2024-2025 James "JB" Brown Memorial Scholarship
James “JB” Brown Memorial Scholarship
The application period is now closed. It will reopen 10/1/25.
The Sierra Avalanche Center scholarship program is named after James "JB" Brown who passed away in the spring of 2022. JB was the president of the Sierra Avalanche Center Board, a longtime Board member and instrumental in starting our scholarship program. JB will be remembered not only for his incomparable backcountry skill, and grand ideas, but for his sarcastic wit, warmth and companionship. JB’s caring spirit and generous heart were felt by everyone he met.
As part of our mission to educate the public and foster a culture of safety in the backcountry, the Sierra Avalanche Center is offering scholarships for avalanche education this season. Scholarships can be used for American Avalanche Association approved Level 1, Level 2, Rescue, Pro-1, Pro-2, and Pro-SAR courses. Applicants need to make sure they meet the prerequisites for the course.
Applications are due 11/1/24. Awards will be announced late November. Recipients are required to provide photos and a short summary to SAC after completing their course.
An ideal candidate is someone who:
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Regularly recreates or performs snow-oriented work in the SAC forecast area;
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Already skis, snowboards, hikes, or climbs on snow, not someone looking to begin a new sport;
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Might not be able to take an avalanche course without financial support.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE ME!
APPLY NOW
Past scholarship recipients have included skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, scientists, recreational backcountry users, professional guides and patrollers, coaches and pro skiers, youth, people who are newer (but not brand-new) to the sport, as well as long-time backcountry riders who had never taken an avalanche course.
Snowmobilers, we didn’t forget about you! Please click here to learn about SAC’s free motorized-specific Level 1, Level 2, and rescue courses.
This program is made possible by the support of our wonderful backcountry community. To support the free daily avalanche forecast and educational programs like these, please DONATE to SAC today!
Please email scholarships@sierraavalanchecenter.org with any questions.
Upcoming Events:
- Motorized Avalanche Rescue: January 5th at Blue Lakes (AKA Hope Valley) | 01/05/2025 |
- Motorized Avalanche Rescue: January 12th at Little Truckee Summit | 01/12/2025 |
- Motorized Level 2: January 17,18,19 out of Little Truckee Summit | 01/17/2025 to 01/19/2025 |
- Women's Motorized Level 1: January 24,25,26 out of South Tahoe | 01/24/2025 to 01/26/2025 |