Some of the most meaningful contributions to a community happen quietly. They come from people who volunteer their weekends, share what they have learned, and make room for newcomers to feel welcome. Recognition may follow, but it is rarely what motivates them to get involved.
For Amber Giroux, that spirit of service has become inseparable from her lifelong passion for snowmobiling.
On October 17, 2026, Giroux received the Ambassador of the Year Award from the Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA) during a ceremony at the Chateau Lacombe in Edmonton, Alberta. The honour recognized her dedication to a sport she has loved for 39 years and her continued efforts to support the people and organizations that keep Alberta’s snowmobiling community active.
While the award represents an important personal milestone, Giroux considers it a reflection of something much larger: the collective generosity of a community built around shared experiences.
A Childhood Passion That Became a Lifelong Commitment
Giroux’s introduction to snowmobiling came through her family. Growing up surrounded by people who loved riding, she developed an appreciation for the freedom and adventure that came with exploring the outdoors.
As the years passed, those early experiences took on a deeper meaning.
Snowmobiling introduced her to people from different backgrounds, strengthened friendships, and showed her how recreational activities could create lasting connections. What began as a family tradition eventually became an opportunity to contribute to a community that had given her so much.
Today, Giroux serves as an ASA Ambassador and volunteers with the David Thompson SnowRiders, a local club whose members share a commitment to supporting snowmobiling in Alberta.
Her involvement places her alongside volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to maintaining the community spirit surrounding the sport.
Giroux believes these contributions deserve greater recognition, particularly because much of the work happens away from public attention.
Why Community Leadership Begins With Participation
For Giroux, leadership has little to do with titles. She sees it in the willingness to offer guidance, encourage someone who lacks confidence, or contribute time when an organization needs support.
That perspective has shaped her work through Let Your Wheels Unwind You, where she provides off road powersports coaching, confidence building experiences, and mental performance mentorship.
Her work centers on helping individuals recognize their capabilities, particularly when fear or uncertainty prevents them from trying something unfamiliar.
The lessons she shares through riding often extend into everyday life. Learning to trust one’s judgment, respond to challenges, and persevere through discomfort can influence how people approach situations far removed from the trail.
Giroux hopes those experiences encourage participants to carry their growing confidence into their relationships, careers, and communities.
“I’ve always believed that passion is meant to be shared, not kept to ourselves,” Giroux says. “When we give our time, share our knowledge, and create opportunities for others, we build something far greater than personal success.”
Her words reflect a philosophy that has guided her involvement in snowmobiling for decades.
Bringing Alberta’s Snowmobiling Community Together in 2027
Giroux’s commitment to community involvement will continue through an upcoming milestone for the David Thompson SnowRiders.
The club has been selected by the Alberta Snowmobile Association to host the 2027 ASA Snowmobile Jamboree in Sylvan Lake, Alberta, on February 13, 2027.
The gathering will welcome snowmobiling enthusiasts, families, and volunteers from across the province, creating opportunities for riders to connect and celebrate their shared interests.
For Giroux, the event represents another chance to strengthen relationships and introduce more people to the welcoming community she has experienced throughout her life.
The Ambassador of the Year Award acknowledges what she has contributed, but Giroux remains focused on what comes next.
She hopes her story encourages people to become involved in their own communities, regardless of whether their interests involve snowmobiling or something entirely different.
After nearly four decades in the sport, Giroux has learned that the memories people carry often have as much to do with those who accompanied them as the adventures themselves.
And sometimes, the most lasting legacy begins with simply showing up for someone else.
Learn More
Discover Amber Giroux’s work in powersports coaching, personal confidence, and community involvement through Let Your Wheels Unwind You on Instagram: @letyourwheelsunwindyou.