Entering its 22nd winter season, the SOS Outreach program is growing.
SOS Outreach, self described as a national youth development program that introduces underserved youth to adventure sports such as skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, mountain biking and backpacking, will expand into Park City, Utah, this season.
The growth coincides with the program’s addition of Steven Nyman, a three-time Olympian and World Cup gold medalist, as an SOS ambassador. Nyman is originally from Park City.
SOS Outreach is partnered with Purgatory Resort and 30 other mountain resorts in six different states. The program has introduced more than 45,000 youth to mountain activities and will directly work with 124 Durango youth this season. Making it all possible in Durango is a team of 30 adult mentors.
“While the organization is proud of these expansion efforts and curriculum developments, the real excitement is due to the impacts SOS is seeing in participants,” SOS Outreach said in a news release.
SOS Outreach credited its partnership with Purgatory Resort for helping make the entire program a success.
“Without the support we receive from the community and the continued generosity of mountain partnerships like Purgatory Resort, this level of impact wouldn’t happen,” executive director Seth Ehrlich said in the release.
SOS Outreach will be part of Saturday’s grand opening of the new high-speed quad Lift 8 at Purgatory. The program is excited to be part of history along with the Durango community when the renovated “Legends” chairlift begins operation at 9:45 a.m.
“It’s such a monumental time for our community and our mountain,” Durango Programs Director Kelsie Borland said in the release. “It’s an honor to introduce youth to the mountains, and we couldn’t ask for a stronger community partner than Purgatory Resort.”
This year’s SOS Outreach winter program will begin Jan. 13.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
