She Shreds (Julie-Ann Chapman)

It seems like life is just flying by so dang quick these days! Pretty much since having a kid 8 years ago the days, weeks and years have been flying by! She Shreds is going into its 15th year of operation this coming season!! Can you believe this!? Like, I can't believe I'm not washed up yet!? Haha Must be doing something right eh?

Raising a son Jax has been my biggest priority and gift in life since having him 8 years ago on Aug 7. He's at an age where it's SO MUCH FUN now! Sled trips, dirt bike trips, it's all SO MUCH FUN having my mini me do fun things with us. Speaking of sled trips with the kids, stay tuned fall 2026 for a film project release from She Shreds & Polaris. We filmed a sled trip with the kids to a cabin sitting at 2150m (7050ft) and slept in it for 3 nights! Oh man good times!

I would say the biggest challenge I've had was always seeking to operate She Shreds legally with proper land use permits. Getting a tenure to operate on crown land was THE BIGGEST challenge I have ever had to face with my business. The time and effort it took to apply for a tenure was unmatched with anything I have ever done before. Establishing relationships with first nations, learning how to create digital mapping, working with biologists to create environmental & wildlife safety plans, learning how to be patient with government, creating avalanche safety plans, creating emergency response plans, getting the certifications to run and guide in a backcountry snowmobile operation, etc etc. How did I overcome this? The hardest was dealing with the government, they change their staff and priorities like we change our underwear. The government aside, determination, grit, the need for success, the passion of the sport, and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is how I overcame that. Glad I stuck it out!

Another challenge is being able to seek continued professional development in the guiding and avalanche world when you are a snowmobiler. There are not many snowmobile operations in the world where you can seek mentorship with professional avalanche technicians and as well as professional lead snowmobile guides (certified by the Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association). Luckily I learned how to snowboard at a young age so I am able to seek continued professional development in the ski/board industry at guiding operations (helicopter and cat ski operations).

One last small challenge was emotionally supporting clients during clinics, whether they were female or male, it was still emotional support they needed most, just delivered a little differently! It's incredible how not just physically challenging snowmobiling in the mountains is, but emotionally challenging too. When someone tries 10 times to do something and still can't accomplish "the line" or "the move" or "the timing of the throttle and weight distribution", it's deflating emotionally. So trying to figure out tactics to keep the emotions high while physical drainage was happening, without tears or frustration, was a tough one. I joke that when people pay for snowmobile clinics with She Shreds, they are also paying for therapy. Haha.

Getting granted a tenure from the government for She Shreds (permit to operate my business on crown land).

Getting my professional membership with the Canadian Avalanche Association - I've never gone to university (did college but that doesn't really count), but writing my professional membership application with the CAA felt like if I went to university, it would have been like me writing my masters I think?!

Keeping sponsors into a stereotypical athlete wash up age - Usually when athletes get to my age they drift away from the professional athlete title. I still feel like I am in my prime and have many years to go. Hopefully my sponsors think the same LOL.

Oh boy, this is a rabbit hole. I'm going to try and keep this light. Let's talk about the bad: the dang cost of everything these days. Snowmobiling is now considered a luxury sport in my eyes and it's unfortunate as it used to be so grass roots. Anyone and their grandpa could own a sled back in the day, the old iron, that ran forever and built solid like an ox. Where those that had some extra cash would build up their mods, make them faster and lighter. It's changed now, and we are adapting to the change, but it's really the global financial markets that control everything. Can we do anything about it?!

A mid life crisis career change? Ha noooooo…. But I am thinking about pursuing an avalanche control job in the future. I just have to wait for my kid to get a bit older I think…

Don't blow all your tip money you made serving in the bars of Whistler (BC) on partying, fine dining, sleds, trucks and rock and roll. Save that shit!!! (says no one in their 20's ever).

Thank you to Polaris, Klim, Truckboss Decks, Cheetah Factory Racing, FOX, Backwoods BMP, Deviant Ink & Main Jet Motorsports for continuing to support this old hag!