Adaptive Ski Vacations, Blog, Family Fun, Park City, Silver Star Ski Resort, Special Needs Travel Tips, Sun Peaks Resort

Ski Resorts with Adaptive Skiing Programs

adaptive skiing programs
Originally posted Nov 15, 2014, and regularly updated as I become aware of new adaptive ski resorts.

Finding activities that your family can do together when you have a special needs child can be a challenge, but when you do find something that works, as cheesy as it sounds, it really can be a life-changer.  That’s what we learned when we started skiing together as a family.

Prior to our trip to Park City and the National Ability Center a few years ago, my special needs daughter V would spend a fun day with grandma while my husband, older daughter and I would hit the slopes.  I convinced myself that V was happy, and while there was a piece of me that longed for her join us. I had a lot of concerns about a ski vacation.  How V would handle the altitude and cold? How accommodating would adaptive skiing programs REALLY be for he?  Would she actually like winter sports? In those ways that first trip to Park City was a bold step for us as a family, and that risk paid off in ways I couldn’t have even imagined.  V was so excited to be a part of our activities, I had no idea that she had been feeling left out.  After the trip my oldest daughter said, “I loved doing things together as a family like other families do.”  We were all feeling the same way.  Complete.

More and more ski resorts are including adaptive skiing programs for wheelchair-dependent and special needs individuals. Here’s a list of the ones that I know about, if I missed one leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list.  Think snow!

Adaptive Skiing Programs by State/Province

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British Columbia

Adaptive skiing program with ASSP at Sun Peaks

Sun Peaks Resort, British Columbia
A ski in-ski out village with covered sidewalks makes Sun Peaks Resort easier to get around with a wheelchair or limited mobility. They have an adaptive ski program that strives to meet the goals of each skier, with friendly instructors and an emphasis on safety. The second largest Canadian ski resort in acreage, their seemingly endless terrain covered in champagne powder will delight every skier and snowboarder in your family.
Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks (250) 572-0616


Silver Star Ski Mountain Resort, British Columbia
There’s something for everyone in your family at Silver Star: a tubing hill, skating rink, bowling alley, great food and fantastic skiing on BC’s champagne powder. Their adaptive skiing program is run by a dedicated, friendly staff who find ingenious ways to help make skiing accessible regardless of ability.
Silver Star Adaptive Skiing (250) 260-3737

Whistler Blackcomb
Canada’s largest ski resort works in partnership with the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP) to cater to a full spectrum of skiers and snowboarders from beginner through advanced.
Whistler Blackcomb Adaptive Ski and Snowboard (800) 766-0449

California

Bear Mountain, California
According to a reader, “Bear Mountain in San Bernardino State Forest, near LA. I have ski-ed with USARC for two seasons and they are superb.”
Visit http://usarc.org

Lake Tahoe, California
From a reader, “Disabled Sports USA has affiliates in Lake Tahoe, California, at Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley and Northstar. Wonderful program! My son was skiing on his own (w/out leashes) by Day 2 and doing blue runs the next year.”
http://achievetahoe.org/

Mammoth Mountain, California
Mammoth’s first and only, not-for-profit adaptive sports school.
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (760) 934.0791

Colorado


Beaver Creek
From a reader, “Part of the Vail Resorts family. They have amazing adaptive ski programs with professional instructors, not volunteers. They also have a non profit called Access Unbound, which can help defray the cost of the lessons. My son has ASD, and because of these programs he is almost a level 7 and his confidence is threw the roof!! Visit: https://www.beavercreek.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons/category/adaptive.aspx

Breckenridge and Winter Park, Colorado
My friend Barb Likos, accessibility advocate and owner of www.momofftrack.com, names Breckenridge and Winter Park as her favorite Colorado adaptive ski resorts. Adaptive skiing allows her snowboarding teen, her workaholic husband and her wheelchair using son to bond in a way that puts them all on an equal playing field. Her sit-skiing son is actually the best skier in the family which has been wonderful for his self-esteem and a real shocker to his older brother.
The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) (800) 383-2632
Winter Park National Sport Center for the Disabled (303) 316-1518

