Girl Pow. When Skiing Powder Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

GIRL POW

Whereas for many men it may be 'no friends on a powder day', for women it's a case of 'only' friends when it comes to learning to ski in powder - and having fun

A group of women in Sun Peaks regularly show those new to champagne snow how to shred the pow, conquer any fears and have female-friendly fun and frolics.

Dubbed The Polar Bears, some 40 women congregate on Wednesdays, sharing news and upcoming events, then splitting up into like-level ski groups - each led by a Momma Bear - to forage around their far-reaching terrain.

Unlike those - no names mentioned - who declare 'there are no friends on powder days', these comrades encourage, exulting in initiating the newbies into the backcountry bowls and glades dotted around Sun Peaks. And, after a couple of hours of heroic hedonism, they bond and share stories over lunch at their HQ, Cahilty Creek Kitchen & Taproom.

The exhilarating experiences are so pivotal to the weekly ski schedule of these full and part-time residents of the BC resort that six of them got together to immortalise it in a mini movie premiered in 2025.

Like most films, the first job was to nail down the storyline so that the action was not just cobbled together as a documentary but, instead, was a drama with plot, protagonists and even one bad guy. Reflecting the real life dramas that happen most weeks in the Polar Bears Ski Group, this movie was intended to be authentic as well as entertaining and, above all, a thank you to the women's ski group as well as to Sun Peaks, the beautiful ski resort they all call home. Gil's is a backcountry area of Sun Peaks that, although intimidating, is often on wintersports wishlists, inspiring wonder, worries and wishful thinking. So Gil's was chosen as the challenge and Girls in Gil's was the obvious alliterative title.

By the way, Gil's ski area was named after local construction entrepreneur, Gilbert Marini, one of the original founders of Tod Mountain Ski Resort which became Sun Peaks Resort in 1993.

Next in the mountain movie process was casting. The producers - Dawn Matte and myself - had decided that there would be just six 'actors' as any more would clutter and confuse the action. Momma Bear was easy, as Dawn often volunteered for this role at the Polar Bears Group and, after some 27 years of wintering in Sun Peaks, was an expert at sniffing out the pow. Cindie Hryhirchuk, Edit Pal and Julie Kimmel were all part of the regular off-piste Polar Bear sector. So, with me, that made five and we just needed to find our 'Baby Bear', a powder-possessed pup who would be intrepid enough to brave the backcountry.

Choosing Baby Bear was tricky - the film was aimed at the McSporties Locals Filmmakers Contest put on each January by ArtZone Sun Peaks Arts Society. The audience would be mostly locals so we couldn't choose someone who everyone knew could send it through any terrain. We needed a real rookie! But one who would not crumble. And, maybe I didn't yet mention, it had to be someone in our age group - in their 50s and 60s.

Having decided we would all wear brightly coloured Alchemy of Ride ski jackets for the film, our attention was drawn one ski morning to another of the Polar Bears who always dressed head to toe in AOR. Spotting her across the home run, about to take the Sundance Chair, we skied over at top speed, screaming "there's our Baby Bear", and asked her if she would like to be in a movie. A plucky and passionate Polar Bear, Pippa Crane, of course, said yes immediately - adding "so long as you all look after me". Which of course we promised and we designated Cindie as Care Bear to give Pippa further backup in the backcountry.

Meet the Cast of Girls in Gil's.

Behind every great ski movie - and every great ladies ski group - is a crew of passionate, powder-hungry women, and Girls in Gil's is no exception. These ladies didn't just star in a fictitious film - they live it every winter season, pushing their comfort zones, supporting each other, taking on new challenges, and proving that backcountry boldness has no sell by date.

Dawn Matte - Momma Bear

With a lifetime on skis and over 100 days on the slopes each year, Dawn is the definition of a powder hound. She thrives in the trees, bumps, and deep snow, and as a natural leader of the Polar Bears, she took on the role of Momma Bear with ease and empathy.

