Women of Winter | In focus with Tess Coady

Tess Coady is a two-time Winter Olympian and down-to-earth Aussie legend whose foot is always on full gas when it comes to snowboarding.

The 21-year-old from Melbourne, Victoria has many accolades to her name with back-to-back gold in the 2017 Junior World Slopestyle and Big Air events, a bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships, and most recently, her highly prized bronze medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Her passion for the sport and women in the industry stands strong alongside her impressive accomplishments, unique work ethic and resilience when it comes to facing challenges. For a young athlete, she sure has many stories to tell.

We recently caught up with Tess to chat about all things snowboarding, the snowsports community and women in snowboarding.

Tess, how did you first get involved in the snow sports industry and when did you begin snowboarding, furthermore, how did you get involved in slopestyle?
I started snowboarding when I was 9 years old. My family decided to head up to the snow for a week during the school holidays and that’s where it all started for me! I started a freestyle program at Mt Buller and a few opportunities arose with them to travel up to NSW and do a few junior Slopestyle events.
What has been your proudest moment / achievement?
I would definitely have to say coming 3rd at the Slopestyle event at the recent Beijing Olympics. It was such a fun event and I really feel like I got the redemption I was looking for after my campaign in South Korea.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received in your career?
Do something because you want to do it not because someone else wants you to do it.

You’ve talked about the comradery within the female snowboarding community as being something special and unique. Where do you think this comradery came from and how has it developed as women’s participation in sports such as snowboarding has progressed?
I think a big contributing factory of the comradery is just the way riders are able to push each other in a competitive yet friendly nature. The roots of snowboarding weren’t always competitive and I think that still shines through in a lot of the personalities of snowboarders. A lot of us just want to shred and have fun and that’s really what is happening at events, so I think that’s why the comradery is so strong.

I also think historically female snowboarding has been put under a microscope (or a lot of sports for that matter) as to why we might not be as good as the boys, so I think in events such as the Olympics just gone, where we got good weather and a great course where we were able to really rip in and show the world what we can do, that always really just gets all the girls hyped because we all see how hard each other works so to show the world that feels really rewarding.

From your experience, would you say that the Snowsports industry has been progressive in female empowerment and inclusion and if so, how have you seen this progress or evolve since you have been involved in the sport?
I think it has evolved massively since I began snowboarding. I am extremely lucky to be a part of this generation of female snowboarding and I know the girls who came before me really fought for the rights for girls like me to get the same opportunities as the boys. I still think there is a long way to go, but the world and the sport is changing and it’s exciting to be part of.

What would you like to see happen in the Snowsports industry in terms of progressing and empowering women in the future? Or do you think anything needs to change at all? 
It would be great to have more just all women shred days and events I think in Australia. It’s pretty easy to get intimidated especially in places like the park so I think that would be great to see more of in AUS. It’s such a great way to meet like-minded girls that love to shred and are probably looking for more chicks to shred with!

Is there anything else you would like to share with other women in this industry?
I’d probably just say get out there and have a go, you don’t have to be the best but it says a lot about a person in their ability to give something new or something they are novice at a go. Even when it can be scary. You’ve got to start somewhere and the only way from there is up!

What is next for Tess Coady?
Just more snowboarding!! Can’t wait for the Aussie season!