Bolton Resort Partners with Non-Profits to Provide Programs to At-Risk Youth, People With Disabilities and Other Philanthropic Organizations

Reaching At-Risk Youth Through Snowboarding
As the first resort nationwide to partner with Chill, founded by Jake and Donna Burton in 1995, Bolton Valley works with the Burlington-based organization to bring snowboarding to youth who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to hit the slopes. The six-week program teaches 120 at-risk youth some of the most important lessons in life about patience, persistence, responsibility, courage, respect, and pride. Kids hit the slopes Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights for six weeks, where Chill coordinators instill these themes in the kids from the moment they step on the bus headed for Bolton, while gearing up, on the slopes, all the way to through to the return trip at the end of the night.

“The goal is to get these kids out of their inner city environment and up to the mountain to do something completely different,” said Josh Arneson, director of marketing for Bolton. “It gives the kids a different perspective about life and a different challenge—learning to snowboard. Then they begin to realize that if they can meet the challenge of learning to ride, they can meet other challenges in their lives as well.”

Bolton provides Chill with a deeply discounted rate for lift tickets and lessons, allowing Chill to provide the experience free of charge to the kids. As a result, three groups of 40 kids experience something other than what their city life brings them on a daily basis. To learn more about Chill, visit www.chill.org.

Sports For Everybody With Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports
One of Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports’ winter home is at Bolton Valley, and the resort is proud to partner with the largest organization in the state that provides recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. With nearly 400 active volunteers, plus generous partners and sponsors, and an amazing base of clients and friends, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports has been at the forefront of sports and recreation for those with disabilities in New England for more than 20 years. Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. It promotes independence and further equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational activities. To register for the event visit www.vermontadaptive.org.

Hope on the Slopes is March 3 at Bolton Valley
This year Bolton will host New England's second Hope on the Slopes event, an all-day downhill ski and snowboard fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The event, slated for Saturday, March 3, 2012, features a full day of skiing on all of Bolton Valley’s open terrain, as well as activities and entertainment for the whole family. Participants can join as an individual or as a team, raising funds to help the American Cancer Society support cancer research and cancer patients. For more details or to register visit www.boltonvalley.com.