When Ski-Doo and its parent company BRP announced the new Snow P.A.S.S. program earlier this year, there were fairly high hopes that the grandiose-sounding program would turn into real money to help snowmobile clubs and associations with the trails that are the backbone of our sport. But even the most optimistic grass roots snowmobile supporters probably weren’t expecting these kinds of robust first-year results.
Ski-Doo recently announced that its Snow P.A.S.S. program added up to more than a half-million in funding in its very first year. In fact, it topped $580,000 in funds to help finance more than 100 snowmobile projects across North America!
To put that in perspective, the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) Snowmobile Grant Program recently celebrated topping $1.5 million in total giving, but that’s over a 20-year period and with support from all four snowmobile factories. Ski-Doo is more than 38 percent of the way there after one year all by itself with this new program. That’s an impressive show of leadership by the brand! Here’s the full press release (far below) along with a very well-done video from Ski-Doo that showcases some of the work that snowmobile clubs and their members do on behalf of the sport:
SKI-DOO SNOW P.A.S.S. PROGRAM FUNDS MORE THAN $500,000 IN PROJECTS
Valcourt, Quebec, November 11, 2021 — In its inaugural season, the Ski-Doo Snow P.A.S.S. grant program is providing more than $580,000 in funding towards more than 100 projects for snowmobile organizations across North America.
With more than 200 applications for project funding submitted in just two short months, the response from the snowmobile community was phenomenal. BRP and their network of Ski-Doo dealers teamed up to provide the funding to these hard-working volunteer organizations need.
“Together with the support of our amazing dealers, the Ski-Doo Snow P.A.S.S. grant program surpassed all expectations,” said Annick Lauzon Director, Global Marketing, Sea-Doo & Ski-Doo. “We are very pleased to help these passionate organizations continue their efforts to improve trails and infrastructure for all snowmobilers across North America,” Lauzon added.
Each organization was eligible to receive up to a $5,000 grant if their project application was selected as a recipient. The projects chosen to receive funding stretch across North America – from Nova Scotia to Alaska.
“You just can’t imagine what a shot in the arm this is for us,” said Michelle LaRose, Treasurer of the Curry Ridge Riders snowmobile club in Alaska.
Alaska Safe Riders – one of this season’s grant recipients – is an organization that promotes snowmobile and ORV operation by riders throughout the state. They offer instructional riding classes, backcountry safety seminars, provide free helmets to riders and more.
“Alaska Safe Riders is very excited to get the Ski-Doo Snow P.A.S.S. grant. It will go a long way in making Alaska a safer place to ride, Mike Buck, Director of Alaska Safe Riders, said.
“This support will be used to keep our trail system safe, provide the best site of vision for all riders, and safety for our Groomer operators,” said Tina Cock-Crawford, President of Dalhousie Mountain Snowmobile Club in Nova Scotia. “Thank you from the bottom of our tracks,” she added.
With the enthusiasm of organizations and riders such as these, the future of snowmobiling remains bright. Stay tuned to Ski-Doo.com and the Ski-Doo social media channels for updates on Snow P.A.S.S. project progress later in the 2021-22 snowmobile season.
Videos were created to celebrate, share and thank the clubs for their efforts.
English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcIV6-y5GZY
French: https://youtu.be/cG3rvSn8AYM
Year two of the Ski-Doo Snow P.A.S.S. program will open again for organizations to submit their projects for funding in Summer of 2022.
