New program aims to help under-resourced families participate in mountain activities

Opportunity for every kid to learn to love the mountain environment

By Mark Reaman

Skiing is not a cheap sport and it’s not always easy to access, even if you live in a valley with a ski area. It is probably more affordable for people living near a ski resort but even then, it is not affordable for everyone. One local resident is trying to close that affordability and accessibility gap and he is looking for help with a project that addresses what is described as “under-resourced families” in the valley.

Tom Heine has lived in the North Valley for six years. He noticed that not every kid who lives here was taking advantage of the recreational opportunities available, especially skiing. So, he funded a pilot program last year to help make skiing available to everyone. Called the Gravity Diversity Project, the idea of the bilingual-friendly project is to make it easy and affordable for all local students to get some time on the ski hill.

“I am doing it because with community support and contributions we can give all low-income kids a chance to participate in everything the valley has to offer,” Heine said. “If a kid lives here, he or she should be able to embrace what the community offers. I love skiing and most of us here do. But not everyone can afford the things that come with it. I want to help bridge that gap. I am sure that a nice percentage of the kids that learn to ski will always ski, will take their friends skiing and will eventually teach their kids to ski. It’s exciting to think about.”

Heine explained that the Gravity Diversity Project partners with the schools in Gunnison and Crested Butte, Vail Resorts, the Snowsports Foundation, Western Colorado University and other local organizations to turn early-release Wednesdays and Tuesday afternoons in winter into safe, exciting opportunities to learn about the amazing recreation available in our valley. Winter Tuesdays will focus on skiing and riding at CBMR, while on Wednesdays, the focus is on the Cranor Hill Ski Area in partnership with the CB Snowsports Foundation. 

“Last year, we got 22 kids their first day or days of skiing for less than $4,000,” Heine said of the initial Tuesday afternoon program. “Some kids already have the Choice Pass and others don’t, but all kids got a lift ticket if they needed it, a lesson, lunch, and gear rentals. Vail Resorts deserves a big thank you for that. They’ve been a great partner. We just filled in where some kids were slipping through the cracks.”

The challenges of such a targeted program include not just logistics and money. Last year an interesting situation came up that might scare some people off. “One example is that we had a Spanish speaking family that got their kids all ready, they brought them up to CBMR and the ski area but then couldn’t find the ski school or ticket office, so they left,” recalled Heine. “How frustrating would that be? We got them in the next week. Vail Resorts was amazingly flexible and great to work with, and in situations like that, they need to be.”

Opening doors

Katie Lewinger, director of the CB Snowsports Foundation, said the project represents a meaningful step forward. “This is a wonderful effort that opens doors for families who just need that extra opportunity to experience what makes this place so special, all while building confidence and supporting mental and physical health during our long winters,” she said. “We’re grateful to be part of it.”

The Wednesday program at Cranor has a $15,000 budget. That includes buying snow gear at the gear swap for kids. The money goes toward lift tickets, lessons, rentals, coaches, background checks, gear swap clothes and snacks. It will run for six Wednesdays starting in January, depending on snow conditions of course.

It is expected to cost about $5,000 to run the Tuesday program at CBMR offering similar amenities like ski lessons, gear and a snack.

The Gravity Diversity project is seeking more help in an effort to expand the number of families and also the number of activities. “I am looking for more local vendors to offer programs for kids whether it be something like fishing, climbing, guiding, etcetera,” Heine said. “The CB Snowsports Foundation will be running the Wednesday program at Cranor Hill so I am sure Snowsports Foundation can use funding and volunteers. And simple donations make things happen. The more we raise, the more we can offer and the more programs we can bring in.” 

Expansion potential…

And while providing skiing makes sense given where we are, the success and satisfaction from that has inspired the project to look beyond the mountain in the winter. “We already have other programs I have sponsored plus other new programs starting,” Heine said. “I sponsored a clay studio project with the Gunnison Arts Center. That is a Wednesday afternoon project. I also sponsored a Spanish hike provided by Irwin Guides. Kids can have cool choices with a program like this. Looking ahead, I have local organizations that I am working with for golf lessons, Nordic skiing, mountain biking, etc., all with the goal of giving kids great opportunities to learn about all the great recreational opportunities in our area, regardless of their ability to pay.”

The website makes clear there is opportunity in the future. “Our goal is to provide every child with enriching, exciting options that spark curiosity and connection to the incredible environment we live in. If all we ever did was give 22 kids each year the chance to experience skiing for the first time, that alone would be a win. But we know we can do even more,” the website states. “No child should miss out on the magic of winter because of financial or logistical hurdles. We’re committed to growing this opportunity. Our mission is simple: remove every barrier so that any child in the Gunnison Valley who wants to learn to ski or ride—can.”

To learn more about the project, sign up a child or get involved, go to: thegravitydiversityproject.org.