Cassia Philippson

Alpine Skier, Rock Climber, Adventurer
Powder-Fueled & Purpose-Driven

From Chemainus, Vancouver Island, BC

I started skiing when I was 3 year old. My dad is an avid skier and wanted me and my siblings to experience the same high he got from being in the mountains.

Growing up, I loved skiing but had always struggled with the cold and being cold. Unphased by my kicking and screaming protests, my dad continued to push me and I am so glad he did, because skiing became my ultimate favourite sport.

There is nothing like shredding downhill super fast and letting the snow take away all your worries. The feeling of freedom is incomparable. ⛷️

One thing I always loved was that my dad never made it a gendered sport. There was no reason why I couldn't do double blacks or throw big(ish) jumps because I was a girl. I could do anything my dad or brother could do as long as I put my mind to it.

I was the first of my siblings to ride the notorious powder face on Mt Washington because my dad asked if I wanted to and I said yes! ✨

There was no stopping me or holding me back just because I was a girl. There was just me wanting to and going for it. Because of that I grew up without the notion of boys can and girls can't.

Once I got into my early adulthood and started seeing more gender inequality, especially in sports and outdoor adventure, I grew a passion to share the message my dad taught me from a young age: If you want to you can.

That led me into my job as a youth worker, specifically with young women. I aim to empower and inspire the girls I work with to not hold back who they are and who they want to be. I aim to build confidence in who these girls are and help them fully embrace their womanhood.

🔥I aim to remind girls that they have a place and a voice in this world and they can do anything they set their minds to.🔥

Watching girls start to believe in themselves
and change the way they think about themselves is truly an honouring experience.

❄️❄️❄️

Rad Grrrl rapid-fire

🔥 What’s been your most badass moment so far?

A couple years ago I got to go heli skiing with my dad and siblings and that was probably the coolest thing I have ever done in my entire life!

🔥 What does this passion mean to you? Why do you do what you do?

I used to work at an outdoor adventure camp where our goal was to give teens an authentic experience and push them outside of their comfort zones. One of our apprentice guides told me one day that the female apprentice guides talked about how I am the definition of a strong, independent woman and I inspire them so much. That one really hit my heartstrings and reminded me of why I do what I do and that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

I love being able to show girls that it is possible to be a force in this world. In a world that is constantly telling girls who and what they need to be, being a voice that can bring truth to them and see the change that can make over time is amazing.

⚡What advice would you give to other women & girls who want to get into this space?

Just go for it and have fun with it. You never know what you can do until you try. I have a personal motto that goes "I'm really good at being mediocre at a lot of things" because I just like to get out there and have fun and experience all I can!