Arc’teryx Celebrates RnD Women’s Backcountry Snowboarding Competition
Arc’teryx Equipment, the global design company specializing in technical high-performance outerwear and equipment, proudly supported the groundbreaking snowboarding competition, Research and Development (RnD)—the first-ever women’s backcountry snowboarding competition. The event, envisioned by professional snowboarder and Arc’teryx athlete Robin Van Gyn, brought together a diverse group of elite riders to redefine progression, creativity, and community in the backcountry.
Set against the pristine slopes of Whitewater Ski Resort in Nelson – British Columbia, the event featured a high-energy, jam-style contest day,, followed by two on-mountain filming days. Designed as more than just a competition, RnD served as a platform for exploration, mentorship, and advancing the boundaries of women’s snowboarding. Riders were challenged to demonstrate technical skill while also innovating in line choice, execution, and overall approach to backcountry riding. The three-day format provided an opportunity for peer mentorship, culminating in a final judged session.
The event saw an impressive lineup of 16 competitors, including some of the most influential women in snowboarding. Czech snowboarder Sarka Pancochova claimed the overall win with a standout performance. The victory secured her spot on the Natural Selection Tour (NST), an invite-only competition running from March 10-17, where top riders take on challenging backcountry terrain in raw, natural environments. Estelle Pensiero took second place for the second year in a row and Mia Jones rounded out the podium in third place. Sarka will be joined by last year’s winner RnD winner – Ellery Manning at NST next week.
Robin Van Gyn, the visionary behind RnD, expressed her excitement about the event’s success: “”For the second year in a row, we have shown that, given the opportunity and the right environment, the riders will always rise to the occasion. With better conditions in year two, we saw the progression level up and new crews being formed. It’s not only about pushing progression, access, and the transfer of experience and knowledge—it’s also about fostering community and building our own culture that resonates with who we are as snowboarders and how we want to show up. I am so proud of the riders, and I just feel honoured to be able to provide this platform to see them fly.”
“Progression in the backcountry is all about having a strong group of girls pushing each other, and it’s amazing to see Robin making this happen—it’s a lot of hard work. She’s a rock star!” says Sarka Pancochova, winner of this year’s RnD competition. “There aren’t many competitions like this, especially outside of the Freeride World Tour or Natural Selection. This event is the perfect entry-level opportunity for riders to develop their skills in a competitive setting before stepping up to bigger contests. I think it’s amazing.”
Beyond the competition, RnD fostered growth and camaraderie through mentorship panels led by some of snowboarding’s most respected athletes, including Hana Beaman, Jess Kimura, Kimmy Fasani, and Marie-France Roy. The panelists not only judged the final runs but also provided invaluable insights and support to the riders.
“Witnessing what Robin created this past week was incredible,” says Jess Kimura, world-renowned professional snowboarder and filmmaker. “Watching the girls progress in real time and seeing how the boost in confidence from this event immediately translated into their riding was so powerful. It was undeniable proof of how vital RnD is for women’s backcountry snowboarding. I know the ripple effect will continue for years to come.”
The overwhelming success of RnD signals the beginning of a new chapter in backcountry snowboarding. With its emphasis on innovation, community, and mentorship, the event has set the stage for future iterations that will continue to elevate women’s participation and leadership in the sport.
