Taylor “Mama Gids” Gidney

Taylor Gidney, widely known as “Mama Gids,” is a cornerstone of the Valemount, BC, riding community and a fierce advocate for backcountry longevity. As the founder of the “Forever 29” initiative and the “Mama Gids Gives Back” project, Taylor has dedicated her career to ensuring that the "Lineage of the Line" isn’t just about who can ride the steepest slope, but who has the education to return home every night.

Taylor’s influence bridges the gap between high-performance mountain riding and community-led safety advocacy. Her mission is simple but profound: Break down barriers to education. Through her work, she provides financial support for women and youth to receive professional avalanche training, ensuring that safety is never a luxury, but a standard.

Valemount, BC

For Taylor, the backcountry is a family-friendly gathering place. This is best exemplified by her annual "Forever 29" event at Allan Creek. While many events focus on speed or airtime, Taylor’s gathering emphasizes skill-building drills, beacon searches, and youth engagement. She believes that a rider’s "lineage" begins in childhood, where safety habits are formed long before the first big "send.

"We aren't just riding sleds; we are building a community of guardians. Every time we break down a financial barrier for a rider to get their AST training, we are protecting the future of this sport." — Taylor "Mama Gids" Gidney

• The Safety Benchmark: As a leader in avalanche awareness, Taylor brings a specialized lens to the "Respect" pillar. She isn't looking for the rider who takes the most risk; she is looking for the rider who demonstrates calculated decision-making and prepared leadership.
• The Family Advocate: Taylor understands the "Lineage" mission better than anyone. Her work with children’s avalanche drills makes her the ideal judge for the Throttle Starters (10–13) and Line Sharpeners (14–17) brackets.
• Breaking Barriers: Just as she does with "Mama Gids Gives Back," Taylor is looking for the "underdog"—the rider who shows technical grit and a willingness to learn, regardless of their gear or background.