By Randall G. Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The West Seattle Snowsports Council got its official start as an organization tonight with a meeting at Mountain to Sound Outfitters.

The group is the brainchild of Mountain to Sound owner Greg Whittaker, who hopes to provide better access to local skiing and snowboarding areas for area youth by arranging group transportation to the Cascades from West Seattle.

Whitaker introduced himself to about a dozen attendees by saying that his participation in a similar program was a formative experience and that he wanted to assure local youth the same opportunities he had. “I’m pretty passionate about it.”

Several attendees cited similar experiences in their explanation of interest the group. It was also mentioned that a similar program run through the YMCA had been discontinued, despite a good amount of interest.

The current goal for the group is to organize a 6-week program to get kids ranging in age from 12 to 17 years transported safely by bus to one of the nearby ski areas. There are also hopes to find volunteer instructors to work with any less-experienced participants.

Action items discussed include determining where the group would go for skiing and snowboarding, contacting other organizations who have similar programs to see if there is opportunity for partnering in the endeavor, and potential fund-raising ideas.

The group plans to meet on a monthly basis to work on the logistics of making this happen in time for the coming winter. The next meeting is scheduled for June 9, 6 pm, again at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska).

For more information in joining or assisting the WSSSC, contact the group at: westseattlesnowsports@gmail.com