Industry News
A decade after its creation, Blizzard Tecnica’s Women 2 Women (W2W) initiative continues to shape the landscape of women’s skiing—not just through innovative gear, but through education, mentorship, and community. The program, which began in 2015, was built around one simple goal: listen to women skiers, design products, and provide opportunities that reflect their needs.
According to a press release shared by a Blizzard Tecnica spokesperson in an email correspondence with SnowBrains, the W2W program has evolved into a global network centered on four pillars: product, education, inspiration, and community.
“Women 2 Women was created to listen to women, to understand their needs, and to make sure they see themselves reflected in every part of the sport,” Leslie Baker-Brown said, the initiative’s Global Leader. Baker-Brown, a former competitive racer and longtime industry executive, has led the program since its inception, often drawing on her own experiences as one of the few women in the hardgoods industry.
Under her leadership, W2W has redefined what it means to design for women, by women. The team’s work has led to several award-winning skis, including updates to the popular Black Pearl line, which were all shaped by feedback from women skiers worldwide. For the 2025-26 season, Blizzard Tecnica plans to unveil new designs through the W2W program, including a limited-edition Black Pearl 88 created in collaboration with Taos-based artist Malia Reeves.
Beyond gear, W2W has become a platform for mentorship and leadership development. Its Hilaree Nelson Professional Development Program, named for the late alpinist and ski mountaineer, supports 100 women each year in avalanche education, professional growth, and outdoor leadership. The program also funds initiatives advancing women’s voices and climate action, continuing Nelson’s legacy of courage and advocacy.
Education and inspiration remain at the core of the project. “When women see what other women have achieved, it instills the belief that anything is possible,” Baker-Brown said. That sentiment is echoed by athletes like freerider Caite Zeliff and big-mountain skier Elyse Saugstad, who represent the W2W mission on snow and in spirit.
“This sport is for me,” Zeliff says. “I don’t have to do it like a man. The way I ski can be a feminine expression of creativity. I’m leaning into that.”
Community has been the heartbeat of W2W’s success. Through local events, mentorship programs, and the growing Wolfpack network, the initiative has created space for women to connect both on and off the slopes. Elisa Vottero, a ski instructor in Italy and member of the W2W community, said those spaces are essential for confidence and connection. “When you are without judgment, you can just be yourself and share your passion with other women,” she said.
As W2W enters its second decade, its mission remains steady: to amplify women’s presence, leadership, and creativity in skiing. Or, as Baker-Brown put it, “We ask, we listen, and we act—all with the goal of sharing experiences and celebrating our passion for the sport.”
For more information about Blizzard Tecnica’s Women 2 Women initiative and its 10th anniversary, visit blizzard-tecnica.com.
