Participants ski with the Hoods to Woods Foundation at Big Snow American Dream on June 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Danielle DeVries | CNBC
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For 16-year-old Zyshawn Gibson, skiing at Big Snow American Dream’s indoor ski park in East Rutherford, N.J., is a welcome change of scenery.
Gibson’s participation in the ski park was made possible through the Hoods to Woods Foundation, a New York and New Jersey-based nonprofit that “increases outdoor awareness among inner-city children through snowboarding.” Organization’s website. Co-founder Omar Diaz estimates that over its 15-year history, Hoods to Woods has helped hundreds of underserved young people like Gibson develop new interests and outlets through snowboarding.
“It makes it impossible for me to stay home,” Gibson told CNBC in the Snow Building’s break room. “It’s a different thing than being out on the street and being in danger or anything like that.”
The brainchild of Diaz and co-founder Brian Paupaw, Hoods to Woods is dedicated to providing new opportunities for teens and young adults from similar backgrounds. The organization held weeks-long programs in urban areas of both states.
Participants ski with the Hoods to Woods Foundation at Big Snow American Dream on June 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Danielle DeVries | CNBC
The organization is just one of several across the country working to engage people of color in outdoor activities, including winter sports, where they are often marginalized and underrepresented.
A Participating in research in 2019-2020 Data released by the American Ski Industry Company shows that the participation rate of white Americans remains at 67.5%. By comparison, Asians made up 7.7% of participants, Blacks 9.2% and Hispanics 14%.
Likewise, a Demographic research Data updated in 2023 by the National Ski Areas Association showed that white participants accounted for 88.1% of visitors.
One factor that contributes to this disparity is the high barriers to entry into these winter sports, given the average cost of equipment and transportation. The same study from Snowsports Industries America showed that more than half of winter sports participants earned more than $75,000 annually in 2019-2020.
break down barriers
But organizations like Hoods to Woods have made it their mission to break down these walls.
Founded in 2009 by two experienced snowboarders, Paupaw and Diaz, the non-profit organization aims to give back to the community by introducing young people to the outdoors through snowboarding.
Co-founder Omar Diaz (right), his son Sebastian (center) and volunteer Veronica Vogman during heavy snowfall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 13, 2024 American Dream poses for a photo during a ski event with the Hoods To Woods Foundation.
Danielle DeVries | CNBC
“It’s important to represent people who look like me and even come from my environment because you could be in the mountains and hear people talking but they don’t sound like you,” Diaz said. “You grew up in an urban environment Big, and in the mountains, everyone around you sounds completely different.”
The entire program—including ski lessons, transportation and meals—is free for teen participants. Paupaw and Diaz raised money to pay for travel and food.
The organization also accepts donations of equipment or gifts, and Big Snow has loaned its facilities to the nonprofit for free over the years.
curate outdoor community
In addition to Hoods to Woods, there are other non-profit organizations in the United States dedicated to similar causes.
For example, outdoor edge Founder Annette Diggs told CNBC that the Washington state-based organization aims to “(address) the underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and women of color in snow sports.” The organization also works to include women who belong to the LGBTQ+ community, including trans and queer-identified participants.
“What’s unique about Edge is that we work with the community — many of our participants are educated by people from the community, namely Black and brown people,” she said.
Ciera Young, who is black and has multiple sclerosis, learned adaptive skiing through an Edge scholarship.
“I’m so grateful that my coaches listened to me and said, ‘We want to make sure you can ski the way you want and that you feel empowered,’” she said. “It’s incredible to be in a room with other BIPOC people.”
Zishawn Gibson (left) and Taji Van Donk ski with the Hoods to Woods Foundation at Big Snow American Dream on June 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Danielle DeVries | CNBC
Meanwhile, Vermont-based nonprofit impossible riderFounded in 2020 with plans to build an outdoor community center run by people of color, co-founder Abby Crisostomo envisions one day becoming a “radically inclusive space.”
Crisostomo estimates that in the four years since its founding, Unlikely Riders has hosted more than 145 events, donated 2,500 pieces of winter gear and mentored more than 570 community members for free. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the organization introduces mountain biking to people of color and the LGBTQ+ community while creating a welcoming environment.
Small businesses like Skida or people of color ToughCutie employees play an important role in supporting the efforts of unlikely riders by donating gear and hosting events.
Coming to a successful conclusion
In addition to its mission of inclusion, the co-founders of Hoods to Woods emphasized the importance of mentorship within the program, which includes connecting with community participants and helping improve financial literacy, college applications and employment opportunities.
“I’ve seen kids who had behavioral problems in school and at home turn around 180 degrees because they were able to be in an environment where they could be themselves and think freely,” Paupaw said. “To me, that’s one of the most powerful things I’ve witnessed as a person and as a co-founder of this project.”
Through Hoods to Woods, Diaz, Paupaw and their volunteers have built many relationships with participants. Some people return to volunteer work after graduating from the program.
Participants and volunteers participate in a ski event with the Hoods to Woods Foundation at Big Snow American Dream on June 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. More than half of the program’s volunteers are certified snowboard instructors.
Danielle DeVries | CNBC
“It’s the perfect combination,” Diaz told CNBC. “Giving back to young people, making a difference in their lives, doing it in a place that I love – I’m happy. There’s no better way to give back.”
Miquan Chisholm, 27, was one of the first participants in the program 15 years ago. He is now a volunteer dedicated to the cause. His daughter is only 3 years old now, but he envisions her joining the community one day.
“It changed my life because it gave me a different perspective on life. I never thought I would be skiing as a black man…I fell in love with it,” he said. “Hood to Woods really gave me the confidence to try new things and be open to things in life and realize that there are opportunities for people.”
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