At SheJumps, we are dedicated to creating opportunities for women to grow their skills and confidence in the outdoors. As part of our ongoing efforts to make outdoor activities more accessible, we offer two distinct scholarships to help lower the barrier of entry to snow sports: the SheJumps Ikon Pass Scholarship for Women of Color and the SheJumps Snowpack Scholarship for avalanche education. In the past, these scholarships have been launched together, but for the Winter 2024-2025 season, we are introducing a new timeline to better meet the needs of our community.
SheJumps Snowpack Scholarship, presented by YETI
The SheJumps Snowpack Scholarship provides free avalanche education for backcountry skiers and snowboarders. A minimum of 50% of all Snowpack Scholarships are awarded to Women of Color. The scholarship covers the full costs for avalanche certification courses, helping to remove financial barriers to this essential education. The scholarship is open to women, including trans women, and non-binary individuals.
Key Dates for the Snowpack Avalanche Scholarship:
Applications Open: October 1, 2024
Application Deadline: October 19, 2024
Notification to Recipients: November 19, 2024
Snowpack Scholarship application: https://form.jotform.com/242566890045058
Thank you to our partners YETI, Mammut, and Arc'teryx for supporting this program!
2025 Snowpack Scholarship for Avalanche Education Courses:
WA Intro to Backcountry Touring: Feb 8-9, 2025
WA AIARE 1: Jan 25-26, 2025
WA AIARE 2: Feb 21-23, 2025
Oregon AIARE 1: Jan 22-24, 2025
UT AIARE 1: Jan 24-26, 2025
CO Rec Level 1: Feb 28-Mar 2, 2025
Who Can Apply for the Scholarship:
SheJumps is an inclusive organization. All women aged 21+—transgender and cisgender, as well as non-binary people, are encouraged to apply with a preference towards Women of Color, LGBTQIA+ women, non-binary, and those needing financial assistance.
Key Information:
We are looking for applicants interested in educating themselves in the outdoors and who could be role models for encouraging and inspiring women, girls, and other underrepresented communities of all levels and abilities in the outdoors. We hope these scholarships provide opportunities to those who wouldn't otherwise be able to access the courses due to financial capacity. Priority will be given to applicants currently experiencing financial barriers to participation in snow-sports.
Scholarships cover course fees only. Travel expenses are not included.
Recipients will be responsible for acquiring individual backcountry equipment necessary for each course. The guiding services will communicate equipment lists before the course date.
In the review process, all personal information and details will be redacted from the application for an objective and equitable review process of each individual applicant.
Applicants can only apply to one scholarship - duplicate applications will be deleted. We can only offer one scholarship per person due to the high demand for our scholarships.
Applicants for the Level 2 avalanche education scholarship must have completed the following mandatory prerequisites: 8-hour companion rescue course, Level 1 avalanche certification from a prior season (Level 1 and Level 2 courses cannot be completed in same season).
Cancellation & Deposit Policy:
While the Snowpack Scholarship course itself will be free to recipients, we are asking each recipient to submit a $50 fully refundable deposit that will be returned to you after the course. We are utilizing this cancellation/deposit policy to try to reduce last minute cancellations and no-shows. Your deposit will save your spot on the course and also show us that you are committed to showing up for the course.
Those who are selected for the scholarship will receive an email with a registration link where they must register and pay a $50 fully refundable deposit within 5 days to confirm their participation in the course. If they do not register and pay their refundable deposit within 5 days, we will offer the spot to a runner-up, and the spot will no longer be available to them.
If a recipient is unable to attend the course, they must provide SheJumps with at least 14 days' notice so that the scholarship can be awarded to runner-up.
If a recipient cancels 14 or more days before their course, their $50 deposit will be refunded.
If a recipient cancels less than 14 days before their course or does not show up to their course, their $50 deposit will not be refunded.
All recipients who attend both days of their course will receive a refund of their $50 deposit within one week of course attendance.
SheJumps Ikon Pass Scholarship for Women of Color
The SheJumps Ikon Pass Scholarship for Women of Color is designed specifically to support self-identified Women of Color in their journey to gain access, learn, and enhance skills in skiing and snowboarding.
Key Dates for the Ikon Pass Scholarship:
Applications Open: September 9, 2024
Application Deadline: September 30, 2024
Notification to Recipients: October 14, 2024
For the 2024-2025 season, 30 Ikon Pass Scholarships will be available. 100% of these scholarships are awarded to Women of Color. Recipients will receive a full Ikon Pass to use at any Ikon destination, season rentals from Christy Sports (in CO, UT, WA, or MT), or a one-day rental from Ski Butlers, and a ski or snowboard half-day group lesson at select Ikon destinations.
Why Separate Launches?
By separating the launches of these scholarships, we aim to provide more focused communication and outreach for each program. This change allows us to better support our community's needs and ensures that each scholarship gets the attention it deserves.
We are excited to see how these programs will continue to foster inclusivity, skill development, and community-building in outdoor spaces. For more information about each scholarship and to apply, please visit the SheJumps website at https://www.shejumps.org/snowpack.
Let’s continue to elevate the voice and presence of all women in the outdoors!
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