The Oso Snowboard Lesson Equity Project

This winter MD's "Oso Outdoors" partnered with Arapahoe Basin to offer 50  immigrant and BIPOC  locals - mostly adults - the experience of snowboarding or skiing for the first time! Taught in Spanish and English by bilingual and bicultural instructors and led by "el Oso" himself, Javier Pineda, each participant received a series of 4 group lessons, equipment, day passes and, at the end of the program, a season pass to A-Basin.

Some are now able to ski and ride with their own kids, while others can join their friends on the mountain. Some will come back next year to be the bilingual, bicultural instructors for a new group of first timers. The participants created community among themselves, made new friends, and are excited to share the experience with others.

Oso Outdoors breaks down the barriers that have excluded local immigrants from accessing the ski resorts and the Colorado outdoors. Planning is already underway for next winter! 

Thanks to the Summit Foundation, CO Parks & Wildlife's Outdoor Equity Grant Program, and the Moniker Foundation for giving local immigrants the opportunity to make this dream a reality!

Oso Outdoors is Mountain Dreamers' Outdoor Equity & Inclusion Initiative.

Oso Outdoors increases opportunities and dismantles barriers in order for immigrants, non-English speakers and other underrepresented communities in the mountains to be able to access the outdoors and public lands. Oso Outdoors is a progressive, inclusive, and sustainable effort that is led by people from the mountain immigrant and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community.

For questions or opportunities for collaboration with Oso Outdoors please reach out to Javier - Javier@mountaindreamers.org