Interview by Susie Floros
Robin Van Gyn has spent over two decades redefining what it means to be a backcountry snowboarder. As one of the most influential freeriders of her generation, Robin’s career is built on a foundation of skill, grit, creativity, and an undeniable love for the mountains. Robin brings an intimate knowledge of terrain and safety, she’s not just riding lines; she’s leading and charging them — whether in iconic films like Full Moon and Depth Perception or as the 2021 women’s winner of the Natural Selection Tour.
Robin’s impact extends beyond her accolades. Through Research & Development, she’s created a backcountry freestyle event in British Columbia that brings up-and-coming female riders and seasoned pros together in the backcountry to push boundaries and build community. Two days of filming, one contest day, renowned photographers & cinematographers, cash prizes, and one coveted spot to compete in the Natural Selection Tour are on the line. Research & Development reflects Robin’s unwavering commitment to empowering and welcoming the next generation of snowboarders into the highest echelon of backcountry freeriding.
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You've had an illustrious career in snowboarding. What are you most proud of?
Or what are you most excited about currently?
Robin Van Gyn: Thanks for the kind words, it’s all been a blur and I can’t believe I am still here. When I look back at my career I feel that I am most proud of my commitment to snowboarding overall. Of course, there are video parts and contest wins, but I can honestly say for 90% of my time here, I gave it everything I had. I am most excited to see the youth coming up, women’s snowboarding has turned a major corner and I am blown away at what's happening in the contest world and starting to happen in the backcountry space, I am glued to media watching it all unfold in real-time.
What inspired you to create Research & Development?
RVG: I really want to see equal parts men and women competing at the elite level of backcountry snowboarding. It's important to me that we get equal representation, if we want more women pushing the envelope, that is how to do it in my opinion. RnD was a response to wanting that and knowing that the women needed a stepping-stone opportunity to prove they deserve to be included and also an opportunity to try and progress in a venue just for them.
How do you balance filming and traveling/taking care of yourself as a pro rider while also leading this event and taking care of the invited riders?
RVG: Oh god it’s hard, I don’t suggest it, it’s a lot of work, haha. However, I am at a point where I want some of my energy going back into the thing that gave me so much opportunity and making sure the opportunity is shared to the next generation who is going to blow us out of the water.
What surprised you the most, or what did you learn after the inaugural RnD event in 2024?
RVG: There was so much magic that happened. It felt pretty loose and unorganized, but it all came together perfectly and the riders rose to the occasion and then some. We were all floored at the motivation and stoke, it was unbelievable really.
What are you most excited about going into this event for 2025?
RVG: I think it’s just going to get better, the more we showcase the more riders will come and be inspired. I think we will see the riding level up every year. We have some fresh names on the roster I am really excited about. I know they are going to send it and that is what we're looking for.
How does a rider earn an invite to Research & Development?
RVG: Well we have a panel of judges and they also double as a selection committee. We base most of it off video footage and then also just the panel letting us know who they think will kill it. For the returning riders, we kept the top half of the field. Really we were looking for the riders who didn’t play it safe, but who were putting it all out there.
How did you choose Whitewater Resort as the venue?
RVG: Whitewater is this amazing little resort with REALLY good freeride and freestyle terrain. It has been featured in snowboard videos for decades so it felt right to have a snowboard contest there. Also, it’s all hiking access so you don't need to know how to sled, there is no need for cats or Heli, it is simple. The people who work there are kind and generous and they were over the moon to have us, no strings attached, no ulterior motives, just genuine support for women in snowboarding.
Can you tell us a bit about the judges for this year’s event?
RVG: Just some absolute legends… women who have been watching and playing in snowboarding for decades. They know what’s up. Kimmy Fasani, Hana Beaman, and Marie-France Roy, they need no intro, probably 10 Riders’ Poll Awards or more between them.
How about the judging format?
RVG: Riders are judged on their best clip of footage combined with their best contest run. It's overall impression. Execution matters, freestyle matters, speed, flow, and amplitude matters. I would love to give you a straight formula, but there isn’t one, it's not that kind of contest.
What are your hopes for Research & Development in the future?
Just to see more women come to the backcountry and for the level to keep rising. The riders just need the opportunity to try, they have it, it's all there, they just need the space to chuck and land and try out some stuff.
Anything we did not ask that you would like to add or any shoutouts?
I just want to thank all the partners and the riders who show up and support RnD, there are so many people helping me make it happen, and I cannot express my gratitude enough. The team at Whitewater has been amazing to us and keep giving us the keys when we need them, it's insane. All my good friends who show up and help, you know who you are, could not have done any of this without you.
Huge shoutouts to Whitewater, Yeti, Arc’teryx, Jones, Burton, Tribute, the Adventure Hotel, and Nelson and Kootenay Lake Tourism.
