Carbondale Hosts First World Girls Hockey Weekend Event

Aspen —The wind off the Roaring Fork cuts sharp against your cheeks, carrying the faint, metallic chill of early autumn. It’s the kind of crisp evening where the air feels thin and clear, perfect for the first real bite of cold weather. In Carbondale, that chill is about to meet the ice.

For the very first time, World Girls Hockey Weekend is landing in the Roaring Fork Valley. It’s a global movement that started back in 2011, but until now, folks around here haven’t had a local foothold in it. That changes on October 17th. Colorado Extreme, the local nonprofit that’s been quietly working to widen the net for hockey access, is taking the helm. They’re setting up shop at the Steadman Philippon Outdoor Arena, with the doors swinging open at 5 p.m.

The best part? There’s no gatekeeping. No registration forms to fill out, no fees to pay, and no equipment required. You can feel it in the way they’ve structured this — it’s an invitation, not a transaction. Whether you’re a seasoned skater who’s been on the ice since you could walk, or someone who has never touched a pair of skates in her life, you’re welcome. Maddy Moses, a high-performance coach at Colorado Extreme, put it plainly: “No registration, no fees, nothing. Just show up. If you have gear, bring it. If you don’t have gear, we can get you some gear and get you out on the ice.”

It’s a small detail, but it matters. Moses grew up on the East Coast, where girls-only hockey programs are everywhere. “That’s just not the case out west,” she said, noting that Colorado is finally catching up. She wants to move past the days of being a handful of girls shoehorned onto a boys’ team. This is about doing it together.

Beyond the skating, there’s a social layer to it. Colorado Extreme is hosting a watch party with pizza to tune in to professional women’s hockey games. It’s a nice touch — a way to bridge the gap between local participation and the wider world of the sport.

The goal, according to Moses, is simple: “The biggest thing is just we’re trying to grow the girls’ game.” It’s not about creating elite athletes overnight. It’s about introduction. It’s about letting young athletes who haven’t experienced the sport come to Colorado Extreme and just try it. As Moses noted, it’s pretty unheard of that you go somewhere and get completely free equipment, get on the ice, and try it on multiple occasions.

So, if you’re in the valley on that Friday, keep an eye out. The ice is ready. The skates are waiting. All you have to do is show up.