Solitude Mountain Resort, Solitude, UT – On April 8, 2017, the National Winter Sports Education Foundation (NWSEF) is sponsoring a Winter Festival for participants of the YMCA of Northern Utah’s Y | Ski Program. Through the NWSEF sponsored Y | Ski Program, which encompasses the Ted Ligety Learn to Ski Program, Kelly Clark Learn to Snowboard Program, Shannon Bahrke Learn to Freestyle Program, and Nordic Rocks Program, over 180 youth ages 6-18 completed 6+ week programs in either Nordic, Alpine or Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding. The Winter Festival is a celebration of the partnership between the NWSEF, the YMCA, USSA and Solitude Mountain Resort, one the Y | Ski program hosts.
"Solitude was honored to support the NWSEF and YMCA programs here in Utah," said Tim Wolfgram, Director of Snowsports Services for Solitude. "We enjoyed teaching local youth how to ski, snowboard and Nordic ski on our mountains this season and hopefully helped foster their lifelong appreciation for winter recreation."
Joining the YMCA Participants to congratulate them on an amazing winter sports season will be Olympic Gold Medalist Ted Ligety, who co-sponsors the Learn to Ski Program and Olympian Liz Stephen, an athlete ambassador for Nordic Rocks. Present and former USSA Team Members from a variety of Winter Sports Disciplines will also join in the Festivities. “USSA athletes are passionate about giving back and inspiring the next generation,” said Kate Anderson, USSA Athletics Manager. “We are looking forward to being a part of the NWSEF’s event and engaging with the local community.”
NWSEF and YMCA have partnered for four seasons, each year more successful than the last. The partnership began to give every child, regardless of their financial situation, the opportunity to experience and fall in love with winter sports.
"As the cold weather sets in each year, we tend to hunker down, turn on the TV, and tuck in for the season," said YMCA of Northern Utah CEO Rich West. "The NWSEF’s support for the Y I Ski Program is so important. It's designed to get kids outside during the winter months and gets them to take part in some wintry fun. Youth participating in winter sports not only plays an important role in exercise, but also promotes mental well-being."
The YMCA also partners with Ogden Nordic, Soldier Hollow, Utah Olympic Park, Snowbasin Resort and Nordic Valley Ski Resort to offer the Learn to Ski program in the Salt Lake and Ogden areas.
“The Winter Festival is our opportunity to celebrate our amazing partners and the accomplishments of the youth participants. We’re excited to bring everyone together for an amazing day on the slopes,” says Constance Beverley, CEO of the NWSEF. The Winter Festival begins at 11:30 a.m., with an athlete meet and greet at 12:45 p.m. The event is closed to the public.
WWW.NWSEF.ORG
###
About National Winter Sports Education Foundation:
The National Winter Sports Education Foundation (NWSEF) was founded in 2011 with a mission of convening organizations to play an effective role in improving the lives, health, and fitness of children through participation in winter sports. Its ultimate goal is to help more than 100,000 youth gain access to winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more, each and every winter. Since its inception, NWSEF has funded the introduction of almost 50,000 kids to winter sports through Nordic Rocks, the Ted Ligety Learn to Ski program, Kelly Clark Learn to Snowboard Program and Shannon Bahrke Learn to Freestyle Program. Learn more at www.nwsef.org.
About the YMCA of Northern Utah
The Y is and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. The Y is continually looking to provide value, to stay relevant and to serve communities in the ways they need most. The Y offers programs, services and initiatives focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, according to the unique needs of the communities it engages. For more information, please visit ymcautah.org.
