2023-2024 Applications Are Closed!

2024 applications will open in September 2024.

PSIA-AASI in partnership with Women of Winter (WoW), is offering twenty-four (24)  scholarships for the 2023-2024 season, to Black, Indigenous, Women of Color or non-binary/gender non-conforming individuals comfortable in women-centered spaces, with an education opportunity to obtain a (I) PSIA-AASI Alpine or Snowboard Level I certification or (II) a Freestyle Specialist 1 or Children’s Specialist 1.

With our partnership with PSIA-AASI, Women of Winter is now able to collaborate with the National Brotherhood of Snowsports to offer twelve (12) additional scholarships to their membership to obtain a (i) PSIA-AASI Alpine or Snowboard Level I certification. This new partnership allows all three organizations the opportunity to continue to expose, educate, support and advance people of color in the Snowsports Industry.

Read about the scholarship details, program dates, application criteria, and application materials before you apply.

Program Details

Big Sky Resort will be our host for all these events for the upcoming winter season.  The schedule (detailed to the right) for the scholarship programs is designed to coincide with the NBS Summit taking place also at Big Sky Resort from February 24 – March 2, 2024.

There will be two Instructor Level I certification events –  Alpine (2 groups) and Snowboard (2 groups).  There will be a maximum of 6 participants for each event, for a total of 24 individuals.

In addition, for past WoW scholarship recipients who already achieved their PSIA or AASI Level I (Alumni), we are offering a Freestyle Specialist 1 or a Children’s Specialist 1 scholarship opportunity.

Training Schedule: Big Sky, February 2024

Alpine & Snowboard Level I (Both WoW & NBS Scholarship Recipients)

February 21, 2024 –        Arrival
February 22, 2024 –        First Instruction Day, Welcome Reception
February 23, 2024 –        Second Instruction Day
February 24, 2024 –        First Assessment Day
February 25, 2024 –        Final Assessment Day & Award Ceremony 

There will be two mandatory Women of Winter virtual orientations scheduled prior to the beginning of the program.

Freestyle Level 1 & Children’s Specialist Level 1 (Alumni Scholarships)

February 23, 2024 –        Arrival no later than 2/23
February 24, 2024 –        First Assessment Day
February 25, 2024 –        Final Assessment Day & Award Ceremony

During the two and four-day program, WoW and PSIA-AASI instructors and assessors will closely work with scholarship recipients to ensure their success. However, it is not guaranteed that all recipients will pass the assessment and become certified PSIA-AASI members.

All scholarship recipients will be required to complete a PSIA or AASI e-learning course hosted on the PSIA-AASI website before they attend the on-snow portion of the event.

Scholarship Details

Level I Alpine and Snowboard Scholarships:

All Level I Alpine and Snowboard scholarship recipients will receive the following whether applying for the WoW scholarship or the NBS Scholarship:

  • All tuition costs associated with the Level I preparatory course and exam:
    • Level I event preparation fee
    • Level I certification exam fee
  • One full season of PSIA-AASI membership dues during the 2023-2024 season (only applicable if you are not a current PSIA-AASI member, dues covered are December 2023 through June 2024)
  • Lift tickets for all days of the Level I preparatory course and exam
  • For NBS Members only, free registration to the 2024 NBS Summit to be held at Big Sky Resort
  • Ski or snowboard gear from PSIA-AASI Official Suppliers:
    • Hard Goods:
      • Rossignol: skis/bindings -OR- snowboard/bindings (depending on the Scholarship you apply for) skis/boards will be provided for use on the mountain through a demo program where you will be able to work with Rossignol to fine-tune your gear needs. After the scholarship, you’ll receive new skis/snowboard for the 24/25 season shipped directly to you from Rossignol.
      • Giro: helmet and goggles
      • Leki: ski poles
    • Soft Goods
      • Phunkshun: facemasks/balaclavas
      • The North Face: swag
      • Hestra: gloves

Please note: The scholarship does NOT cover lodging, meals or transportation to and from the event. However, there may be sponsored receptions/meals and/or discounted lodging for each event.

