Teens Take the Slopes with Vail Resorts’ Epic for Everyone Initiative

In 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are coming together to highlight how Clubs create champions — on and off the field. As the Movement prepares to spotlight the power of sports in February, teens from Boys & Girls Club Metro Baltimore are already living that story on the slopes. 

For our teens, skiing is an opportunity to try something new, challenge themselves, and see themselves in ways they never have before. Over five ski trip days in January and February, youth from our Clubs at O'Donnell Heights, Brooklyn O’Malley, Westport, and Howard Community College explored the slopes, built confidence, and supported one another every step of the way. 

The program is part of Vail Resorts’ Epic for Everyone initiative, supported by Vail Resorts in partnership with the Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust. Designed to remove barriers to winter sports for historically marginalized youth, the initiative provides transportation, equipment, lessons, and mentorship, giving teens access to experiences they might not otherwise have. Staff completed inclusion and diversity training to ensure the program reflected the Club’s and Vail Resorts’ Be Inclusive and Do Good values, creating a welcoming and empowering environment for every participant. 

The ski days are structured to meet teens where they are, beginning with beginner training and progressing through higher skill levels. On each visit, teens are evaluated and then test their own abilities, try new slopes, and push themselves to grow. Some were returning skiers from last year’s program, while others were hitting the slopes for the first time — yet every stumble was met with encouragement and determination. 

This experience reflects the Club’s People-Centered Approach. Staff and volunteers meet youth where they are, helping them gain confidence, explore new challenges, and see themselves in ways they never imagined. Howard Community College Club Coordinator Candice Brown described the experience as “defying the odds,” noting that teens faced new challenges with resilience and curiosity, learning the value of trying new things while having fun. 

Teamwork was evident throughout the day. Teens helped one another with boots, ski poles, and navigating the slopes, celebrating each success and offering encouragement. Trainers and staff observed teens stepping into leadership roles, demonstrating sportsmanship, and working together — a direct reflection of Embracing Perspective and learning to appreciate diverse skills and experiences within the group. 

The ski program also embodies the Club’s Relentless Pursuit. Teens practiced, fell, got back up, and kept improving. Whether mastering a new slope or helping a friend succeed, the mountain became a space where they could focus on growth, leave daily challenges behind, and dream of new possibilities.  

Ski instructor Jean Lamb, shared, “I drive three hours to come to the resort when I know Boys & Girls Club is going to be here, because it’s incredible to see the growth and excitement in the kids.” The program also brings Dynamic Passion to life — energy, enthusiasm, and joy were everywhere on the slopes, as teens celebrated their successes and built connections with peers and mentors alike. 

As Boys & Girls Clubs shine a spotlight on how sports build champions in life, these ski trips tell that story in action. Through opportunities like this, teens build confidence, leadership, teamwork, and a belief in what’s possible for their future. 

What does it take to build a champion?