For the past four years, Laura Price has managed coaching sessions run by women, for women.

Big White has put on Park Chic to get women skiers and boarders more comfortable breaking into the sport, using all female instructors.

害羞草研究所淔or me personally, parks always seem like a scary place and it害羞草研究所檚 a way to get girls over the hurdle and get the girls confident,害羞草研究所� said Price. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a fun way to get involved, and have fun, and also form some friendship groups.害羞草研究所�

The two hour coaching sessions are Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons and come in at a reasonable $74. Price said the interests have been increasing every year.

害羞草研究所淟ast year was a big turnout with a 200 per cent increase from the year before. We害羞草研究所檝e added boarders recently and we害羞草研究所檝e had people come back again and again,害羞草研究所� said Price.

害羞草研究所淲e had to add the second day because of how busy it got. We have nine coaches that help with the program now.害羞草研究所�

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Skiers and boarders over the age of 10 are welcome to Park Chics, and the coaches are set up to handle all skill levels. Price stresses that, besides giving instructions to enthusiastic riders, Park Chics is also a social and empowering opportunity.

害羞草研究所淭he park is an area of the mountain that once seemed scary to me, it is now a never ending source of fun,害羞草研究所� said Park Chic participant Nina Bozas. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 the perfect place to meet like minded girls and, under the close guidance of the coaches, to push ourselves and each other to learn a whole new aspect of skiing and/or snowboarding.害羞草研究所�

When Price got involved in skiing, there wasn害羞草研究所檛 as much push or drive to get females involved in any of the sports.

害羞草研究所淚t was something that I would have wanted when I first started,害羞草研究所� said Price. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檇 like to see it become a little community, where (riders) can meet some likeminded females, form friendships, and be social. Taking the first steps into the park is (tough), but we害羞草研究所檝e had positive feedback and getting more (opportunities for the program) is not out of the question.害羞草研究所�

The slopes can be an intimidating place for young riders and for people who may feel like they don害羞草研究所檛 fit in. Park Chics is a simple solution to these factors: allowing women of all ages and skills a little social support to get confidence for riding down a snowy mountain.

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