Did you know that most winter sports, including skiing, can be adapted for individuals with disabilities? Individuals who live in snowy mountainous areas often have opportunities to train and compete with Special Olympics in cross country skiing, alpine skiing, and snowboarding – but what about individuals who want to take a ski or snowboarding vacation?
We’re happy to report that there are recreational programs across the country that offer instruction, accommodations, and dedicated volunteers to assist skiers and snowboarders with disabilities! (In fact, our new Research Intern, Prachi Kochar, created a list of them at the end of this article. Be sure to check it out!)
Debbie Lawrence, whose son, Jacob, skis with Steamboat STARS says, “Over the years, Jacob has worked with several instructors, but the one factor that has never changed is the volunteer, Tom, who works with him every year. We couldn’t do the trip without him . . . Or even if we could, Tom gives us the peace of mind we need to go off and enjoy our day skiing.”
Check out this quick video of Craig Kennedy modeling some of the techniques STARS uses to help skiers with autism learn, stay controlled, and have fun skiing. Then continue reading for adaptive ski centers near you!
Adaptive Skiing Centers in the USA
Note: This is for informational use only; Madison House Autism Foundation does not endorse or recommend any of the following programs.
Alaska
- Alpine Alternatives at Hilltop Ski Area in Anchorage, AK*
- Adaptive Lessons at Eaglecrest Ski Area in Juneau, AK
- Challenge Alaska at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, AK*
Arizona
- Arizona Snow Bowl in Flagstaff, AZ – Contact [email protected]
- Adaptive Lessons at Sunrise Park Resort in Greer, Arizona
California
- USARC (United States Adaptive Recreation Center) at Bear Mountain Resort in Big Bear Lake, CA*
- Achieve Tahoe at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort in Alpine Meadows, CA*
- Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort in Mammoth Lakes, CA*
- Adaptive Lessons at Dodge Ridge in Pinecrest, CA
- Adaptive Programs at Heavenly Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe, CA
- Adaptive Lessons at Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood, CA
- Adaptive Sports Center at Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Running Springs, CA
Colorado
- Ascendigo Program for Autism at Snowmass Mountain in Snowmass, CO
- Challenge Aspen in Snowmass, CO*
- Adaptive Ski and Ride School at Breckenridge Ski Resort in Breckenridge, CO
- Keystone Adaptive Center at Keystone Ski Resort in Keystone, CO
- Winter Park Disabled Skiers Program at Winter Park Resort in Winter Park, CO
- Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, CO
- Telluride Adaptive Sports Program at Telluride Ski Resort in Mountain Village, CO*
- Steam Boat STARS Adaptive Lessons at Steamboat Ski & Resort Camp in Steamboat Springs, CO*
Connecticut
- STRIDE Adaptive Lessons at Ski Sundown in New Hartford, CT*
Idaho
- Higher Ground at Sun Valley in Blaine County, ID*
- Recreation Unlimited at Bogus Basin in Boise, ID
- AWeSOMe at Brundage Mountain Resort in McCall, ID*
- Pocatello Adaptive Ski School (PASS) Program at Pebble Creek Ski Area in Inkom, ID
- Adaptive Learning at Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, ID
Indiana
- Adaptive Lessons at Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, IN
- Adaptive Lessons at Paoli Peaks in Paoli, IN
Maine
- Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation* offers lessons at:
- Sunday River in Newry, ME
- Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley, ME
- Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford, ME
- Camden Snow Bowl in Camden, ME
- Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, ME (cross country skiing)
- Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle, ME
Massachusetts
- STRIDE at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, MA
- Adaptive Program at Nashoba Valley in Westford, MA
- Adaptive Program at Ski Butternut in Great Barrington, MA
- Adaptive Program at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, MA
Michigan
- Adaptive Sports Program at Mt. Brighton in Brighton, MI*
Minnesota
- Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute Adaptive Skiing Programs
- Offers several programs in the Twin Cities and Duluth Northland areas
- Adaptive Ski Program at Powder Ridge in Kimball, MN
Missouri
- Midwest Adaptive Sports at Snow Creek Ski and Ride Area in Weston, MO
Montana
- Eagle Mount’s Adaptive Programs at Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, MT
New Hampshire
- AbilityPLUS Adaptive Sports Program at Attitash Ski Resort in Bartlett, NH*
- New England Disabled Sports*
- Bretton Woods in Bretton Woods, NH
- Loon Mountain Ski Resort in Lincoln, NH
