JACKSON, Wyo. — As backcountry skiing and snowboarding is expected to be busy in Jackson Hole this year, and avalanche courses are filling up around the region, two Jackson organizations have announced opportunities for assistance in taking the courses.
“We anticipate that there will be a lot of people in the backcountry this winter,” said Sarah Carpenter, lead avalanche course instructor and owner of American Avalanche Institute based on the Idaho side of the Teton Pass. “We have seen quite a bit of interest in avalanche courses and have heard from retailers, as well as some of our sponsors, that gear sales indicate that backcountry usage will increase.”
Jackson Hole Babe Force Scholarships
The Jackson Hole Babe Force (JHBF), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering all women to seek adventure in the mountains, recently announced its 2020/2021 Scholarship Program. Funds for the JHBF Scholarship Program are raised through donations accepted during the organization’s year-round programming, which focuses on mountain education, skill-building, and empowering women through creating confidence and connections with each other.
While COVID-19 safety restrictions impacted the JHBF’s ability to fundraise through its Annual Kentucky Derby Spring Fling typically held in May, funds raised through private donations, including participation in the 2020 Community Foundation of Jackson Hole’s Old Bill’s Fun Run, have made another robust Scholarship Program possible for the upcoming year.
This winter the JHBF is offering scholarship opportunities to 28 additional women. This winter, the JHBF is partnering with Teton County Search and Rescue, the American Avalanche Institute, and Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. The Scholarship Program’s primary focus during the 2020/2021 winter is avalanche education and safety due to the anticipated increase in backcountry activity this winter.
“With all eyes on the backcountry this season, our 2020/2021 Scholarship Program seeks to maximize the number of savvy and safe women we can put into in the backcountry. It’s our hope that these women will not only make smart backcountry decisions for themselves, but will also pay it forward by sharing their knowledge, creating new safety habits in their group dynamics, and generally setting a good example for their fellow newer backcountry users,” says Board President Laurie Stern.
For more information about scholarships and to apply, interested applicants can visit the JHBF website. The deadline for application submissions is December 9, 2020.
Jackson Hole Outdoor Leadership Institute Contest
Jackson Hole Outdoor Leadership Institute is partnering with the outwear brand, Flylow Gear, to give away a private, four-person avalanche course, as well as gear and local lodging at The Wort Hotel.
“As backcountry touring grows in popularity, we want you to be prepared. Having confidence in snow stability and route selection comes via education and experience,” said Dan Abrams, Flylow president. “The big idea for this year’s giveaway is that you can pod up in the COVID era and do an avalanche course with friends or by yourself.”
The winner of the contest will receive either an avy Level 1 or Level 2 course for up to four people and can choose any available dates between January 1 and March 1, 2021. Each course includes 40 hours of classroom and guided field sessions. The Level 1 course covers the basics of avalanche safety, from preparing to travel in avalanche terrain, to making basic decisions in the field, to best practices for using a beacon, shovel, and probe.
The Level 2 course offers education for more experienced backcountry enthusiasts and leaders to build upon their decision making and avalanche knowledge, including evaluating factors critical to snow stability and terrain selection.
The contest will be open from Dec. 3-10, 2020.