'Making the movie Girls in Gil's excited me because I wanted to showcase some of the badass women I'm fortunate enough to call friends," she said. "These women are kind, smart, supportive of each other and not afraid to be vulnerable.'She thrives on leading skiers into new terrain, introducing them to the hidden gems of Sun Peaks - whether it's the glades of Gil's, the laundry runs on Morrisey, or the steep and deep lines that make hearts race throughout Sun Peaks Resort.

As co-producer and editor of Girls in Gil's, Dawn poured her energy into crafting and finessing a film that wasn't just about skiing but about friendship, courage, shared experiences, and laughter. And while she's comfortable charging through powder, stepping in front of an audience at the 5th Annual Sun Peaks Film Festival was a whole new challenge. 'I'm shy by nature, my comfort zone was fed by sitting in my house editing the film," she said. "Being interviewed by the local TV station (CFJC Today) as well as introducing our film in front of an audience was definitely outside of my comfort zone. However, if we don't push the boundaries of comfort, we don't grow.'

This experience gave her even more empathy for Baby Bear who Dawn helped to face her fears in Gil's: "Pippa was scared of the hike to Gil's as well as the terrain. The proud smile and tears she had on her face more than made this project worthwhile."
Dawn aims to continue skiing gnarly terrain with friends into her 80s.

Pippa Crane – Baby Bear

From her first signature skiing experience in Switzerland as a child, where she had to learn through trial and error, to shredding Gil's with the Bears, Pippa's journey has been one of resilience and adventure.

Skiing regularly throughout her youth and later with her own young family from her Byron Bay base, she is spending even more time on snow in her retirement, particularly in Sun Peaks where she owns two properties. 'I happened upon the Polar Bears group through an article in the free Sun Peaks newspaper and thought I would give it a go,' she recalled. 'I felt intimidated at first as everyone could ski so well and I felt very 'clunky' and uncoordinated by comparison.'

Her main advantage, though, is her positive mindset and lots of experience in the light and fluffy Ja-Pow. 'I have a Life - Be In It attitude so I'm willing to give things a go,' she said. When it came to the opportunity for movie star status and a dip into the Gil's, she considered it a good opportunity to expand her horizons in the company of other women: 'I was anxious and worried but also up for the challenge.'

The fear of the unknown was the worst element and the thought of the hike was especially harrowing for her, coming fresh from Australian summer. 'The hike up was agonising as I had recently had foot surgery and was not used to walking in ski boots, plus I had come from +35 degrees at sea level to -12 degrees at altitude and was still acclimatising, and being asthmatic contributed to making the hike hard.' Turned out the ski down was easier than she had anticipated and she was proud of making it without a fall or collision.

Edit Pal - Sunny Bear

Avid skier and talented mountain artist, Edit Pal first fell in love with skiing at age 10 in the Carpathian Mountains and has never looked back.

A former ski racer turned Sun Peaks local, she thrives in the steep and deep. 'Fresh powder, off-piste skiing in the bumps and trees, is always my first choice if conditions are good,' she said. 'I've reached 100 days in past seasons." Her plan is to keep going, work on fitness and skill improvement, and ski forever.

For Edit, the Polar Bears aren't just a ski group - they're a sisterhood. 'These are the Kickass Women of Sun Peaks. I love skiing with our ski buddies on Wednesdays, it's one of the highlights of my week.' Seeking new challenges, Edit was very excited to be asked to be part of the movie team. 'Helping Baby Bear get down on some difficult runs, first time ever for her, was a very satisfying and rewarding experience,' she said. 'And doing it with some awesome friends was really a no-brainer decision.'
Watching the premiere of Girls in Gil's at the Film Festival was also a highlight - the cast had not seen any of the footage until that day, so their reactions in the audience were as genuine as the storyline. 'I'm really proud of the filmmakers,' she commented. 'I absolutely loved the story and the entire concept. I'm also grateful to have been a part of the process.'

Cindie Hryhirchuk - Care Bear

Cindie's skiing journey started with unwieldy 210 skinny skis, too-tight boots, and even tighter ski pants. 'It's a wonder I stayed with the sport,' she said. Somehow, she stuck with it - and now she's a force to be reckoned with around the mountain. 'I enjoy skiing all types of terrain. I love to venture into the trees on powder days and I'm always up for a hike.' The only thing she says no to? Skiing the 'mean greens'!

