The outdoors can be a radically inclusive space for people of color and the LGBTQ+ community, thanks to these groups.

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, 16-year-old Zyshawn Gibson found snowboarding at Big Snow American Dream to be a refreshing break from his usual routine.

Gibson's ski park participation was made possible through the Hoods to Woods Foundation, a nonprofit based in New York and New Jersey that promotes awareness of the outdoors to inner city children through snowboarding. Over the past 15 years, Hoods to Woods has helped hundreds of underserved youth, including Gibson, develop a new interest and outlet through snowboarding, according to co-founder Omar Diaz.

"Gibson explained to CNBC from the Big Snow complex's lounge room that the activity keeps him away from home and offers a change of pace, away from the risks and dangers of being outside in the streets."

The group, Hoods to Woods, founded by Diaz and Brian Paupaw, aims to provide new opportunities for teenagers and young adults from similar backgrounds. They host weeklong programs in urban areas across two states.

Several organizations across the United States are working to increase the representation of people of color in outdoor activities, including winter sports, where they are often underrepresented and marginalized.

The 2019-2020 participation study by Snowsports Industries America revealed that white Americans continued to make up 67.5% of participants, while Asians accounted for 7.7%, Black people comprised 9.2%, and Hispanics represented 14%.

In 2023, the National Ski Areas Association updated its demographics study and found that white participants made up 88.1% of guests.

The high cost of equipment and transportation for winter sports is one factor that contributes to the divide between those who participate and those who do not. According to a study by Snowsports Industries America, more than half of winter sports participants in 2019 through 2020 had an annual income of over $75,000.

Breaking down barriers

Organizations like Hoods to Woods are working to tear down these barriers.

In 2009, Paupaw and Diaz, two experienced snowboarders, founded a nonprofit organization with the goal of giving back to their communities by teaching youth about the outdoors through snowboarding.

"Diaz emphasized the significance of seeing people who resembled him and were from his surroundings, as it was crucial to hear them speak and feel a sense of familiarity. Growing up in an urban environment, Diaz found it striking how everyone in the mountains sounded vastly different."

Paupaw and Diaz fundraise to cover travel and food expenses for the entire program, which offers free snowboarding lessons and other activities for youth participants.

The nonprofit organization also accepts donations of gear or gifts, and Big Snow has been providing its facilities for free to the group for several years.

Curating communities in the outdoors

In the United States, there are other nonprofits besides Hoods to Woods that work towards similar causes.

Annette Diggs, founder of Edge Outdoors in Washington state, aims to address the invisibility of Black, Indigenous, women of color in snow sports. The group also works to include women who belong to the LGBTQ+ community, including both trans and queer-identifying participants.

"One distinctive aspect of Edge is our focus on community involvement, with many of our participants being taught by community members, including Black and brown individuals," she stated.

Through a scholarship from Edge, Ciera Young, a Black individual with multiple sclerosis, mastered adaptive skiing.

"I was grateful that my instructors listened to me and said, 'We want to ensure you ski the way you want to ski and feel empowered,'" she said. "Being in a space with other BIPOC individuals was amazing."

In 2020, Unlikely Riders, a Vermont-based nonprofit, plans to establish a community center that is stewarded by people of color. Abby Crisostomo, the co-founder, envisions it as a "radically inclusive space" in the future.

Since its inception four years ago, Unlikely Riders has hosted over 145 events, given away 2,500 pieces of winter gear, and taught more than 570 community members for free. The group not only promotes skiing and snowboarding but also introduces people of color and the LGBTQ+ community to mountain biking while creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

Unlikely Riders has been supported by small businesses, including Skida and ToughCutie, through donations of gear and hosting events.

Coming full circle

The co-founders of Hoods to Woods not only prioritize inclusivity but also highlight the significance of mentorship in their program, such as regularly checking in with community participants and offering assistance with financial literacy, college applications, and employment offers.

"Paupaw, a co-founder of the program, stated that observing kids with behavioral problems transform into confident and self-assured individuals in an environment where they could express themselves freely was one of the most powerful experiences he had as a human being."

Diaz, Paupaw, and their volunteers have established numerous connections with their program participants through Hoods to Woods. Some of these participants return to volunteer after completing their programs.

"Diaz told CNBC, "This is the ideal combination: helping the youth, transforming their lives, and doing it in a place I cherish. I couldn't be happier. There's no better way to give back.""

Miquan Chisholm, 27, was one of the program's initial participants 15 years ago. He is now a committed volunteer to the cause. His daughter is currently 3 years old, but he imagines a future where she will eventually become part of the community.

""Hoods to Woods gave me the confidence to try new things and be open-minded about life. It showed me that there are many opportunities for people, regardless of their background. I never thought I would be snowboarding as a Black person, but I fell in love with it and it changed my perspective on life," he said."