Black Pearl 88

Celebrating 10 years of Women2Women with the Black Pearl 88 and the Hilaree Nelson Professional Development Program empowering women in skiing through education and community.

Ten years ago, we had an idea: what if we built a program that truly supported women in skiing—not just through marketing, but through product, education, inspiration, and community?

That idea became Women2Women. A decade later, we’re still committed to making skiing more inclusive, supportive, and, above all, fun—for women just starting out and for leaders in the field alike. And we’re excited for the next 10 years of Women2Women!

Black Pearl 88 special edition Fundraising for the Hilaree Nelson Professional Development Program

To mark this milestone, we partnered with artist Malia Reeves to create a one-of-a-kind graphic for the Black Pearl 88, one of the most iconic skis in the industry. For every pair sold, $125 will support the Hilaree Nelson Professional Development Program. This will be a shared donation by Blizzard and the participating retailer. We thank all the retailers that are supporting this program.

The Hilaree Nelson professional development program
Since its launch in 2020, the Hilaree Nelson Professional Development Program has received more than 2,200 applications and awarded over $120,000 in funding and gear to 103 women worldwide.

Currently, women make up only a small percentage of leaders in the ski industry—whether as instructors, ski patrol, or guides. By increasing representation in leadership roles, we aim to create visible role models and inspire more women to step into the sport and into positions of influence. The support we offer gives them the resources as well as the confidence and belief that they belong.

“One of the key pillars of W2W is education because we believe that knowledge is power,” says Leslie Baker-Brown, Global Leader of W2W. “Beyond empowering individuals, there’s a ripple effect: when more women lead, they create a more welcoming space for all women.”

“I feel outrageously grateful for the support I received from Blizzard-Tecnica in funding my Pro 1 Avy cert last winter,” shares 2024 recipient Emily Cavanagh.

“Not only was the course content fantastic, but I got to learn from and alongside women in the snow and avalanche industry who are passionate, curious, and driven. After receiving my Pro 1, I had the opportunity to guide on Denali, which was both challenging (I guided an all-male team) and rewarding (we summited!).

Most of all, Women2Women reminded me how important it is to reinvest in finding strong female mentors and to share the knowledge I’ve been fortunate to gain with other women.”

10 years of Women2Women. Here’s to the next decade of going ALL. OUT.

Hilaree Nelson
On September 26, 2022, Hilaree Nelson tragically lost her life while attempting a descent of Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak She was more than a world-class athlete—she was a trailblazer, a role model, and a beacon for women everywhere who dared to push boundaries in the outdoors.

We named this program in Hilaree’s honor to help carry her legacy forward—empowering future generations of women and building more female leaders in the mountains.

“The top mountains are the Kaiser Mountains near Mittersill. The bottom mountain is Cinque Torri in the Dolomites. The flowers are Snow Roses and Snow Drops… wildflowers that bloom through the snow in the Alps. I love how these delicate, beautiful flowers are strong and hardy enough to thrive in the harsh alpine climate. '

And the wolves, of course, are the W2W pack. Each wolf has its own personality and look. Whether a woman feels more kinship with the tough little wildflower or the prowling wolf, we all share a love for mountains and the snow!

I wanted this design to feel vibrant and full of life… reflecting the energy that W2W inspires and the range of women it represents.”

About the artist: Malia Reeves

Malia is a Taos native who grew up playing outside in those beautiful mountains. After leaving home early to complete her high school education at an international boarding school in Wales, UK, she attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. When she arrived at Dartmouth, she became actively involved in the Dartmouth Outing Club.

Before she knew it, she was a college certified leader in rock climbing, mountain biking, and backcountry skiing. After graduating with a degree in Fine Arts, Malia moved home to Taos where she has since thrived on the seasonal existence of working winters as a Ski Patroller at Taos Ski Valley, summers guiding teen outdoor adventure trips all over the world, and off seasons creating and exhibiting her artwork. Malia’s continuing passion for outdoor education stems from her love for sharing with others the beauty and exhilaration of being outside.