Giving Back

Snowsports Outreach Society Honored

By Bob Berwyn, 12-06-07

	A group of SOS participants and volunteers prepares for a fun day on the slopes at Arapahoe Basin, Colorado. Photo courtesy SOS.

While skiing has often been deemed an elitist upper-class sport, there are several organizations around the West that have long worked to make the mountain sports scene more inclusive. One of the most remarkable is the Vail-based Snowboard Outreach Society (SOS).

The nonprofit was founded in 1993 to build character in at-risk and underprivileged youth through snowboarding. Thousands of youngsters have gone through the program, gaining self-confidence and building self-esteem and core values like courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom and compassion.

The SOS will get some well-deserved kudos this weekend when U.S. Senator Ken Salazar honors the nonprofit on Vail Mountain. The SOS launch for the season will take place at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola Saturday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be held on the snow east of the Eagle’s Nest deck and Adventure Ridge. 125 participants from across three programs will join the festivities.

SOS is started its most exciting season yet. The group is changing its name to ‘SOS Outreach’ and expanding to include skiing. During the 2007/2008 season, SOS Outreach will serve 3,000 youth at 30 mountain resorts in eight states around the country.

SOS depends in part on volunteers and donations to make its programs happen. Any gear that is in usable condition that is less than five years old will be accepted. Please contact the SOS office at (970) 926-9292 or sos@sosoutreach.org to a arrange donation.

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