What started as a few riders hiking rails together has grown into something much larger. Now a movement rooted in progression, community, and visibility. Girls Gone Metal didn’t arrive as a fully formed event or marketing concept. Instead, it evolved naturally, shaped by the riders who showed up day after day and realized they were building something meaningful together. This year's Girls Gone Metal is Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at Mt. Spokane Terrain Parks.
At the center of that momentum are Lilith Ellis and other riders like Brooke Bowermans, some of the driving forces behind Girls Gone Metal and the community effort that recently brought in a custom pink shotgun rail Mount Spokane's terrain park, hand made and welded by Max Rose Klane. What began as casual sessions quickly transformed into a space designed to welcome new riders while pushing progression forward.
We tapped in with Lilith to talk about how Girls Gone Metal came to life, the moments that defined its growth, and what the future looks like for a community that keeps getting louder.
Every movement has a turning point, the instant when something shifts from casual participation into intentional creation. For Lilith, that realization came during an ordinary day in the park.
Boardslide Mag: Lilith, tell us about that "We got to make this happen" moment for Girls Gone Metal.
Lilith Ellis: "During my first season in the park, it was just me and one other girl hiking rails every day. Then another girl started showing up, then another. And before we even realized it, it wasn’t just a coincidence anymore it was momentum. One afternoon I stopped at the top of the feature and looked around. There were enough of us out there pushing, slamming, hiking, laughing, and realized we had enough to make something real out of it. That’s when it clicked. This wasn’t just sessions anymore. We could build something, a space for girls to progress, to hype each other up, and learn together. It went from “this is so sick” to “alright let’s see how far we can take this”.
That realization planted the seed for what would become Girls Gone Metal. Not just an event, but a shared environment where progression and encouragement existed side by side.
The first event was expected to be small — a gathering of familiar faces who had spent the season riding together. Instead, it revealed how deeply the idea resonated beyond one mountain.
Boardslide Mag: Was there a moment during the first event when you realized it was bigger than you expected?
Lilith: "1000% I honestly thought it was just going to be our local crew the girls who’d been learning park together all season. But then the day came last season and girls were rolling in from all over the Pacific Northwest. Some even drove eight hours from Canada just to ride with other girls. That’s when it hit me, this wasn’t just a local rail jam. It was something people were hungry for. Seeing that many girls show up ready to hike features, push themselves, and support each other made me realize our community could be way bigger than we ever imagined. It wasn’t just about one event it was about opening the door and realizing how many people were waiting to walk through it".
The turnout confirmed something Lilith, Brooke, and their crew had already begun to feel: riders weren’t just attending an event, they were searching for connection and belonging.
Something that makes rail jams memorable are the setups and features. Lilith and Brooke have lead the mission of having a bright pink shotgun rail customized for Girls Gone Metal. Now after getting the community behind it, Max Rose Klane has created and welded a hot pink shotgun rail debuting at this year's Girls Gone Metal.
Boardslide Mag: What does the pink shotgun rail represent to you beyond just being a feature?
Lilith: "The pink shotgun is way more than just a rail to me. It represents every girl who’s put in the time, taken the slams, hiked the park, and kept showing up. The mountain has always been a place where connections are built not just between people, but between riders and the sport itself. The pink rail stands as proof that the community here is evolving. It’s louder, stronger, and more united than ever. Building that rail feels like a full circle moment. It’s about creating space, building connections, and making sure the next girl who decides to start riding park knows she belongs there too".
Unlike many grassroots projects that struggle to gain traction, Girls Gone Metal found immediate backing from the community.
Boardslide Mag: Were there any challenges raising funds for shotgun rail or convincing people the idea mattered?
Lilith: "Honestly, no it wasn’t something we had to convince people, it was something everyone already wanted. The idea had been floating around for a while, it just hadn’t been brought to life yet. Once we said it out loud and got a plan behind it, people stepped up immediately. The support was natural. Everyone did what they could whether that was time, resources, or spreading the word to make sure it actually happened".
That collective ownership became one of the defining characteristics of the project.
Boardslide Mag: Did people rally around the project in ways you didn’t expect?
Lilith: "Absolutely, I never expected our female welder, Max, to step up the way she did. She came in ready to make this happen fully committed, hands on, and so supportive. It was one of those moments that reminded me this project wasn’t just about building a rail. It was about a community showing up for each other in ways bigger than I could have imagined".
Even in the early stages, Girls Gone Metal is evolving quickly.
Boardslide Mag: How is this event evolving over the years?
Lilith: "It’s only our second season, and it’s already next level. More girls showing up, more sponsors backing us, custom features like our pink rail, and the vibe feels like an official rail jam now, not just an unofficial community ride day. I feel it getting bigger, louder, and more hyped than ever".
Growth isn’t measured solely in attendance or sponsorships, though. For Lilith and Brooke, the true impact shows up in the riders themselves.
Boardslide Mag: What’s been the most rewarding moment you’ve witnessed during Girls Gone Metal?
Lilith: "Honestly, it’s seeing more and more new faces in the park every year. Watching girls show up, hit the features and push themselves, that energy is where it’s at. Every new rider is a reminder of why we started this".
As the event gains momentum, Lilith’ vision remains rooted in accessibility and expansion without losing the sense of community that sparked it all.
Boardslide Mag: Where do you hope Girls Gone Metal goes in the next few years?
Lilith: "We’d love to see Girls Gone Metal expand with satellite events across other local mountains in the PNW! Our current goal is to keep creating a stronger, welcoming space where girls can feel comfortable learning and progressing in park riding, while building confidence and community".
From a handful of riders hiking rails to a growing regional movement, Girls Gone Metal reflects a broader shift happening in terrain parks. One led not by corporations, but by riders themselves. Through collaboration, creativity, and community ownership, Lilith and Brooke and their team have built more than an event. They’ve created a space where progression feels shared, encouragement feels constant, and the next generation of riders knows there’s a place waiting for them. Good work out there, Lilith! She is stoked to see everyone out at this year's Girls Gone Metal.
