Vail Resorts Youth Access Program to Expand to 9,000 Participants Across 29 Mountains in the 2022/23 Season

Announcing Epic for Everyone 2022/23 grants to increase access to snow sports in major metropolitan areas; grantees include the National Brotherhood of Skiers, Boys and Girls Clubs, SOS Outreach, and more

BROOMFIELD, Colo., September 21, 2022 /CNW/ — How does a love of skiing or snowboarding begin? An introduction to the sport from other avid skiers and snowboarders, plus the equipment, lessons and access needed to participate. Vail Resorts is committed to removing barriers to entry and creating a more inclusive sport through its Epic for Everyone youth access program.

“Representation is really important…Now I’m really not afraid to go out and try new things just because I feel like I could be the one that’s different.” – Aya, Epic for Everyone Youth Participant, Girls Inc. of Chicago

“When my teacher first introduced him to me, I was really scared. I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t think I can do this.’ The mentors were really encouraging and helped me.” – Esmerelda, Epic Youth For All Participant, SOS Outreach

Learn more about Epic for Everyone partners and participants: https://vimeo.com/751948336

About Vail Resorts Epic for Everyone Youth Access Program

During the 2021/22 winter season, Vail Resorts welcomed more than 8,000 young people who otherwise might not have had access to skiing and horseback riding at its North American resorts. For years, the company has partnered with nonprofits, like SOS Outreach, to support young people near many of its stations, including Vail, Park City and Celeste. Recently, Vail Resorts expanded the program to focus on reaching young people in the larger cities surrounding its regional ski areas. Last season, more than 10% of participants came from these major cities, including Boston, New York, philadelphia creamand Chicago, made possible through new partnerships with organizations such as the National Brotherhood of Skiers and Boys and Girls Clubs.

For the upcoming 2022/23 winter season, Vail Resorts will add more than a dozen partnerships with nonprofits and youth development organizations working to support youth of color. With this expansion, the company plans to accommodate 9,000 young people at 29 resorts and provide approximately $9 million in product contributions. Although programs vary by partner, a typical Epic for Everyone youth access program offers five free on-snow sessions, including ski and snow school, meals and equipment rental, as well as two additional free lift tickets to continue practicing with a tutor. These services are combined with mentoring, including an introduction to career opportunities like snowmaking, operations, and teaching skiing and snowboarding.

The story continues

To speed up the expansion, Executive Chairman of Vail Resorts Rob Katz and his wife and New York Times bestselling author, Elana Amsterdamwill provide $1.6 million in subsidies this season remove barriers to entry, including transportation, staff capacity for partner organizations and clothing to 25 partners, through their family foundation, the Katz Amsterdam Foundation and Charitable Trust. In addition, Vail Resorts strategic partners Helly Hansen and PepsiCo are joining us with textile product donations, food and beverage credits and financial contributions.

Vail Resorts properties with youth access programs include Afton Alps, Alpine Valley, beaver streamBoston Mills/Brandywine, Breckenridge, crested moundCrotch, Celestial, hidden valley (MO), Hunter, Jack Frost/Big rock, keystone, Kirkwood, FreedomMad River, Mount Brighton, Mount Snow, Mount Sunapee, Northstar, Okemo, Park City, Roundtop, Seven Springs, Stevens Pass, Stowe, VailWhistler, Whitetail and Wilmot.

Quotes from Vail Resorts, the Katz Amsterdam Foundation and the National Brotherhood of Skiers

“The future of our sport is inclusion”, said Kirsten LynchCEO of Vail Resorts. “I believe we have a great responsibility to break down barriers and inspire a passion for our sport. Skiing and snowboarding is for everyone and we are grateful to our non-profit partners who help us present the sport has more participants each year.”

“It was inspiring to see the new Epic for Everyone youth access programs come to life last season in so many different places.“, said beth ganzexecutive director of the Katz Amsterdam Foundation. “These programs work so well because of the partnerships we have with amazing organizations like the National Brotherhood of Skiers and Boys and Girls Clubs that are rooted in these communities and work with these young people every day. »

“This generous grant from the Katz Amsterdam Foundation and Vail Resorts gives us the opportunity to expand our youth outreach program from four clubs last season to nine this season, and nearly double the number of youth participants to 615.“, said Lee ValentineExecutive Vice-President of the National Brotherhood of Skiers. “We are excited to build on the successful first year of the program to continue our mission of promoting snow sports in underrepresented communities. We welcome the opportunity to strengthen our partnership with Vail Resorts and commend them for their long-term commitment to this program. It’s a win for young people in the communities we both serve, but it’s also a win for an industry looking for ways to increase diverse participation in sport.”

The new epic of the 2022/23 season for all beneficiaries of metropolitan grants:

Nonprofits interested in partnering for future seasons are encouraged to contact [email protected].

About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:MTN)
Vail Resorts is a network of the world’s best nearby ski destinations and resorts, including Vail Mountain, BreckenridgePark City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Stoweand 32 additional stations across North America; Andermatt-Sedrun to Swiss; and Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Stream in Australia. We are passionate about providing a The experience of a lifetime to our team members and guests, and our EpicPromise is to achieve a net zero operating footprint by 2030, support our employees and communities, and expand engagement in our sport. Our company owns and/or operates a collection of stylish and relaxed hotels under the Rock Resorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Retail operates over 250 retail and rental locations across North America. Learn more about our company at www.VailResorts.comor discover our resorts and pass options on www.EpicPass.com.

Show original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/skiing-and-snowboarding-are-for-everyone-vail-resorts-youth-access-program-to-expand-to-9-000-participants-across- 29-mountains-during-the-season-202223-301629947.html

SOURCE Vail Resorts, Inc.

Show original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/21/c8219.html