The energy at Whitewater Ski Resort in Nelson, BC was electric as some of the world's most talented female snowboarders gathered for another edition of R&D. Pro rider Darrah Reid took over the interview chair to dive deep with the competitors, uncovering their stories, setups, and what drives them to push the boundaries of backcountry snowboarding.
From Midwest Moguls to Big Mountain Lines
Marissa Kroszac's journey from Michigan's Nub's Knob to the steep terrain of Nelson exemplifies the evolution many riders experience. Growing up riding modest Midwest hills, her first taste of backcountry came from "just a couple of turns down to the river" in Michigan - enough to ignite a passion that would eventually lead her to the technical terrain of R&D.
Riding the Jones Howler 158 with Mercury bindings, Kroszac focuses on finding quality landings rather than chasing the biggest airs. Her approach emphasizes smooth transitions and manageable exposure over death-defying cliffs. "I'm looking for good landings, nice steep terrain," she explained. "I don't really need to have a lot of exposure as far as being over crazy death cliffs. I just like to keep it moving, keep it relatively simple."
Her backcountry fuel of choice? Sour Patch Kids and cheese - a combination she discovered provides the perfect energy boost for long mountain days.
Local Knowledge and Big Air Ambitions
Eva Vanvut brings intimate knowledge of Whitewater's terrain, having grown up riding nearby Troll Mountain before making Nelson her home base. At just 5'1¾", she pilots a Jones Stratos 149 with asteroid bindings, but her diminutive stature doesn't limit her ambitions.
Vanvut made headlines the previous year with a massive cliff drop that surprised even her with its airtime. "I get like it's probably the most air time I've ever had," she reflected. "So yeah, like a lot of time to think in the air. I was like, 'Whoa, this is so weird. I'm still here.'"
Her approach to managing fear is refreshingly pragmatic: recognize the commitment once you're in position. "When you're already in that position where you're scared, you're already committed," she noted. "So maybe recognizing that like I'm here now, I need to get down."
International Perspectives and Olympic Experience
The global nature of women's snowboarding was evident in the diverse backgrounds of competitors. Yuka Fujimi traveled from Japan via Italy, celebrating her daughter's second birthday in a whirlwind journey that included an eight-hour airport delay in Vancouver and a seven-hour drive to Nelson.
Riding a Burton Hometown Hero 148, Fujimi brings a straightforward approach to powder riding, favoring indie grabs and back threes. Despite hitting a tree on her first day, she maintained her characteristic positive attitude about the challenging conditions.
From Finland, Annie Rukay represents the European contingent transitioning from Olympic-level slopestyle to backcountry terrain. Her background in cross-country skiing proves advantageous for splitboard touring in Norway's helicopter-free zones. "I really like splitboarding," she explained. "I also did some cross-country skiing when I was a kid, so that helps."
The New Generation of Versatile Riders
Several competitors embody the modern trend of versatility across snowboarding disciplines. Egan Wint seamlessly transitions between street rails and backcountry doubles, viewing her multi-terrain approach as an advantage. "I think it's really cool to be able to be an ATV and step to anything and hold my own with the people that so-called specialized in it," she said.
Her setup reflects this versatility - a 146 Dosey Do from Armada for powder days and a 144 Cold Press for park and street sessions. She adjusts her Union Ultra bindings from 6/-6 for rails to 9/-6 for powder, accommodating the different demands of each discipline.
Katie Kennedy brings a unique perspective as both a professional rider and digital marketing professional for Slash Magazine. Her journey from New Jersey's shore to Utah's mountains included an unconventional sponsorship path, securing outerwear deals before landing her coveted shop sponsor with Tribute Board Shop at age 29.
Technical Innovation and Setup Philosophy
The equipment choices revealed interesting trends in modern backcountry snowboarding. Many riders favoured shorter, more maneuverable boards than traditional powder wisdom might suggest. Stephie Luxton's approach of using one board - the Dosey Do 150 - for everything from powder to park demonstrates the evolution of snowboard design.
Ellery Manning's choice of a 156 Permanent Vacation carbon model from 32 Snowboards shows the growing acceptance of gender-neutral equipment. "I think you'd like it," she noted about the brand's approach to board design that works regardless of rider gender.
Several competitors emphasized the importance of finding proper landings over seeking maximum air. This philosophy reflects a maturing approach to backcountry freestyle that prioritizes longevity and progression over pure spectacle.
The Mental Game and Community Support
Managing fear and intimidation emerged as a common theme throughout the interviews. Ellie Wiler's approach at Jackson Hole's King and Queen of Corbet's exemplifies healthy mindset management: "I told myself at the top that this is snowboarding. Snowboarding is supposed to be fun."
The importance of crew and community resonated across all conversations. As Audrey Don explained, "Crew is very important. I feel like it's crucial. We hype each other up and everyone's got different angles on everything."
This sentiment was echoed by competitors who emphasized how R&D provides a unique opportunity for female snowboarders to connect, progress, and support each other in an environment that celebrates their achievements.
Legacy and Future Directions
The presence of multi-generational talent was evident in competitors like Juliet Pelchette, who balances Olympic competition with backcountry filming while learning from legendary father JF Pelchette. Her approach to maintaining both contest and filming careers challenges conventional wisdom about specialization.
Local rider Estella Pinciotti, now in her third year at R&D, has evolved from hungry newcomer to seasoned competitor eager to see what others bring to her home mountain. Her progression from seeking her own lines to appreciating others' creativity demonstrates the event's role in developing well-rounded riders.
As these athletes continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in women's backcountry snowboarding, events like R&D serve as crucial platforms for progression, community building, and inspiring the next generation of female riders to pursue their own mountain adventures.
Content courtesy of our friends at Riders Lounge
