Sharing the joy of skiing

SANDPOINT – A local non-profit is working to make skiing possible for all kids in the community. To make that happen, the North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund is collecting donations to be able to provide season-long scholarships to Schweitzer for children who would like to participate in snow sports.

The scholarship includes a season pass to Schweitzer complete with a bus pass, equipment rentals, and an 8-week lesson program.

The scholarship program is available to youth from 7-17 years of age living in Bonner or Boundary counties; participants must have an economic need to qualify.

Those chosen for the scholarship must participate in fundraising by working for a portion of their tuition.

“We had a successful season last year supporting over 70 children, and several people with disabilities,” said Jeff Rouleau, who is working to fundraise for the program.

NIMSEF is a non-profit organization run by a volunteer board of directors. According to information provided by NIMSEF, the program engages children and helps them feel a sense of belonging, accomplishment, and pride by helping them learn a life-long sport.

In part, the founding of NIMSEF and the idea for a season-long scholarship came from a thank-you note written by a local fourth grader after receiving a free day of skiing.

“Thank you for the best day of my life,” the student wrote. “I probably won’t ever see any of you ever again. So goodbye.”

The goal of NIMSEF is to give children who live “in the shadows of the mountain” the chance to enjoy snowsports for themselves.

“Skiing/snowboarding is simply too expensive for many North Idaho families,” said NIMSEF in a press release. This scholarship program is one way area youth can enjoy the natural resources they live close to.