Mission and Vision
Mission
The Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance (VVMTA) maintains, creates, and advocates for sustainable trail systems that connect people to nature, promote environmental stewardship, and strengthen community well-being.
Vision
VVMTA is the trusted, enduring leader in trail based recreation—connecting a diverse community to well-loved trails, supporting health, quality of life, economic vitality, and championing a model of access and stewardship of our public lands that benefits everyone.
Strategic Priorities
- Sustainable Trail Stewardship – Maintain & create high-quality, environmentally responsible trails that serve diverse users while minimizing impact on natural resources.
- Advocacy and Leadership in Conservation – Lead in balancing recreation and wildlife through education, partnerships, and thoughtful trail planning.
- Outdoor Equity and Access – Expand opportunities for all communities to benefit from trails, with a focus on inclusion and connection.
- Long-Term Financial Sustainability – Build a resilient funding model that supports staff, programs, and long-term impact.
- Governance and Organizational Capacity – Strengthen the leadership, systems, and staffing that power VVMTA’s mission.
Commitment to DEI
Building Trails to Justice.
The VVMTA believes diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of a just society. These values are central to our vision and drive our commitment to create safe and welcoming trail systems for all. We strive to cultivate a culture of acceptance for staff and community members that affirm different lived experiences. We acknowledge the exclusion of Black, Native, Hispanic, Latino and LGBTQAI+ populations from the outdoors and believe in the importance of representation. We are dedicated to creating accessible opportunities, both within the VVMTA and on the trails.
As an organization and as individuals, we will account for our own bias, identify our inclusivity shortcomings and do the work necessary to impactfully integrate justice initiatives into our work. Our approach is grounded in education and centers the voices of those who have been excluded from the outdoors.
We will advance our efforts to hire, engage and retain diverse employees and board members. We will prioritize employee education and training opportunities that promote inclusion and equity. We commit to language justice—we will translate written materials and provide bilingual programs. We will evaluate our progress, own our mistakes and continue to build trails to justice.
Fundraising
Your donation and support of the Eagle County Trail Fund supports our mission, vision, and allows us to execute programs, events, and operations including:
- Adopt A Trail
- Trail Ambassadors
- Trail Conservation Crew
- Soul Dirt
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Improved sustainability and user experience of existing trails
- New trail construction
- Local and regional trail system planning and funding
- Trail crew leader and volunteer training
- Educational and community events
- Organizational management and operations
- Public lands access and advocacy
History of VVMTA
It started with a group of mountain bikers, a loose system of trails, and a perceived need: “they need to take better care of these trails!”
It dawned on them that there was no “they” and that “we” – our community of trail users – needed to take care of our trails. Trails are for everyone, not just those on two wheels. Hikers, runners, dog walkers, birders, nature bathers, and everyone in between can benefit from hitting the trails and experiencing the great outdoors.
But trails require funding, planning, and a whole lot of helping hands to share the physical work and spread the word.
What was once a small group of mountain bikers morphed into an inclusive group of outdoor enthusiasts and trail lovers – the organization we now call the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance.
The VVMTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations to VVMTA may be tax deductible. Consult with your tax advisor for details.
VVMTA’s tax identification number is 45-1539710.