She joined Girls in Gil's for one simple reason: 'I really, really wanted to ski the Gil's and at the time I could not find anyone to go with. This was my golden opportunity.' What she didn't expect was how satisfying the experience would be, stepping up to the role of Care Bear, keeping an eye on Baby Bear's progress throughout the filming. 'The whole process was some of my most enjoyable and memorable days of 2024,' she said. 'I had no idea it was going to be such a rewarding experience.'

She loves the inclusivity of the Polar Bear group as well as the opportunity to pick and choose terrain on any given day. And later celebrate over lunch and laughter.

Channeling her start on skinny skis, she now mixes downhill with backcountry Nordic skiing with another female ski buddy. Her ambition is 'not to get hurt' while enjoying each wintersports day to the full. 'I want to improve my skiing but not fret about it if I don't. I ski for my mental health, appreciating the nature and scenery especially when I'm at the Top of the World.'

Julie Kimmel - Bubbly Bear

Making the switch from snowboarding to skiing five years ago, Julie finally sold her board last year to commit fully to the two-plank lifestyle. 'I love off-piste skiing - the more snow and bumps, the better. If the snow's good, I'm on the hill. If not? I'm either Nordic skiing or fat biking.'

Asked what the Polar Bear Group means for her, she concluded: 'A fabulous group of like minded woman providing opportunity to ski, create lasting friendships and have tons of fun.'

Joining the Girls in Gil's project was a continuation of that camaraderie and thirst for adventure and she happily hosted the apres sessions in her home. Always on the look out for new challenges and skills, she has recently become a triathlete, winning her age group in the Try-A-Tri event at the 2025 UBC Triathlon/Duathlon in Vancouver.

While working as a Sun Peaks Councillor, and qualifying in Reiki and Teaching English as a Foreign Language this season, she also joined in off-piste improvement camps, delving ever further into the backcountry. Later this year, she is launching her own podcast called Peaks of Wisdom dedicated to showcasing entrepreneurs in rural, remote, and resort communities.

Louise Hudson - Curly Bear

Co-producer, story writer, narrator, and just as petrified as Baby Bear as it was my first time in Gil's too. I should have called myself Scaredy Bear.. Now I ski in Gils regularly but I would never have ventured there without my Bears. And I would never have dared to make a film without Momma Bear's support, encouragement and expertise.

Vanessa Crane – The Voice Behind the Finale Soundtrack

No ski film is complete without a killer soundtrack. Enter Vanessa Crane, Brisbane-based singer-songwriter and daughter of Baby Bear. 'My mum has always been one to push herself, whether it's skiing or life in general,' she said. 'Usually, she does it with me or my brother by her side, but seeing her find this community of fearless women was amazing.'

Vanessa performed and recorded the track for the final scene, when the action moves to one of the Sun Peaks terrain parks. 'It was an honour to contribute to the film in my own way,' she acknowledged. 'Watching my mum and these incredible women tackle the mountain was so inspiring. They're proof that adventure doesn't have an age limit.'

The Legacy of Girls in Gil's

Girls in Gil's wasn't just a film - it was a celebration of courage, camaraderie, and kick-ass comrades pushing their personal parameters. From first-time backcountry hikes to deep powder turns, the Polar Bears proved that the best way to take on a challenge is with laughter, support, and a dollop of stubborn determination.

At the 3rd Annual McSporties Locals' Filmmaking Contest in January 2025 put on by Art Zone Sun Peaks Arts Society, the movie was voted Fans' Favourite by the audience and has since clocked up nearly 1.2k views on YouTube.

And as for Baby Bear? Well, she's returned to Gil's - this time with her kids, proving that once you break the bonds of fear, there are no boundaries. And the bonus for the 2024/25 season - the brand new West Bowl Express which takes out most of the arduous hike-in.

Now grab a coffee and watch Girls in Gil's: