And so it began, two and half years ago, when J.P. and crew got in touch with the International Peace Institute to help with a project in Meru, Kenya. From their, the group decided to start their own organization as a way of mobilizing the winter sports community to give back.
Today, AI is a full fledged registered 501(c)-3 and continues to grow. Their sponsor list reads like the inside flap of a ski movie with support from Oakley, Armada, Orage, and others. Their project in Keyna has helped build a community home that cares for and educates children orphaned by aids. Their next project is underway in Madagascar. On top of that, they hope to expand programs like the one held at Vail to bring experts such as J.P. and Seth in touch with local communities of skiers and share their knowledge.
“All of us believe in the power of community. The whole point of AI is to gather passionate people and throw them out into the world,” J.P. says. “If we’re all together, we can pretty much accomplish anything we want.” That says a lot, coming from the guy who helped create freeriding as we know it.
-Jake Davis
