The “Nick Would” Foundation

The “Nick Would” foundation is a Donor Advised Fund of the Yampa Valley Community Foundation. This means the fund advisors make recommendations to Yampa Valley Community Foundation for where the funds will be distributed. Grants from the fund will be made to qualified charitable organizations and targeted around expanding access to outdoor pursuits, wildland exploration, and artistic development to those who otherwise could not experience these activities for physical, mental, or economic reasons.

Nick Simon was passionate about each of these activities and it is our intention to help spread these experiences as the best way to honor Nick’s legacy. Nick loved to share his excitement (“share the stoke”) with anyone who joined in these activities, and with this foundation, we will be able to spread the “stoke” for future generations.

Born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Nick Simon embodied everything that makes his hometown such a special place for raising a family. Starting as a hockey player and alpine racer with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Nick progressed to freestyle skiing, then found his rightful place on the Big Mountain ski team, ultimately co-founding a new ski team named the Steamboat Van Clan, where they successfully competed on the open class Big Mountain tour in Canada and the USA.

In addition, Nick was a passionate outdoorsman whose elite talents included wild land exploration, skiing, surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, mountaineering, kayaking, and a host of other outdoor pursuits. Nick was also a highly gifted musician and songwriter, having written over 50 songs. He travelled to over 30 countries charging into his passions while inspiring countless people along the way. He was an old soul and his love, warmth, humor, and zest for life was infectious and inspiring. Nick lived every day with gratitude, and humility, and made everyone around him feel welcome and loved.

Nick lived his 25 years as fully as anyone we’ve ever known. He worked hard and played hard, and squeezed the nectar out of every single day. Nick changed the world by inspiring all who had the privilege of sharing in his “energetic orbit.” He did this by simply being himself, never wanting credit, adulation or recognition. He was well known to be the “sendiest” competitor in many amateur sports (ocean, river, snow, and dirt) and actively supported everyone’s growth around him. Anyone who knew Nick experienced his “stoke,” joy, and gratefulness. His spirit lives on for the legion of people he inspired.

The “Nick Would” Foundation is a vehicle to share in Nick’s legacy for generations to come.