Celebrating the 5th year

The scholarship and your support has been truly incredible. For me, it enabled me to take - and pass - my PSIA Level 3 Alpine certification exams. I passed the ski exam the winter of receiving the scholarship, and the teach exam the winter after that. Since then, because of the scholarship and certification, I've been empowered to step into leadership roles in ski coaching, from more effectively coaching kids to mentoring and training staff to running our U10 program. It has been deeply rewarding to help create spaces and community that are growth oriented, high performing, AND inclusive - we can only be our best if everyone is empowered to bring their best. My next personal step is passing PSIA Western's new Advanced Trainer assessment to become an examiner - I'm planning to take it this winter. We'll see how it goes. 🙃

Since I received the scholarship I have been working as a Youth Educator for Avalanche Canada and the support I received from this scholarship for my Advanced Avalanche Search and Rescue helped me be a better teacher to the students I worked with. Just recently I have stepped back from that role with Avalanche Canada but up until then the scholarship helped me expand my knowledge as an avalanche educator. With that, the skills from that course also made me a higher quality first responder in the backcountry.

Since receiving the scholarship, I was able to complete my AIARE instructor training and will be teaching some Level one courses in my local community this year. A big part of my desire to undertake instructor training, was to help me to develop more of an avalanche awareness outreach role within my Ski Patrol. It’s my hope that offering free or minimally priced avalanche awareness talks and sessions in the local area creates an access point for people, and will hopefully encourage them to go to the next step and continue their avalanche education with a certified course. Last year, I volunteered time at a local on snow awareness class, and ran a basic beacon/shovel/probe class in a She Jumps clinic (super fun!). This year, I hope to extend on our offerings with early season ‘know before you go’ sessions at our local rec center. I’ve still got a ways to go and much to learn, but really appreciate the support from the Blizzard Tecnica Hilaree Nelson scholarship in helping me start this journey.

In 2022 I was one of the recipients of the Blizzard W2W Scholarship, now known as the W2W Hilaree Nelson Scholarship, and it was the beginning of a journey that has led me all over the world. I had asked for support to be able to take the Level 4 Selection Camp hosted by the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance, the first step in the process to becoming a Level 4 Certified ski instructor. At that time, I was not in a place financially where I could afford to make an attempt, nor did I necessarily believe it was something I could accomplish. This was something that had been presented to me as a near-to-impossible task, akin to how someone might dream of summiting Everest. However, knowing that I had the belief of an entire team of folks at Blizzard was the encouragement I needed to try.
Ultimately, I was successful and the following season I completed the rest of the Level 4 Academy and passed the final exams in April of 2023. My goal with receiving the Level 4 certification was to be able to become a mentor for other women in the industry, to show that it’s possible and to pass on the knowledge of how to get there. Since then, I have become a full-time trainer at my base resort of Big White Ski Resort in Canada, and a Course Conductor and Examiner for the CSIA. All of which means I get to play an active role in the education of fellow instructors seeking higher certifications. I have also been able to participate in coaching Women’s Weeks in both Canada and abroad, specifically Australia and New Zealand for the Southern Hemisphere ski seasons. In all these locations I’ve been fortunate enough to ski instruct, I have met women who sit in positions of leadership within the ski instructor community, as trainers, supervisors, and fellow Examiners of other ski instructor associations. All of them inspire me to continue my own learning journey and remind me to continue sharing that knowledge with those around me.
There are not a limited number of seats at the table for women. It is not us being female that makes us special enough to receive a seat, it is the knowledge and passion that we carry for the Snowsports Industry that does. It is why I will never stop supporting my peers to chase knowledge and excellence in this sport, hopefully joining me as educators in the industry. It’s programs like the W2W Hilaree Nelson Scholarship that make this dream possible and are integral to supporting new perspectives that will continue to push this industry past the status quo. We each know a lot more than we sometimes think we do and I’m forever grateful to the encouragement I received from Blizzard-Tecnica to help me realize this. So go out and try, you never know how much you are capable of until you do.

