The Far West Ski Association Athletic Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 for the purpose of providing financial asistance to junior alpine ski racers. Big Mountain Resort and Grouse Mountain Lodge, Montana were our first sponsors of the fund.  Announcements were sent to ski resorts and USSA affiliated clubs in the six western states where FWSA councils and/or clubs exist.  To be eligible for consideration, an applicant had to be a United States Ski Association (USSA) or Pacific Northwest Ski Association  (PNSA) affiliated athlete, competing at the J1 (ages 17-18) or J2 (ages 15-16) levels. The two FWSA scholarships were awarded to Brandy Barba and Martin Harris.

Brandy Barba races for the Sugar Bowl Ski Team and is in her first year as a J1 athlete.  At the beginning of the 2004-2005 race season, she was ranked seventh nationally by FIS (International Ski Federation) and eighth nationally by USSA in both slalom and giant slalom events.  In addition to her success on the race course, she was selected by her school to attend "Girls State", and honor awarded to a single student by each high school in California.  She is also listed in "Who's Who Among American High School Students" for the third consecutive year, an honor achieved by only 1% of all high school students nationwide.  She also maintains a 3.8 GPA at Tahoe Truckee High School.

Martin Harris maintains a 3.69 GPA at South Lake Tahoe High School while racing with the Heavenly Ski Team and is in his second year as a J2 athlete.  In his first year as a J2, Marty achieved notable results in both GS and slalom events at USSA regional events.  He qualified for the J2 National Championships at Lake Placid where he placed fifth in the slalom.  In 2004, Marty attended his first FIS races, an experience from which he will benefit in his last year as a J2 athlete.

FWSA wishes to welcome Schure Sports, Inc, the makers of Karbon brand ski clothing to our growing list of sponsors.  Applications for the 2005-06 racing season are due not later than June 30, 2005 with scholarships awarded in August.  For 2005, eligibility has been expanded to include J3 athletes (ages 13-14).     For more detailed information about applying for these scholarships, plus the application form [Click Here].