Mountain programs enriching the lives of Native youth
We are winding down on the second winter season of the Charles N. Romero Snowsports Program, which provides opportunities for Taos Pueblo and other Native American youth to enjoy the sport of skiing and snowboarding at no cost. I am compelled to reflect on how this program inspires the Native youth in our community and to thank the organizers and long list of volunteers for their heartfelt commitment to keep it rolling.
This program was named in memoriam of a longtime Taos Ski Valley employee and member of the Taos Pueblo community. Through a variety of grants from Working on Wellness and the Share Winter Foundation, Native American youth from the Taos Pueblo community and others can ski or ride for five days at Taos Ski Valley, complete with lift tickets, clothing, equipment rentals and lessons.
Last season, 25 kids participated in the program, which was offered for grades 4-12. This year, we expanded to include children as young as secondgrade, and we’re proud to host 33 kids. It is thrilling to see children experiencing mountain sports for the first time: feeling the exhilaration of skiing on Taos’ incomparable mountain and growing confidence as they develop their skills. We’ve been in discussions to expand the 4-year program and ensure the mountains become a lifelong experience for these children.
Another exciting element of the program this year was a visit from Connor Ryan, a proud Hunkpapa Lakota and a professional skier. Connor generously made time to visit Taos Ski Valley and host a talk on inspiring more Native American participation in the ski industry. Connor spoke about how spending time in the outdoors connects him more deeply to the land, his heritage and spirituality.
Connor also took the time to personally ski with the kids in the Charles N. Romero Snowsports Program. He encouraged the kids to stick with the sport and emphasized a sense of belonging in skiing and snowboarding. The children were beaming; we could see they were thrilled to hear from a pro skier who shared their indigenous ancestry.
We are grateful to Connor, Working on Wellness/Taos Pueblo Sports Alliance, the Share Winter Foundation, New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund, IKON and others who have contributed to the success of the Charles N. Romero Snowsports Program. Together with these important partners and others in our community and industry, we are committed to delivering equitable and communitybased access to Northern New Mexico.
We recognize disparities exist in our industry, and we are determined to continue working to break them down.