SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Dani Rudinsky, a Tahoe local, mountain guide and avalanche instructor, is bringing the ladies of South Lake together for a night of connection and community by hosting Ladies Avalanche Night on December 12 at PT Revolution. The event offers attendees a chance to win a 3-day accredited avalanche education course through Alpenglow Expeditions, avalanche safety equipment, ski clothing and gear, as well as an amazing opportunity to meet other women skiers to partner with for fun days on and around the mountain.
Rudinsky moved to South Lake from Colorado several years ago, and worked as a kayaking guide on Lake Tahoe. In the winter, she’d travel to Argentina and do mountain guiding on Aconcagua, one of the Seven Summits and the tallest mountain in the Andes. “I came to Tahoe with those jobs and the mindset of traveling for the work I do, but also building roots here and building some community.”
With guide courses for certified area instructors ranging from $1,000- $4,000 per course, and only 20% of certified area instructors being women, Rudinsky’s passion for outdoor careers and activities sparked an idea to not only help her afford her certifications, but also close the gap on women finding other women ski partners for back country and downhill skiing while raising money for the Sierra Avalanche Center.
“I was inspired by other guide friends I’ve had, seeing how they’ve afforded their certifications and what fundraising endeavors they’ve done. I loved all the things I saw them do that were very community focused,” said Rudinsky. ‘Once I started having the idea of putting on my own event, and thinking of other events I’ve been to in the area, I realized that none of them have been in South Lake. They were always in Reno, or in Truckee or in other parts of the lake.”
This season, it’s South Lake’s turn for some female camaraderie, and Rudinsky put a lot of thought into making Avalanche Night entertaining and engaging.
She designed an activity that is similar to speed dating, but for ski partners. When women show up, they’ll fill out an ID card providing prompts which encapsulate information about themselves regarding what kind of a rider they are, why they’re there and what they might be looking for in another partner.
“I’m going to pair people up, you’ll get to use your little ID cards as your reference point to get to know each other and see if you’re compatible ski partners, if it’s going to be a good resort partnership, if you’re interested in similar back country objectives, or if you just want to hang out after this,” Rudinsky said. “Skiing regardless.”
All attendees will receive a unique discount code to be used toward any Alpenglow Expedition course, and a raffle will take place with donation prizes from brands like Ortovox, TREW Gear, and Coalition Snow.
A ski film will be shown at the event called “Advices for Girls”. “Not only is it a film about rippin’ female skiers, it’s got an all-female film crew, production, editing — everything,” added Rudinsky. “Everyone who touched it was a woman, so it not only showcases the communal experience of women working together, but makes for very authentic storytelling.”
Rudinsky aims to make Ladies Avalanche Night an occasion designed by women for women, creating a means to connect with each other in ways that leave them feeling supported, educated and excited for this upcoming winter season.
Ladies are invited to come and join the fun this Friday. The event has a $5 admission fee and will be going from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at PT Revolution, located at 2038 Lake Tahoe Blvd in South Lake Tahoe.
You can RSVP by visiting https://forms.gle/EdUaMJJv1izcwUoVA.
