If you’ve got an idea for a splitboarding project in North America but need a little extra cash — and a splitboard — this is your chance to make it happen.
And I mean right now. The American Alpine Club (AAC) and Jones Snowboards are accepting applications until Sunday, Jan. 15, for two splitboarding grants. Each grant is adventure-oriented, and endorses the winner with $1,500 and a new Jones splitboard.
The Jones Backcountry Adventure Grant will fund a multi-day splitboarding expedition “with a strong exploratory and adventure component.” Applicants’ objectives can be a single summit/descent, or a tour/traverse of a broader region. The winner gets $1,500 plus a Jones splitboard, skins, and a backpack.
The Jones Live Like Liz Award follows the exact same criteria and comes with the same award package — but is only open to female applicants. The Live Like Liz Award honors Jones ambassador and aspiring mountain guide Liz Daley, who died in an Argentina avalanche in September 2014. It seeks to build on Daley’s “radiant passion for splitboard exploration.”
View this post on Instagram
The AAC lists 11:59 p.m. MT (UTC -7) as the grant cutoff. (The site also lists the deadline as both Jan. 1 and Jan. 15, but the application portal remained open as of this writing.)
To apply, you’ll need to put together an expedition proposal. Criteria for consideration include: “remoteness, exploratory nature, carbon footprint, creativity, and overall significance,” according to the AAC.
The club also specified that you’ll need to show respect for local inhabitants and wildlife, secure any necessary permits, and plan your trip by the end of the calendar year 2023.
And the grants are only open to amateur riders 18 years old or older. No sponsored or pro athletes will make the cut. You can go with a partner, and you’ll need to prove your skills match your chosen objective.
Bonus points if you can prove your content creation ability, via social media or otherwise. That’s because you’ll owe the AAC a 1,000-2,000 word trip report, plus any photos or videos, when you get back. The benefit? If you are angling for sponsorship, the AAC and Jones will broadcast your content across their platforms.
So if you’ve got a burning idea for a splitboard outing but feel under-endorsed, start putting your proposal together.
For the sake of expediency, here’s the application link again.
