SOS Outreach was founded in Vail, Colorado in 1993. It began as the Snowboard Outreach Society, with a group of snowboarders who wanted to expose underprivileged youth to the mountains, as well as to the sport of snowboarding. Since its founding, SOS has expanded across individual winter sports to include skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing and is now also introducing summer programs, all while incorporating a youth development curriculum. Programs are geared toward youth participants between the ages of 8-18. Students younger or older than this range should contact SOS directly for additional information regarding program options.

SOS currently has programs in 15 states around the country as well as in New Zealand, with full-time offices in Seattle (WA), Denver (CO), Frisco(CO), Avon, (CO) and Jupiter (FL). The SOS experience doesn’t end when the ski resorts close for the off-season. This summer SOS will be offering activities such as 7-day wilderness trips, 2-4 day base camp trips and one-day excursions that include stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, teams courses, and hiking. Just like the winter programs, these activity days include adult support and mentorship, instructors and guides, and aim to instill the core values and character into the youth who participate.