Posted: 2/13/2008 at 06:14 PM
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President's Day weekend is a peak snowsports weekend in the US. With that in mind I've compiled a list of some adaptive skiing and snowboarding resources at popular US resorts. This list is probably not complete, so leave a comment with your expertise that covers anything I may have missed.
Before I get to the list I want to draw attention to two fantastic organizations that do a lot in adaptive snowsports: The National Sports Center for the Disabled and Adaptive Action Sports. If you're into adaptive sports be sure to check out their sites. Now to the list:
Mountain West:
Keystone, CO
Keystone Adaptive Center
Headquartered at The Mountain House at Keystone Resort at the base of Discovery Lift, the Keystone Adaptive Center provides alpine, skiing and snowboarding lessons to people with disabilities and other special needs. Lessons are conducted on a personalized, one-on-one basis, and include all instruction, on-hill guiding and support, specialized equipment and lift ticket. The Center is affiliated with the Professional Ski Instructors of America and provides all disciplines of adaptive skiing, including four-track, visually impaired, three-track, mono-skiing and bi-skiing. In the summer months, the Center also provides programs in activities such as handcycling, rock climbing and river rafting.
The Keystone Adaptive Center is a private, non-profit educational center and is operated by the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, a world-renowned adaptive sports program that has provided a wide range of adaptive outdoor experiences for over 30 years. Call (800) 383-2632 or (970) 453-5633, or visit www.boec.org for more information.
Breckenridge, CO
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) Since 1976, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center has been providing empowering outdoor experiences to people of all abilities. The Center offers adaptive ski programs at Breckenridge and Keystone Resorts, adaptive outdoor education camps at a campus in Breckenridge and wilderness programs throughout Summit County and the region. Activities are available year round and include skiing, snowboarding, ropes course, challenge activities, rock climbing, river rafting, canoeing and many others, all adapted to be accessible to all abilities. Call (800) 383-2632 or (970) 453-6422, or visit www.boec.org for more information.
Winter Park, CO
National Sports Center for the Disabled.
Provides adaptive equipment including: Alpine and nordic adapted skiing equipment, hand-crank bikes, mountain bikes (single and tandem), camping and fishing equipment, snowboards, snowshoes, golf equipment, adapted sailing, river rafting, and rock climbing equipment. Also offers programs on: Competitive alpine skiing, rock climbing, nordic skiing, white water rafting, mountain biking, hiking and camping, fishing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, backcountry hut trips, horseback riding, and sailing.
P.O. Box 1290 Winter Park, CO 80482. Contact Person: Erik Petersen, Phone: 303-293-5711. Find them on the web: http://www.nscd.org
Vail, CO
Vail Adaptive Ski School
Vail has a world-renowned program dedicated to adaptive skiers, including the blind and physically challenged. They provide the most advanced and personalized adaptive ski instruction at a discounted rate for guests who have a disability. An assessment is made prior to the guest's arrival to ensure that the correct equipment is available. Specially trained professional instructors tailor each lesson to the needs of the skier for a safe yet unforgettable experience. For more information or to book a lesson, call 800-475-4543 or 970-754-3264 Web site: http://vail.snow.com
Beaver Creek, CO
Beaver Creek Adaptive Program
The Beaver Creek Adaptive program provides first class instruction in alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing to individuals with disabilities. Equipment is adapted to each individual's specific needs, and adaptive instructors are trained to utilize that adaptation and help each individual realize the joy and challenge of skiing and snowboarding. Adaptive instruction is offered on a one-on-one basis at a discounted rate. Prior to the lesson's commencement, individual's needs are assessed to ensure the correct equipment and instruction is available.
Ski Buddy Program Beaver Creek provides trained guides to assist more experienced disabled skiers. The guide can help with chairlift loading, integration into children's ski school classes and for general orientation on the mountain. Please note this service should not be utilized in place of a ski lesson or a personal aid. The daily fee does not include equipment. Minimum of 48 hours advance notice.
Adaptive Ski Pass Vail Resorts offers an Adaptive Ski Pass to people with permanent disabilities at a significantly discounted price. Purchasers of the five-resort season pass are eligible to purchase one discounted companion lift ticket daily. To qualify for an Adaptive ski pass an individual must be legally blind, deaf, or have an amputation, physical condition or cognitive disability that requires the use of adaptive equipment or techniques to ski. Having a disability or illness alone does not qualify an individual for an adaptive ski pass. For more information, contact Vail Resorts Adaptive Program Manager, Ruth DeMuth at (970) 754- 3264, or email vailadaptiveprogram@vailresorts.com.
Foresight Ski Guides Foresight is a nonprofit organization that provides ski guides to people who are blind or visually impaired and wish to ski or snowboard with a guide. For more information call Foresight Ski Guides (866) 860-0972.
Beaver Creek Web Site: http://beavercreek.snow.com/info/winter/ss.adaptive.asp
Lake Tahoe, UT
Heavenly Adaptive Program
This program is designed to provide the fun of skiing to our guests with disabilities or in need of special assistance. Heavenly adaptive coaches are trained to teach guests in six areas of disability:
Adaptive Clinic Program
Adaptive alpine skiing is all about meeting the needs of each individual through specialized equipment or teaching methods. Each session guarantees a one-to-one student-teacher ratio. Coaches are selected based on the student's specific disability and skiing experience. All coaches are full time professionals who can provide instant feedback and personal attention. You are the focus of these sessions.
Adaptive Equipment
We offer a variety of equipment to support our adaptive students. This equipment is for use during the clinic session only.
