Justfares Blog

Justfares newest partner – Powderquest.com had a nice write up on their Save The Waves fund raising offer for customers going on tour this summer – Read it on ESPN here.

Or Here:

Shred for a cause this summer

Take a trip with PowderQuest and you can help Chileans rebuild.

May 10, 2010, 5:43 PM

By: Jesse Huffman

Carlos Garcia Van Rysselberghe

Ride with PowderQuest and they’ll donate $100 to help the Chilean people rebuild.

Spring has sprung in most of North America, but south of the equator, winter is just getting started. Good news if you’re planning a trip to one of South America’s summer snowboarding destinations. But bad news for all the folks still left without housing and infrastructure following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that rocked Chile on February 27th.

“While the ski resorts and a good portion of the country are back to normal,” says David Owen of the USA-based skiing and snowboarding company PowderQuest Tours, “the coast, especially the Bio Bio and Maule Regions were devastated not only by the earthquake, but the knockout punch, a tsunami. Some fishing villages were totally destroyed. It is getting cold and the forecast is for a wet winter.”

What’s it to you? Well, now your snowboard trip down south can help support Chilean earthquake and tsunami victims. For the 2010 summer (Chilean winter) season, PowderQuest partnered with Save The Waves Chile Earthquake Relief Fund and will be donating $100 for each Chilean tour sold this season toward direct aid efforts.

“Aid is needed to continue to supply those that lost their homes with survival necessities like fresh water, tents, blankets and shelter,” says Owen. “This and the rebuilding of these communities is where PowderQuest is focusing our efforts with Save The Waves.”

Already an established and respected NGO working in the Chilean Pacific Coastal area, Save the Waves aims to rebuild housing for communities and get workers and fishermen back on their feet and working. And it isn’t just regular folk — snowboarders got hit hard too.

Courtesy of PowderQuest

David Owen is determined to give back to the country that has given him so much.

“Chile’s snowboard culture has a lot of soul,” says Owen. “The local riders eat, drink and breathe riding, and many have lost property, family and friends from this disaster.”

So, if you’re turning your sights south for colder climates, why not consider taking a tour that can help the local people, boarders included, persevere through the coming winter? It’s an effort that Owen says is natural for him, after having been a part of the Chilean community and culture for over a decade.

“Chile, especially her people, has been amazing to me, my family and the shreds that come down with us every year to explore the pow. It’s just going to feel good to know that our program is going to help people survive the winter and get back on their feet.”

Justfares assists Powderquest customers with discount flights to Chile and Argentina. For more info please email kyle@justfares.com; or call toll free 1-877-681-8147.