Challenge Aspen At Snowmass, Colorado
Reader Kelly said, “Challenge Aspen has been a life saver for our family. It was so difficult acclimating our son to skiing, but these wonderful people helped us and they do it for many different disabilities.”
Challenge Aspen (970) 923-0578

Crested Butte, Colorado
Reader David says,”Crested Butte has a fantastic and large scale program. Serves kids, adults and disabled military. Extensive equipment choices. Will assign one on one instructors not only to the affected child but to all other family members to align times, locations and gear. Lower rates for financially challenged. Apparently largest center in western US. Trains other centers nationwide. Also serves diabetes/ autism. You really should check it out.”
Adaptive Sport Center – 866-349-2296

Eldora, Colorado
I love hearing these comments from parents, “We took our son to the Ignite Adaptive Ski program at Eldora Ski Resort for 4 years. The instructors are amazing and all of the staff were invested in his success. We are now able to ski together as a family and have a great time.” Ignite Adaptive Sports (303) 506-8007

Keystone, Colorado
The Keystone Adaptive Center 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 40 years. In addition to the ski lessons offered in winter, the BOEC also offers summer programs such as customized courses for groups and professional organizations featuring rock climbing, river trips, ropes course and more.
Keystone Adaptive Center

Steamboat Springs
From a reader, “Steamboat Springs has a great program called STARS (Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports). It’s really an amazing program!!” https://steamboatstars.com/

Telluride, Colorado
From a reader, “We took my Emory skiing for the first time last year and she loved it! Telluride has an EXCELLENT adaptive ski program and they were wonderful with my kiddo! You should check it out sometime!”
https://tellurideadaptivesports.org/

Vail, Colorado
From a reader, “I’d recommend adding Vail, CO to the list. They offer discounted ski pass for person with disability and companion.”
970-754-3264 or email

Idaho

Higher Ground
A friend said Higher Ground at Sun Valley is “exceptional.”  I want to go there next!
Higher Ground (208) 726-9298

Maine

Sugar Loaf, Maine
From a reader, “Learned how to ski with Maine Adaptive at Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine. Great program.”
Maine Adaptive (800) 543-2754

Sunday River, Maine
Tamara Gruber of www.we3travel.com enjoys Sunday River, Maine and says that they have an active adaptive ski program.
Maine Adaptive (800) 543-2754

Montana

DREAM Adaptive Recreation, Whitefish
DREAM Adaptive Recreation in Whitefish, Montana provides year-round adaptive sports opportunities.
DREAM Adaptive Recreation, Inc. (406) 862-1817

Eagle Mount at Bridger Bowl, Bozeman
Eagle Mount at Bridger Bowl offers therapeutic recreation to children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities, providing adaptive ski equipment, one-to-one lessons, and a highly trained staff.
Eagle Mount at Bridger Bowl (406) 586-1781

New Hampshire

New England Disabled Sports
Located at Bretton Woods Ski Resort and Loon Mountain, New England Disabled Sports has winter adaptive skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing programs. Check out their website for details!
New England Disabled Sports

Mt Attitash
From a reader, “Mt Attitash in NH. great program. and available for last minute reservation.”
https://www.attitash.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons/category/adaptive-programs.aspx

Cannon Mountain
Cannon Mountain’s Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country (ASPNC) in Franconia. https://www.cannonmt.com/ski-ride/adaptive-sports

Gunstock Mountain
Gunstock Mountain Resort Lakes Region Disabled Sports in Gilford https://www.gunstock.com/winter/adaptive/

Purity Ski Resort
Granite State Adaptive at King Pine at Purity Ski Resort in Madison. https://www.kingpine.com/lessons/adaptive

Mount Sunapee Resort
Mount Sunapee Resort’s New England Healing Sports Association (NEHSA) in Newbury. https://www.mountsunapee.com/plan-your-trip/more-options/adaptive-programs.aspx.

