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.

Young girls learning from their instructor during a Wild Skills course that helps girls and women get on the mountain

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


Girls learning to use GPS trackers in a Wild Skills course for on-mountain survival

Wild Skills courses teach key survival training. Credit: SheJumps


Young girls learning mountain survival skills

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.

A group of women holding a SheJumps sign on the top of a mountain.

Celebrating during the Alpine Finishing School program. Credit: SheJumps


Women trekking through deep powder on a mountain.

Alpine Finishing School participants trekking through powder. Credit: SheJumps


A group of women snowshoeing at Crystal Mountain.

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 in ski gear on a snowy day, part of Ikon Pass and SheJumps initiative to get more women on the mountain

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.