Rachel Lightner

Rachel learned to snowboard on Mt. Ashland when she was eight years old, and 20 years later, she can't get enough of the sport. Rachel competed in slopestyle, rail jams, halfpipe, and boardercross in high school. She continued through college, competing for Sierra Nevada College's collegiate team and taking home podium medals in all her divisions. Rachel still competes today but prefers the laid-back nature of banked slaloms and carving. She even achieved the bragging rights of taking home a duct tape trophy at the Legendary Banked Slalom at Mt. Baker. Rachel is a backcountry snowboard guide at Pacific Crest Snowcats – She has her AIARE Level 1 Certification and is set to get her Level 2 this winter. Snowboarding has brought her around the world, from Japan to Alaska, to explore her backyard in North Lake Tahoe. She is excited to share her passion and knowledge for snowboarding with the readers at OutdoorGearLab.