This past winter, I was examined on the ACMG Ski Guide exam in the Coast Mountain Ranges and passed. It has been a 9 year process for me of learning how to backcountry ski, work in the mountains, manage risk, and provide meaningful experiences for those I share time with on the hills. The learning continues, but I look forward to passing on what I've gathered along this journey, as I have been privileged to learn from many wonderful people. Thanks again for all your support and continued support to future folks.

Also, these skis have allowed me to more easily access the backcountry for Search and Rescue missions. Before this scholarship, I was traveling in the backcountry on a split board set up which is not ideal when traveling quickly across varying terrain. Between the lack of straight edges and transition time, I always found myself dragging behind my ski companions. Working in EMS and SAR didn't pay much so I couldn't afford to buy a backcountry set up to begin learning skiing in the backcountry and this scholarship has helped me achieve that. I am becoming more proficient at traveling in the backcountry on skis, allowing me to make quicker patient access. This scholarship is such a great opportunity for women! Thank you so much for what you do and for allowing Hilaree's legacy to live on!

My career has certainly advanced since receiving the scholarship, but not without hurdles. Immediately after being identified as a recipient in January 2022, I tore my ACL and not only ended my first season working as a tail guide after less than ten days, but was unable to test any of the gear I had been so generously given! It was a long road to recovery and although I was back on skis the following spring, I was unable to return to work. Last season I was finally able to work the entire winter as a tail guide! This year I will be taking my Canadian Avalanche Association Operations Level 2 course, and have my sights set on applying for the ACMG apprentice ski guide program. It is extremely competitive to get into, but I am hopeful that with continued hard work and perseverance, I will get there. It has been frustrating of course, feeling like you’ve had progress and opportunities taken away through no fault of your own. But such is the nature of injuries! Fortunately I had an amazing circle of people that supported me on my path to recovery. The most important thing I learned through all of this was that there is so much more to my identity than being a skier. When it happened, I felt like my whole life was taken away from me. Who am I if I can’t ski? Can’t guide? Can’t run? Can’t move my body in a way that has always felt natural? What followed was a difficult, and at many times painful journey of self reflection and rehabilitation. I had to mentally and physically rebuild myself. Now I have learned that in addition to being a skier, I am also adaptable, patient, optimistic, dedicated, and so much more. So while I won’t go as far as to say I’m glad I got hurt, I will admit that it was a harsh but necessary way to confront insecurities and self-imposed pressures that had previously held me back from reaching my full potential. I still struggle with confidence, but every year I realize that I’m capable of way more than I give myself credit for. I feel truly honoured to be a recipient, and to be recognized with so many other inspiring women.

I can’t thank you, Blizzard Tecnica, and Hilaree enough for this scholarship. It has catalyzed my career and opened so many doors. I used this scholarship to pay for my American Avalanche Association Pro 1 course. Through this opportunity, I’ve grown immensely in my own skills and confidence to the point that I can actually coach and mentor my peers. It lights me up to pass on this confidence and see things click for others who were previously hesitant. My Pro 1 connected me with others who are on similar career paths and those humans have pushed me to want more out of my trajectory in the patrol / avalanche professional path. There are things I want to achieve in my career that I didn’t even see as options for myself before this. Believing in myself is contagious. I’m able to lift up my team and help everyone feel that they have a place on the snow safety side of ski patrol, a typically exclusive and vulnerable space to step into, especially as a female.

I’ve had the most incredible time in Canada, teaching adaptive lessons and working with powder-hounds and am happy to report that I’ve achieved my Level 2 certification(adaptive). I can’t stress how incredible the scholarship has been for me, not only in the support it’s provided me individually, but in the dialogue its started. It’s come up in so many conversations and It’s amazing to see people’s faces light up when they hear about the program. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked to my friends/other women in the industry about being the only girl in level 3/level 4 training, feeling like you’re taking up too much space, feeling under qualified for exams or promotions or even certain lessons. I love that now I can tell them that someone’s in our corner! You can’t give everyone skis and a scholarship, but championing a culture shift and setting this standard in the industry has and will continue to have an immeasurable impact on all of us. I’ve had so many moments this past season where I’ve doubted myself, but being able to look down at my boots/skis and know that you guys backed me has honestly gotten me through.

