Winter 2025.26 Mentor Application Logo

  • Winter 2025.26 Mentor Application

    Program Application for Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding.

  • Welcome! Thank you for your interest in Mountain Mentors, a mentorship program for marginalized genders including women, non-binary and gender non-conforming folks, and trans masculine and feminine people.

    We strive to pair for success, balancing various factors including individual pairing's safety, logistics, commitment, and goals, as well as cohort size, diversity, and depth. Please be as detailed as possible in this application as honest responses help our team facilitate compatible pairings. We encourage folks of all ability levels to apply, as someone with less experience or less time to commit does not necessarily make a worse candidate.

    The application period closes on Oct 19, 2025 at 11:59PM.

    The cohort will be announced on Nov 21, 2025.

    The mandatory cohort kickoff is on Dec 7, 2025.

    The entire application should take roughly 1.5 hours to complete. Please give yourself the time and space to do so. You are able to "Save" and continue your application after you have started - JotForm will send you an email with a "Continue your Form" option.

  • Alternative Applications for Submission:

    If you feel that your application would be better suited to a different application type, you are able to do so by the following: 

     - Submitting a voice / video recording 
     - Submitting a PowerPoint / PDF document 
     - Scheduling a phone or Zoom call with our Mentorship Program Manager for an interview

    If one of the above interests you, please email Erica (Mentorship Program Manager) at programs@mountainmentors.org for specific details and deliverables for each application type. Phone or Zoom interview requests need to be made to the above email prior to October 17th, 2025 due to scheduling requirements.  

  • Commitment:
    With compassion, care, intention, and generosity, mentors and mentees are equally committed and accountable to their relationship.

    In the past, we have asked for at least one mentorship session per month. But in reality, there are many other small bits of time that successful pairs give to the partnership - so we've updated our time commitment to reflect that.

    You can expect to spend more of your time, energy & effort in the beginning of the season building a strong foundation for a lasting relationship with your mentee. 

     

    We ask that mentors be able to commit:

    • A coffee date to get to know your mentee shortly before or after the kickoff event. You will be provided with a Mentor Onboarding Kit with suggestions on how to start creating that incredibly valuable foundation.
    • At least one mentorship session spent in the backcountry (outside of planning sessions) per month for the duration of the season (min 4 sessions).
    • We expect both mentee and mentor set up all 4 monthly mentorship sessions at the beginning of the season, and be pro-active by shifting schedules when needed.
    • ~2 - 6 hours of planning/practicing/learning per month in addition to  your mentorship field days to set your backcountry days up for success. These sessions are often in the form of pre-trip planning, checking through gear, technical systems practice, knowledge sharing & time spent together getting to know one another so you can create an emotionally & physically safe space while on your backcountry field days.
    • December 3 - Attendance to the Mentor Kickoff Event is required for all mentors. This will include how to set goals with your mentees among many other empowering mentor specific topics and support.
    • December 7 - Attendance to the Cohort Kickoff Event at the start of the season is required for all mentors and mentees.
    • A goal setting session together as a pair shortly after the Kickoff Event (you will have access to resources and support!)
    • Attend monthly 1-hour zoom calls with the program manager and fellow mentors where we will be touching base on how things are going and working through any kinks as a collective.

    Overall, we simply wish for you to honour and value this opportunity by putting as much effort as possible into developing your relationship. For more information about what it means to be a Mentor, please read more here.

    If you are concerned about the time commitment please consider applying in another season or reach out to Erica at programs@mountainmentors.com to discuss.

  • Confidentiality:

    By submitting an application, you agree to Mountain Mentors privacy policy, which you can view here.  The information you provide in this application will be used to evaluate your application, match you with a Mentee, and answer any questions you have.  

    If you are accepted into the program, your name and contact information (phone number and e-mail address) will also be shared with the Winter 2025.26 Mountain Mentors program participants, past participants with your consent, and as otherwise described in the privacy policy (e.g. to our insurance provider in the case of a claim).  We will only use the personal information necessary for these purposes and will never sell your information.

  • Photos and Marketing:


    By participating in the program, you agree that we can take photos of you at Mountain Mentors events and share those photographs on our website and social media accounts. If we know your social media handle, we may also tag or mention you in the post. If you do not want photos of you shared publicly, please let us know below.

  • Program Cost:


    If accepted, the Mentor program cost will be $50. This cost covers your insurance, program offerings, and the long-term sustainability of the program. As a program whose vision is outdoors spaces where everyone belongs and feels safe, our priority is the accessibility of our program. We offer you an option to pay what you choose between $20 - $200

    Should you choose to pay more than your program cost, these funds will be used to support program developments, community engagement, and the commitments we have to actions that dismantle the structures of power and prejudice that are central to the persistence of an outdoor demographic that is primarily white, male, cisgender, and able-bodied. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.

    If this program cost is a barrier to you, please let us know at programs@mountainmentors.org 

  • Bylaws and Values:

    If you are accepted into Mountain Mentors’ mentorship program, you will become a non-voting member of Mountain Members Society while you are an active mentee/mentor.  Your membership will automatically terminate in May 2026 when the season ends.