- Adaptive Sports Partners Programs at Cannon Mountain in Franconia, NH*
- Crotched Mountain Accessible Recreation and Sports at Crotched Mountain in Bennington, NH*
- Lakes Region Disabled Sports at Gunstock Mountain in Gilford, NH
- Granite State Adaptive at King Pine Purity Spring Resort in Madison, NH*
- New England Healing Sports Association at Mount Sunapee in Newbury, NH*
- Waterville Valley Resort in Waterville Valley, NH
New Jersey
- Adaptive Lessons at Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah, NJ
New Mexico
- Adaptive Sports Program*
- Ski Santa Fe in Santa Fe, NM
- Sandia Peak in Sandia Park, NM
- Adaptive Programs at Taos Ski Valley
New York
- Belleayre Adaptive Snowsports Program at Belleayre in Highmount, NY
- STRIDE at Catamount Mountain in Hillsdale, NY
- Adaptive Program at Gore Mountain in North Creek, NY
- Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program at Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, NY
- Adaptive Program at Holimont Ski Area in Ellicottville, NY
- SportsNet’s Shared SKi Adventures at Swain Ski Resort in Swain, NY
- ARISE & Ski at Toggenburg Mountain in Fabius, NY
- Adaptive Program at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, NY
- Adaptive Sports Foundation at Windham Mountain in Windham, NY
North Carolina
- Adaptive Snowsports Center at Beech Mountain Resort in Beech Mountain, NC
- Adaptive Ski Program at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, NC
Ohio
- The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition*
- Snow Trails in Mansfield, OH
- Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield, OH
Oregon
- Oregon Adaptive Sports*
- Hoodoo Ski Area in Sisters, OR
- Mt. Bachelor in Bend, OR
- Adaptive Program at Mt. Hood Meadows in Mt. Hood, OR
Pennsylvania
- Adaptive Program at Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton, PA
- Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports at Camelback Mountain in Tannersville, PA*
- Adaptive Program at Jack Frost Mountain
- Blue Ridge Adaptive Snow Sports at Liberty Mountain Resort in Fairfield, PA
- Adaptive Skiing at Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, PA
South Dakota
- Adaptive Ski Program at Great Bear Recreation Park in Sioux Falls, SD
Utah
- Common Ground Outdoor Adventures at Beaver Mountain in Logan, UT*
- National Ability Center
- Park City Mountain in Park City, UT
- Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UT
- Brighton Resort in Brighton, UT
- Solitude Resort in Solitude, UT
- Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports
- Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, UT
- Powder Mountain in Eden, UT
- Nordic Valley in Eden, UT
Vermont
- Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports*
- Pico Mountain/Killington Resort in Killington, VT
- Sugarbush Resort in Warren, VT
- Bolton Valley Ski Area in Bolton Valley, VT
- Adaptive Skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, VT
- Bart Adaptive Sports
- AbilityPLUS Adaptive Sports Program at Mount Snow in Mount Snow, VT
Virginia
- Wintergreen Adaptive Sports at Wintergreen Resort in Nellysford, VA
- Therapeutic Adventures at Massanutten Resort in Massanutten, VA*
Washington State
- Adaptive Program at Mt. Baker Ski Area in Bellingham, WA
- Outdoors for All*
- The Summit at Snoqualmie in Snoqualmie Pass, WA
- Stevens Pass in Skykomish, WA
- Adaptive and Therapeutic Programs at Mt. Spokane in Mead, WA
- Outdoors for All Program at Stevens Pass Resort in Skykomish, WA*
West Virginia
- Adaptive Lessons at Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, WV
- Adaptive Winter Sports at Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Snowshoe, WV
- Adaptive Program at Timberline Resort in Davis, WV
- Adaptive Program at Winterplace Ski Resort in Ghent, WV
Wisconsin
- Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Ski Program at Alpine Valley Ski Resort in East Troy, Wisconsin
- Adaptive Lessons at Trollhaugen Outdoor Recreation Area in Dresser, WI
Wyoming
- Teton Adaptive Ski Program
- Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, WY
- Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village, WY
DESIREE KAMEKA, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND HOUSING NETWORK
You Can Speak Up for Special Needs Housing Just Like This Father
Your listing neglects to mention one of the best adaptive sports programs in New England, Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports (. http://www.waterville.com/wv-adaptive/). Waterville Adaptive runs alpine and nordic programs in the winter and a whole host of summer activities as well. They’re not the largest or best equipped program, but their reputation is almost unmatched.
Hi Brian!
Thanks for letting us know about Waterville Valley Resort! We added it to our listing.
Best regards,
Shannon, Digital Media Manager at Madison House Autism Foundation