The YMCA of Northern Utah is offering its 7th season of Y I Ski, a program for kids and teens ages 7-17. We offer a ski and snowboarding program at Brighton Ski Resort to Salt Lake participants, a ski and snowboarding program at Nordic Valley Ski Resort in Ogden, and a nordic skiing program at Ogden Nordic Skiing in Ogden. Our goal is make winter sports accessible to every child.
CEO of the YMCA of Northern Utah, Richard West had this to say: “The goal of the YMCA’s Y I Ski program is to create equal access to winter sports for the next generation of skiiers and snowboarders. The start-up cost of appropriate clothing, equipment, and entry fees have created a barrier for low-moderate income families to engage. We solve this problem by providing all nessecary gear, transportation, and financial assistance for families who ski and snowboard with us. Most winter sports programs focus on one day of exposure, however we are committed to seeing our participants develop skills, success and passion.”
Thanks to the generous support our our community donors and partners like the Share Winter Foundation and Brady Shines, Y I Ski has already starting impacting lives this winter. Historicially 50-60% of our participants receive some kind of financial assistance for this program, and many of them come back year after year to hone their skills. We encourage each child to see their potential and work hard to become the best versions of themselves.
While we encourage the development of techniques and love of winter sports, we are about so much more. Each day in Y I Ski, children are interacting with YMCA staff and volunteers who building nurturing relationships in hopes of giving them role models to look up to. They are boosting confidence by conquering something new, and are engaging in meaningful experiences that will make lasting memories.
