Benefits of Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding
Adaptive snow sports enables skiers and riders with disabilities to participate in the sports and enjoy being outdoors. Besides being fun it also has health benefits such as working on skills like balance and coordination. If you are able to propel yourself with poles or outriggers, it can also provide a cardiovascular workout.
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Getting out of the house and into the fresh air and sun can improve your Vitamin D levels, social skills, and mental health. From first timers to more advanced levels, lessons can be tailored to each individual's ability with the goal always of providing as much independence as possible.
Adaptive snow sports can be enjoyed by those with many disabilities including ASD, ADHD, Blind/Low Vision, Deaf/Low Hearing, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, PTSD, Anxiety and Limb Loss.
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Types of Adaptive Skiing & Snowboarding
Mono-Skiing
Mono and Bi-Skiing
Mono-skiing is for athletes that sit while skiing and who have significant problem standing and balancing while in motion. These standing and balancing issues may be caused by physical trauma, neurological issues and neuromuscular diseases and these individuals may use a wheelchair, a cane or walker. Mono-skiing utilizes a bucket style seat with a single ski underneath it. An individual uses handheld outriggers for balance, requiring strong arms and good core strength and trunk balance. Individuals who have lower limb impairments and have reasonable trunk stability and balance use mono-skis.
Bi-Skiing
Bi-skiing is also for athletes that sit while skiing, who use a wheelchair or have difficulty walking even when assisted by crutches, canes or walkers. Bi-skis utilizes a bucket style seat with two skis underneath it. A bi-ski can be skied independently like a mono-ski using the same type of handheld outriggers or can be skied with the assistance of an instructor using fixed outriggers and tethers (reins attached to the back of the bi-ski). Skiers turn by either moving their head and shoulders or by using handheld outriggers.
Stand Up Skiing
2 Track Skiing
For athletes who are able to balance on two skis as they are learning. Two track skiing is our most common type of lesson and it means that when skiing you only leave 2 tracks behind you - you don't need adaptive equipment such as outriggers* for balance. Adaptive equipment may be used to support such as ski-pal, barber pole, tethers.
3 Track Skiing
Three-track skiing is stand-up skiing using one full-size ski and two handheld outriggers* for balance/support, giving the skier three points of contact with the snow. Individuals with one typical leg and one leg with an above-knee amputation typically use this method of skiing. Three-track skiing requires strong leg and arm strength and may not be for those who have weakness in their remaining limbs.
4 Track Skiing
Four-track skiing is a good choice for an individual with two legs and arms, natural or prosthetic, who is capable of standing independently or with aids for support or balance. They will ski using two skis and two hand-held outriggers* for balance and support, giving the skier four points of contact with the snow. The Snow Slider is another option for 4 Track Skiing,
* Outriggers are metal forearm crutches with ski tips on the ends, some having adjustable brakes to aid with balance if necessary
Vision Loss/Blind
Individuals with vision loss or blindness are usually two track skiers or snowboarders. They use concise and focused verbal instructions with their coach or partner to be able to ski or snowboard. Alpine skiing and riding techniques are used to help them gain the skills needed.
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We work with multiple ranges of visual acuity from limited depth perception, peripheral or tunnel vision, to legally blind or total loss of vision.
Hearing Loss/Deaf
Individuals that are deaf or have hearing loss are both skiers and snowboarders. If an individual uses cochlear implants in daily life they may choose to use both, only one, or none when on the mountain because of fit of helmet and background noise. Summit Adaptive has volunteer ASL interpreters available to schedule if needed.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding evolved from skateboarding and surfing. It involves descending the mountain while standing on a snowboard where the rider's feet are strapped into a set of mounted bindings. Snowboarders wear softer boots that fit into the mounted bindings. Adaptive equipment such as the ski pal or tethers can be used with snowboarders.
Lesson Information for the 2023-2024 Season at Ski Sundown
We offer two types of lesson packages for skiers and snowboarders, see details below:
- Individual
- Multi-Lesson (5 week package, called Summit Explorers for weekend packages and Club Summit for midweek packages).
