Overcoming Injury: A Journey Back to Snowboarding with Pallas Snowboards

By: Kelley Wren

As someone who’s been snowboarding for 26 years, many of those spent riding year-round, the winter season has always been a time of freedom and joy. Every year, I look forward to carving down powder-covered mountains, feeling the crisp, cold air on my face, and spending time with friends who share the same passion. But this year, that all changed.

While mountain biking in the summer, I suffered an injury that would keep me off the slopes for the entire winter season—a broken talus bone in my ankle. It’s a tough injury for anyone to deal with, but as a snowboarder, it felt like a blow to the soul. This was the first season in my entire life that I wouldn’t be able to experience the mountain in the way I’m used to, and honestly, it was incredibly hard to accept.

Watching others get their laps in on social media while I was sidelined was tough. The temptation to be out there in the snow, shredding, was overwhelming. I’ve spent so many seasons riding, including many winters that were spent in the backcountry as a professional educator, teaching others about snow safety and riding techniques. When I wasn’t riding, I was working with others to help them enjoy the mountain and stay safe. It’s not just a hobby; it’s my career.

[Photo: Carrie Scheick]

This injury stripped away a part of who I am. It took me away from my favorite things, my friends, and my work. At first, I tried to stay occupied—filling my days with other activities—but nothing quite gave me that sense of purpose or joy that snowboarding did. Plus I was fully stuck inside. It wasn’t just about the physical activity for me; it was the entire lifestyle, the community, and the deep connection I had with the sport. Losing that for an entire season has been devastating, and it was easy to get lost in my head, questioning whether I’d ever fully recover.

Rehabilitation has been a slow and demanding process, and as weeks turned into months, it felt like a mountain I kept striving for the peak to find it to be a false summit. Six months of recovery felt like an eternity, and while I have been taking small steps forward, I couldn’t help but get frustrated and overly emotional. Every day has been a battle to stay positive and focused. But through it all, I have to remind myself to celebrate the small wins. Whether it was making it through a day with less pain or completing a rehab exercise that I thought was impossible, those little victories were the fuel I needed to keep going. The day I could retire my brace was intimidating, but liberating as I could finally wear two of the same shoes!

When you're going through a tough time, it's natural to want to retreat and hide within yourself, thinking you can handle everything alone. But it's crucial to stay connected to your community, even when it's the hardest thing to do. Embracing the support of friends and even strangers can make all the difference. Sometimes, we don't ask for help because we're afraid of burdening others or we feel too vulnerable. However, it's in those moments of isolation that human connection is most needed.

The turning point came when I finally started to get back on my Pallas Epiphany splitboard. Even though I was still recovering and taking it slow, getting out there again was pure joy. I started with just small tours on my skins on flat roads. Touring out a half mile and touring right back to the car, never transitioning to downhill. This was a huge feat and I have to thank every friend who spent the hour or two filling my day with conversation to just walk outside with me. I was seeing real progress and bigger steps. There were lots of plateaus in the recovery and still are, but getting into the sunshine, snow and fresh air reignited my motivation to not just get back out there, but to get back stronger than before.

Suddenly the day came that I felt strong enough to attempt a true tour up and transition to downhill. I was feeling solid enough on my climb that I went higher than originally planned, maybe because I was very nervous about the descent. When we finally stopped to put my splitboard together, I took the time to take three deep breaths, take in the incredible views of the 10 Mile Range and give myself the pep talk that I’m in control of my ride down - I can take it mellow or make as many stops as needed. Then I dropped in.

[Photo: Katie Young]

The feeling of gliding through the snow, the powder flowing beneath me—it was a reminder of why I love snowboarding in the first place. The freedom, the thrill, and the connection with the mountain were all there again. I had never felt lighter, mentally or physically. That first run back was one of the best I’ve ever had, and it made every challenge and setback along the way worth it.

What I’ve learned from this experience is that healing isn’t just physical. It’s mental and emotional too. The road to recovery is long, but the key is to stay focused on those small wins and not let the setbacks define you. The community of women, like the amazing team at Pallas Snowboards, has been a constant reminder that we are stronger than we think and that setbacks don’t have to be permanent. Whether it’s getting out there for a mellow run or just being around people who understand and support you, it’s all part of the journey.

I may have missed a season, but I know I’ll come back stronger, more grateful, and with a renewed sense of purpose. Snowboarding isn’t just about riding; it’s about the freedom, the adventure, and the ability to overcome anything that life throws your way. And now, with my Pallas Epiphany splitboard in hand, I’m ready to take on whatever comes next.

If you have a friend dealing with an injury that takes them away from the activities and sports they love, it's even more important to offer your support, even when they don't seem to want it or ask for it. They may be struggling in silence, and your presence, encouragement, and care can remind them they are not alone in their journey to recovery.