How outdoor DIVAS Helped Change the Ski Industry for Women

Mar 30th 2026

When outdoor DIVAS first opened its doors in Boulder, the mission was simple — and quietly radical:

Make the ski and outdoor world better for women.

At the time, much of the industry still operated under the “shrink it and pink it” mindset: take men’s gear, make it smaller, add a pastel color, and call it women’s specific.

Women deserved better. And outdoor DIVAS was built to prove it.

Born in Boulder, Built from Frustration (and a Love of Skiing)

outdoor DIVAS was founded by Kim Walker, a passionate skier frustrated by the lack of true women-specific ski gear, and Michael Callas, whose vision and operational expertise helped turn the idea into reality.

Together, they opened the first outdoor DIVAS in Boulder — a town known for innovation, outdoor culture, and doing things differently.

From day one, the goal wasn’t just to sell ski gear. It was to create a women’s ski shop where:

Boots were fit to women’s feet
Skis were selected for women’s bodies and skiing styles
Apparel was both technical and flattering
Women felt seen, heard, and understood

The First (and Still Only) All-Women’s Ski Shop in the U.S.

outdoor DIVAS holds a distinction no other store in the country can claim:

It is the first — and still the only — ski shop in the United States dedicated entirely to women.

That Boulder storefront set the tone for everything that followed, including the move to Vail, where outdoor DIVAS continues to serve women from across the country looking for women’s ski gear, women’s ski apparel, and expert women’s ski boot fitting.

This wasn’t just retail. It was advocacy through curation.

Why outdoor DIVAS Mattered Then (and Still Does Now)

In the early days, outdoor DIVAS filled a gap the industry hadn’t yet acknowledged.

Women were skiing, adventuring, and showing up in growing numbers, but the gear, the fit, and the retail experience hadn’t caught up. outdoor DIVAS stepped into that space and began doing things differently.

Women’s Ski Boot Fitting Became a Specialty

Ski boots are the most important piece of equipment a skier owns, yet for years, many women were placed into boots that didn’t reflect their anatomy, stance, or biomechanics.

outdoor DIVAS became known for women’s ski boot fitting that accounted for:

Narrower heels
Different calf shapes
Lower body mass
Alignment differences

For many women, this was the first time they skied all day without pain—and the first time they understood what a proper boot fit could do for their confidence and performance.

That reputation spread quickly.

Elevating Brands That Designed for Women

Before women-specific gear became a focus for major retailers, outdoor DIVAS was already spotlighting brands that truly designed for women.

Brands like Krimson Klover, Kari Traa, and Skhoop weren’t afterthoughts on a rack—they were front and center.

By giving these brands visibility and credibility, outdoor DIVAS helped demonstrate that women weren’t a niche market. They were a powerful one. That visibility encouraged more brands to invest in thoughtful women’s design across skis, boots, and apparel.

Building Community, Not Just Customers

From Boulder to Denver to Vail, outdoor DIVAS has always been about more than selling gear.

Women’s demo days, events, and gatherings created spaces where women could try equipment, ask questions, and feel welcomed in a sport that often felt male-dominated.

The result wasn’t just customers — it was a community.

And that sense of belonging became just as important as the gear itself.

Leadership and Partners

outdoor DIVAS has grown over the years thanks to a team of dedicated leaders who share the same mission and passion for women’s skiing.

Kim Walker — Founder, President, Industry Leader

As president and co-founder of outdoor DIVAS, Kim Walker has become a recognized authority on women’s ski and outdoor gear. She is routinely invited to speak at industry events including the Ski Industry Association’s annual summit and the Outdoor Industry Rendezvous.

Her expertise in women’s apparel, ski equipment, and mountain lifestyle has made her a trusted voice for designers and manufacturers seeking real feedback on women-specific design.

Kim has also been recognized for her leadership within the outdoor community, including being named one of the Top 40 Under 40 by SGB Magazine and serving on the Board of Directors for the Outdoor Industry Association.

Michael Callas — Master Bootfitter + Co-Founder

From the beginning, Michael Callas brought the technical expertise that helped turn outdoor DIVAS into a trusted destination for serious skiers.

Michael has long been regarded as one of the most respected bootfitters in the country and was named one of the best bootfitters in the country by SKI Magazine. His ability to translate complex fit science into real-world comfort has helped thousands of women ski without pain and with greater confidence.

Lauren Williams — Managing Partner + Master Bootfitter

Lauren Williams has been part of outdoor DIVAS for many years. She first worked with the company while completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Denver. After several years with the business, she stepped away, but when the Vail store opened, she returned and joined the company as a partner.

Today, Lauren serves as Managing Partner and is responsible for daily store operations and hardgoods buying. She is also a master bootfitter and plays a key role in maintaining the high standards of fit and service outdoor DIVAS is known for.

In addition to her work in the shop, Lauren has been part of the ski testing team for SKI Magazine and Outside Magazine for the past three years, contributing her expertise to gear evaluations used across the industry.

Alysia Krupp — Director of Finance & Operations

Alysia Krupp has been with outdoor DIVAS since the beginning. She worked with the company while completing her MBA at the University of Denver and joined full time after graduating.

Today, Alysia serves as Director of Finance and Operations, helping guide the business behind the scenes and ensuring that everything from inventory planning to financial strategy runs smoothly. Her steady leadership and deep knowledge of the company have been essential to outdoor DIVAS’ long-term growth.

Where outdoor DIVAS Is Today

Today, outdoor DIVAS is more than a women’s ski shop — it’s a place where expertise is taught, shared, and passed on.

We’ve built our team through extensive training, mentorship, and a very specific philosophy:

Women deserve gear, guidance, and service designed around them.

Over the years, many former DIVAS have gone on to careers throughout the ski and outdoor industry—working for major brands, becoming designers, sales reps, buyers, bootfitters, and leaders in their own right. The outdoor DIVAS approach to women’s gear and service has spread far beyond our walls because of the people who learned it here and carried it forward.

In the shop today, that same culture is alive and well. Our team doesn’t just sell gear—they understand women’s boot fitting, layering systems, stance and alignment, and how to match equipment to real lives.

The Legacy of outdoor DIVAS

What started as frustration in Boulder became something much bigger than a ski shop.

outdoor DIVAS didn’t just serve women skiers — it helped change how the ski and outdoor industry thinks about women’s gear, fit, and presence on the mountain.

Through decades of expert boot fitting, thoughtful curation, staff education, and advocacy for women-specific design, outdoor DIVAS has influenced brands, trained industry professionals, and helped thousands of women ski more comfortably and confidently.

Because outdoor DIVAS has never just been about selling gear.

It’s about making sure women have the knowledge, equipment, and confidence to take up their rightful space in the mountains.

One boot fit. One ski test. One woman at a time.