Ski-Industry Non-Profits

"Skiing"- to ski- is a life-changing experience, but as I have grown older I have been trying to find ways to use the change that skiing effects for good- for the betterment of humanity. Without harping or preaching or proselytizing: I just hope that each and every person reading this realizes how lucky they are to be able TO SKI. Take a minute and reflect where you would be without Skiing. It may be true that some people would have been 'better off' without skiing- the lifestyle that accompanies skiers is one that we as skiers embrace and glorify, but is not always the most healthy or pure for our bodies or for the world. However, using skiing as a motivating factor to help people avoid the pitfalls of dirty living could very well be a worthwhile endeavor.

In general, this thread is about SKIING and the GOOD that SKIING can do, and how you can help others achieve a positive direction! Be it a positive influence on lifestyle or on psyche, being high in the mountains is an empowering feeling and one we as skiers are willing to pursue through every medium- from photo and film to the tangible experience of SKIING. Everyone on this website can name two-million-or-more instances where their decisions would be oriented otherwise had it not been for skiing. Reading this post and considering one perspective on "right-thinking" is an example of how skiing is changing your life at this very moment. However, real change is made through action.

Are you a hard-core ski bum? Are you a "weekend warrior"? Do you get on the hill once a year, or once every day? It shouldn't matter, because we are bound by the same commitment- the pursuit of a passion so deeply rooted that it is life changing. But, at the end of the day, it does matter because life dictates it be as such. Some organizations seek to level the playing field.

Something a defeatist would say is "but I am just one person, what can I do?" Well, you could make somebody else's life better, so even one person could make a huge difference. Here's how:

Here is a list of some Industry Non-Profits. Please contribute more as I know I have missed some:

-The Flyin' Ryan Hawks Foundation ( www.flyinryanhawks.org )
-Protect Our Winters ( www.protectourwinters.org )
-High Fives Foundation ( www.highfivesfoundation.org )
-Mountain Rider's Alliance ( www.mountainridersalliance.com )
-SkiDUCK ( www.skiduck.org)
-Alpine Initiatives ( www.alpineinitiatives.org )
-New England Disabled Sports (http://www.nedisabledsports.org/coach.aspx )

Want to HELP, today? Open your Facebook account and "like"
- Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation- www.facebook.com/flyinryanhawks
- Protect Our Winters - www.facebook.com/ProtectOurWinters
- High Fives Foundation - www.facebook.com/HighFivesFoundation
- Mountain Riders Alliance - www.facebook.com/MountainRidersAlliance
- SkiDUCK www.facebook.com/skiducknonprofit
- Alpine Initiatives www.facebook.com/alpineinitiatives
- New England Disabled Sports www.facebook.com/NEDisabledSports

And to prove to you that I am serious about my role as just one individual capable of making a change, I am going to start blogging on NS, covering a number of Industry Non-Profits.

Want to do your part? All it takes is time. After you "like" the non-profit's pages, take some time to learn about them or others in your area. Email them and ask if you can volunteer this winter. You may hear "no", but that just means a different opportunity is waiting. Seize the opportunity that awaits, and give it your best effort!