The ratio of guys to girls riding backcountry lines is continually evening out, but currently there are less of the latter. Our friends over at Weston noticed this reflected at their events, too–events which have always been designed to help people overcome barriers in safely accessing the backcountry. In lieu of this, Weston teamed up with Backcountry Babes to create a ladies-only avalanche education scholarship program.

ABOVE Time for a tour. Photo: Carly Finke

For women interested in taking avalanche training courses with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), Weston will be awarding up to $10,000 to pay for course fees. Based upon their contribution of 10% of the profits from the Riva and Rise snowboards and splitboards (boards with graphics proudly displaying the Backcountry Babes affiliation), to date Weston has already raised over $7,000 for the scholarship program.

ABOVE Heather Hendricks dips the Rise Splitboard into some cold, smoky powder on a tour near Grand Targhee Resort, WY. Photo: Ben Shanks Kindlon

At this time the scholarship only applies to women living in California, Colorado, New Mexico and New Hampshire, but we could see it extend to other states in the future.

Read more about the Weston x Backcountry Babes Avalanche Scholarship and submit your application here.