From the Ski for Light Bulletin - Summer 2026
by Amy White
The Jean Replinger Fresh Tracks Scholarship Program is a new 3-year pilot program to help promising first and second-time guides return to Ski for Light and continue building friendships, skills, and community within SFL. We know that many guides who attend once fall in love with the experience, but life, travel costs, and competing responsibilities can make it difficult to come back right away. Fresh Tracks was created to help remove some of those barriers and support the next generation of lifelong guides.
The program is funded through a generous gift from the estate of Jean Replinger, a longtime Ski for Light guide who believed deeply in investing in younger and first-time guides. Over the years, Jean personally helped cover the costs for many new guides to attend SFL - many of whom became regular guides and lasting members of our community. This scholarship continues her legacy of welcoming new people into Ski for Light and helping them return year after year.
I am excited to announce that the five Fresh Tracks recipients this year are:
Their enthusiasm, energy, and contributions stood out to the selection committee, and we're excited about the role they could play in the future of Ski for Light. They will each receive a scholarship to cover the full cost of a double occupancy room plus up to $500 in travel costs for a future Ski for Light event within the next two years. We hope this is the beginning of a long connection with the SFL community.