Level 1 Freestyle and Children Specialist Scholarships:

All scholarship recipients will receive the following:

  • All tuition costs associated with the Freestyle Level 1 or Children’s Specialist Level 1 exam.
  • Lift tickets for all days of the Freestyle Level 1 or Children’s Specialist Level 1 exam

Please note: The scholarship does NOT cover lodging, meals, or transportation to and from the event. However, there may be sponsored receptions/meals and/or discounted lodging for each event.

Program Dates

  1. Women of Winter & PSIA-AASI Track:
    (You do not have to be a member of PSIA-AASI or NBS to apply)
    Big Sky, Montana
    Alpine Level I: 4 days (Feb. 22 – 25, 2024)
    OR Snowboard Level I: 4 days (Feb. 22 – 25, 2024)
  2. National Brotherhood of Skiers Summit Event Attendee Track:
    (You must be a financial member of an NBS club)
    Big Sky, Montana
    Alpine Level I: 4 days (Feb. 22 – 25, 2024)
    OR Snowboard Level I: 4 days (Feb. 22 – 25, 2024)
  3. Women of Winter & PSIA-AASI Alumni Track:
    (You must be a Women of Winter alumni who achieved their Alpine Level I or Snowboard Level I to apply)
    Big Sky, Montana
    Freestyle Specialist 1: 2 days (between Feb. 22 – 25, 2024 – exact dates TBD) OR
    Children’s Specialist 1: 2 days (between Feb. 22 – 25, 2024– exact dates TBD)
    **Application link and information for the Alumni Program will be emailed to past Women of Winter x PSIA-AASI scholarship recipients.**

Application Criteria

When applying for a scholarship, please select only one (1) of the scholarship programs stated above.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Identify as a Black, Indigenous, Woman of Color or non-binary/gender non-conforming individual comfortable in women-centered spaces.
  2. Have an interest in working as a ski or snowboard instructor.
  3. Demonstrate leadership qualities in PSIA-AASI and/or another industry.
  4. Express interest in pursuing any level certification (in adaptive, alpine, cross country, snowboard, or telemark) or pursuing a specialist designation (in children’s or freestyle).
  5. Can ski or snowboard comfortably down easy intermediate terrain areas at a ski resort. For example, if you ski, you can make turns with your skis parallel to each other rather than moving down the hill with your skis in a wedge shape (aka snowplow). If you snowboard, you can link your turns, which means you can confidently move from your heel side to your toe side when you move down the hill and make turns on your snowboard.
    Alpine Demonstration
    Snowboard Demonstration
  6. For the NBS Scholarship Program, you must be a Financial Member of an NBS Club. If you are not a current financial member of a club, click the link here to identify and contact a club near you to become a member.
  7. For the Women of Winter Alumni scholarship program, you must be a Women of Winter alumni who has achieved their Alpine Level I or Snowboard Level I

Please email Laura () if you have questions or need technical support during the application process.

Application Materials – Mission Support

Applicants for the Alpine Level I and Snowboard Level I will be asked to answer the following questions on the Application Form.

  • How will achieving a PSIA-AASI Level I certification support your pursuit and passion for Snowsports and for educating others about Snowsports?
  • Women of Winter and PSIA-AASI believe that gender and racial equity in Snowsports are incredibly important. Please share why it’s important to you?
  • Share how you plan to inspire and empower other BIPOC women and individuals in your community to get outside and be a part of the movement for diversifying the outdoors, either through participating in DEI initiatives in your community and/or being a leader in the Snowsports industry.
  • Anything else the Review Committee should know about you? Please know you’re welcome to share your LinkedIn profile or Instagram username or anything else that would help the Review Committee learn more about you!
  • For NBS Members, you must show proof of membership (i.e., membership card or letter from club president)

How to Apply

  1. Review scholarship details.
  2. Review the application criteria you must meet.
  3. Review the application materials you need to create and submit.
  4. Submit your application and materials by, or before, 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on Saturday, Sep. 30, 2023.
    • Alumni Track application deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. 
  5. Links to Apply: Applications are closed for the 2023/24 season.
    – Applications for next season will open in September of 2024.

All Scholarship recipients will be announced in Late October.

Please note. If you apply for and/or receive a scholarship this season (2023-24) and are not awarded a scholarship or you are awarded and are not able to participate in the program, you’ll need to reapply for the same scholarship for next season (2024-25).

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