Well before the sun has started to rise, a group of UVM students arrives at Bolton Valley with an ambitious goal: to climb up to the very top of Bolton’s Wilderness Mountain, ski back down, and make it back to campus in time for classes – all while raising thousands of dollars for charity in the process.
These students are members of Chicks on Sticks, a club of female-identifying and non-binary students that work to create accessible snow sports opportunities. Their annual fundraiser, Power Through Powder, has rapidly grown in both size and impact.
“This is the eighth year that this is happening,” says Annie Fennelly, coordinator for Power Through Powder. “At first it was just a small group of people, and now that we’ve grown so much, we can raise all of this money. The impact that we have as a club is awesome, and I hope that this continues, and only gets bigger!”
It certainly has gotten bigger – what started as a group of six students skinning up Bolton Valley at the crack of dawn in 2016 has become an annual eight-week program with almost 100 participants, as well as an impressive source of philanthropy and community-building.
Participants are encouraged to raise money towards the fundraiser, with a suggested goal of $200 per person. While some of the proceeds from Power Through Powder go towards ensuring that Chicks on Sticks can create regular, accessible and robust outdoor programming experiences for their members at a low (or no) cost, the event is also an opportunity for the club to raise a substantial donation each year for charities doing important work in Burlington and beyond.
Each year, Chicks on Sticks selects an organization (or organizations) that they hope to raise money for through the event. Previously, Power Through Powder has raised money for Planned Parenthood, Protect Our Winters, Black Girls Trekkin', and HopeWorksVT. Last year, the event raised money for the National Network of Abortion Funds, donating over $8,000 to help ensure that members of the Burlington community and beyond have access to healthcare and the right to choose.
This year, Chicks on Sticks is partnering with Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, a local organization dedicated to creating inclusive, accessible, and affirming outdoor programming for folks of all abilities right here in Vermont.
“I think the best part about it is knowing that this is going to go directly to our community, and something that we’re going to be able to see out on the hill; really helping to increase accessibility, which is such a huge part of our mission,” said Sophia Gowdy, co-president of Chicks on Sticks, “showing people that they can do all of this stuff in the outdoors, and that it’s actually possible to get out there.”
A group of Chicks on Sticks members debrief after a successful expedition in UVM's Basecamp, a facility run through the Department of Student Life. Basecamp provides gear rentals to students in an effort to create more access to the many outdoor opportunities in Vermont. Photo by Bailey Beltramo.
Trips are led by Chicks on Sticks members who have completed a 16-hour training course, and have their Wilderness First Aid certification, ensuring that groups are well supported and that participants who are newer to backcountry skiing have guidance when needed. While some moderate skiing skills are recommended, Power Through Powder is, for many participants, their first time skinning up a mountain. Participants who don’t have their own gear are able to borrow the required equipment at no cost through UVM’s Department of Student Life’s Basecamp.
This beginner-friendly setting, along with the group’s unique culture, provides an ideal opportunity for folks to take a first foray into Vermont’s snowy winter mountains.
“I think that’s something that’s super cool about Chicks on Sticks, because you have this wealth of knowledge of snow sports and backcountry skiing, and we’re just trying to help share with people in a really, really kind way” said Hannah Warn, the group’s treasurer, “It’s super cool to be in an environment where people are really supportive of each other, and want to see everyone do something that’s new or outside of their comfort zone in some capacity.”
As mpactful as the charitable proceeds of the event are, the value of inclusive culture, community-building, and connection that programs like Power Through Powder provide can be crucial, particularly in the context of the larger college experience.
“When I came to UVM in 2020, I wasn’t so sure if this was the right fit for me” said Fennelly, “and then, when I got to do Power Through Powder, I actually met my best friend. It just completely changed my whole UVM experience, and so I’m forever grateful for this club and this fundraiser because of that!”
As of now, with six of the eight weeks still remaining of this year’s event, Power Through Powder 2024 has raised almost $15,000 – on track to become the most financially substantial year yet. You can track the event’s progress or donate to this year’s Power Through Powder on their GiveCampus page, and follow @ChicksOnSticksVT on Instagram for updates (and delightfully snowy pictures from the mountains)!