Waterville Valley
From a reader, “You forgot in New Hampshire Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports. Probably the best Adaptive program in the state!” https://www.waterville.com/wv-adaptive

New Mexico

Ski Apache Adaptive Sports
From a reader, “Ski Apache Adaptive Sports in Ruidosa is fantastic. My husband who is in a wheelchair has skied with ski Apache adaptive sports since 2010. The instructors are fantastic and we have returned again and again. We see the same instructors year after year and have made some great friends and wonderful memories.”
https://www.adaptivesportsprogram.org/

Ski Santa Fe and Albuquerque
From a reader, “I taught adaptive skiing in New Mexico at Ski Santa Fe and Albuquerque. It’s called Adaptive Sports Program.”
https://www.adaptivesportsprogram.org/

New York

Windham Mountain Resort, Windham, NY
An adaptive ski instructor asked to add Windham Mountain to the list. They are affiliated with the Adaptive Sports Foundation – (518) 734-5070.

Ontario

Calabogie Peaks Resort, Calabogie, Ontario
The Calabogie Adaptive Ski Program takes pride in providing people with disabilities the opportunity to learn the basics of downhill skiing.
Calabogie Peaks Resort – (800) 669-4861

Oregon

Oregon Adaptive Sports
Oregon Adaptive Sports provides year round recreation in ten sports for individuals with disabilities. The winter program offers private lessons, group outings and community events in downhill skiing, snowboarding and nordic skiing.

From recent participant’s wife: “OAS is a wonderful organization that provides great opportunities and events for adaptive athletes from beginners to experts. Wonderful people, fantastic adventures! And they make spouses/family welcome and part of the family, too!”
https://oregonadaptivesports.org (541) 306-4774

Pennsylvania

Camelback Mountain, Tannersville, PA
Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports offers ski and snowboard lessons at Camelback Mountain in Tannersville, PA for ages 5 and up. For more information, visit centeronline.com or call Jeff McGinnis at 215-765-5118.
Camelback Mountain Adaptive Ski – 215-765-5118

Whitetail Resort
From a reader, “We’ve used been to Whitetail and the adaptive program is provided by a nonprofit called Two Top Mountain. Wonderful people and awesome experience. https://www.twotopadaptive.org/

Liberty Resort
https://www.libertymountainresort.com/winter-sports-liberty/tickets-packages/lessons-packages/adaptive-programs in southern PA close to the Maryland border.

Utah

adaptive skiing programs at Park City and the National Ability Center
Beaver Mountain in Logan, UT and Common Ground Outdoor Adventures
A reader suggested Beaver Mountain with adaptive skiing provided by Common Ground Outdoor Adventures. Check out http://www.cgadventures.org for more information!
Common Ground – (435) 713-0288

Deer Valley Ski Resort, Utah and the National Ability Center
I had my first visit to Deer Valley last year and I feel in love, even though the are a ski-only resort. It’s truly a full-service ski vacation experience. Their adaptive ski program and through the National Ability Center. Have them help you develop an accessible ski vacation like we did, or visit during one of their camps.
National Ability Center – (435) 649-3991

Park City, Utah and the National Ability Center
I wish every family with a special needs child could visit the National Ability Center. Located on 20+ acres of property, the National Ability Center has dozens accessible activities ranging from horse back riding and rock wall climbing, to sled hockey and skiing. Have them help you develop an accessible ski vacation like we did, or visit during one of their camps.
National Ability Center – (435) 649-3991

Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, Utah
A reader made sure that we added Snowbasin to the list – looks like another great place we need to explore. Thanks Lisa!
Snow Basin Adaptive Sports (801) 695-7074

Snowbird Ski Resort
Provided by Wasatch Adaptive Sports
www.wasatchadaptivesports.org
(801) 933-2188

Sundance Mountain Resort
Provided by Wasatch Adaptive Sports
www.wasatchadaptivesports.org
(801) 933-2188

