Chix With Stix – 10 Things to do when it’s bluebird

Mountainwatch | Natalie Segal

Setting a date for any on-snow event in Australia can always be a bit tricky as you never know what the weather will do. Images of dark clouds filled with rain, snow or lightening bolts begin to riddle your dreams and without realising you stock your cupboard with wet weather gear; rubber gloves, ponchos and even the occasional rubbish bag. You spend so long thinking of all the activities you could do if the weather sucks to the point that you forget to plan for when all of your predictions fail and it breaks blue.

Having just experienced this ‘problem’ this past August, we figured that a few tips on dealing with it wouldn’t go astray. Each weekend at the Chicks with Stix Freeride sessions the weather fooled us into fearing the worst, and then proceeded to surprise us every Saturday with blue skies and a beaming sun. If this is an issue you are facing, don’t fear – just follow these ten easy steps.

The CWS park crew lapping up the sun at Mt Hotham with coach Torie Hamilton-Wilson

1. Get your ladies together and suit up

While riding out a bluebird day solo with your earphones in and your goggles down is fantastic, there is nothing better than having fun in the sun with a big group of lady shredders. At Chicks with Stix we recommend a healthy dosing of breakfast, coffee, sun screen and a whole lot of mountains. Skis or snowboards are also quite useful but if you must boot sliding is an option.

Lucy Anderson, Steph Hickey and Jenna Robinson smoothing out the landing for the lady shredders at Mt Buller

2. Warm up

Nothing will ruin an epic day more than a strained muscle bought on by too much heavy shredding early in the morning. Don’t be lured down that sexy looking line of moguls unless you are already limber. A simple regime of leg swings and a little jog are two ways of getting the muscles firing. However, if you are in need of inspiration you can take some from our CWS snowboard coaches and pick up a shovel. Shaping and grooming a terrain park can be a great arm and leg workout that will have you ready for the big day ahead.

All of our coaches are very special

3. Get excited

It’s the weekend, the sun is out and your only commitment is schussing. Getting yourself pumped up for the day is almost as important as your muscle warm up but this time you’re warming up your mind! Have a boogie, shout out bizarre phrases or just shake it all out in the lift line.

The Mt Buller Kofler’s park has some prime features for learning new tricks

4. Start the day out with a BANG and learn some epic new skills

There is no point in getting super excited for no reason! Find a friend or a sweet Chicks with Stix coach and ask them to teach you something new. It could be anything from a stylish polish donut to a 270 onto a rail. The morning is the best time to challenge yourself because you won’t be too tired!

Deb Leonard greasing the flat down at the Mt Hotham Basin Park

5. Get low

Ok so you’ve got some new skills, now you’ve gotta style them out. Style is a personal thing but here is some advice, get low. Bend your knees and tweak out that trick. If everyone in the terrain park is not clapping, you’re not being original enough. It’s also around this time you’ll probably start getting hungry. Lady shredders do not function well on an empty stomach- it’s LUNCHTIME.

Hana Williamson sending a rock features at Perisher

6. Experiment

Lunchtime is done, it was excellent. Now put that fuel to good use. As fun as the terrain park is, you’ll never learn anything if you spend the whole day there. Take some of your badass airtime to the backcountry. Whether you like to pop off rocks, tap tree jibs or do 180s off every nugget available- get experimental. Mountains are the best natural playgrounds you’ll ever find.

Coaches Anna Segal and Steph Hickey showing the ladies their mad skills.

7. Hunt down a professional and insist they show you their mad skills.

No you are not a stalker, go find a pro and ask them for some pro tips. You might even find a shred friend. Australia has plenty of amazing female shredders to share around. We’ve got park riders, halfpipe stars, big mountains slayers and skiercross champions (just to name a few). Finding a good mentor to look up to can go a long way!

Sarah Wilcox could not get enough of the freestyle yoga at Mt Baw Baw

8. Do some freestyle yoga

It’s the end of the day, you’re getting a bit silly, so why not try something a bit off the wall. Freestyle yoga is always a great place to start. It’s a good way to cool down the muscles while still challenging your riding to new heights. Just don’t overstretch!

Coach Zoe Jaboor and her freeriding crew at Perisher – the blue sky tried to break through all day!

9. Take heaps of pictures with your friends

Shred friends are the best you’ll ever meet. In some cases you will only see them when the snow starts to fall so photos are not optional, they’re necessary. Furthermore, how else will you show the next generation how wacky your shred threads were back in the day if you don’t have any happy snaps to prove it?

Coaches Hannah Studd and Jenna Robinson (aka Soul Mumma’s) can help you with all your grooving needs

10. Have a dance party

The last nine tips have been recommendations. This last one is not. Dance parties are compulsory. Whether you’re a girl, a boy, a puppy or a pgmy possum. Breaking it down after a excellent day riding is the best way to seal the deal. You can do it on the slopes, with your friends, while riding, at home or even in the shower. Just don’t forget to do it.

Chicks with Stix offers girls a chance to ski and board with the best snow-sports athletes in Australia and get an insight into what our sport has to offer as well as helping them to improve their skills in bumps, freeride, slopestyle and big mountain. We do this by hosting free workshops across the Australian Alps that are all open to all skiers and snowboarders who can confidently ride blue runs. For more info, check out www.chickswithstix.com.au.

The Chicks with Stix program would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors including, Anakie Outerwear, Armada Skis, Dragon Eyewear, Marker Bindings,Giro, Dalbello Boots, Body Ice, Shafted Ski Poles, OmRyder, Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy College and Soderstrom Creative.

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