Why Ingrid Backstrom is my hero

Apr 8, 2014 | 0 comments

By Karen Clark Cole ::

Ingrid Backstrom is one of the most genuine people I know. With her easy-going smile, she seems like one of my ski buddies. We see her on the chair, we drink beer at the same ski bar, she high-fives my daughter and asks how her jumps are going. My daughter, at age five, has been skiing for three years now, and also thinks Ingrid is just one of our ski buddies.

The biggest difference, however, is that when I get home at night, we watch repeats of Ingrid ripping down Alaska’s highest peaks in one of our many ski movies. She is also ranked one of the most popular woman skiers in the world…ya, pretty awesome role model.

The amazing message that Ingrid sends to my daughter each time we see her is “you can do it.” There is no question in my daughter’s young mind that she can be like Ingrid. That’s because it’s true. Ingrid shows us in every ski movie, in every interview, every kids camp, avalanche safety clinicwomen’s free ride camp, article she writes, and every single time she says “I hope you are doing great,” and really means it.

I’m not alone. In 2013, Ingrid was voted the Fan-Favorite for ESPN’s X Games Real Women competition. Check out her video below. Then come and meet her on May 17th, 2014 at Benaroya Hall in Seattle at our Girls Can Do free event. 

Thank you, Ingrid, for showing us that Girls Can Do anything and everything! 

You can reach Karen Clark Cole @karenclarkcole

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