Snow Angel Foundation Brings National Winter Safety Tour to Vermont with Community, Youth, and On-Snow Events Across the State
Mark Moffett
Posted On January 6, 2026
| THERMOPOLIS, WY January 2026 — The Snow Angel Foundation will bring its national winter safety education tour to Vermont in January and February, partnering with schools, ski areas, and industry leaders to promote awareness, preparedness, and shared responsibility in mountain environments.
January’s designation as National Ski Area Safety Awareness Month underscores the Foundation’s mission: improving safety through education while preserving the joy, freedom, and benefits of skiing and snowboarding. Vermont’s deeply rooted ski culture—spanning local hills, youth programs, and iconic resorts—makes it a natural focal point for these conversations. The Vermont tour reflects Snow Angel Foundation’s human-centered approach to safety education—meeting people where they are, from middle school classrooms to community ski hills and major destination resorts—while reinforcing that the safest mountain experiences are built on awareness, respect, and good decision-making. “Vermont was the first statewide partner with Snow Angel Foundation, and as a ski destination known for its sense of community, that’s been a source of pride for us,” said Bryan Rivard, director of communications for Ski Vermont. “Chauncy has built relationships with ski areas across the state—he’s more than earned his honorary Vermont citizenship at this point.” Snow Angel Foundation Founder Chauncy Johnson will be in Vermont throughout the tour and available for interviews at select stops. Vermont Tour Schedule Highlights
The tour combines youth education, community-based events, guest-facing on-snow engagement, and industry collaboration, reflecting Vermont’s unique ski culture—where local hills, independent resorts, and major destinations all play a role in shaping responsible mountain behavior. “At Snow Angel Foundation, we believe safety education works best when it’s rooted in community and shared values,” said Johnson. “Vermont’s ski culture—its schools, local mountains, and deeply connected resort communities—makes it a powerful place to have conversations about awareness, respect, and looking out for one another.” Snow Angel Foundation’s on-snow events are intentionally informal and conversational, encouraging skiers and riders to engage in safety discussions without fear or enforcement. Topics often include situational awareness, collision prevention, terrain choices, and how small decisions can reduce risk for everyone on the mountain. For more information about the Snow Angel Foundation, Safety Month events, or collision-awareness training, visit snowangelfoundation.org. Media Contact: About Snow Angel Foundation ### Snow Angel Foundation was founded by Chauncy and Kelli Johnson, lifelong skiers and snowboarders who raised their children on the mountain. On Christmas Eve 2010, a snowboarder traveling at approximately 50 mph collided with Kelli and their daughter Elise, who was five years old. The collision resulted in the deaths of Elise and the snowboarder. Kelli sustained life-altering injuries, including a severe traumatic brain injury, that she lives with to this day. Chauncy continues to grapple with the long-term emotional and personal impact of that day. Rather than stepping away from the sport they loved, the Johnsons chose to channel their experience into safety advocacy. In 2016, Chauncy partnered with the National Ski Areas Association to promote ski collision awareness. That partnership led to the nationally recognized Ride Another Day safety campaign, which Chauncy and Kelli have promoted across the country. In 2023, the Johnsons launched Snow Angel Foundation to expand safety education efforts—focused not on fear or restriction, but on awareness, responsibility, and preserving the positive experience of skiing and snowboarding. This national safety tour is the realization of Chauncy and Kelli’s efforts. To arrange an interview with Chauncy or Kelli: |
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