride in the team van to practice because she couldn’t pass a male physical. Wendy Fisher put up with traveling with only men for years for the sake of a movie part. Kristi Leskinen and Sarah Burke used to forerun boys events just to get a chance to hit the same jumps.

The seven women on the following pages — from the very first freestyle ballet skiers to the X Games sweethearts we all know — have faced the challenges of being a girl in an industry that is well known for being a boys club. Without them, the landscape of women’s skiing wouldn’t be what it is today.

Click on each image to read the interview.