LOWA Launches Global Scholarship Program To Empower Women In Mountaineering

“Mountaineering has long been dominated by men, but that’s changing,” said Sunny Stroeer, founder of the Summit Scholarship Foundation. “Through this partnership with LOWA, we’re creating access and community for women who want to push their limits and find confidence in the mountains.”

Founded by Stroeer, an endurance athlete and entrepreneur who has set speed records on Aconcagua and was the first woman to ski the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Invitational, the Summit Scholarship Foundation specifically provides funding, mentorship, and training to women seeking transformative outdoor experiences.

As part of this initiative LOWA will underwrite multiple annual scholarships that include everything from introductory mountaineering courses to guided expeditions on some of the world’s most iconic peaks. Past destinations have included Island Peak in Nepal, Kilimanjaro, Mount Baker, the Cordillera Blanca, and Australia’s Snowy Mountains and since its founding in 2019, the Foundation has awarded more than $175,000 in scholarships to women worldwide.

The LOWA Matterhorn Adventure

The highlight of the 2026 program is the LOWA Matterhorn Adventure, a guided ascent of one of the Alps’ most legendary peaks. Accompanied by Ines Papert, and benefitting from the mentorship of renowned climbers Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner and Alix von Melle, the expedition embodies the mission of the Summit Scholarship Foundation: to build confidence, community, and opportunity for women in high-altitude mountaineering.

How to Apply

Applications open December 15, 2025, and close January 31, 2026. Selection will take place in February, with recipients announced near International Women’s Day, March 8, 2026. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

For full details and application information, visit www.summitscholarship.org.