This one’s for the girls. Snowboard camps with “Chixxs On Board” in Arosa Lenzerheide.​

Arosa is situated at an altitude of 1,800m above sea level and boasts one of the oldest winter sports resorts in Switzerland. Now linked with Lenzerheide, the ski region offers 225 kilometres of pistes and four freestyle parks. ​

“Yeeha!” The young women cheer enthusiastically as they soar over the Tschuggen freestyle park on the chair lift. Jumps and rails glitter as the morning sun begins to rise. Everything is pristine. Tanja gathers the snowboarders around her. “It’s great that you are all so enthusiastic. Let’s get started right away,” she greets the group with her winning smile.

Tanja Angst grew up in Wallisellen, Zurich. As a young girl, her cousins encouraged her to try snowboarding. The attractions of skateboarding and snowboarding were obvious. Yet the more she immersed herself in these scenes, the more she missed other girls with whom she could share her passion for board sports. At just 22 years of age, she was inspired to establish “Chixxs On Board”, a network built by women for women. Arosa Lenzerheide is her second home: This is where she comes winter after winter, having discovered the perfect setting for her snowboard camps.

When Tanja worked in a snowboard and skate shop between stints abroad, she became more and more aware that there was a real lack of options for women. Which board is right for me? Which bindings? Tanja had a look about and did some research. But even the most mundane things like material guides were not aimed at women. So she began to write articles, published tips and tricks, revealed the latest trends on the scene – all aimed at women and written from a woman’s point of view. This led to the creation of “Chixxs On Board”, a platform that connects women in the field and helps them navigate the male-dominated board sports of snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding.

“Women are often a little more anxious,” Tanja understands from her own experience. “And the young girls, in particular, want to impress the boys.” She herself was often reluctant to practice a new snowboarding trick for fear of embarrassing herself. When she was out with friends, on the other hand, it was different. She felt freer and dared to try new things – even if she fell over from time to time. So what could she do about it? Tanja was convinced that “other women would feel the same way”. As a natural-born organiser, she had a clear vision: I want to create an environment where women can grow. Camps for women were the logical conclusion.

Tanja enjoys every day spent on the snow with the crowd of young women to the full – not least because these days have become a little rarer for the new mum. “When women are alone together, there is a very special atmosphere, a dynamic that outsiders can rarely understand.” She stands by her original concept. The snowboarding camps meet the needs of many women and girls. The camps have always been fully booked since they were founded eight years ago. “Let's go, ladies!” A warm up is essential – and what a warm up it is! Tanja’s exercises are tough. She encourages the participants to push themselves beyond their limits.

Snowboarding coach Katja is responsible for freestyle training. “Let’s shred!” The snowboarders cut through the park for a sightseeing and warm-up lap. Arosa Lenzerheide is the perfect setting for the camps. “You have four parks to choose from and there is something for every level,” enthuses Tanja. “Everything is close together and easily accessible.” The jumps and obstacles are high-end and of moderate size. “Everyone can work at their own level and gradually progress to the next challenge.”
Arosa Lenzerheide freestyle areas

“We need more speed.” Two of the course participants trudge up the slope to slide over a rail for the umpteenth time. The instructor goes through the process with them again, spurs them on, encourages them to believe in themselves. Meanwhile, Tanja waits on the sidelines. “I make sure that everyone is happy.” And she usually knows just how to do this: Sometimes a little snack helps when someone needs a boost of energy, sometimes an encouraging cheer or a hug when a trick is successful.​

But things don’t always go smoothly, especially when it comes to freestyle. “It’s an emotional roller coaster. You feel totally euphoric when you pull off a trick, or dejected when something doesn’t go to plan.” But Tanja notices immediately when spirits start to droop. And she has plenty of tricks up her sleeve to raise morale. A ride on the slopes to clear your head. A quick chat at the chair lift. It usually doesn’t take long to get the laughter flowing again. And lo and behold – that trick you struggled with is suddenly a piece of cake.

Time flies by. “Who is hungry?” The women are only just starting to realise that they are seriously lacking in energy after such intensive training. Just at the entrance to the park is the Sit-Hütte, a place where the young crowd like to hang out. Mirko, who runs the business, is heavily involved in the local freestyle scene. He actually spent years helping to design the park. Now he feeds the hungry skiers and snowboarders with delicious, locally produced burgers. ​

However, the “Chixxs On Board” courses are about more than just snowboarding. “Of course, the main aim is for everyone to improve,” confirms Tanja. “But the most important thing is that we have a fun day together.” And we seem to be doing a pretty good job so far: The women goof around together, howls of laughter can be heard from the chair lift and their enthusiasm quickly spreads to the other freestylers in the park.

At the end of the day, Tanja is waiting with a surprise: her homemade cake. Although, this is now more of a tradition than a surprise. “Word got around and the girls are eagerly waiting for a slice. Woe betide me if I forget.” After all, enjoying cake together is the perfect way to end the day. Plenty of laughter and chat, exhilarated by their last successful trick. Others stand in silence, tired but happy. Tanja smiles contentedly. Then the women’s group sets off together, once again cutting through both parks back to Arosa. A little trick here, a snow spray there. You can hear them everywhere. “Yeeha!”