City Kids Launches 2025 Snow Club Season, Breaking Barriers in Winter Sports
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CITY KIDS WILDERNESS PROJECT LAUNCHES 2025 SNOW CLUB SEASON, BREAKING BARRIERS IN WINTER SPORTS
WASHINGTON, DC, January 22— City Kids Wilderness Project launches its transformative 2025 Snow Club season, providing Washington, D.C. youth with novel access to winter sports. The program, powered by a groundbreaking partnership since 2022 with Vail Resorts’ Epic for Everyone Youth Access Program and the Katz Amsterdam Foundation, is tackling the long-standing diversity gap in winter sports head-on.
Snow Club features four exciting trips to Whitetail Resort from January through March 2025, offering all City Kids participants—spanning grades 6 through 12—the chance to learn and grow on the slopes. Each participant is introduced to skiing and snowboarding, with tailored instruction designed to match their individual comfort levels and skill progression. Youth also gain exposure to diverse career opportunities within the resort.
According to the National Ski Areas Association, only 1% of skiers in 2023-24 identified as Black or African American, and 6% as Hispanic or Latino/a. Against this backdrop, City Kids Snow Club is reshaping the narrative of who belongs on the slopes. The program eliminates traditional barriers by providing comprehensive access to fully-funded lift tickets, professional-grade equipment rentals, and expert instruction at Whitetail Mountain Resort. Roughly 60 DC youth, grades 7-12, will participate in Snow Club over four weekends.
“Snow Club represents more than just recreation– it’s about leaning into something new, building skills overtime, and deepening youths’ connection to outdoor spaces,” says Sarah Cryder, Executive Director of City Kids Wilderness Project. “This program is building confidence and strengthening their sense of personal possibility.”
In an era where ski lift tickets alone can cost upward of $300 per day, with a complete day of skiing with equipment rentals and lessons more than $1,000– City Kids’ Snow Club transforms winter sports from an exclusive luxury into an accessible avenue for personal growth, leadership development, and community building.
Each journey to Whitetail Mountain Resort becomes a masterclass in resilience, teamwork, and self-discovery. Under the guidance of dedicated instructors and mentors, participants progress from tentative first steps on bunny slopes to confident runs down challenging terrain – mirroring their journey of personal growth.
This season builds on City Kids’ 29-year legacy of empowering D.C. youth through outdoor experiences. The organization’s commitment to long-term engagement ensures that Snow Club isn’t just an introduction to winter sports – it’s a stepping stone toward lifelong outdoor engagement and leadership.
Hear directly from City Kids’ Snow Club participants here.
About City Kids Wilderness Project Since 1996, City Kids Wilderness Project has been transforming the lives of DC youth through outdoor adventure, leadership development, and college and career preparation. Based in Washington, D.C., City Kids provides free year-round programming, including a residential summer camp in Jackson, Wyoming, empowering youth to discover their full potential through meaningful outdoor experiences and long-term mentorship.
Contact:
Neha Rauf, Senior Manager of Development & Communications
