Tara and Meadow at home in Colorado. Photo: Susie Floros

Tara Dakides

Mom, wife, snowboarder, 7x X Games medalist (5 Gold), Standout Mack Dawg Productions video parts, former Jeenyus rider, entrepreneur, Against the Grain, Fleetwood Mac fan, new minivan owner.

Tell us about your family.
Well, we [Tara and her husband Jake] just bought a mini van ‘cause number 2 is due sometime in June. We have our beautiful little girl Meadow and a little boy on the way. The minivan is one of the nicest rides I’ve ever had. Definitely backing the minivan and never thought I would say that.

How has motherhood changed your life?
I always knew if I was to be fortunate enough to be a mom that I would want to be a fulltime mom. I remember when my mom became single and had to go back to work… it wasn’t easy on any of us. So my goal is to be there for her through every step of her growth and life. Obviously to do that takes sacrifice and selflessness. I’ve been fortunate to have lived a very selfish life within snowboarding so it makes it easier for me to think of her needs before my own. That’s the biggest change is that shift of lifestyle. I feel so blessed I get to be a full-time mom first, and everything else comes second to that.

Has snowboarding influenced the way you raise your daughter?
That’s a good question I never thought about. I think the best thing is I get to share my life experiences from snowboarding with her. The drive, the discipline, the follow-through, learning to pick yourself up in the hard times and most importantly to enjoy the journey and be grateful. Hopefully my life will inspire her to follow her dreams. That’s all a parent could hope for really. That and how to be healthy.

Will you teach Meadow to snowboard one day?
If she is interested and I imagine she will be. We aren’t in any hurry. She’s been on skis in our backyard a few times this winter and was tolerant of it. Not stoked but not upset, just curious. She was almost two.

Did you have to choose between being a mother & having a career in snowboarding?
Absolutely… but luckily I was at the end of my career when I had Meadow.

Do you have some words of wisdom that you can pass on to families looking to raise their kids in the mountains?
Be patient and keep them warm.