A huge shoutout to The North Face backcountry shredder, Leanne Pelosi, who just rocked our Winter Speaker Series with a show about embracing all of the unanticipated in life. Spoiler — her original plans did not involve professional snowboarding! BUT, look at what she has achieved in the sport. If you missed it live, or just want to watch it again, check it out on our YouTube channel here:
Unexpected Turns
In “Unexpected Turns”, Leanne took us on her journey to become the backcountry snowboarder, filmmaker, and mother that she is today. From her original goal of playing soccer for the Canadian National team, and becoming an engineer, to a life changing car accident, which ultimately got her kicked off the team, to snowboard bumming in Whistler, to making a name for herself by winning competitions, to entering the backcountry, to filmmaking, and even becoming a mom at 40-years old — every step forward was not mapped out years in advance, but rather championed in the moment.
In sharing her zigs and zags with us, Leanne took us on some EPIC big lines throughout the world, and always shouted out the cast of female mentors and peers that joined her along the way — Robin van Gyn, Tina Basich, Annie Boulanger, Elena Hight, Hana Beaman, and Jamie Anderson to name a few. Through her film Full Moon, and her upcoming sequel, Full Moon 2.0, Leanne continues to amplify this community of women, and celebrate all that they bring to the sport!
The nonprofit beneficiary of the evening, The Scotty Lapp Foundation, also SHOWED UP! We can’t think of two people who live Leanne’s message more fully — Jason and Amy, thank you for the way you have turned tragedy into positivity, for the community that you are building, and the example you are setting. With a room full of pink sunglasses, there was a palpable energy in the room that is a direct result of what this incredible organization has built, and is building in the name of their son.
Thank you to our title sponsor, North Tahoe Chamber, for joining us in bringing these free community events to our North Tahoe and Truckee, and global, communities. We will see you in the new year for Kimmy Fasani’s show, “Outside Ourselves”, on 1/2/25!
