Steven Nyman: Moving Mountains
Towering at 6’4”, not only is Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) a physical specimen and American Downhiller beast, but he also happens to be one of the kindest, most genuine souls on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup tour. A gentle giant, if you will. The three-time World Cup winner – the Val Gardena master – and three-time Olympian is no stranger to success on the mountain, though Nyman knows success off the mountain is just as – if not more – important.
Growing up in Sundance, UT in a tight-knit family of four boys with wonderful parents, the idea of “family” and the notion of character was something engrained into Nyman before he knew how to walk or talk. And as a family, the Nymans grew up on the mountain. His parents, Scott and Becky Nyman, run a ski shop. Skiing is in Nyman’s blood and surges through his pores. Knowing the sport was extremely expensive, Nyman thought there must be a way to get more kids out on the mountain to experience the joy he felt while skiing, but couldn’t necessarily afford it.
“Years ago I had this idea. Basically every ski town is supported by a smaller town, but the residents of that town can’t afford to ski because skiing is so expensive,” said Nyman. “So why can’t we, wherever we’re having U.S. Nationals, stay an extra day, get those kids to come up? We could teach them how to ski and give them the opportunity via our supporters and sponsors. At the time, no one really bought the idea, but then I learned about SOS Outreach and this is essentially what they’re doing.”
(Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Alexis Boichard)
Fast forward to this past fall, when Nyman became the first SOS Outreach athlete ambassador in the organization’s 22nd year on snow. SOS introduces underprivileged youth to outdoor adventures including skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing and mountain biking. Along the way, SOS helps youth build healthy, active lifestyles through service learning projects, goal setting, life skills workshops, core values and positive adult mentorship. As a result, kids who would otherwise be struggling to overcome the challenges they face are on a trajectory for long-term success.
SOS Outreach CEO Seth Ehrlich knows Johnny Alamo, Nyman’s agent. They found common ground by starting the Peter Johnson Legacy Fund, partnering with SOS Outreach to serve underprivileged youth with mentorship and leadership in the outdoors. Peter Johnson was a former racer and a close friend of Alamo.
“Their program is unique and it’s very similar to my original idea. I’m very happy to work with them,” noted Nyman. “SOS has a great mission and excellent track record of serving at-risk youth. I am proud to be their first-ever athlete ambassador fostering inspiration for these kids.”
What’s next for Nyman with SOS? This spring he’ll do his first on-snow programs with kids. Until then, SOS plans to partner with the Peter Johnson Foundation to host the Talons Challenge at Beaver Creek Resort on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Online registration and event details can be found on their website. The Talons Challenge is an event that Johnson loved skiing in and combines his legacy of perseverance, athleticism and giving back to the community. SOS Outreach has served as the beneficiary of Talon’s Challenge since the inception of the event.
Although Steven will not be present at the Talons Challenge this weekend, he’s excited to continue working with the SOS Outreach program. Who knows, maybe one of the kids will take his place on the World Cup some day.
About SOS Outreach
SOS Outreach introduces more than 5,000 youth each year to skiing and snowboarding. Since it was founded in 1993, it has introduced more than 45,000 youth to the mountains. SOS Outreach offers programs at 31 mountain resorts in six states. SOS recently expanded programs to Park City, enabling SOS Outreach to connect with at-risk youth in Salt Lake City. Participants face a variety of challenges, including failing grades, low-income households and single-parent families. Along with the opportunity to experience mountain adventure sports, SOS programs puts kids together with positive adult mentors that offer encouragement and act as positive role models for youth.