This is the first book to examine the role of women in the origins, development and contemporary landscape of snowboarding. Focusing on organised and professional snowboarding, it explores the significance of women as participants, coaches, leaders, and high-profile sport stars. The book explores the history of snowboarding, the organisation of international snowboarding, issues related to facilities, competition formats which are the same for female and male riders, and injury risk, safeguarding, training and coaching. Before the concluding chapter, three elite snowboarders representing different epochs and riding styles – Åshild Lofthus, Stine Brun Kjeldaas, and Kjersti Buaas – are introduced, whose narratives shed light on the main themes of the book. With a broad scope in terms of topics and academic disciplines, from medicine and biomechanics to the social sciences and sport governance, the book is grounded in sociology and gender studies. This book is fascinating reading for scholars and students with an interest in the sociology of sport, coaching, sport management, sport history or interdisciplinary perspectives in sport science, or anybody with a passion for snowboarding.