Vermont

Bromley Mountain
From a parent submission, “Bromley Mountain in VT has a great Adaptive Program run by the Bart Adaptive Sports Center. They taught my daughter how to ski!” (802) 824-5522

Mount Snow
From a parent submission, “Mount Snow in West Dover, Vermont, has a wonderful year-round adaptive program that provides specialized and affordable ski and snowboard instruction in the winter and mountain biking and camp programs in the summer. Working with the amazing volunteers at MS Adaptive has been truly life-changing for my son.” Mount Snow Adaptive Sports: https://adaptiveatsnow.org/

Smuggler’s Notch
Great info from a parent, “I suggest you might want to add Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont to the list. We haven’t gone there yet in the winter, but went last summer and their summer adaptive program was fantastic. Our son (8 years old with ASD) loved it and had a ball every day for the entire week. Their counselors are experienced and top-notch. I’ve heard great things about, and based on our summer experience expect great things from, their winter program, especially their adaptive skiing and snowboarding programs.” (800) 419-4615

Sugarbush, Pico and Bolton, Vermont
My friends at All Mountain Mamas write all about Vermont ski resorts and told me about the adaptive programs are at Sugarbush, Pico and Bolton.
Vermont Adaptive

Virginia

Wintergreen Adaptive Sports
A reader suggested Wintergreen Adaptive Sports in Virginia.
434-325-2007 https://www.wintergreenadaptivesports.org/

Washington State

Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Summit, Washington
Outdoors for All (206) 838-6030

West Virginia

Snowshoe Mountain Resort
From a reader, “Snowshoe Mountain Resort, in partnership with the https://www.snowshoemtn.com/plan-your-trip/snowboard-ski-lessons/snowshoe-adaptive-winter-sports, offers the Adaptive Sports Program for impaired skiers.” (304) 572-6708

Wyoming

Jackson Hole, Wyoming
From a reader, “We travelled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming with our family last January and we were SUPER happy with the adaptive ski program. The coordinator, Jason Malczyk, was incredibly responsive and the instructors were great. The whole family had a fantastic time and my daughter definitely improved and moved toward more independent skiing.”

Jackson Hole Adaptive Ski Program
307-690-4774 or email at adaptive@jacksonhole.com

If you are thinking about a ski vacation, book your accessible ski lessons ASAP, as they tend to fill up quickly. Travel expert Jessica Bowers has some great tips on preparing your special needs child for adaptive skiing to make sure that you are set up for the best experience. Think snow!

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77 Comments

  • We’ve been to Breckenridge with our daughter for the past 4 years. BOEC is a wonderful group of people. We’ve had a great experience with them. Our daughter started in a sit ski and was actually skiing on her own this year! It was the most amazing mom/dad moment!

  • Mount Snow in West Dover, Vermont, has a wonderful year-round adaptive program that provides specialized and affordable ski and snowboard instruction in the winter and mountain biking and camp programs in the summer. Working with the amazing volunteers at MS Adaptive has been truly life-changing for my son. Mount Snow Adaptive Sports: https://msadaptive.org

  • New Hampshire has great ski resorts with adaptive skiing program. You have mentioned the New England Disabled Sports in Bretton Woods and also at Loon Mountain; Ability Plus in Attitash Ski Resort. Other NH ski resort with adaptive skiing are Cannon Mountain’s Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country (ASPNC) in Franconia, NH;; Gunstock Mountain Resort Lakes Region Disabled Sports in Gilford, NH; Granite State Adaptive at King Pine at Purity Ski Resort in Madison, NH; Mount Sunapee Resort’s New England Healing Sports Association (NEHSA) in Newbury,NH. We love going to these ski resorts to ski as a family with special needs family member. We are lucky to live in this state with great adaptive skiing programs. Hopefully in the near future we can go skiing to other states with great adaptive skiing programs as recommended here in your blog.

