2025/26 COAC Alex Kollar and Jillian Webster Memorial Scholarship

The COAC Alex Kollar and Jillian Webster Memorial Scholarships

The COAC Alex Kollar and Jillian Webster Memorial Scholarships support Pacific Northwest backcountry skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, and snowshoers in advancing their avalanche education and developing life-saving skills for mountain travel.

Many of us have struggled to afford the training necessary to protect our own lives and the lives of others in the backcountry. These scholarships exist to help remove that barrier and ensure more people have access to high-quality avalanche education. Scholarship recipients receive training through Oregon Ski Guides and ULLR Backcountry, organizations deeply committed to delivering the highest standard of instruction for our local terrain.

Honoring Jillian Webster and Alex Kollar

Jillian Webster was a professional mountain guide with Mt. Shasta Mountain Guides, a ski patroller at Hoodoo, a teacher, and an extraordinary human. She was deeply loved and is dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Alex Vincent Kollar was a local outdoor athlete with a deep commitment to sustainability and the future of our planet. He spent years working with the KEFA Project supporting at-risk youth in Rwanda. Alex was a snowboarder, cyclist, paraglider, and kayaker who gifted our community his boundless stoke, generosity, and unmistakable smile.

In honor of Jillian and Alex, the scholarship selection committee seeks applicants who embody the following values:

• Reverence for the natural world and a commitment to protecting it
• Service to others, whether global, regional, local, or within your backcountry community
• A zest for learning and a desire to educate oneself and others
• Unquenchable stoke and passion for mountain adventure

Application Details

Each scholarship covers one space in one of the following courses. Dates are pre-reserved and set for 2026:

• Oregon Ski Guides AIARE 1
  Location: Bend area
  Dates: February 28 – March 2, 2026 (3 Days)
• ULLR Backcountry Recreation Level 1 and Avalanche Rescue Course (AAA certified)
  Location:Location:Santiam Pass area
  Dates: February 16 – 18, 2026 (3 Days)

Recipients must be available to attend one of these pre-reserved course dates. Spaces are non-transferable and will be forfeited if the recipient is unable to attend for any reason. Applicants may request a preferred course and date in their application.

Application deadline: February 1

About the Partners

Central Oregon Avalanche Center (COAC)

The Central Oregon Avalanche Center is a nonprofit avalanche forecasting organization dedicated to serving our growing backcountry community. Our mission is to help people stay on top of the snow through:

• Community avalanche education events
• Online distribution of snow and weather data with professional observations seven days a week
• Coordination with national and regional avalanche and weather organizations to improve forecasting operations
• Funding support for equipment and materials that benefit the public
• Collaboration with local for-profit entities to better serve the community

Oregon Ski Guides

Oregon Ski Guides is a division of Timberline Mountain Guides, Inc., specializing in ski trips, instructional courses, and guided ski descents throughout Oregon and Washington. Based in Bend, Oregon, we have been a Central Oregon company since 1983. All guides receive American Mountain Guides Association training.

From mid-winter powder skiing below treeline to summer ski descents from volcanic summits, our programs span the full spectrum of the ski experience. We take great pride in the quality of our instruction and guiding and invite you to join us this season.

ULLR Backcountry

ULLR Backcountry is a newer addition to Central Oregon avalanche education, bringing extensive experience and contagious stoke. Their mission is to provide the tools, knowledge, and decision-making skills needed to reduce risk in avalanche terrain.

Courses are designed for beginner and intermediate backcountry travelers and are tailored to each participant’s experience level. All courses are based out of Bend, with field sessions held in Deschutes National Forest.

Support the Scholarship

If you are interested in donating to support the Alex Kollar and Jillian Webster Memorial Scholarship, please