For the fourth straight year, S.A.F.E. A.S. (Skiers Advocating and Fostering Education and Snow Safety) will host a series of clinics to spread snow safety and backcountry awareness. Thanks to the collective efforts of professional athletes and founders of SAFE—Elyse Saugstad, Ingrid Backstrom, Michelle Parker, Jackie Paaso and Lel Tone and snowboarder Robin Van Gyn—female skiers can learn from the best in the business to be as safe as possible in backcountry environments.

This year, SAFE will be providing opportunities for full scholarships, and early sign-up discounts to encourage as many women to attend as possible. Co-founder Ingrid Backstrom says, “The most important part of S.A.F.E. A.S. is having as many women included and educated as possible. So to us, these discounts and scholarships represent more ways for more people to attend.”

The 2015-16 SAFE tour will include stops at Squaw Valley and Copper Mountain with two clinics at each venue.

On behalf of the entire FREESKIER team, I’d like to thank each and every one of the talented SAFE AS ladies for their efforts in spreading the stoke of skiing safely.

For more information, see the press release below.

Press Release:

The fourth year of S.A.F.E. A.S. clinics is back and better than ever. The clinic (Skiers Advocating and Fostering Education and Snow Safety) founded by professional skiers Elyse Saugstad, Ingrid Backstrom, Michelle Parker, Jackie Paaso and Lel Tone with the addition of professional snowboarder Robin Van Gyn, focuses on snow safety education and empowering women in backcountry environments. After three years of sold-out clinics, S.A.F.E. A.S. is back with more opportunities for more people to be involved.

From full scholarships to early-bird sign up discounts, there are more chances for more people to take part. Co-founder Ingrid Backstrom says, “The most important part of S.A.F.E. A.S. is having as many women included and educated as possible. So to us, these discounts and scholarships represent more ways for more people to attend.”

For the fourth year, stops in Squaw Valley, CA and Copper Mountain, CO will not only be taking place to help educate women in snow safety, but to benefit charities such as the High Fives Foundation and local Avalanche Centers. In three years, S.A.F.E. A.S. has raised over $14,000 dollars in benefit of foundations and services that help mountain communities.

This year’s clinics are guaranteed to be as educational and fun as ever. As participant Dana Gunter described of her experience last year, “What an amazing day with such smart, strong and inspirational women. Super informational and comfortable! Walked away with new friends and tons of knowledge.” For more information on scholarships, discounts, dates and sign-ups, go to www.safeasclinics.org For direct contact: [email protected].

About: SAFE AS (Skiers Advocating and Fostering Education AND Snow Safety) is a one-day women’s Intro to Avalanche Course, with class-room and on-snow education plus morning yoga, lunch, apres-party and raffle.

S.A.F.E. A.S. is made possible with the support of: Squaw Valley Resort, Copper Mountain Resort, Coalition Snow, Summit Ford, Eddie Bauer, Mountain Hardwear, ABS, The North Face, Helly Hansen, Nature’s Bakery, Orage, Hestra, BCA, Jones Snowboards, Arcade Belt Co., Roxy, Anon, Black Crowes, Scott, Lululemon, Recco, Giro, Moment, Volkl/Marker, GoPro, Ortovox, Wildflour Bakery, Lake Tahoe Brewing Company, KIND, Adrenaline Socks, and AIARE