Inclusivity at Hunter Mountain

By Max Oppen

HUNTER — Good Shepherd Services, based in The Bronx, is in its second year of a partnership with Vail Resorts, providing young Bronxites with the opportunity to venture upstate and engage in skiing and snowboarding activities. Facilitated through Vail Resorts' Epic for Everyone program, 50 participants from Good Shepherd Services' middle school afterschool program immersed themselves in the fundamentals of skiing and snowboarding during the 2022/23 season.

Michelle Yanche, CEO of Good Shepherd Services, expressed the organization's commitment to providing every young person with the opportunity to explore new hobbies and discover their passions, irrespective of their zip code or circumstances. She highlighted the significance of outdoor enrichment programs, like the one established through this partnership, in offering valuable opportunities for NYC youth to acquire new skills beyond the traditional classroom setting, ultimately realizing their fullest potential.

Sarah Slutzky, Director of Skier Services at Hunter Mountain, said, "Working with Good Shepherd Services and welcoming their kids to our resort has really been a pleasure. It's always so exciting to see the kids' faces when they get off the bus and see all of the snow and terrain surrounding them, and of course, bringing these new experiences into their lives is just something that can't be matched for our team. It reminds us all why working at a ski resort is so rewarding! We get to bring fun to our guests' day!"

As part of the program, participants received five free on-snow lessons, complimentary meals, equipment rentals, and two additional lift tickets for continued practice with a guardian. The youth also benefited from various mentorship opportunities, gaining insights into potential careers such as snowmaking, operations, and ski and snowboard instruction.

This collaboration between Good Shepherd Services and Vail Resorts underscores the transformative impact of partnerships, opening doors for young individuals and providing them with experiences and opportunities that may have been otherwise inaccessible.

During the 2022/23 winter season, the company hosted nearly 11,300 underrepresented youth at 32 resorts, including major metropolitan areas near its mountain resorts, such as New York City.