As winter descends upon the Wasatch Back, the Soldier Hollow Kickers and Gliders program is making a concerted effort to introduce cross-country skiing to a broader audience, particularly focusing on local Latino families. Set to commence on January 6 and running through February 26, the program is designed for children aged 6 to 11 and will take place at Soldier Hollow’s Sports Discovery Center in Midway, Utah, every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Gerrit Garberich, senior sports manager and head of the competition program, emphasized the program’s intention to create a fun and engaging environment for budding young skiers. “Kids will learn the basics of skiing through purposeful play, games, and drills. All participants will get free hot chocolate to warm back up after each practice,” Garberich noted, highlighting the program's commitment to fostering a welcoming atmosphere. In a bid to address the underrepresentation of Latino families in local skiing programs, Garberich, along with Luke Bodensteiner, Soldier Hollow’s general manager and chief of sport development for the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, initiated a discounted registration program last winter. They set aside 20 spots specifically for Latino participants at a reduced rate of $25, a move supported by the Wasatch Community Foundation and the Wasatch Latino Coalition. Additionally, the program offers needs-based scholarships to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent participation. Despite these efforts, the previous winter saw only four out of 95 participants taking advantage of the discounted registration, underscoring the challenges that Latino families face in accessing such programs. “We recognized that challenges like transportation and communication have limited participation in the past, and we’re working to improve outreach and access for Latino families this season,” Garberich explained. Transportation has been a significant hurdle in the past, as the program did not offer bus services due to a scarcity of available drivers. In a proactive step for this season, program organizers have secured two bus drivers to facilitate free transportation for registered participants. The program bus will pick up children at 3:40 PM from the southeast corner of the Wasatch Recreation Center parking lot and return them at approximately 5:45 PM, aiming to make access to the program easier for families who may have struggled with logistics previously. “We want to eliminate common barriers that can prevent families from accessing winter sports,” Garberich stated. To that end, the program not only provides transportation but also supplies all necessary skiing equipment, including skis, boots, and poles. Families are simply asked to ensure their children are appropriately dressed for winter conditions, which includes windproof or snow pants, base layers, a warm jacket, hat, gloves, a neck gaiter, warm socks, and a water bottle. Registration for the program is currently open, with separate links available for English and Spanish speakers. The Spanish registration link is particularly tailored for families seeking access to the discounted $25 rate for Latino participants. This dual-language approach aims to bridge the communication gap and ensure that families can easily navigate the registration process. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of inclusivity in sports, particularly in regions like the Wasatch Back, where outdoor winter activities are a staple of the local culture. By specifically targeting outreach to Latino families, the Soldier Hollow Kickers and Gliders program is not only working to diversify participation in skiing but is also fostering a sense of community among families who may have previously felt excluded from these winter sports. As the program gears up for another season, organizers are optimistic that their efforts will yield greater participation from Latino families and help cultivate a love for skiing among the next generation. “Our hope is that by reducing barriers and creating a welcoming environment, we can inspire more kids to take part in winter sports and enjoy everything that the Wasatch Back has to offer,” Garberich concluded. For more information about the program and to register, interested families can visit the program's website, where they can find links to both English and Spanish registration forms. With a renewed focus on inclusivity, the Soldier Hollow Kickers and Gliders program is poised to make a significant impact this winter season.