Industry News
Copper Mountain and Eldora, Colorado, are proud to be part of a groundbreaking initiative reshaping inclusivity in winter sports. The resorts, in partnership with Subaru of America, are expanding access to skiing and snowboarding for members of Slide Thru Sessions, a collective dedicated to increasing diversity in winter sports.
Slide Thru Sessions is comprised of Ski Noir 5280, Neighborhood Uplift and I-70 Things, whose missions are to promote initiatives that help diversify the mountains in Colorado. Red Bull and the Colorado Department of Transportation also play a crucial role in supporting the group’s goals. Based out of Denver, Colorado, Slide Thru Sessions strives to introduce minorities in the state and out of state to skiing and riding. Slide Thru Sessions sees roughly 300+ RSVPs for each of its events hosted across the state and has over 1,200 subscribers to its monthly email list.
This winter, Copper Mountain partnered with Subaru of America to donate 150 helmets to Slide Thru Sessions for its members to utilize. With a Gear Library located in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood, Slide Thru Sessions has been able to provide people with essential gear needed to continue in the sport. The Gear Library is estimated to house over 1,000 pieces of equipment and clothing including skis, snowboards, snow jackets and snow pants. Helmets have been a critical gap in the Gear Library, as they must be purchased new rather than repurposed. The 150 donated helmets will enhance safety and help participants continue progressing in the sport with confidence.
In addition to partnering with Subaru of America to donate 150 helmets to Slide Thru Sessions, Copper has hosted Slide Thru Sessions for a day on the mountain for four seasons, with 100 plus participants attending each year. As part of their visit, lift tickets are provided to those participants who need them and lessons for around 40 people. The group will be returning to Copper on March 8 for their annual ski day. Additionally, Copper has partnered with Neighborhood Uplift for the past two seasons through the Play Forever Thursdays program to provide financial support through lift ticket sales.
Eldora, another POWDR resort, has also worked closely with Slide Thru Sessions to support and donate to their initiatives. In partnership with Subaru of America, Eldora hosted Slide Thru Sessions for two ski days this winter. In 2022, Eldora helped to establish the Gear Library with an initial donation of its seasonal rental fleet, including skis, boards, boots and bindings. The resort continues to donate hard and soft goods with their monthly lost & found donations. The group is also a partner of Eldora’s Play Forever Wednesday’s program and receives donations from this partnership.
Along with Copper, Eldora and Subaru of America, Slide Thru Sessions has partnered with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to help shuttle participants to the mountains through their Bustang service.
See below for more information about the collective support POWDR resorts and partners have provided to Slide Thru Sessions:
- Copper Mountain: Resort has hosted over 200 participants since 2022 on the mountain including lessons and lift tickets. Another 100+ participants are expected during the 2024/25 season. Copper donated 150 helmets in partnership with Subaru of America. Copper has raised over $5,500 for Neighborhood Uplift and will partner again to support the group for the 2024/25 season on March 13.
- Eldora: Since 2023, Eldora has donated 223 lift tickets and over 170 lessons to Slide Thru Sessions. Since 2022, Eldora has donated the following to the group’s Gear Library: 561 pairs of skis, 595 ski boots, 62 sets of poles, 213 snowboards, 100 snowboard bindings, 86 snowboard boots and 528 pounds of clothing including jackets, pants, goggles, gloves and hats.
- Subaru: Subaru of America has funded the cost of 150 new helmets and four ski days at Eldora in the past two seasons.
Copper Mountain and Eldora remain dedicated to expanding safety and access for minority skiers through ongoing initiatives and partnerships.
