Amazing, huh? We’ve hit double numbers!
It hardly seems possible, but this week marks an entire decade since TheSkiDiva.com made its debut on the world wide web.
In internet years, that’s like a bazillion. Seriously, we’re in super-senior citizen mode. After all, the shelf life of web sites is shorter than fresh fish. A few days, just about, and many are abandoned or forgotten. So it’s pretty amazing that we’ve not only stuck around, but that we’ve continued to grow and thrive.
For me, it’s been a great ten years. I can still remember when I came up with the idea for the site. I was on line for the gondola at Steamboat when I looked behind me………. and all I could see was men. ‘This is ridiculous,’ I thought. ‘I can’t be the only woman who likes to ski.’ But at the time it seemed that way. I didn’t have any women ski friends. And none of the online ski communities or ski magazines really paid that much attention to women, either. We were marginalized, treated as an interesting side-line. Just an afterthought on the slopes. If you were a female skier, you couldn’t be very serious or very good. You were probably just out looking for a guy. Or maybe you just wanted to wear the latest ski fashions, take two runs, and sit in the lodge.
So I created TheSkiDiva.com for a couple of reasons. Selfishly, I just wanted to find some ski friends. But I also wanted to find a place to connect with other women and talk about skiing in a way that I could relate to. And though the site’s been through some changes, I’ve held firm in keeping it for women only. Yeah, I’ve taken some flak for this, but I’ve never regretted my decision. It’s nice to have a little corner of the ski world that’s testoserone-free. When you want to know about women’s gear, someone knowledgeable actually answers. And no one puts you down or makes a snide remark when you proudly proclaim, “Yes, I AM a jacket slut.” (If you think this sounds weird, go here and you’ll find 105 pages worth of Diva jacket love.)
Here are some interesting facts about TheSkiDiva:
As of September 6, 2016
Number of members: 4,747
Number of discussions: 19,294
Number of messages: 323,700
Site visitors (since July, 2007): 1,353,162
Where they’re from (top 4): 73% from the US; 8% from Canada; 6% from the UK; 3% from Australia/New Zealand
Where we’ve held for Diva gatherings:
Diva West: Solitude, Steamboat, Summit County (Breck, Copper, Keystone, Beaver Creek, Vail), Tahoe (Northstar, Squaw, Alpine Meadows, Sugar Bowl), Big Sky, Snowbasin, Powder Mountain
Diva East: Whiteface, Killington, Okemo, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Stowe, Jay Peak
And here are a few comments about the site that forum members made in last year’s anniversary thread:
• I think I’ve been on the forum since 2009 and have got so so much from it: many new friends and ski buddies. I’ve benefited from the knowledge of so many – for things like tours of Big Sky , trip organization, even meet-ups outside of ski season – the list could go on and on and on. Also, tons of great info on gear and equipment. And, most of all, I thank Ski Diva for keeping this forum such a positive, supportive place. It’s always a pleasure to “visit.”
• What a great site and GREAT skiing ladies! Since becoming a member I, too, have so many new women ski friends and know I”ll be skiing with my Ski Diva friends on here for the rest of my life!
• I have had so much fun with the Ski Diva’s. The knowledge and support of this group is beyond comparison. Many of us have been through a few life crisis, and the Diva’s were always there for support. We have many technical experts with how to ski, what to ski on or where to ski. I’ve made to Diva East at Sugarloaf. Been to two Mother’s Day weekends at A-Basin. Shown many Diva’s around Tremblant. Did a Ski Diva Roxy weekend at Whistler! I now have ski buddies at Tremblant as well. And if I were to take off for somewhere, I know there is probably a Diva to show me around!
• I have loved being part of this site and learning and reading about what other woman skiers and feeling often, inspired, exited and intimidated some times at the same time, some times different feelings. But whatever it has been, I love it. Although I have not met many “Divas” in person, and I don’t post as much as others (or even very often anymore), I still love coming here. I love that I can post something and feel safe and that I will get feedback and not ridiculed for posting something that may seem silly.
Administering TheSkiDiva is an honor and a privilege. The caliber of the people, their tremendous spirit, and the friendly, supportive nature of the community makes it a truly remarkable place to hang out. A forum is only as good as its members, so it’s a tribute to the Divas that it’s so much fun.
Happy Tenth! Here’s to the next decade!