COPPER MOUNTAIN’S PLAY IT FORWARD WEDNESDAYS PROGRAM RAISES MORE THAN $67,000 FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Copper Mountain is proud to announce that it has raised $67,640 for more than a dozen non-profit partner organizations through the Play It Forward Wednesdays program.  

As part of Copper Mountain’s Play Forever commitment to protect the environment and enable participation, the resort reestablished its lift ticket community giving program, Play It Forward Wednesdays. On select Wednesdays throughout the 2020/21 winter season, Copper donated $5 from every lift ticket purchased online to 13 non-profit partner organizations. 

Through the Copper Mountain Play It Forward Fund, Play It Forward Wednesdays proceeds have gone to organizations whose focus is to provide support for local relief, on-mountain participation and environmental causes. 

“Copper Mountain Resort is committed to serving the outdoor sports community and providing a level of support for those that participate in skiing and snowboarding” said Roy Tuscany, CEO & founder of High Fives Foundation. “By partnering with High Fives Foundation, we together, are able to cast a larger net of safety for all that love to recreate in the outdoors, especially sliding on snow.” 

In addition to the High Fives Foundation, the organizations that benefitted from this year’s program include Adaptive Action Sports, Building Hope, Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment, High Country Conservation Center, Blue River Watershed Group, Summit Community Care Clinic, SOS Outreach, Friends of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, Summit County Safe Passages, Family & Intercultural Resource Center and Get Outdoors Leadville!. 

“Friends of the Dillon Ranger District is incredibly grateful to have Copper Mountain as a longstanding partner and sponsor of our organization,” said Emily Bruyn, FDRD events and marketing manager. “This year, through their Play It Forward Wednesdays program we were able to raise enough money to cover the costs of several upcoming trail maintenance and forest restoration volunteer projects! Thanks to Copper Mountain’s support, our organization continues to grow and accomplish more on-the-ground work on our local trails and forest here in Summit County.” 

For more information about Copper Mountain’s Play It Forward Wednesdays program and Play Forever initiatives, please visit CopperColorado.com.   

Additional quotes from beneficiary non-profit organizations: 

“In this unprecedented season, backcountry safety and education are paramount to help users access the backcountry safely,” said Aaron Carlson, Executive Director, Friends of CAIC. “Copper Mountain’s commitment to avalanche safety helps to give the Friends of CAIC the added capacity we need to keep up with growing backcountry demand.”  

“Summit County has been hit hard by the pandemic. The community relies on the Family & Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) to get their basic needs met and need has grown exponentially with the pandemic. Through access to economic supports, food, social support, key resources, and health care, FIRC partners with Copper Mountain to strengthen the community.” – Danielle McQueen, FIRC Grant & Evaluation Manager  

“Get Outdoors Leadville! exists to support access to and enjoyment of meaningful experiences in nature for our diverse Lake County community. How incredible is it to have Play It Forward Wednesdays where people skiing at Copper are simultaneously enjoying time outdoors while helping others develop their own love of outdoor recreation through programs like Get Outdoors Leadville!? We are so grateful to Copper Mountain and the Play It Forward Program for their support of GOL! and our mission. We will be able to use the Play It Forward contribution to offer program scholarships for local youth, fund environmental fieldwork in our schools, and purchase equipment for our community gear-lending library.” – Beth Helmke, Get Outdoors Leadville! 

“We appreciate Copper’s commitment to sustainability and their support of HC3’s community programs through the Play it Forward Wednesday event.” – Lisa Huenke, High Country Conservation Center Marketing and Events Manager