Vivian Perez, a first-generation Mexican American from Chicago, will hit the slopes for the first time this winter thanks to a program providing women of color with free ski passes, rentals, and lessons. Winter sports are predominantly white, with Latinos, Asian Americans, and African Americans representing smaller percentages. Organizations like SheJumps, the BIPOC Mountain Collective, and the National Brotherhood of Skiers are working to diversify the mountain sports community.
SheJumps, a nonprofit group, offers scholarships to women of color for the Ikon Pass program, with 30 awarded annually. Claire Smallwood, the executive director of SheJumps, aims to diversify the slopes and has partnered with Alterra Mountain Co. to provide scholarships. In Colorado, the nonprofit Blackpackers teaches outdoor skills to underrepresented communities and partners with ski resorts to provide free lift tickets and gear.
Mma Ikwut-Ukwa, a Black woman from Pennsylvania, is learning to snowboard through the SheJumps program. She cites costs and lack of mentorship as barriers faced by marginalized people in winter sports. By breaking down these barriers, the program allows participants to focus on learning and progress. Ikwut-Ukwa hopes to eventually master backcountry skiing or splitboarding.
With efforts to make mountain sports more inclusive, individuals like Perez and Ikwut-Ukwa are taking their first steps on the slopes and breaking boundaries traditionally faced by people of color. By providing access and support, these programs are opening up new opportunities for a diverse range of outdoor enthusiasts.
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