Supporting local initiatives has been at the heart of the Ryce Travel Foundation since 2012, when we started collecting and donating used winter sports equipment. Since then, an ever-growing network of companies, individuals, and local partners has joined our mission, allowing us to bring new projects to life and create lasting impact.
We believe that meaningful change starts with local people. The strongest projects are those driven by local communities, built around their own ambitions, and designed to create lasting opportunities. Our role is not to take the lead, but to offer support where it matters most—sharing our knowledge, experience, and international network to help local initiatives grow.
To make this approach successful, trust and strong partnerships are essential. We carefully select the individuals and organizations we work with, looking for people who are committed, capable, and genuinely invested in their communities.
We don’t simply provide support. We invest in the right people, the right ideas, and the potential for lasting change.
Village Ski School
A baby lift, a big dream. We help set up ski schools in the countries where we operate — training local kids so that one day they can work there as instructors or guides.
Ryce Travel Ski Club
One week in the mountains, every winter. Eight days of skiing and coaching with the same group — the rung between the village ski school and the backcountry. Around €300 per child, crowdfunded.
Touring Academy
Ten to fifteen children learn to tour the mountains behind their village. No lift, one winter on skins, with local and Ryce guides. Chiora in Upper Racha is the first location — not the only one.
Gear 4 Guides
We put quality gear in the hands of local guides and riders in emerging snow sports destinations, and train them to use it. Equipment is the shortest path from passion to a paid job.
Silk Road Freeride
More than freeriding: we build an inclusive community of riders and guides, run avalanche and guiding workshops, and organise the Freeride World Tour Qualifier in Kyrgyzstan.
Mountain Rescue
A well-trained mountain rescue team is essential to any developing ski destination. We supply equipment, fund education, and connect local teams with international rescue organisations.
Help us keep these six running
Every project here runs on donated gear, donated expertise and a bit of funding. There is no big overhead — what you hand us goes to a real person in Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Kosovo or Albania.
Tell us what you have, or what you’d like to support, and we’ll tell you exactly where it lands.
Contact us about donating