After you complete the Participant Registration Form, and once lesson reservations are open for the season, the next step will be for you to call Ski Sundown's Welcome Center at 860-379-7669 ext. 211 to reserve and book your lesson or program. We encourage you to complete the Participant Registration as soon as you are able so there are no delays.
Individual Adaptive Lesson Package
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
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2 ½ hours of private instruction (includes time for equipment fitting)
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Adaptive and/or standard ski or snowboard equipment
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Lift ticket
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Handicap parking is available on the left and right of the main footbridge entrance.
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You can also purchase a lift ticket for one person accompanying adaptive lesson participant.
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LESSONS ARE OFFERED:
Weekends: Saturday and Sundays 9:30am & 1:00pm
Midweek:
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Monday & Wednesday 3:00pm & 5:30pm
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Thursday 3:00pm
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Thursday 5:30pm reserved for special programs or by request only
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Midweek mornings & midweek holidays by request
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TICKET, LESSON & EQUIPMENT BUNDLE
Individual Lesson Package Prices
PRIVATE ADAPTIVE PACKAGE:
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2 ½ hours
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Price: Midweek: $90, Weekend: $110
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For ages 4+. Any skill level. Includes 2 ½ hour private lesson, adaptive and/or standard ski or snowboard equipment, and lift ticket. Handicap parking is available.
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ACCOMPANYING ADAPTIVE PARTICIPANT TICKET:
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Price: Midweek: $35, Weekend: $45
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Valid for all lifts when accompanying lesson. Limited to one participant.
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Maximum of 5 Individual Lesson Packages per participant/season, additional requests will be placed on waitlist.
Multi-Lesson Adaptive Program Packages
OFFERED WEEKDAYS (Club Summit) & WEEKENDS (Summit Explorers):
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2½ hour semi-private lesson scheduled over 5 weeks for approved Summit Adaptive Sports skiers.
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For ages 4+. Skiers and Snowboards* (*by special request). Includes rental and adaptive equipment, if needed.
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Students will enjoy learning and skiing in a more independent setting, guided by adaptive instructors.
Club Summit Weekday Program
SESSION 1
DAYS
DATES
TIMES
Mondays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5
Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25 Feb. 1
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm; 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm; 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm. Evenings: Special Programs or by request.
Midweek Morning Lessons and Midweek Holidays by request.
SESSION 2
DAYS
Mondays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
DATES
Feb. 12, 19, 26 Mar. 4, 11
Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 Mar. 6
Feb. 8, 15, 22, 29 Mar. 7
TIMES
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm; 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm; 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm. Evenings: Special Programs or by request
Midweek Morning Lessons and Midweek Holidays by request.
PRICES
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5x 4 hour lift pass & lesson: $410
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*Passholder lesson: $350
*Season passholder or midweek 12-week passholder
Summit Explorers Weekend Program
SESSION 1
DAYS
Saturdays
Sundays
DATES
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4
TIMES
9:30 am - 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
9:30 am - 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
SESSION 2
DAYS
Saturdays
Sundays
DATES
Feb. 10, 17, 24 Mar. 2, 9
Feb. 11, 18, 25 Mar. 3, 10
TIMES
9:30 am - 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
9:30 am - 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
PRICES
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5x 4 hour lift pass & lesson: $510
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*Passholder lesson: $450
*Season passholder or midweek 12-week passholder
KNOW THE CODE
Your Responsibility Code
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Skiing and snowboarding are dynamic, fluid sports of motion in a winter environment that requires constant awareness and judgment by skiers or snowboarders to overcome the inherent risks of the sport. Ski Sundown is committed to skiing or snowboarding safety and expects all skiers or snowboarders who choose to ski or snowboard at Ski Sundown to follow Your Responsibility Code listed below and other posted rules and regulations that are designed to make a visit to Ski Sundown a great experience for everyone.
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Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
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People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
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You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
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Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
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Always use devices to prevent runaway equipment.
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Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
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Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
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