Don’t have time to read? Listen to the podcast here
What were you doing at 24? Finishing uni? Figuring life out? Alenka Mali was out in the mountains of Squamish, British Columbia, gearing up to launch herself off a cliff… on a snowboard… with a parachute.
Because why not?
Alenka isn’t just any snowboarder. She’s a freeride pro, a BASE jumping rookie-turned-natural, and a full-blown adrenaline artist who doesn’t just chase dreams — she hurls herself at them from great heights. Her new film, The Beginning, is dropping this August as part of the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour, and trust us — this is one you’ll want to see on the big screen.
Raised by Mountains
Alenka’s story starts way before the cliffs of Canada. Born in Argentina and raised in Slovenia’s rugged alpine playground, she was climbing, hiking, and ziplining over glacial rivers before most kids had training wheels off their bikes. Her parents? Both mountaineers. Her childhood? Basically one big adventure camp.
By the time she moved to Squamish in 2015, she was already fluent in “mountain.” But the peaks here, and the people on them, sparked something new: a love of freeride snowboarding that quickly turned competitive. She tore up the Freeride World Qualifier scene, even snagging a win at the 4-star comp in Kirkwood, California in 2023. Not too shabby for someone who also BASE jumps for fun.
Snowboard + BASE Jump = ???
Here’s where things get wild. After falling in love with BASE jumping (blame her partner, Spencer), Alenka started dreaming up the ultimate combo move: ride off a cliff on a snowboard and parachute down like a badass snow angel.
Sounds ridiculous? Maybe. Dangerous? Definitely. Has a woman ever pulled it off before? Nope.
That’s what makes The Beginning so electric. It’s not just about the jump — it’s about everything that leads up to the moment your board hits the edge and there’s no going back. The film weaves together her childhood memories, the quiet inspiration of her mum, and all the moments that pushed her towards this gravity-defying goal.
Do we see her land the jump? Nice try — you’ll have to watch the film to find out.
More Than Mountains
Alenka’s courage doesn’t stop at cliffs. She’s also the founder of LUX Snow, a not-for-profit that helps women all over the world get into ski touring and splitboarding. She’s on a mission to make the backcountry feel like home for every woman who wants a piece of the adventure.
Catch The Beginning at the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour
Want to see what it looks like when someone snowboards on the edge of possible? The Beginning is coming to cinemas across Australia this August as part of the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour — a showcase of bold women doing epic things in wild places.
You can now stream the 2025 Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour right here from Adventure Reels TV
