“We believe access to joy is essential. So is visibility. So is scale.”
Share Winter’s Misson
Community Ride Day at Stratton Mountain was a celebration of everything we love: the mountains, the people, and the pure joy of getting outside together.
On March 7, Stratton Mountain welcomed more than 250 participants from partner organizations across the region. From Vermont and Connecticut to New York and Massachusetts, riders made the journey to Stratton for one shared purpose: to celebrate the outdoors, build lasting connections, and experience the thrill of skiing and riding. Keep reading to get an inside look at the organizations that showed up, showed out, and made Community Ride Day everything it was.
“It was incredible to see our own participants come together and get to know each other on the trip, by making new relationships and trying new terrain together. It was also refreshing to be in partnership with other similar groups working towards the same mission, and be inspired by their missions and values that align with ours.”
Kristin Taylor, Director of Programs & Operations at YES
Black Boarders CT
“Black Boarders CT is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization that gives Black and Brown youth access to the slopes, promoting diversity and inclusion in winter sports, snowboarding in particular.”
Black Boarders CT Mission
Black Boarders CT is dedicated to increasing access, representation, and belonging in snowboarding for Black and Brown youth. By removing financial, cultural, and logistical barriers. Such as providing gear, instruction, and community-centered experiences on the mountain. Their work is about reconnecting youth in outdoor spaces and the joy that comes along with it.
Black Boarders CT are no strangers to Stratton this season, and it shows. Having visited a handful of times throughout the year, they’ve made the mountain their own, and their enthusiasm for it never seems to fade. From going up the gondola to the thrill of the terrain park.
Sitting down with this crew, it was easy to tell that they are filled with passion and excitement for snowboarding, plus how important it is to bring access and visibility to this sport.
We had the chance to sit down with the crew and hear it straight from them. Their passion for snowboarding was undeniable, but what stood out just as much was their commitment to something bigger, making the sport more accessible and visible for all communities. Here’s what they had to say:
What makes you excited about riding?
For Malcolm, the answer was simple: “Going on the gondola, doing some tricks in the terrain park, and going with my dad, my sister, and my family.” It’s a reminder that, at the core, snowboarding is about the moments shared with the people you love.
What do you get most excited about when bringing your community to the mountain?
Vince, the founder of Black Boarders CT, shared his thoughts, “For them to have a good time, for them to see that there are endless possibilities in terms of what you can do on a snowboard, where you can go with a snowboard. A snowboard is not only a vehicle to get down the mountain, but it’s also a vehicle you can use to see the world.”
What do you hope participants take away from Community Ride Day?
Vince explained, “There will be a variety of organizations that typically represent groups that don’t have access to the mountain, and I want them to take away that there’s a network out there.” He went on to say that while it’s incredible for the youth in Black Boarders CT to experience snowboarding, what matters just as much is knowing they aren’t alone. “They have cousins from other organizations who are in a similar boat. We are very grateful and appreciative of Stratton making it so we have access, but I thought it was even more important for all of us to have access at a similar time, for the fellowship, to see that it’s not just us alone doing this.”
Chill Foundation
“Chill envisions a world where any young person can belong and thrive in the boardsports community and beyond.”
Chill’s Vision
Chill Foundation empowers young people through board sports such as snowboarding, skateboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding, creating pathways for them to connect with the outdoors while building confidence and community. Through hands-on experiences, youth learn new skills, develop resilience, and discover a lifelong love for boardsports.
Chill has served more than 30,000 young people and now reaches over 2,000 participants each year through partnerships with social service organizations, mental health agencies, juvenile justice programs, and schools. They make it possible by providing all gear, lessons, and program services at no cost. Chill removes the barriers to outdoor access and works toward a future where every young person can feel welcome, belong, and thrive in the outdoors.
Chill has many branches across the country, spreading the love of board sports wherever possible. This time, the New York branch came to Stratton for the first time to experience Southern Vermont’s highest peak. Speaking with many of the participants, they shared life stories, passions, and the love for snowboarding. It was amazing to see these youth here celebrating; they all had a passion before, even if they didn’t know each other.
Chill has roots across the country, spreading the love of board sports to communities far and wide. This time, it was the New York branch making its Stratton debut, experiencing Southern Vermont’s highest peak for the very first time. Spending time with the participants, it quickly became clear that this group brought more than just their gear. They brought their stories, their passions, and a shared love for snowboarding. Watching these young riders having fun together was a memorable moment.
YES
Youth Enrichment Services
“The mission of Youth Enrichment Services is to inspire youth through outdoor experiences and leadership opportunities that build confidence and prepare them to summit life’s challenges.”