Also, I recently adopted a black lab puppy. We were toying with some different ski related named and eventually decided on Nelson (a nod to Hilaree Nelson as well as the scholarship)

Since receiving the Hilaree Nelson scholarship in 2023 to attend an AIARE 1 course I started an Intro to Backcountry Program for Women, advanced my skiing into avalanche terrain, and started my biggest adventure yet: I became a mom. I have been inspired, encouraged, and supported by so many strong women in the ski community. I hope that by volunteering with Inclusive Ski Touring as the Director of the Women's Program and continuing to expand our both our on-piste and backcountry group tours, I can provide a space that inspires, enables, and connects other women.

Since receiving financial support to complete my Avalanche Operations Level 1 certificate, I have worked as a tail guide for three days for Open Mountains Project at their QTBIPOC Backcountry Ski Camp and have been qualified by the Canadian Avalanche Association to teach Avalanche Skills Training 1. I have also been featured in a short film called "People Like Us" that centres the queer experience when it comes to living in a small mountain town and being in the snowsports industry. (You can watch it here for free: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMBiZ8jMxZY) This past fall and winter, the film went on tour and I visited many mountain towns to speak as part of the panel discussion following the film. It was amazing to hear how it resonated with people, about how they felt heard and seen. This upcoming winter, I am hoping to put together several subsidized AST 1 courses across Western Canada, specifically inviting queer, trans, and gender expansive folks! I am also looking to further my education on weather and avalanche search and rescue techniques. Here's to another busy winter!

I did want to take a moment to express how grateful I am for the Blizzard Tecnica Hilaree Nelson Scholarship and how it has supported me and others in this amazing community. Since receiving it, I’ve had the opportunity to advance in my guiding career, complete my Pro 1 avalanche certification, AIRE teacher training and start the AMGA alpine and ski course progression. I have also been able to play a role in putting together women backcountry nights with my guide company and colaborante of avalanche programming for local women. The scholarship has pushed me to apply for other opportunities and has given me a boost in confidence approaching these courses as oftentimes the only woman. I was pleased to see another female in my pro 1 course this past winter and find out she was the recipient of the scholarship as well!

I have heard more and more people in the mountain/ski community mentioning the program and to me it seems one of the most widespread and robust supportive initiatives for women in the ski industry. I have been able to pursue ski mountaineering to a higher degree and get some really exciting trips off the ground, oftentimes with some of the most badass ladies in my life, and always with my skis and boots I received from the scholarship in tow!

I was gifted the course of Intro to Weather with the Canadian Avalanche Association. The course was amazing! I learned so much and it really helps me in my job and when planning to go into the backcountry. Last year I attempted to train an Avalanche Rescue Dog, it didn't end up working out (she has a fear of explosives), but it was very rewarding going through the process for a full year and training an avy dog. She is very smart and was doing a great job, until she was around 20+ explosives/hour in Fernie (along with -30 weather). I am thinking of trying again with a new pup next year.

When I won the scholarship, I was the Assistant Patrol Manager, and now I'm proud to say I'm the first female Patrol Manager at SilverStar Mountain Resort. The ski and boot set up I was graciously given as part of the scholarship was also amazing. They are hands down the best skis I've ever owned, and I can't believe a touring set up can be so light and comfortable. I purchased the pre-fit skins for the skis as well through Blizzard and that was such a nice and easy process, rather than trying to cut them myself!

The Hilaree Nelson Scholarship gave me the incredible opportunities to obtain both my Alpine Level 1 certification and my Adaptive Alpine Cognitive/Visual Impairment Level 1 certification. In working towards these exams, I was able to further my skill set in the label of adaptive recreation. Specifically, with my Cognitive/Visual Impairment assessment, I was pushed to study hard and expand my knowledge even further with certain skills that I have developed over the years as an adaptive ski instructor. I feel extremely empowered to reach these goals and I am excited to continue to further my education in the future.

