What is it: 
Hope on the Slopes (HOTS) is a 501c3 nonprofit that uses skiing and snowboarding to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. HOTS' annual fundraising events consist of 24-hour ski and snowboard competitions hosted at various mountains. Starting this year, skiers and riders can also get involved via the new vertical tracking challenge which is a downloadable app, which won't require attending one of the 24-hour events. Teams of skiers and snowboarders compete to raise the most funds and log the most vertical feet skied in 24 hours or throughout the ski season.

Backstory & How it works: 
Leading up to the 24-hour on-hill competitions, teams create web pages and post on social media to help raise awareness for their on-mountain event and bring in donations for the American Cancer Society.

Some teams like Carving for the Cure at White Pass* host an annual spaghetti dinner to spread the word and add riders to their rosters. This year they’re upping the ante by hosting a ski film screening party with Warren Miller Entertainment. Details Below.

HOTS hosts its on-hill events at different mountains like Breckenridge, Steven’s Pass, Mount Hood, and White Pass where teams duke it out for the most vert.

Teams that log the most vert or raise the most money can win skis, a snowboard, and other prizes from HOTS’ sponsors like K2, Jones Soda, Cliff Bar, and Warren Miller Entertainment.

The competition is always friendly, but some on-hill banter gets riders pumped to challenge each other for bragging rights and prizes. Each mountain tends to attract a different demographic of riders and over the years groups have added different on-hill competitions to increase the stoke. Skiers and riders range in age from 8 to 80 years old. Everyone from supporters to cancer patients in remission and those currently battling cancer compete or volunteer at the events.

“It’s different than your typical 5k or 10k,” says executive director Lori Harmer. “People make strong personal connections because they share similar stories and experiences.”

How you can Help: 
This year HOTS is making it so you can participate even if you don’t live near one of the mountains hosting an on-hill event with its nation-wide Virtual Challenge. At the end of the season whichever team or group logs the most vertical is crowned the victor. It’s easy to participate. All you have to do is download HOTS’ the Traceup app, join the Ski & Ride for a Cure group, and turn it on everytime you hit the slopes. You can join a team or start one of your own. The sweet part is that you can team up with friends all over the country.

If you don’t want to ski or board, you can still help. Contact a team or HOTS to volunteer at one of the events or act as the marketing guru for your team by spreading the word at your school, local ski club, and on social media.

It’s a pretty cool concept: you ski and board to spread awareness about the importance of cancer research. Plus, it’s a totally valid excuse to play hookey from school or work so you can log some vert.

*Carving for a Cure at White Pass is teaming up with Warren Miller Entertainment to host a fundraiser and screen of Warren Miller's Flow State on Tuesday, Janurary 31st at the Vashon Theater on Vashon Island, WA. Join or support Carving for the Cure here.