Conservation fund supported by skier donations to support U.S. Forest Service projects in Summit and Eagle counties

The National Forest Foundation’s Ski Conservation Fund has invested millions to support work in the White River National Forest, according to a news release

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The National Forest Foundation’s Ski Conservation Fund will provide more than $100,000 to the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps to support work White River National Forest Projects, according to a news release.
Beau Toepfer/The Aspen Times

A conservation fund supported by donations from skiers who visit some of Colorado’s top mountain resorts is funding restoration projects in the White River National Forest again this year.

The National Forest Foundation’s Ski Conservation Fund allows guests visiting six ski resorts to voluntarily donate $1 or more when purchasing tickets, season passes or lodging. The nonprofit then adds a 50-cent match to help local forest stewardship projects, according to a news release.

The Ski Conservation Fund partners with ski mountains in Eagle and Summit counties, including Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Keystone Resort, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort, the release states. Since it started in 2007, the fund has reportedly invested over $7 million in 31 community organizations to support work in White River National Forest.



This year, as in past years, the fund will provide more than $100,000 to the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps to support the Dillon and Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger Districts on projects through its Natural Resources Internship Program, the release states. Last year, the Youth Corps reportedly helped refurbish two historic buildings atop Boreas Pass and completed trail work in the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District.

The projects that will be supported by the Ski Conservation Fund this year will be recommended by two community advisory committees that the National Forest Foundation has established, according to the release. To help support forest improvement efforts, the National Forest Foundation has also established a new stewardship coordinator program dedicated to the White River National Forest.

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