While ample scientific research indicates spending time outdoors improves both our physical and mental health, even here in the mountains — surrounded by networks of trails and wild, undeveloped spaces — it’s not necessarily easy for everyone to get outdoors. Vail Valley Mountain Trail Alliance (VVMTA) is working to change that.
In 2022, VVMTA, in partnership with Vail Health Behavioral Health, launched Soul Dirt, a program designed to improve local access to outdoor recreation and the health benefits that come with it. It quickly became evident our local Hispanic and Latine population faced some of the greatest hurdles to access trails, including a lack of representation and language barriers, leading VVMTA to partner with Exploremos and My Future Pathways to help Latine youth and families get outside.
“Trail use and mountain bikes can be a perfect metaphor for facing challenges in our lives,” says Shawna Wood, VVMTA Operations and Engagement Director. “We often underestimate ourselves and what we can do.”
Many participants arrive to these events quiet and nervous, uncertain of what to expect or fearful of what challenges the day will bring. Are they even capable? Some have never ridden a bike before. For others, this will be their first time riding a mountain bike on dirt, over features — or maybe down a mountain.
Soul Dirt program ambassadors, who range from Spanish-speakers to mountain bike coaches, are passionate about outdoor recreation and eager to help every participant learn the skills and find the courage to face new challenges.
By the end of the day, the group’s energy has shifted to excitement and camaraderie. One person’s accomplishments inspires another. During one event with My Future Pathways, for example, after watching a some of the boys ride an advanced (to some, very scary) feature at the bike park, one of the girls decided to try it, too — and succeeded.
“I think people find inspiration on the trail,” Wood says. When they are able to do something on the bike — ride without assistance or navigate that jump successfully — “that confidence transcends to other areas of their lives.”
Soul Dirt offers events in partnership with Explormos for multigenerational families, and with My Future Pathways for middle- and high-school students. Both offer free gear. Many of the events are held at the Eagle Bike Park, with bikes, gear and instruction provided at no cost.
VVMTA and Soul Dirt also partner with Vail Resorts, through its Epic Promise program, for events at Vail Mountain, where participants can ride the gondola and hike or bike down the mountain at no cost. Vail Resorts provides free gondola rides and Soul Dirt provides the gear, instruction, food and transportation to and from the mountain.
Much of the programming was designed using feedback from the Hispanic and Latine community, which makes up more than a third of Eagle County’s population. Although the county is an outdoor recreation hub, a number of hurdles to trail access remain, including safety concerns, a lack of gear and, for those who don’t speak or read English, a lack of maps or trail signs they can understand.
VVMTA is working to break those barriers, one by one.
In addition to Soul Dirt programming, community feedback inspired VVMTA’s Senderos Para Todos — an online interactive trail map designed to help Spanish-speaking families and trail users determine what trails are best for their location, fitness and recreational needs and the addition of Spanish signs on the trails in the Eagle area.
The newest initiative, Nuestro Espacio Nuestra Salud (which translates to our space, our health) aims to work with diverse community stakeholders to plan for trail infrastructure improvements in Gypsum — where Hispanic and Latine people represent about half the local population.
“Whether it’s a place to connect with others or find solitude or oneness with nature, trails are the perfect place to move and reap those health benefits,” Wood says.
VVMTA is working to ensure access for all.
This work depends on a community willing to give back. Your support helps VVMTA offer experiences that connect more people to the trails and to one another.
This Colorado Gives Day, help make these connections possible. Donations made through the end of the year will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 in total matching funds toward VVMTA’s $100,000 goal.
Give today and support trails for all.
For more information on Soul Dirt events or to get involved with or support VVMTA’s programs, visit wwmta.org or email shawna@vvmta.org.
