2025 Hilaree Nelson Scholarship Recipients

I grew up in Hawaii, where skiing wasn’t part of my childhood. I first skied at 22, and from that moment, I was hooked. Yet, my journey was a solo one—spending winters away from home to work at ski schools or attend trainings. Without a background in the sport, it took me much longer to reach the same levels as my peers. Though my family wasn’t with me, I found mentorship and inspiration from incredible women in the industry—some of whom are why Women of Winter exists.

In 2018, I founded Women of Winter in my ski school locker room. What began as a speaker series has grown into a national scholarship initiative and thriving community. Our vision is to see women—especially those historically excluded—leading at all levels of snowsports. Since 2020, we’ve awarded over 200 scholarships, supporting women who now instruct at major resorts, teach AIARE courses, launch diversity-focused organizations, and represent major brands.

In 2024, alongside top women coaches worldwide, I co-founded the World Women’s Snowsports Organization to bridge a gap in the industry. WWSO is creating a global platform for women to connect, learn, and build the community they want. Our inaugural summit takes place in Austria in April 2025.

This scholarship helps me pursue my goal of becoming a PSIA Clinician for Women of Winter Alpine Level I, ensuring our scholars see themselves represented in PSIA education and examination staff. It also empowers me to be a stronger voice in the industry.

As an outdoor guide and ski patroller, I always pushed myself to be fully prepared for each season—physically, technically, and mentally. As a woman with Scoliosis, an invisible disability, I felt extra pressure to prove I could handle the demands of the profession. I wanted to be seen as an asset, not a burden, so I worked hard to keep my struggles hidden in a field that encourages physical and mental infallibility.

It took me seven years as an outdoor professional to realize that over-preparation didn’t always lead to more opportunities. Instead, it often led me—and many other women—to delay taking courses or stepping into roles until we felt "ready" or received formal recognition. This hesitation kept us from seizing opportunities we were already capable of.

Receiving this scholarship serves as a powerful reminder, a nod that says, "I see you, and I believe in you." A woman said to me recently, “As women, we often wait to take programs until we are overqualified for them.” This resonated with me because I recognized my own pattern in her words. Thanks to this funding, I now have the opportunity to pursue my Pro 1.

Like Hilaree Nelson, the inspiring woman this scholarship is named after, I plan to move forward unapologetically and seize opportunities without hesitation, just as she did.

With this education, I will become a more capable mentor for women in the outdoors. I’m especially passionate about supporting women with disabilities and chronic conditions, as they are particularly vulnerable to leaving sport. My goal is to help them reconnect with the outdoors—an empowering experience that can make a profound difference in their lives and well-being.

I have loved skiing my whole life. However, financial barriers have stood in the way of pursuing the activity at the level I aspired to. As someone who hasn't had the means to attend formal training as an adult or acquire the best gear (I still ski with the used gear I bought in high school!), I have had to find creative ways to be in the mountains.

Receiving the Blizzard Tecnica Hilaree Nelson Scholarship is more than just an incredible opportunity—it’s a profound milestone in my journey. Hilaree Nelson’s legacy of courage and breaking barriers inspires me. I’m honored to follow in her footsteps by participating in an Alpine Ascents Baker Mountaineering Course. This education will help me develop essential technical skills and strengthen my confidence as a leader in snowy terrain.

The education made possible by this scholarship will give me the skills necessary to undertake an expedition to Alaska as part of the GeoSynchrony art collective. Along with my team, we plan to make molds of ancient trees that have become exposed beneath the receding Mendenhall Glacier and its ice to preserve these ephemeral natural archives of time on Earth for future generations to witness long after they’re gone. We will document this expedition through a film. A goal of mine is to empower the next generation to embrace snow and ice with the same passion and determination I’ve cultivated, regardless of their starting point.

This scholarship is a reminder that no matter the obstacles, growth is always possible. I am excited to use this experience to honor Hilaree’s legacy and make meaningful contributions to the frozen world.

Five years ago, I decided to step out of my comfort zone, moving from Utah to Oregon and taking a job as a “Ski Instructor (No Experience)”. Over time, I grew passionate about teaching, aligning my background guiding wilderness therapy and coaching rock climbing with my new-to-me horizon of skiing. I quickly realized that teaching skiing wasn’t just a job, but a career path I wanted to pursue seriously.