  • Whitetail and Liberty Resorts, both in Pennsylvania, each have adaptive ski programs. We’ve used been to Whitetail and the adaptive program is provided by a nonprofit called Two Top Mountain – https://www.twotopadaptive.org/. Wonderful people and awesome experience. We are hoping to make it to Liberty this year to check out their program – https://www.libertymountainresort.com/winter-sports-liberty/tickets-packages/lessons-packages/adaptive-programs

    Both resorts are in southern PA close to the Maryland border.

  • Oregon Adaptive Sports provides year round recreation in ten sports for individuals with disabilities. The winter program offers private lessons, group outings and community events in downhill skiing, snowboarding and nordic skiing.

    From recent participant’s wife: “OAS is a wonderful organization that provides great opportunities and events for adaptive athletes from beginners to experts. Wonderful people, fantastic adventures! And they make spouses/family welcome and part of the family, too!”

    • I would add Beaver Creek and Vail, both part of the Vail Resorts family. They have amazing adaptive ski programs with professional instructors, not volunteers. They also have a non profit called Access Unbound, which can help defray the cost of the lessons. My son has ASD, and because of these programs he is almost a level 7 and his confidence is threw the roof!!

  • Hi I will be in Keego Harbour MI in a rehab center with my 8 years child that has cerebral phalsy, im looking for a ski center with addaptive. Do you know if there is someone around just to go weekends thanks

  • Bromley Mountain in VT has a great Adaptive Program run by the Bart Adaptive Sports Center. They taught my daughter how to ski!

  • I am an adaptive ski instructor at Windham Mountain Resort in Windham NY. We are affiliated with the Adaptive Sports Foundation. I’d love if you could add us to your list!

  • Snowshoe Mountain Resort, in partnership with the Challenged Athletes of West Virginia, offers the Adaptive Sports Program for impaired skiers.

  • We took our son to the Ignite Adaptive Ski program at Eldora Ski Resort for 4 years. The instructors are amazing and all of the staff were invested in his success. We are now able to ski together as a family and have a great time.

  • Great list – what a resource! I suggest you might want to add Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont to the list. We haven’t gone there yet in the winter, but went last summer and their summer adaptive program was fantastic. Our son (8 years old with ASD) loved it and had a ball every day for the entire week. Their counselors are experienced and top-notch. I’ve heard great things about, and based on our summer experience expect great things from, their winter program, especially their adaptive skiing and snowboarding programs. When we go back, will let you know.

    • Thanks for sharing your experience! I look forward to hearing more about their winter program!

  • Ski Apache Adaptive Sports in Ruidosa is fantastic. My husband who is in a wheelchair has skied with ski Apache adaptive sports since 2010. The instructors are fantastic and we have returned again and again. We see the same isnstructors year after year and have made some great friends and wonderful memories.

  • We had an amazing experience last year at Keystone in Colorado. I thought I could handle my daughter on my own. I was wrong, and they saved our vacation

    • That is so great the hear! The first time we worked with an adaptive ski program I really didn’t know what to expect, and, yah, it was pretty fantastic and made it an actual family vacation. Thanks for sharing. Do you have a ski vacation planned for this year?

  • Pingback: Let’s Play! Part 2: High Tech and Adapted Outdoor Sporting – Assistology, LLC

  • We’ve taken our son who has both physical and intellectual disabilities to Belleayre in New York. They have a great program. Strapped him in a seated device on 2 ski runners and took him for 2 hours at a time. We could choose to ski alongside or leave him with them. Family friendly ski resort for rest of family, 2 hr 15 min from Manhattan.

  • You should add Moving Mountains Adaptive Ski Program at Pine Mountain in Iron Mountain, Michigan. They have a wonderful program where people can ski for a 2 hour time frame for free, Saturdays or Sundays. They also provide discounted tickets for the other family that is skiing with the adaptive skier. The volunteers are awesome, and the couple that started the program at Pine Mountain are fantastic and giving people. So please add them to your list. My son has been sit skiing with them for the last 4 years and we look forward to it every year. It is the closest adaptive program to our house, and we are only 2 hours away from it. All the others are a long drive or plane ride to get to, but hoping with this list to go to some others and try them out. Thanks for posting this information!

