Global Women in Snowsports Summit Holds Inaugural Landmark Event in Kaprun, Austria
The inaugural World Women’s Snowsport Organization Summit will take place at Kitzsteinhorn-Kaprun Glacier Ski Area in Kaprun, Austria, April 20-25, 2025. The World Women’s Snowsport Organization (WWSO) will bring together skiers, snowboarders, coaches, instructors, patrollers, organizations, professional athletes, and more from around the globe for a weeklong event led by an elite global coaching staff, key researchers on women in snowsports, and gear experts.
Activities include on-snow and indoor sessions, a live broadcast panel titled “The Future for Women in Snowsports,” international women’s workgroup meetings, and presentations covering new research and programming by internationally-diverse speakers. Additionally, a ski factory tour, ski demos, and data collection to innovate future technology and educational resources that address women’s needs are included in the activities.
According to demographic research published in the Spring 2021 edition of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Journal, U.S. ski industry visits by women have only fluctuated by 3 percentage points over the past 24 years. In almost three decades, women’s participation in snowsports has remained stagnant. To address this gender gap and effect change, the WWSO aims to increase women’s participation and impact both recruitment and retention of professionals into leadership positions across all aspects of the snowsports industry.
The WWSO was founded by a powerhouse of women who each bring an extraordinary level of industry-wide expertise and an unwavering passion for supporting women in snowsports. The founders include Chris Walch, Brenna Kelleher, Christine Feehan, Heidi Ettlinger, Katja Wolfram, Liz Craig, and Susie Lee Morris. For bio information on the founders, visit https://wwso.pro/team/.
The Global Women in Snowports Summit serves to establish a sustainable and impactful organization, laying the groundwork for strategic planning and developing the WWSO as a leading voice for women in the industry. To connect with the WWSO about collaborations on future projects, contact info@wwso.pro. At the heart of these new partnerships is the capacity to welcome worldwide teamwork to shape the future of women in snowsports. For detailed information about the World Women’s Snowsports Organization or to register for the inaugural summit, visit: WWSO.PRO.
