Women’s Level 1 Avalanche Scholarship

Applications are now closed!

Look for Award Announcements soon!

Women’s Avalanche Level 1 Course

in partnership with

Big Sky Avalanche Foundation for Education - BSAFE

We will select women to receive their Avalanche Level 1 Certification with BSAFE generously supported by the 2025 Blizzard Tecnica - Hilaree Nelson Fund have the opportunity to learn from experienced avalanche Instructors on how to be safe when skiing and riding in the backcountry.

Scholarship recipients will learn:

How to recognize and evaluate avalanche hazards
Engage in group dynamics and decision making
Conduct Stability tests
Interpret, record, and share snow pit data
Learn techniques to improve beacon search proficiency

Please note that the scholarship only covers the course tuition and lift passes. It does not cover any other expenses (i.e. avalanche gear, food, travel or accommodations etc).

LOCATION: Big Sky Resort, Big Sky, Montana

PROGRAM DATES: March 7 - 9, 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

Application Prerequisites:

Identify as a woman or non-binary/gender non conforming individual comfortable in women centered spaces.
Be able to attend all 3 days of the course, the first day is an evening zoom session
Comply with any and all COVID requirements by BSAFE and Big Sky Resorts

Our Mission

As women, we should be in all places where decisions are made, and in particular, we should have the education to make informed decisions when our lives are at stake. We strive for all women in the backcountry and interested in backcountry skiing or snowboarding to have the requisite knowledge to own and feel confident in their decision-making process so they can safely enjoy all that the mountains have to offer.