Happy February! As we reflect back on 30 years of SOS, we recognize that a lot has changed. What started with bringing 15 Denver youth up to Vail to learn to ride has grown into engaging over 3,100 young people across the country!
The past few weeks have been our largest of the year in terms of impact with all of our programs running across 10 states and 15 communities and we’ve had 4 signature events to bring our community together.
It’s exciting to see how our impact has scaled over the last three decades, but none of this growth would have been possible if not for the evolution of our progressive curriculum.
We’ve had a lot of smart (like really smart) folks help us intentionally design our program progression. But in all honesty, what has driven our curriculum forward more than anything else, has been our participants.
They’ve been the ones who have advocated for the creation of a mentor program when one didn’t exist, and time and time again, they’ve asked for more opportunities to engage in SOS so they can continue their journey of personal growth.
Our latest blog
takes a deep dive into our history, our programs, and our impact. We hope you’ll take a few minutes today to explore the fascinating story of our evolution and understand how your support makes a tangible impact on young lives in your community.
In the meantime…
Spread the Love!
Silverton Powder Challenge –
Over MLK weekend our SOS community – alumni, supporters, staff, & athletes – came together to rally around a united cause: helping SOS youth thrive.
This event raised money to support our programs, but more than anything, it was a reminder that connection through a shared activity, like sliding on snow, is powerful.
It’s the reason SOS has been engaging youth in the mountains for 30 years and will continue to do so for 30 more.
First Tracks Beaver Creek –
We had 75 folks from our Colorado community come to celebrate 30 years of SOS Outreach for First Tracks at Beaver Creek.
It was great to ski fresh corduroy and raise money for SOS youth, but the support we received from our community was by far the best part. Thanks to Beaver Creek and Vail Resorts’ #EpicPromise for hosting us, and First Bank for sponsoring this event.
First Tracks Park City –
What an incredible (& highest-ever attended!) First Tracks event at Park City Mountain!
Together we shared fresh turns, heard alumni share their SOS experiences, celebrated 30 years of SOS, and raised money for SOS youth. Thank you to Park City Mountain and Vail Resorts’ #EpicPromise for making this morning possible!
Ski Utah Interconnect Tour –
It was a snowy powder filled day for the Park City Interconnect Tour! A small group of key supporters hit the slopes for the day traversing from Deer Valley to Park City to Solitude via lift access and backcountry.
A huge thank you goes to Ski Utah for making this amazing day possible!
North Tahoe, CA – Industry day at Northstar California!
Participants toured around the resort meeting with each department to learn about the career opportunities that exist in the ski industry.
Thank you the Northstar staff for an incredible day!
Denver, CO – First ride day of the Denver Mentor program happened last weekend at Loveland Ski Resort!
Youth had a great day connecting with one another back on snow and enjoyed an awesome bluebird day of skiing and riding.
Summit County, CO – Awesome Mentor ride day last week at Keystone!
Our year 1 mentor participants have been having a blast with their mentors and are so stoked on shredding around Keystone!
Detroit, MI – Mentor ride day fun continues at Mt. Brighton in Detroit!
One student, Ayhem, told our Program Manager –
“Every time keeps getting better and better- we just keep learning new things each day!”
Seattle, WA – This is our first season offering the Mentor Program in Seattle and things are off to a great start!
Participants have been having a blast with their mentors and are excited for more this season.
Join us on Saturday, February 24th, at Ruby Hill for the 2nd stop of Erik Leon’s CoreNation Rail Jam. This stop is presented by The North Face & evo and hosted by the one and only Erik Leon.
This Is a Jam format contest for Skiers and Snowboarders of all ages and ability levels. Whether you are a seasoned jibber or brand new to the sport Corenation has something for you. check out free rentals from Denver Parks and rec, watch some epic riding, or try your luck at the contest. if your having second thoughts thinking you have what it takes know that everyone is a contender, regardless of skill level at Corenation.
Join us on March 16, for day of demo’s from Elevate Outdoor Collective (EOC) Brands. There will be a variety of raffle prizes provided by EOC and SOS partners
Event proceeds benefit SOS.
Our 2022/23 Annual Report
is live! We encourage you to flip though and see how your support made a tangible impact on young lives this past year.
SOS Outreach celebrates 30 years of providing youth with opportunities — both on and off the mountain (Vail Daily) –
“In December 1993, a conversation between four people at a Beaver Creek snowboard shop spurred the creation of SOS Outreach. Thirty years later, the nonprofit has impacted the lives of over 80,000 kids across the country”...read more.
SOS Outreach at 30 years of making skiing and snowboarding accessible for kids (Park Record) –
” Eimee Meneses, a senior at Park City High School, got involved with SOS Outreach, a nonprofit that helps drop the barriers to entry for kids interested in skiing and snowboarding, when she was in sixth grade“…read more.
‘Miraculous,’ second annual SOS Outreach First Tracks event at Park City Mountain spreads word about nonprofit’s programs (Park Record) – “SOS Park City Alumni Vicente Flores, Jamie Rosales and E Romero gathered upstairs in Legacy Lodge during the SOS Outreach First Tracks event Tuesday morning at Park City Mountain“…read more.
10 Colorado Nonprofits to Help You Get Involved This Year (5280 Magazine) –
“First founded in 1993 in Vail, SOS Outreach is a youth development nonprofit that teaches kids from fourth to 12th grades essential life skills, all while having fun on fresh powder. “…read more.
SOS Outreach Celebrates 30 Years of Mentoring Denver Youth in the Outdoors (Yahoo Finance) –
“For three decades, the youth development nonprofit, SOS Outreach (SOS), has been engaging Denver youth in a multi-year curriculum focused on building life skills and connecting participants to their communities“…read more.
Community Heroes (Milwuakee Bucks) –
Jockey is proud to present the Milwaukee Bucks Community Hero salute. Jockey and the Milwaukee Bucks will recognize those in the community that have gone above and beyond the call of duty”… read more.
Hydro Flask’s Parks For All Giving Program Commemorates 2024 Grantees (PR Newswire) – “Hydro Flask proudly announces the selection of fifteen impactful grantees for its Parks For All giving program in 2024. Building on its success in 2023, Hydro Flask is contributing over $395,000 in grants to national, regional, and international organizations dedicated to fostering more positive and equitable outdoor experiences”… read more.
