POW was founded in 2007 by professional snowboarder, Jeremy Jones. He noticed it was getting harder to count on good and plentiful snow in places where it used to be a guarantee which made him realize that something bigger was happening and action needed to be taken. Through his research he couldn’t find any organizations that were focused on mobilizing the snowsports community on climate. Climate change was already having an impact on the places we love to recreate, but it was hard to find anyone addressing it. Jeremy dropped in, and Protect Our Winters was born.

POW quickly brought on other concerned professional athletes, creatives, scientists and brand partners who were passionate about protecting their outdoor playgrounds. Since then, POW has grown from an idea to a worldwide network of more than 181 million passionate outdoor people who make up the Outdoor State.

POW gives the Outdoor State a voice and encourages anyone who recreates outdoors to use that voice to advocate on a local and federal level for climate action. POW’s members share a passion that crosses party lines, giving a unique perspective that de-politicizes climate discussions. POW uses relevance and authenticity through storytelling to talk with lawmakers and help enact change and move the needle toward a clean energy future.

POW’s current focus spans three interconnected efforts to protect both the places we love and the ability to fight for them.

POW has launched a Chapter Program, a grassroots organizing network connecting mountain and coastal communities to local and state advocacy opportunities year-round. Whether it’s tabling at local events, attending advocacy trainings, engaging voters, or gathering outdoors, Chapters are where love of the outdoors becomes action. POW understands that to protect one, you have to show up for the other, and now there’s a place to do both. Chapters are currently located in Truckee-Tahoe, Reno, New Hampshire, Montana, and Colorado’s Western Slope. 

POW is also calling on the entire outdoor sports community to Defend The Vote by standing up for one non-negotiable right: the ability of every eligible American to vote freely and fairly. Not how you vote. Not who you vote for. Just that you can. Their open letter demands that Governors, Secretaries of State, Attorneys General, and federal leaders protect ballot access, and it will be delivered to elected leaders in August as a unified statement from the outdoor community. 

Leading into the 2026 midterm elections, POW’s Stoke The Vote campaign mobilizes the Outdoor State, all 181 million people who share a love for wild places, clean air, and a healthy planet, to show up at the polls. Midterm turnout is historically low, which means every vote carries more weight. POW will be activating the Outdoor State through education, films, and events to rally voters to the polls this November.