    As a member of Mountain Mentors Society, you must comply with the Society’s bylaws, which govern how we behave and operate.  You also have the right to hold the Board of Directors accountable to these bylaws.  Some key bylaws you should be aware of are: 

    • You will become a member when you have been matched with a mentor/mentee, submitted all required documents (e.g. a liability waiver), and paid the membership fee.
    • You are not required to attend any meetings or participate in the operation of the Society as a non-voting member, but you must uphold our values, commitments, and core behaviors while participating in the program, including:
      • Advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion of underrepresented communities in outdoor spaces; 
      • Creating and nurturing uplifting, empowering, trusting relationships to generate a network of support and strength;
      • Prioritizing safety;
      • Behaving in a way that demonstrates the Society’s commitment to equality, development, partnership, community, accountability, and safety.

    You may cease being a member (and a mentee/mentor) if you act unsafely, behave inappropriately, or fail to comply with the bylaws or Mountain Mentors values, commitments and core behaviours.

  • Personal Information

    The following questions will address personal information, such as name and contact info.

  • Mountain Mentors is a mentorship program for marginalized genders including, women, non-binary and gender non-conforming folks, and trans masculine and feminine people.

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  • Mountain Mentors Program

    The following questions will address your insight and interest in the Mountain Mentors program.

  • Mountain Mentors is striving to be more actively anti-racist and inclusive. The following questions will help us design thoughtful programming and evaluate whether we are reaching the marginalized groups we are striving to serve. Answers will only be shared with necessary Mountain Mentors team members. Please reach out to programs@mountainmentors.org with any questions.

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  • Reflection on Skills, Abilities & Equipment

    The following questions will address your abilities and skill level with regards to your specified sport. A friendly reminder that that these will not dictate whether or not you are accepted as a Mentor. This information will inform the program with whom we can best match you with.
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  • Fitness

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  • Downhill Ability

    Grades below based on Cypress/Whistler rating system. Note: Black runs at Seymour or Grouse would be the equivalent of Blue at Cypress or Whistler

  • Backcountry Experience

    Please help us understand your backcountry experience by providing as much detail as possible in the long answer questions.
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  • Avalanche Safety, Courses & Certifications

  • AST 1 Pre-Requisite: 

    We require all mentors to have at minimum their AST 1 in order to be accepted the cohort, and all mentees to have their AST 1 by January 2026.

    This can be done independently (e.g. taking a course on your own), or through our subsidized Pre-Season AST 1 course offered by a local guiding company. 

  • Your role as a Mentor, shared & personal goals

    The following questions will address your role as a Mentor with your Mentee. These will relate to prior mentorship experience, challenges you have had / foresee, and your own expectations. Please elaborate on your responses, and share as many details as you feel comfortable. Your responses here help our team understand your needs and goals in mentorship to find the right match. 
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  • Skills & Goals

    The following questions will describe what skills you have to share with a mentee + what your own goals for the season are to help us pair you with someone in the same direction.
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  • What level of experience are you best suited to Mentor somebody in?

    Please select your level of comfort based on a prospective Mentee's experience level
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  • Location & Transportation

    The following questions will give us insight into where you are located, where you recreate & what transportation methods you rely on.

  • Availability

    Availability is the number one challenge in pairs getting together, so please consider all of your other commitments combined and be realistic with your time and schedule.

  • Time Commitment:

    With compassion, care, intention, and generosity, mentors and mentees are equally committed and accountable to their relationship.

    In the past, we have asked for at least one mentorship session per month. But in reality, there are many other small bits of time that successful pairs give to the partnership - so we've updated our time commitment to reflect that.

    You can expect to spend more of your time, energy & effort in the beginning of the season building a strong foundation for a lasting relationship with your mentee. 

     

    We ask that mentors be able to commit:

    • A coffee date to get to know your mentee shortly before or after the kickoff event. You will be provided with a Mentor Onboarding Kit with suggestions on how to start creating that incredibly valuable foundation.

    • At least one mentorship session spent in the backcountry (outside of planning sessions) per month for the duration of the season (min 4 sessions).

    • We expect both mentee and mentor set up all 4 monthly mentorship sessions at the beginning of the season, and be pro-active by shifting schedules when needed.

    • ~2 - 6 hours of planning/practicing/learning per month in addition to  your mentorship field days to set your backcountry days up for success. These sessions are often in the form of pre-trip planning, checking through gear, technical systems practice, knowledge sharing & time spent together getting to know one another so you can create an emotionally & physically safe space while on your backcountry field days.

    • December 3 - Attendance to the Mentor Kickoff Event is required for all mentors. This will include how to set goals with your mentees among many other empowering mentor specific topics and support.

    • December 7 - Attendance to the Cohort Kickoff Event at the start of the season is required for all mentors and mentees.

    • A goal setting session together as a pair shortly after the Kickoff Event (you will have access to resources and support!)

    • Attend monthly 1-hour zoom calls with the program manager and fellow mentors where we will be touching base on how things are going and working through any kinks as a collective.


    Overall, we simply wish for you to honour and value this opportunity by putting as much effort as possible into developing your relationship. For more information about our model of mentorship, please read more here.

    If you are concerned about the time commitment please consider applying in another season or reach out to Erica at programs@mountainmentors.com to discuss.

  • Last Page!

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  • Thank you for all the time and effort you have put in towards this applications - we are very much looking forwards to reading it! Please keep an eye on your inbox, as we will be sending you updates regarding your application there.

    Applications close at 11:59PM on October 19th, 2025. The Winter Cohort is announced roughly 1 month after applications close, on Nov. 21. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please reach out to us at programs@mountainmentors.org

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