Support Our Local Athlete in her Journey to the World Cup!
Dream.Inspire.Never Give up.
Ava is 3rd Fastest in Time Trials & 6th overall in SBX in the Nation!
Support Our Local Athlete in her Journey to the World Cup!
Dream.Inspire.Never Give up.
Future Olympian, Driven by Determination and a Dream
My Story
My name is Ava Montabello. I’m 15 years old, and I’m chasing an extraordinary dream: to represent my country as an Olympian in snowboarding! Growing up in the heart of the Sierras, I was shaped by crisp mountain air, epic snow-covered peaks, and the boundless support of a single mom who’s done everything to see me succeed.
When I was six, my mom moved us from Reno to Lake Tahoe, taking a job at the local ski resort so my brother and I could be closer to the mountains. It was there that my love for snowboarding first sparked—my mom put me in lessons, and I was hooked from the start. She saw my excitement, and without hesitation, began looking into the local teams, determined to give me every opportunity to grow. I joined the NorthStar All Mountain Team in 2018, spending three intense years sharpening my skills before progressing to the Competitive Snowboard Team, where I discovered my passion for Boardercross. There’s nothing like standing at the top of a mountain on a winter morning, ready to race—everything else falls away, leaving only the thrill of the snow, the challenge of the course, and the joy of doing what I love.
Now, I’m entering my fourth competitive season in Boardercross, and the journey has been nothing short of incredible. Last year, I ranked third in my region, placed third in time trials, and finished sixth overall at the 2024 USASA National Competition. My sights are set even higher, and I’m doing everything possible to reach them. I’m balancing school with training 5-6 days a week and pursuing a dual credit program through CWI in Idaho to graduate high school with an associate degree. It’s tough, but the dream fuels me.
While I’ve been fortunate to train in one of the best snowboarding regions, there have been sacrifices. My mom has been our rock, finding ways to overcome every challenge, big and small. From working her way up in the ski industry to creatively securing housing and training through incredibly hard times, she’s shown my brother and me what resilience and love looks like. When Tahoe’s rental crisis hit during COVID, she even made the decision to buy a camper so we could stay near the mountain and continue training—a move that kept my dream alive.
But I’ve reached a pivotal point. My Olympic aspirations demand more training, resources, and access than our family alone can provide. Unlike many of my competitors, who have private coaches, top-tier training, and endless travel options, my journey has been different. I am now looking for sponsors and supporters to help propel me to the next level and keep me in the race for Olympic glory. I dream not only of competing but of one day being a role model for other young women who face financial barriers in this sport. I’m ready to give back and make snowboarding more accessible to those with big dreams but limited resources.
My dream to represent my country as an Olympian isn’t just about me—it’s about everyone who’s believed in me, supported me, and shown me that even the biggest mountains can be conquered. With your support, I can take this next crucial step toward making it to the top.
Thank you for believing in this journey. Together, we can make history on the mountain.
A Glimpse into the world of an Aspiring SBX Olympian
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