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The largest ski resort in the United States is now one of the nation’s most accessible.
Utah’s National Ability Center (NAC) recently inaugurated a 9400-sq-ft facility at the base of Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR), featuring accessible restrooms, chalet-style windows, and sufficient adaptive sports equipment to ensure that all individuals – irrespective of ability – can enjoy the slopes.
“The building is beautiful,” comments chief program and education officer Tracy Meier – a significant enhancement from the limited, double-wide trailer where the NAC commenced its mission to provide safe, inclusive recreational activities for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities.
The NAC’s improvement illustrates the increasing inclusivity of ski resorts. When Austrian amputee Franz Wendel affixed crutches to a set of skis in 1942, he was quite unusual.
Currently, adaptive equipment allows individuals with diverse disabilities to experience the freedom of skiing down mountainsides worldwide.
Cory Lee, an accessibility-focused travel blogger with spinal muscular atrophy, engaged in adaptive skiing for the first time in April 2023 while visiting Oregon – a long-held aspiration that took 20 years to fulfill.
“It brought me immense joy to exit my wheelchair and enjoy that kind of adaptive experience,” he remarks. “As a wheelchair user, it’s infrequent that I get to participate in such adventurous activities.”
Nevertheless, the growth of adaptive skiing opportunities does not imply that every resort accommodates every access requirement.
According to Catherine Cosby, who established Mountains 4 All to connect disabled skiers with accessible European resorts, there exists no “one-size-fits-all” solution for adaptive skiing.
“My advice is for individuals to conduct proper research and consider what they desire from their holiday,” she suggests. “Seeing someone on social media using a sit-ski, for instance, does not inherently mean that the resort would be appropriate for them.”
However, numerous options should not deter adventurers. With substantial preparation, athletes with autism, visual impairments, physical disabilities, and more can savor the enchanting experiences of the mountains across the US and Europe. Below are some of the most inclusive destinations that deserve attention.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Most winter sports enthusiasts venture three hours northwest of Denver for the promise of “Champagne Powder” – a term trademarked by the Steamboat Ski Resort for their extraordinarily fluffy snow. However, this resort offers additional attractions beyond its famed snow.
Steamboat Springs consistently remains at the forefront of accessibility. In 1977, the town proudly became the first venue to host the Special Winter Olympics. Subsequently, in 2007, the adaptive snow sports program established by STARS transformed this Colorado ski resort into one of the Rocky Mountains’ most disability-friendly outdoor destinations. A dedicated team of instructors and volunteers provide half-day or full-day lessons in adaptive activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and snow biking.
“We utilize a variety of adaptive equipment to assist individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities in achieving what may seem impossible,” states the program’s Executive Director, Susan Petersen.
In addition to on-mountain experiences, STARS provides lodging on the outskirts of town at a fully-accessible 27-bed lodge.
Bend, Oregon
Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS) – a year-round recreational organization for individuals with disabilities – offers alpine ski lessons at Mt Bachelor, Hoodoo Ski Area, and Mt Ashland. However, when discussing Pacific Northwest skiing, Mt Bachelor stands out as the premier choice. This resort is Oregon‘s highest-altitude ski area, with slopes exceeding 9000 ft along the Central Cascades. Additionally, it is located a mere 30-minute drive from Bend – a city that promotes inclusivity.
During his visit to Bend last spring, Cory Lee commended the area’s accessible experiences, including wheelchair-friendly hiking trails at Alpenglow Park and Riley Ranch Nature Reserve. He particularly praised the ski instructors at OAS, who cater to disabled skiers through the use of adaptive equipment. The OAS team provided him with comprehensive information prior to his experience to alleviate any pre-ski anxiety and focused on his specific needs during his time on the mountain.
“They completely considered my preferences, and I had input throughout the experience,” he notes.
OAS serves over 400 individuals with disabilities annually, accommodating everyone from wheelchair users to those with visual or auditory impairments.
Chamonix, France
Downhill enthusiasts have been flocking to this alpine town since the inaugural Winter Olympics took place in Chamonix in 1924. Due to enhanced inclusion initiatives over the past decade, it should also be a destination of choice for disabled athletes who are passionate about skiing.
For individuals seeking exceptional Handiski (a term synonymous with “adaptive”) instructors, Cosby recommends the team at ESF Chamonix – a ski school that provides lessons for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments.
Cosby recently organized a ski trip to Chamonix for a man with quadriplegia who requires a ventilator, citing the proficiency of the instructors as her primary reason for selecting this location. “Everyone, including the lift operators, was outstanding,” she recalls of this experience.
For those more inclined towards après-ski activities than skiing itself, Chamonix remains a top destination. In 2013, this French Alps gem became the nation’s first mountain town to receive the Label Tourisme Handicap – an official recognition underscoring a local commitment to fostering accessible public spaces.
Gstaad, Switzerland
As far as picturesque mountain destinations go, snow-draped Switzerland scores highly – with prominent towns like Verbier and Zermatt boasting adaptive ski programs. However, in terms of accessibility, Cosby asserts that Gstaad ranks as the best, particularly for skiers with visual impairments, who can select from an array of specialized instructors.
Skischule Gstaad, a local skiing institution, also provides lessons for people with physical and cognitive disabilities, as well as those interested in downhill sit-skiing.
For individuals seeking a more leisurely pace, Gstaad offers accessible snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; there is even a wheelchair-friendly outdoor ice rink in the town center, where gliders can be attached to personal wheelchairs.
Park City, Utah
With 7300 acres of skiable terrain rolling along the Wasatch Mountains, Park City serves as a skier’s haven – conveniently located 30 minutes from Salt Lake City. Thanks to the NAC’s new McGrath Family Mountain Center at the base of PCMR, it is now more accessible than ever to participate in alpine skiing on globally recognized trails.
“We serve all capabilities and ages,” states Tracy Meier, “which encompasses common conditions such as Down Syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, amputation, and spinal cord injuries. Additionally, we engage with individuals under rare and undiagnosed classifications.”
The NAC provides approximately 4000 lessons annually – all conducted by a proficient team of skiers who specialize in assisting the disability community and adapting their teaching methods to meet unique needs.
“It is always gratifying when a family reaches out saying, ‘We used to ski together – do you think it’s feasible for us to do so again?’ We love affirming that it is. It may be somewhat different, and it might require some time to tailor the experience, but we succeed in doing so.”