YES’s Mission
YES has reached over 1,200 young people through its outdoor enrichment program. From providing youth residents with outdoor recreation to continuing to support YES alumni throughout college. YES, kids have been to Stratton 6-8 times this winter, exploring our mountain.
The YES program has always been about building the next generation, and Community Ride Day was proof of exactly that. The college-aged alumni who joined us at Stratton weren’t just returning to the mountain; they came back as mentors, guiding the next generation down the same slopes that shaped them. From leading the younger kids down their favorite runs, teaching them tips and tricks, and overall sharing the love for the sport. It was a full-circle moment that embodied everything Community Ride Day was meant to be.
We caught up with Kristin Taylor, Director of Programs & Operations at YES, to hear what days like this really mean for their community.
How does partnering with Stratton support your mission and values?
“YES is fortunate to partner with Stratton through the Share Winter Foundation to build confidence and leadership for youth in Boston. The ability to take young people out of the city for the day to try new things in a safe and supportive environment promotes our shared mission of providing equitable outdoor experiences that build resilience and a genuine love for the sport.”
How do partnerships like this help break down barriers to snow sports?
Kristin was candid about the real challenges families face. “Transportation and the cost of lift tickets and instruction are the highest barriers for our families.” She went on to explain that when those logistical hurdles are removed, YES can focus on what truly matters, supporting young people as they discover snow sports and find pathways to keep coming back.
Q: Why are events like this important for creating access and a sense of belonging in winter sports
For Kristin, “It was awesome to see other groups like CHILL and Black Boarders CT on the slopes that reflected our diverse community. The staff at Stratton were incredibly welcoming and thorough in making sure we knew the day’s entire agenda to make the most of our visit. Some of our participants were able to access the free “guides” of the mountain, which were so helpful.”
Q: What are you most excited about when bringing your community together on the mountain?
Kristin’s closing thoughts brought everything full circle. “It was incredible to see our own participants come together and get to know each other on the trip, by making new relationships and trying new terrain together. It was also refreshing to partner with other similar groups working towards the same mission, and to be inspired by their missions and values, which align with ours. Overall, it was a beautiful day that highlighted the genuine connection snowsports can have with communities, especially when those hosting are inclusive and welcoming.
Edge Outdoors
“To attract, retain, and empower Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color —including trans, queer, and non-genderconforming individuals, and youth ages 18–24 in snow sports by fostering leadership, exploration, and wellness, while addressing systemic health disparities and breaking down barriers to equitable access. Through inclusive opportunities in snow and adventure sports, we strive to create pathways for healing, growth, and representation in outdoor spaces.”
EDGE Outdoors Mission
EDGE Outdoors stands at the intersection of health, equity, and inclusion, transforming outdoor recreation into a tool for addressing health disparities and promoting wellness for underserved communities. Their vision is to create a world where Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color, including trans, queer, and non-genderconforming individuals, and youth ages 18–24, have equitable access to outdoor recreation and wellness. Through mountain access, training, and camps, EDGE Outdoors brings together like-minded individuals united by a shared passion for the outdoors and a commitment to making space for everyone in it.
Unlikely Riders
“Our programs reduce or eliminate the barriers to mountain sports for BIPOC Vermonter’s while also creating a community for us to exist fully and authentically on snow. We bring together an often isolated community that shares the collective experience of “being the only one on the mountain” together in spaces where we are centered and celebrated.”
Unlikey Riders Mission
Unlikely Riders is a Burlington-based foundation that made its winter debut at Stratton on Community Ride Day. Though they weren’t complete strangers to the mountain, having explored the bike park over the summer. Rooted in the belief that the outdoors should be a place of collective joy for everyone, Unlikely Riders builds community through a full calendar of events from community gear nights and monthly on-mountain ski and ride days, to bi-weekly Friday night sessions under the lights, sunrise uphill meet-ups, Zoom gatherings, mountain bike group rides, and BIPOC and LGBTQ+ ski and ride events.
Share Winter Foundation
“This isn’t about optics. It’s about opportunity. We’re here to reset the sport.”
Behind almost every organization that showed up for Community Ride Day is a foundation that makes it all possible. Share Winter Foundation partners with trusted, community-rooted youth organizations across the country, providing funding for instruction, gear, apparel, mountain access, and transportation. As the driving force behind organizations like YES and Chill, Share Winter ensures that access to the mountain isn’t a privilege; it’s a guarantee. Their commitment to breaking down barriers and changing lives is what made Community Ride Day not just possible but truly special for everyone involved.
