SAM Magazine—Boulder, Colo., Jan 17, 2020—Head USA has made a substantial donation to the Share Winter Foundation as part of the Snowsports Industries America (SIA) Generation Snow industry-match initiative. The program challenges winter industry companies to match or even exceed SIA’s previous $40,000 Share Winter donation.

The Share Winter Foundation is a grantmaking organization that works to improve the lives of youth through winter sports. Share Winter allocates financial and other resources to help underserved young people who would typically not have the opportunity to ski or snowboard get on the slopes. The organization collaborates closely with grantees to build winter sports programs that boost participation in skiing (both Nordic and alpine) and snowboarding among a new generation of shredding enthusiasts.

 This winter, Share Winter will fund the participation of more than 45,000 young people from 21 states in such winter programs, providing around $1 million in grants to school programs, non-profit ski areas, and non-profit organizations. By 2028, Share Winter hopes to introduce 100,000 youth to snowsports every winter. This goal will be impossible without the help of winter industry companies like Head.

“At Head, we care deeply about growing participation in our sports,” said Jon Rucker, president of Head/Tyrolia Wintersports USA. “We are proud to partner with Share Winter, which is at the forefront of bringing more young skiers and riders to the slopes. By working together, we can positively change lives through our shared goal of creating more lifelong skiers and riders.”

Share Winter CEO Constance Beverley said Head USA’s donation “…not only enables Share Winter to directly fund future skiers by decreasing financial barriers to access, but also demonstrates its commitment to growing a more diverse and inclusive winter sports industry. We’re grateful for Head USA’s generosity and commitment to our youth.” 

SIA president Nick Sargent likewise expressed his appreciation: “A big thanks to Head USA for stepping up to support Share Winter. We hope that other brands will follow their lead! Whether a direct financial contribution and/or the donation of winter gear, growing participation is an issue the industry needs to get behind.”

In October, The Share Winter Foundation announced the new partnerships with Snowsports Industries America (SIA), the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI), and the National Ski Patrol (NSP) as part of its efforts to improve the lives of youth through involvement in winter sports. Read about them here or listen to our PodSAM podcast featuring Constance Beverly.