Ikon Pass & SheJumps Aim to Get More Women on the Mountain

The outdoors is for everyone. The mountains don’t discriminate. Nature is full of possibilities for people from all walks of life. These ideas are part of SheJump’s foundation. The nonprofit organization works to increase the number of women and girls who participate in outdoor activities through special programs and educational courses—creating outdoor play that transforms. And with the Ikon Pass partnership, they hope to get even more women on the mountain this winter.

SheJumps Wild Skills camp at Mt. Rainier. Credit: SheJumps

Wild Skills courses teach key survival training. Credit: SheJumps

Learning survival skills is educational and fun. Credit: SheJumps

What is SheJumps?

SheJumps is an organization serving girls age 6 and up, and women 18 and older, “who either have never participated in outdoor activities or are active members of the outdoor community looking to give back and share their passion.” The goal is to make the outdoors more accessible and boost women and girls’ participation in outdoor activities, from skiing to hiking to camping. SheJumps encourages all women and girls to join, no matter their background. The organization welcomes BIPOC women, transgender, and cisgender individuals, as well as non-binary people identifying with women.

What programs does SheJumps offer?

There are several programs girls and women can experience through SheJumps. Wild Skills teaches young girls survival and technical skills, which can be applied in all seasons and regions. They are taught first aid, navigation, shelter building, leave no trace, and much more. The Outdoor Education programs focus on technical skills for all abilities and outdoor adventures. Past programs have featured avalanche courses, ski tuning classes, and beacon clinics. Women can also enroll in the Alpine Finishing School, a 7-day ski and splitboard mountaineering course, or take part in community initiatives, Get the Girls Out ski and snowboard events, and fundraising climbs.

Celebrating during the Alpine Finishing School program. Credit: SheJumps

Alpine Finishing School participants trekking through powder. Credit: SheJumps

A snowshoeing crew, part of Get the Girls Out event. Credit: Ryan French

What is the Snowpack Ikon Pass Scholarship?

To boost representation in the outdoor industry, SheJumps launched the Snowpack Scholarship Program. It creates “affordable opportunities for adult women to gain experience and education in Snowsports and avalanche safety.” SheJumps offers three different programs, one of which is the Ikon Pass Scholarship, which gives 10 Ikon Base Passes to women of color and underrepresented women in need of financial assistance. With an Ikon Pass in hand, SheJumps hopes to motivate BIPOC women to push beyond perceived limitations and get a transformational mountain experience.

Women of Color ready to ski Credit: Krys Wilkes

The 20/21 Snowpack Ikon Pass Scholarship Winners

The application period for the 2020 Snowpack Ikon Pass Scholarship closed on October 31, 2020. All the winners have been selected. Next week, we’ll introduce you to the 10 women who received Ikon Base Passes, sharing who they are and why they’re excited about this season on the mountain.