I am originally from Cape Cod, MA, where I did not have access to mountains or climbing growing up. My passion for outdoor education and skiing began in the early stages of her undergraduate career at the University of Maine where I studied Ecology and Environmental Science and Outdoor Leadership while also instructing trips with the outdoor education program on campus, Maine Bound Adventure Center. Through this program, I slowly realized there is limited access for females, especially lower-income women to grow in the outdoor world. Using my privilege and passion, I worked my way up the ladder, receiving my AMGA SPI certification, Registered Maine Guide License, Mental Health First Aid training, Paradox Sports, Adaptive Climbing Initiative Course, and my AIARE I. From getting these certifications, I further understood the lack of a strong women's presence, diversity, and community especially on the East Coast, and developed a passion for starting to change that. I began to volunteer with the adaptive outdoor education center and started working with a program called Inclusive Ski Touring.

From this scholarship, I was able to take my AIARE Level 2 Rec course where I gained more exposure and experience in assessing avalanche terrain, especially in a new and unfamiliar snowpack. In addition, I was able to connect with another awesome female on this course, and hope to spend more time in the backcountry with her in the upcoming winters. I plan to use my education from this course to teach and inform female and nonbinary people about ski touring in the backcountry through Inclusive Ski Touring, while simultaneously fostering a community where non-male-identifying individuals can grow, heal, and understand their full potential. In addition, I believe real growth can happen in public school education where students do not need to pay for outdoor education programs. As an aspiring teacher, it is my goal to use this avalanche knowledge to implement female-oriented ski touring programs throughout the school system in which I teach. After using this scholarship, I can now see myself potentially going on to take my Pro Level 1, and maybe even my instructor training course where I could run female and non-binary-based AIARE I courses. Overall this scholarship is allowing me to try and lessen the gap that Hilaree left with her passing, by helping establish more female leaders in the outdoor space. To me, this scholarship is an incredible way to honor such a consistent pioneer for women in the outdoor world

I can’t thank the Women to Women Hilaree Nelson Scholarship enough for supporting my journey as an AMGA aspirant ski guide working toward my ski guide certification. This opportunity allowed me to hire a mentor, gaining invaluable experience guiding advanced guests through technical and demanding terrain in the stunning Lyngen Alps of Norway. The opportunity to learn directly from a mentor helped to refine my technical guiding abilities and boosted my confidence as I advance in my career and prepare for my upcoming ski guide exams. Finding mentorship has been an obstacle for me, and having access to resources from W2W to hire a mentor for a few days helped overcome this barrier to greater learning!

Your award helped me develop my confidence in who I am and assurance to what I want to do, in order to achieve my goals.
I am beyond grateful from the experience I gained from my AST-2 course. To be honest, I really have never labeled myself as an athlete, part of this probably being rooted my identity as a woman and harmful stereotypes since as far back as I can remember. The same goes for outdoor adventurer- it always seemed like a title I would never live up to. But, your award has given me a sense of “I can actually do this” in regards to mountain activities I would only see in movies or YouTube. In fact, earlier this week, I camped in the alpine of Garibaldi Park, BC, woke up at 3am to trek up the ridge nearby the infamous Black Tusk rock formation to catch the sunrise. Without the challenge of the AST-2 course reassuring that I am a physical capable woman and giving me skills of orienteering in the mountains, navigating complex terrain, I would not have been able to do this. Ever since learning about the Hilaree Nelson Scholarship, I have taken a deep, thoughtful interest in Hilaree Nelson’s life story. Oh boy, she was a badass!! But moreover I am so inspired by her resilience and her ability to fight so many prejudices against women in skiing.

I feel outrageously grateful for the support I received from Blizzard-Tecnica in funding my Pro 1 Avy cert last winter. Not only was the course content itself fantastic, I got to learn from and alongside women in the snow and avalanche industry who are passionate, curious and driven. After receiving my Pro 1 I had the opportunity to guide on Denali, which was both challenging (I guided an all male team) and rewarding (we summited!). More than anything, the opportunity to participate in the Women to Women program has reminded me of my desire to reinvest myself in finding strong female mentors and sharing the knowledge I have the privilege of receiving in courses like this with other women. I am now back in Pakistan, mentoring local instructors in their outdoor pursuits with Ascend Athletics. I look forward to continuing to pass on the bounty of learning this scholarship provided me. Thank you for the support.