But, teens being teens, they didn’t let that stop them from learning how to rip. “Teenagers took a risk on us—they would buy a board and figure out how to put it together and where to go use it,” Carpenter says.“Teens put us on the map.” The Chill foundation was a gift the Carpenters could give back to the youth population that helped Burton get off the ground.

Carpenter takes pride in reaching kids who might not experience belonging in boardsports as a result of systemic barriers. Chill partners with youth agencies, such as the Boys and Girls Club, to identify those young people and invite them to learn boardsports with a professional coach. “I think Jake saw himself as one of those kids that might have fallen through the cracks if he didn't have the family support and resources that he had,” Carpenter says. “He really had a desire to give back to kids who wouldn't otherwise have an opportunity [to participate in a specialized program].”

Early on, Chill’s programming prioritized high-quality instruction. Partner resorts, like Stowe, donate lessons from on-staff coaches (plus lift tickets, meals, and equipment rentals). “It was important to us that the kids really learned how to snowboard—that by the end of the program they saw themselves as snowboarders,” Carpenter says. With its Magic Carpet area and beginnerfriendly lifts, as well as more advanced slopes, she says Spruce Peak is a great location for Chill youth to gain confidence and progress at a comfortable pace.

Much of Chill’s ethos also surrounds giving teens a rare chance to be carefree. “A lot of the kids in our program have so many challenges in their lives that they don’t even have the opportunity to go play in the snow,” Carpenter says. Allowing them space to relieve stress and take positive risks without fear of judgment has a marked impact on their mental health and self-esteem, and builds resilience. Participating in an inclusive group leads to increased community engagement and a sense of belonging.

Chill now operates in 20 cities in nine countries around the world, serving nearly 2300 kids a year. Specific programming is geared toward the needs and unique features of each location. For example, some European programs provide experiences to children in orphanages, while others prioritize intermingling natural born citizens with recent immigrants. Carpenter recalls a particularly powerful group in Germany last year that included a Russian teacher working with Ukrainian youth. “Where else do a Russian instructor and Ukrainian kids get to interact, enjoy each other, and build understanding?” Carpenter says.

The once-a-week, 6-week-long core snowboarding program in Vermont transports kids and chaperones to and from the mountain, and provides gear and lessons at no cost. On the bus ride there, group leaders facilitate conversations about the day’s theme, each of which touch on a skill that’s key in snowboarding—and life: respect, courage, patience, persistence, responsibility, and pride. On the way home, participants discuss when they noticed the theme in action on the mountain and recognize others’ feats with peer shout-outs.