Ikon Pass is partnering with Natives Outdoors and SheJumps again for the 22/23 winter season to help grow participation in skiing and snowboarding among Native communities and women of color across North America. As part of this partnership, Ikon Pass will award scholarships to 26 members of the SheJumps and Natives Outdoors communities. Each organization will receive 13 Ikon Passes, 13 half-day ski or snowboard lessons at an Alterra Mountain Company destination, and additional gear provided by sponsors to scholarship recipients of their choice. Individuals can apply for a scholarship directly through the organizations and recipients will be selected in mid November.
Natives Outdoors
A Native American-owned outdoor apparel and media company, Natives Outdoors works to empower indigenous communities through products and storytelling that support a sustainable world. In the past, Ikon Pass collaborated with Natives Outdoors on My Ikon: My Connection, a short film that encourages the ski and snowboard community to connect, respect, and appreciate the land, while also welcoming Native people into the conversation. This partnership will continue the mission of building inclusion and diversity in the ski industry while increasing access and representation of underserved communities.
This year, Winter Park Resort is also sponsoring the Ikon Pass scholarship in collaboration with Lakota Húŋkpapȟa professional skier Connor Ryan, who calls the resort his home mountain. Winter Park published a land acknowledgement in 2021 and is continuing their path toward inclusion in the snow sports industry by deliberately introducing more Native and Indigenous people in Colorado to skiing & snowboarding. They have added 3 additional Ikon Passes, lessons & rentals to the current scholarship program.
Applications can be submitted through October 31, 2022. Apply today.
Athlete: Connor Ryan; Photographer: Danny Minard
SheJumps
SheJumps is dedicated to creating dynamic and educational experiences that increase the participation of women and girls in outdoor activities. This inclusive organization welcomes all women and girls, transgender and cisgender, and non-binary people who identify with the female community. The 22/23 season marks the third year that Ikon Pass has partnered with SheJumps to offer scholarships to BIPOC women across North America.
“Access to snow sports is typically passed on through generations and rarely accessible to those who have not had mountain access as a priority growing up. SheJumps is excited to partner with Ikon Pass to lower the barrier to entry for women of color in need of access to snow sports. We hope these women will continue to share their passion for snow and mountains with their communities!”–Krystin Norman, founder of Snowpack Scholarship
“Working with Ikon Pass to offer this scholarship each year to Women of Color is an important part of making skiing more inclusive. This scholarship program offers an invitation for Women of Color to not only be a part of the snowsports community, but to experience the transformational joy of outdoor play.” –Claire Smallwood, CEO & Founder, SheJumps
This year, Crystal Mountain is also sponsoring the Ikon Pass scholarship in collaboration with Krystin, who calls the resort her home mountain, to offer the 3 additional scholarships to BIPOC women in the Pacific Northwest.
Applications can be submitted through October 23, 2022. Apply today.
Athlete: Krystin Norman and her cousin Sasha Dingle; Photographer: Alex Wilson
