Sophia Brodin: Balancing Ballet and the Slopes as Canyon Concert Ballet's Principal Dancer

For many ballet dancers, discipline, precision, and an unwavering commitment to their craft often mean sacrificing certain pastimes. However, for Sophia Brodin, principal dancer at Canyon Concert Ballet (CCB), balancing her love for ballet with her lifelong passion for snowboarding is not just possible—it’s an essential part of her life.

Brodin’s connection to the slopes began before she could even walk. "I started skiing with my family before I could walk," she recalls. "My mom was literally pregnant with me and skiing four months before I was born!" This early introduction to the mountains instilled in her a deep love for winter sports. She skied throughout her childhood until the age of ten when she made the switch to snowboarding, a transition that would define her winter adventures for years to come.

"It was something that my family could do all together," she shares. "I grew up snowboarding every winter at our cottage in New York and spent my spring breaks on family trips to Utah every year." This tradition became a defining aspect of her upbringing, fostering both her athleticism and her bond with her family.

However, as her ballet career took her to different places, Brodin experienced a hiatus from snowboarding. "I took a little hiatus for a few years because I lived in the Midwest, and there really isn't any real place to snowboard there," she explains. But when she joined Canyon Concert Ballet in Colorado, she found herself in the perfect place to rekindle her love for the sport.

"CCB offers me such a flexible schedule that I can spend my weekends going to the mountains to snowboard and enjoy all the beauty that Colorado offers," she says. This unique opportunity allows her to embrace both of her passions without compromising her professional commitments.

Of course, snowboarding comes with its risks, particularly for a ballet dancer whose career depends on physical well-being. But Brodin expresses immense gratitude for the support she receives at CCB. "I have such a cool director that lets me go snowboarding even though it's a risky hobby for a ballet dancer!" she exclaims. The trust and encouragement from the company’s leadership allow her to fully enjoy her time on the slopes while maintaining her dedication to ballet.

Beyond personal enjoyment, snowboarding has also become a way for Brodin to connect with her colleagues and the Fort Collins community. "It's something I can bond over with others in my CCB family and Fort Collins community," she says. Whether carving down a mountain or performing breathtaking pirouettes on stage, she finds joy in movement, in challenge, and in the camaraderie that both ballet and snowboarding offer.

Brodin’s story is a testament to the possibility of balancing a rigorous dance career with outside passions. Through careful time management, a supportive environment, and a fearless approach to life, she proves that ballet dancers, even at the highest level, can embrace adventure both onstage and on the slopes.