The SheJumps Ikon Pass Scholarship for Women of Color is about more than just access to the mountains—it’s about fostering a sense of belonging, building confidence, and creating pathways for more Women of Color in snow sports. For Simran, skiing always felt out of reach due to financial barriers. But with the support of her community, a gifted pair of boots, and the SheJumps scholarship, she took a leap into the sport.
What followed was a journey filled with unexpected mentorship, new friendships, and a growing passion for the mountains. Here’s how it all unfolded:
"My biggest barrier to skiing has always been the financial commitment, from the cost of a ski setup, to a ski pass and finally paying for lessons. Ten months ago, my co-guide and friend was looking to get new ski touring boots, as hers were too soft from her seasons spent skiing every chance she got. These boots were some of her favorites and instead of selling them she gave them to me on the promise that I would use them to start my skiing journey. Six months ago a friend of mine sent me a SheJumps post on Instagram. It was the Ikon pass scholarship announcement, with the deadline being in two days. I honestly had absolutely zero faith that I would be able to write and submit an adequate piece that fully represented my current life situation. Now, half a year later I can say that I (sort of) know how to ski and because of that have met new people and have been able to go on new adventures.
My first day on skis I was mentally prepared to go it alone, working off of a couple YouTube videos and a really long text from (the same friend) a ski instructor I know. Instead, a couple hours into the day, I ended up on the same chair as a longtime ski school employee who was scoping out the beginner runs for a couple he had lessons booked with the next day. He offered to ski with me for a couple runs and give pointers, I learned just how drastic the difference between youtube videos and an in-person teacher can be. Over the past (almost) year, I have been able to start skiing entirely due to the generosity and assistance of others. I hope to continue working towards advancing my skills on snow so that I am able to give back in a similar way.
Speaking more towards the basis of the SheJumps scholarship, the outdoors are a beautiful space that all people should be able to enjoy in a supportive way. I have been fortunate to find a place in the outdoors in which I am surrounded by people who will go to any lengths to support and encourage one another. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for many underrepresented groups. Taking a look specifically at the professional guiding community, you can easily find women of color in companies that were created for women of color. But upon taking a step back and looking at your typical guiding company you’ll find maybe one woman for every six men, and about one third of those women will be BIPOC. It is organizations such as SheJumps, which make it possible for more women and people of color to gain greater access to the outdoors. Which, in turn, can only lead to the diversification of the guiding industry." —Simran C., 2024-2025 SheJumps Ikon Pass Scholarship Recipient
Simran’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact that access and community support can have on an individual’s journey. Her experiences highlight the importance of breaking down barriers in the outdoor industry and ensuring that more people, of all backgrounds, feel welcome and supported in the mountains.
Thank you, Simran, for sharing your voice and inspiring others to take their first steps (or turns) toward new adventures! If you'd like to support making the outdoors a more inclusive place for all, please consider making a donation or setting up a monthly recurring donation to SheJumps!
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