The Heavenly adaptive program has a range of equipment for specific disabilities. Blind and guide bibs, ski-tip stabilizers, reigns and outriggers are used for stand-up skiers. We have Bi-Unique bi-skis in child, junior and adult sizes. We also have Freedom Factory mono-skis with large and medium seat capability. Adaptive equipment is provided as part of the adaptive clinic and is not available for rental outside the clinic.
Adaptive Clinic Locations
Sit-down adaptive ski clinics are offered at the California Base Lodge area only. Stand-up clinics are available at the California Base Lodge, the top of the Gondola and the Boulder Base Lodge area.
Clinic Specifics
Our adaptive clinic starts with a student assessment and indoor equipment set-up. This important part of the clinic takes approximately 30 minutes, familiarizes the student with the equipment, determines the goals for the clinic and allows the coach to custom tailor the session to the student's needs.
The on-snow portion of the clinic is dedicated to safety, fun and learning based on the goals made in the set-up phase.
The on-snow session is followed up with a wrap-up session that recaps the clinic and records the specifics of the clinic for future reference.
Website: http://www.skiheavenly.com/schools_clinics/adaptive/
Park City, UT
Park City Mountain Resort Adaptive Program
The National Ability Center works in conjunction with Park City Mountain Resort to offer ski and snowboard lessons to people with disabilities. We provide specialized equipment and techniques to teach people with any type of disability-autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, quadriplegia, limb amputations, and brain injuries to name a few.
All instructors are specially trained in the adaptive techniques of 3-track, 4-track, mono-ski, bi-ski, guiding blind skiers, and teaching people with developmental disabilities. We work with all levels of ability-from beginners to competitive racers. Lessons are conducted at Park City Mountain Resort to allow family and friends to enjoy a Park City ski vacation together!
For more information, please visit the official website at www.discovernac.org or call 435-649-3991
Mountain East:
Loon Mountain, NH
White Mountain Adaptive Ski School
The White Mountain Adaptive Ski School is a non-profit organization dedicated to making snowsports accessible to all. We focus on individual ability, regardless of the physical or mental challenges they may face.
Highly-trained coaches will guide guests ages 4 and older in the snowsport of their choice. Whether you are a beginner or expert interested in skiing, snowboarding, telemarking or snowtoys, we have the coach for you! RESERVATIONS are strongly recommended.
Intermediate to elite skiers may want to explore racing with the New England Disabled Ski Team at Loon. The race team is under the direction of Chris Devlin Young, former US National Team member and para-olympic champion.
The office is located on the first floor of the Governor Adams Lodge. Handicapped parking is located to the right of the building. Our host, Loon Mountain, continues its commitment to ADA with the recent addition of a lift and elevator, making all levels of this beautiful lodge accessible.
The White Mountain Adaptive Ski School at Loon is a PSIA-E member school as well as a member of Disabled Sports USA. Please call our offices at (603) 745-6281 ext. 5663, or email wmass@dsusa-ne.org .
Website: http://www.loonmtn.com/info/winter/adaptive.asp
Stowe, VT
Adaptive Skiing and Riding at Stowe
Skiers and riders of all ages and varying abilities can benefit from instruction with an adaptive pro from the Stowe Ski and Snowboard School. Our trained coaches assess, equip, and teach adaptive students in a one-on-one setting. This allows each student to be coached according to their specific needs, abilities and learning styles while optimizing their skiing or boarding experiences.
Adaptive skiers who are independent but need a skiing or boarding buddy will also find a supporting team of coaches trained and ready to provide assistance. Whether you need the assistance of a blind guide or help getting around the mountain as a bi- or monoskier, our adaptive coaches are ready to help you.
Stowe Mountain Resort is an affiliate of AbilityPlus, Inc., a non-profit adaptive skiing and recreation organization for individuals with disabilities in the Northeastern United States.
Lessons are available in one or two hour, half day (9 am to 12 pm or 1 pm to 4 pm) and full day (9 am to 3 pm). We encourage you to book at least a two-hour lesson for your first visit to allow time for an initial assessment and fitting appropriate adaptive equipment as well as some time on the snow.
We do require advance reservations for all adaptive lessons. We strongly encourage you to make your reservations as early as possible to make certain that an appropriate coach and any necessary equipment are available.
Contact the Private Lesson Desk at Spruce Peak at 800-253-4SKI (4754) ext 3681 to make reservations. Website: http://www.stowe.com/equipment/lessons/adaptive/
Sugarbush, VT
Vermont Adaptive
Vermont Adaptive at Sugarbush is located in the Mt. Ellen Base Lodge.
Vermont Adaptive's Mission: Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. We promote independence and further equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational activities.
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports believes that recreation provides a physical, mental and social experience that is immeasurable in promoting self-confidence and independence in an individual.
We offer year round recreational opportunities. During the winter we offer skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and dog sledding. During the summer months we offer sailing canoeing/kayaking and tandem cycling. Along with all that we offer indoor rock climbing in all season. The experienced staff at Vermont Adaptive can program any activities for you and your group. Feel free to give us a call.
Northern Program Coordinator Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports Sports for Every Body PO Box 1393 Waitsfield, VT 05673 (cell) 802-343-1193 (winter office) 802-583-4283 (admin. office) 802-786-4991 www.vermontadaptive.org
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I have also found that regions around major cities may have adaptive sports organizations in which to become involved. I know that Pittsburgh's program is called Three Rivers Adaptive Sports or TRAS for short.
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