Industry leaders and emerging talent connect at Hotham's Women of Winter Networking Event

From seasoned professionals to newcomers, the recent Women of Winter networking event at Mount Hotham attracted a strong turnout of more than 60 attendees from across the alpine industry.

The event formed part of Snow Australia’s broader Women of Winter (WoW) initiative, which aims to increase female participation and leadership across all areas of snowsports, including the professional, volunteer, and recreational.

Photo: Chris Hocking

Facilitated by renowned snow journalist and commentator Rachael Oakes-Ash (@misssnowitall), the evening featured a panel of distinguished speakers whose careers span judging, instructing, marketing, and emergency services. Each guest shared insights into their professional journeys, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities for women working in alpine environments. Their contributions underscored the importance of visibility, mentorship, and inclusive pathways within the industry.

The event provided a valuable platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and community-building. Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations around career development, representation, and the evolving landscape of snowsports in Australia. The strong attendance and enthusiastic participation reflected growing momentum behind initiatives that support diversity and inclusion in the sector.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Emily Smith and the team at Hotham for their incredible support in helping to deliver this event. We appreciate the ongoing support of this initiative and look forward to collaborating on this event again next year.

Women of Winter networking event at Hotham reaffirmed Snow Australia’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and representative alpine community. By creating spaces for connection and dialogue, the WoW program continues to empower women to lead, contribute, and thrive across all levels of the snow industry.