I have faced challenges finding the training and support I need to pursue this career. I have spent my time and energy working to get more advanced training at my resort as well as finding female mentorship. Last season, I traveled for training and sought out opportunities to learn from other women in the industry. This led me to the PSIA-AASI Women’s Summit, where I spent three days learning about mentorship, goal setting, and how to create women-specific programs. I also got to ski with other women working toward the same goals as me.

I want to develop more women-specific programming at my resort, creating a supportive, engaging environment where women can learn from women. Research shows that women often learn best in these settings, and I want to bring this to my resort as a trainer. With the help of the Hilaree Nelson Scholarship, I can take the Alpine Level III exam, advancing my career and adding more female trainers to my resort’s team—ultimately strengthening our training program for everyone.

I started ski instructing when I was 19, but it wasn’t until much later that I transformed my passion into a full-time career. I earned my level 1 and 2 certifications in my first two seasons; when I began preparing for level 3, self-doubt crept in—I immediately thought, “There’s no way I can do this.” That belief pushed ski instructing into the hobby category while I explored other career opportunities. In many ways, my own self-doubt was the greatest obstacle I faced.

Eleven years later, I met a trainer who shattered those limiting beliefs and helped me see a path I never thought existed. Two months later I was teaching in New Zealand, and five months after that I relocated to Aspen. Today, I am an examiner for the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), sharing my expertise and passion with both aspiring and seasoned instructors. As a Lead Trainer for the Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School, I oversee the development and delivery of our new hire training program, helping the next generation of instructors build a strong foundation.

My experience has taught me the transformative power of mentorship—when someone believes in you, it gives you the confidence to tackle big challenges. As I take on greater roles, my focus has become supporting others. I am committed to deepening my knowledge and refining my skills to broaden my impact and help others succeed. I am immensely grateful to Blizzard Tecnica for their support in this endeavor, which fuels my drive to inspire and empower fellow instructors.

I love the mountains and all they offer and want to share the outdoors with others. This opportunity with Blizzard Technica means the world to me, as it allows me to further my education in the ski industry. This path is not only extremely rewarding but also provides continuous challenges and opportunities for growth. Funding for courses and keeping up with the demands of new equipment have been barriers, but I have persistently chipped away at them with determination.
It has been a struggle to make it in the ski world financially. Affording the necessary equipment, gear and educational has been a significant challenge. Financial obstacles have been my greatest hurdle, and they continue to be a challenge that I work to overcome year after year. I am honored and immensely grateful to have this support from Blizzard Technica to pursue my goals. This support empowers me to shine a light for women of all backgrounds, through ski touring & ski guiding and providing avalanche education in women’s-specific courses with Kootenay Backcountry Guides based out of Nelson,BC. I hope to encourage women of all abilities and backgrounds to pursue their dreams and break down any barriers they may face while creating an inclusive environment for all.
Reflecting on my journey, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for how the ski industry has welcomed me with open arms. I am humbled by the opportunity to continue learning and growing, and I look forward to what the future holds. I hope to make a lasting impact on women who dream of a life in the mountains. Let nothing hold us back!

I am so happy to have received this scholarship! The W2W program is boosting my confidence and keeping me motivated in my pursuit of a career in the ski industry. I've faced numerous challenges, often feeling like an outsider in this male-dominated field. From being the only female in meetings to encountering cognitive biases during work and certification exams, these obstacles have made it hard to envision a full-time career in skiing. Despite these challenges, and with the support of my family and friends, I am now encouraged to pass my CSIA level 4.

My motivation to pursue higher levels and become a course conductor comes from the positive experiences I’ve had in my career. I still remember the words of encouragement from the only female course conductor I’ve ever had in 15 years in the industry, as well as the amazing days I’ve organized to introduce more women to skiing. Mentoring the next generation is a key focus for me. In my current role, I’ve worked to build a balanced team, hiring an equal number of women and men. I’m proud to create a space where women feel empowered, as reflected by one of my guides, who chooses to return each season because she values having a female boss and appreciates our team’s dynamic. With further certifications, I can continue to mentor and inspire others to pursue careers in the ski industry.