Major organisations like World Athletics are taking major steps towards better equality for women as they work towards significant goals that could change the way women are seen in sport. In the case of World Athletics, the group aims to have 40% female representation, including at least one female Vice President in 2023, which will bring women’s issues to the fore and help to highlight the importance of women in sports.
Still, that doesn’t mean that we’re out of the woods yet. One sport that’s still struggling with representation for women is skiing. Even in recent years, we’re still seeing major setbacks for women in skiing, including the decision not to add Nordic Combined skiing to the women’s 2026 Winter Games. The International Olympic Committee has decided not to add the women’s event to the skiing program at the Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Games, which has been called a travesty by Nordic Combined Olympian Billy Demong.
"This is one of the biggest moves against gender equity in the Olympic movement in history” he stated when discussing the issue with the Associated Press. As even male competitors lambast the decision, it’s clear that women have the skills to achieve great success in sporting events like this, if given the opportunity.
Skiing is an exhilarating winter sport that’s non-combative, so it can be an ideal option for women who are looking for a new form of exercise or something enjoyable to do with friends. So, why do we need better representation in skiing for women? Keep reading, and we’ll explain why it’s so drastically important and why more women should take up this fun and engaging sport.
Skiing Is Good Fun!
As obvious as it sounds, one of the main reasons more women should be skiing is because of how enjoyable it is. Skiing is a great form of exercise that can be incredibly fun. While it might seem difficult to enjoy, particularly if you live in a country that’s not blessed with a thick blanket of snow, you can easily find great slopes and check the weather using simple tools like Piste Pro. These tools make skiing more accessible for everyone and can simplify the boring process of checking maps and weather charts so that you can focus on the best bit: careering down a mountain at top speed!It's Not Seen as a Safe Environment for Women
Unfortunately, winter sports can be a dangerous place for women, particularly as many of the senior coaches and instructors are men. Recently, women snowboarders sued their coach for sexual assault, and this happens all too often, particularly when skiing in remote areas and staying in small, isolated chalets. In skiing, historical Austrian allegations highlight how long the issue has been going on and how widespread it is. As a result, some women might worry about their safety and be less interested in skiing. As such, the sport needs to start working to bring predators to justice and create spaces where women can feel safe and able to enjoy skiing and other winter sports to the fullest.
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