Extreme sports used to feel like a men’s club. For years, many women were encouraged to sit on the sidelines rather than participate in activities like skiing, rock climbing, and mountain biking. While women played an important role in the early days of mountain biking, many still find the sport intimidating to enter. Fortunately, there is a growing movement working to make mountain biking more welcoming and approachable for women of all ages and abilities.
Shred Sisters is a women-led mountain bike coaching program that spans several mountain communities across British Columbia and Alberta. The program originated right here in Golden but has since expanded to Calgary, Canmore, Cranbrook, Invermere, Kimberley, and Revelstoke.
The organization offers a range of women-focused mountain biking programs designed for riders of all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced riders. Coaching options include multi-week progressive series, weekend clinics, specialized skills courses, and private lessons.
Weekly programs allow riders to steadily build their skills while practicing between sessions, while weekend clinics provide immersive learning opportunities and the chance to explore new terrain. Riders can also take focused clinics covering techniques such as cornering, drops, jumps, and downhill riding.
Across all programs, the emphasis remains on small group sizes, personalized coaching, and creating a supportive environment where women can build confidence, improve their riding, and connect with others who share their passion.
As a woman who was once intimidated by skiing and has never seriously considered mountain biking because of fear, I find this approach particularly powerful. Programs run by women for women can provide a sense of comfort and belonging that may be all someone needs to take that first step. It is something our community can be proud of, knowing that this movement began right here in Golden.
The original Shred Sister is Golden local Audrey Duval. Originally from Quebec, Audrey developed a love for outdoor sports at an early age, beginning her skiing journey when she was just three years old.
Her passion for adventure eventually expanded to cycling, and after taking up road biking in 2004 and discovering mountain biking through a job at a bike shop a few years later, she quickly became hooked on the sport.
As an experienced ski instructor, mountain bike coach, and yoga instructor, Audrey combined her teaching background with her love of riding. After spending several years coaching women-only mountain bike camps, she recognized the need for more opportunities and support for women in the sport. In 2015, she founded Shred Sisters with the goal of helping more women build confidence on the trails.
Along the way, Audrey also created opportunities for female coaches to share their expertise and passion for mountain biking. Today, Shred Sisters has a large network of female instructors across the mountains, each bringing their own experience and perspective while sharing the common goal of welcoming newcomers to the sport and helping experienced riders continue to grow.
Shred Sisters is about more than developing technical skills; it is about building community. Many participants describe meeting riding partners and forming friendships through the programs, creating connections that extend well beyond a single lesson or clinic.
Audrey and the many women who have joined her mission deserve recognition for creating spaces where adventurous women can learn, challenge themselves, and feel supported while doing so. By breaking down barriers and fostering a welcoming environment, they have helped make mountain biking more accessible for countless riders.
For women who have ever been curious about trying the sport, or for experienced riders looking to take their skills to the next level, more information about programs and registration can be found at shredsisters.ca.
