Park City teen’s emotional return to Ethiopia blends family reunion, philanthropy, and Olympic ambition

Seventeen-year-old free skier Bogale “Bo” Giddings, adopted from Ethiopia as a toddler, now represents his birth country in international freeski events. Photo: Bogale Giddings

PARK CITY, Utah — When 17-year-old free skier and Park City resident Bogale “Bo” Giddings boards a flight to Ethiopia next week, he won’t just be returning to his birthplace—he’ll be going home.

For the first time since his adoption at two and a half years old, Bo will meet his birth grandmother, aunts, and uncles in the southern Ethiopian village where he was born. This reunion comes 15 years after his family adopted him from an orphanage through Wide Horizons for Children.

“We haven’t been back to Ethiopia since 2010,” said his mother, Jody Giddings. “When the social workers informed Bo’s family that he was alive, they started celebrating. They hadn’t known what happened after the adoption and thought they might never hear from him again. It’s going to be an incredibly emotional experience for everyone.”

The Giddings family’s journey is deeply personal, but they wanted it to mean more than just a reunion. Partnering with Ethiopia Skate, a youth organization based in Addis Ababa that uses skateboarding to build community, and Woodward Park City, Bo and his mother decided to turn the trip into an opportunity to give back.

“We were planning the trip anyway,” Jody said. “Then we thought, how can we make this more community-oriented? Bo suggested, ‘What if we bring something?’ and that’s how we found Ethiopia Skate.”

Woodward and Armada Skis immediately joined the effort, donating skateboards, sweatshirts, hats, sunglasses, and T-shirts to distribute to local youth during the visit.

“We reached out to Woodward’s VP of operations, and within days, they sent boxes of donations: ten skateboards, sweatshirts, hats, sunglasses — so much. It was overwhelming in the best way,” Jody said.

The Giddings family will spend a day filming with Ethiopia Skate on October 17, delivering gear and connecting with young skaters. The organization’s California sponsor is also sending 20 pairs of shoes for the effort.

For Bo, who trains full-time at Woodward and competes on the freeski circuit, this trip is about merging identity, community, and purpose.

“I wanted to do something kind and generous to show that it’s about more than skiing,” he said. “It’s about bringing the community together, inspiring kids to try new sports, and helping out wherever I can.”

Bo was adopted from a small town in southern Ethiopia. His return to that village will mark the first time he has seen where he came from.

“I don’t remember much because I was so young,” he said. “But I’m excited—and nervous too. I’ve been talking to my parents about what it might be like. We’re trying to process everything before we go.”

Jody described the moment they learned that Bo’s Ethiopian family wanted to reconnect.

“When the social workers went to their house and said, ‘We’re from Wide Horizons,’ the family got nervous—they thought it might be bad news. When they realized it was about Bo and that he was alive and thriving, they started celebrating immediately. They were overjoyed.”

Beyond the emotional reunion, Bo is also stepping into a new chapter in his athletic career. After competing under the U.S. flag for several years, he recently joined the Ethiopian National Ski Team and hopes to represent his birth country in the 2030 Winter Olympics.

“I want to make a name for Ethiopia,” Bo said. “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from — if you want to do a sport, you can. I want kids to see that skiing can belong to anyone.”

To formalize the switch, the Giddings family tracked down Robel Zemichael, the only Ethiopian to compete in the sport under the country’s flag.

“No one knew how to contact him,” Jody said. “We started calling Ethiopian restaurants in Washington, D.C., because someone said his family was there. Eventually, we found him—he’s now running a mountain in Japan—and he helped Bo get registered with the International Ski Federation to represent Ethiopia.”

Bo now trains under Revolution Ski & Blade in Park City and attends Picabo Street Academy, an online and in-person hybrid school that gives him the flexibility to focus on training.

“It’s perfect,” he said. “I can stay on top of my schoolwork and still train, workout, and hang out with friends. It gives me the balance I need.”

When asked about his goals, Bo’s answer is simple yet striking.

“My ultimate goal isn’t just to be the best skier,” he said. “It’s to inspire kids to become whoever they want to be. I want to show that skiing isn’t just for one kind of person—it’s for everyone.”

His mother smiled at that thought.

“He’s got a big heart,” Jody said. “For us, this trip is about connection—to family, to roots, and to giving back. It’s the full-circle moment we didn’t know we needed.”

When the Giddings family lands in Ethiopia next week, they will be bringing with them more than just skateboards and gear. They will be bringing connection—between past and present, family and sport—and the chance to build something lasting through the simple act of showing up.

You can follow Bo’s journey on Instagram @bogale.giddings.