  • Waterville Valley in NH has a wonderful adaptive program–Nordic and Alpine. Just came back from there & our kids had a GREAT time! Also, Wachusett Mtn (our home mtn) in MA has a great adaptive program, too.

    • I love Vail, but haven’t skied with my daughter there. Thanks and I’ve added it to the list. And I love the free buddy pass! Thanks for sharing!

  • Thanks for all the great information you share!! I wanted to add a recommendation. We travelled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming with our family last January and we were SUPER happy with the adaptive ski program. The coordinator, Jason Malczyk, was incredibly responsive and the instructors were great. The whole family had a fantastic time and my daughter definitely improved and moved toward more independent skiing.

  • I’ve been an adaptive skier for the past 30 years.
    Learned how to ski with Maine Adaptive at Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine. Great program

    I taught adaptive skiing in New Mexico at Ski Santa Fe and Albuquerque. It’s called Adaptive Ski Program.

    Now I teach skiing in Lake Tahoe CA at Alpine Meadows. Great program here also.

  • Disabled Sports USA has affiliates in Lake Tahoe, California, at Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley and Northstar. Wonderful program! My son was skiing on his own (w/out leashes) by Day 2 and doing blue runs the next year. http://achievetahoe.org/

    • Thanks for sharing – I love Tahoe, but have never taken my daughter to these programs. I need to! They’ve been added to the list!

  • Does any one know of the best skiing program for kids with low muscle tone and coordination challenges? Like maybe where the instructors take the kids on sleds down the mountain?
    Thanks in advance

    • Hi Carol! My daughter has similar issues. Every resort that I’ve been to has equipment that works for kids with these kinds of needs. My daughter uses a sit-ski, where she sits in a sled-like piece of equipment, and it’s guided down by an instructor. When you contact the resort that you are interested in, that’s something that they’ll work out for you. Let me know how it goes!

    • we just went out to Park City National Ability center for my son who sounds similar. the first day they wanted him to try skiing to see his capabilities, but realized that it is just too much for him and so our next 2 days we got him in a bi-ski and his smile was from ear to ear! The instructors were great!

  • Crested Butte has a fantastic and large scale program. Serves kids, adults and disabled military. Extensive equipment choices. Will assign one on one instructors not only to the affected child but to all other family members to align times, locations and gear. Lower rates for financially challenged. Apparently largest center in western US. Trains other centers nationwide. Also serves diabetes/ autism. You really should check it out.

    • Just got back from Sunday River in Maine. Maine Adaptive only gives lessons on Sundays but they are free and all day -so my son really got a lot of skiing in. We had a great time – people there are great, and they have a easy shuttle system to get around. Definitely recommend!

  • I can’t say enough about Higher Ground in Sun Valley! Our 12 yo son has been skiing with them since he was 5. Great people!!

  • Challenge Aspen has been a life saver for our family. It was so difficult acclimating our son to skiing, but these wonderful people helped us and they do it for many different disabilities.

  • Please include Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports, who offers ski and snowboard lessons at Camelback Mountain in Tannersville, PA for ages 5 and up. For more information, visit centeronline.com or call Jeff McGinnis at 215-765-5118. Thank you for your list – its the most complete I’ve found as I try to get the word out about these programs. Being able to ski at the same mountain your special needs loved one can have lessons means everything to us.

    • It’s been added, thanks for letting me know Pattie! I feel the same way, the first time we were all on the mountain together was magic and meant so much to our whole family. Best wishes!

  • We have used the program at Mammoth for my son on the Autism spectrum and he loved it. You should also add Keystone, CO to your list. They have a partnership with the Breckenridge Program. We used it for 3 days last year. By the end of the trip, my son was skiing on the mountain with 1 instructor (when he started he needed 3), with no harness or leashes and was following directions to turn and stop. Mammoth was great, but Keystone was equally as good. I highly recommend adding it.

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