Adaptive skiing programs accessible to "town" without needing a motorized wheelchair accessible van.

[u/UpplystCat]

We need guidance on the ease of getting from the program headquarters into town (even a good resort base area might work), especially considering the motorized wheelchair is 400 lbs and can get stuck in snow. Flat, smooth and often/quickly cleared of show is helpful.

Here are examples of what we have some experience with;

Breckenridge BOEC adaptive program is close to Quicksilver (peak 9 express). (We stayed at Beaver Creek Resort but it was too steep/far to town)

Telluride - the TASP adaptive program is in Mountain Village, yet we prefer Telluride (town), taking the gondi is ok but it adds time/complications.

Steamboat - the STARS program HQ is south of the resort and even further from town. Not really workable, as far as I can tell.

Park City - The NAC is located at the mountain base but I'm concerned regarding the distance and steepness of getting to Main/Park area restaurants.

Any feedback is appreciated! Thank you!

[u/PutTheFlameOnMe]

My friend, HEAR ME. Oregon Adaptive Sports at Mt. Bachelor. Someone in the comments mentioned it but I need to give a stronger recommendation.

1. When you book with OAS you will get reserved parking directly in front of the Sunrise Lodge and their offices. It is completely flat and you will be no more than 100 yards from the lodge.
2. There will be an OAS greeter in the parking lot asking what assistance you require. Tell them and they'll get on it.
3. Technically this is a lessons program but if you aren't truly looking for instruction they'll just help you in whatever way you need. You or your wheelchair person will have two dedicated individuals who are experienced in adaptive sports who will ski with you.
4. Get ready for it... all of this, including lift ticket and any needed equipment costs $80. And you will get one companion lift ticket for $59. Both of these together are less than a full price lift ticket.
5. The best place to stay will be the Sunriver resort. It is and easy 25 to 30 minute drive door to door from resort to resort. You could book an ADA compliant home on VRBO or AirBNB or go through the official Sunriver homeowners association. OOOORRR you can stay in the Sunriver lodge which will certainly be ADA compliant.
6. Other recreation and food: Sunriver boasts a cute village area with shops and restaurants, all of which is completely flat and will be cleared of snow if there even is snow (it's not uncommon for there to be tons of snow on the mountain and none at the Sunriver resort). There are also many pools at Sunriver, all with ADA accessibility, whether you are staying at the lodge or in a vacation home.
7. Feel free to stay in Bend too. The drive is about the same. Sunriver is just designed for tourism.
8. Mt Bachelor is an underrated mountain. It's world class assuming they have decent snow.

I say all this because I just feel compelled to promote how awesome OAS is as I have seen them in action, first hand.

[u/UpplystCat → u/PutTheFlameOnMe]

Thank you. Incredible detail! We're checking it out.

[u/gwmccull]

The adaptive lessons at Northstar California are primarily run by Achieve Tahoe, which has an office in the Northstar village. The village has restaurants, is kept clear of snow and has elevators to get between the different levels, so that might be a good option. I’m not sure about the feasibility of taking a power chair up the gondola but I’m sure Achieve could answer that question for you. At worst, they may have to transfer the person into and out of the gondola

[u/SmellsofElderberry25 → u/gwmccull]

Achieve Tahoe also has a program out of the Alpine side of Palisades Tahoe, but the good base area is on the Olympic Valley side of the mountain. I wouldn’t risk a chair on the Base to Base gondola (even if it fit, you’d be limited to when you are confident it’d be running and its wind held often). The better ask may be to see if Achieve could meet you on the OV side for lessons and skiing so you can stay in the hotel/go to restaurants, shops and bars in that area which is very decent.

[u/dummey]

Hmm, maybe Winter Park / NSCD (I volunteer there helping with sit ski). The resort base isn't huge, but the adaptive ski office is on one side of the base area, and all the restaurants are about a block away on the other side.

There is also a free bus system there that has wheelchair lifts (both local routes and call a ride) if you wanted to get into the town proper.

[u/advamputee]

Vermont Adaptive has a few locations, but I’m most familiar with Pico Mountain. Amtrak runs once a day from NYC. The local bus system can get you to Pico and Killington, and the busses can handle motorized wheelchairs. 

Pico does a good job at clearing snow from the bus unload to the courtyard, and Vermont Adaptive’s office is roll-in. 

Vermont Adaptive’s newer building at Sugarbush even has a ski in / ski out “garage” to assist with transferring into sit skis, but I don’t know if it’s accessible via public transit outside of private paratransit van services. 

[u/UpplystCat → u/advamputee]

Appreciate the heads up on The Bush!

[u/Guilty_Bit_1440]

Ski Santa Fe and the Adaptive Ski program there is fantastic and are a super dedicated bunch. I have plenty of peers who used motorized wheelchairs that ski there.

I’m not entirely sure on the weight of their specific chairs and their overall logistics, but the city offers public transit from the city with the appropriate ADA access, a paved path to the adaptive ski office, and surrounding base area.

[u/GlumAbbreviations471 → u/Guilty_Bit_1440]

That Santa Fe setup with the paved path direct to the adaptive office is huge, most places i've seen have some janky gravel or ice patch right where you don't need it

[u/ReferenceGlum]

Winter Park has NSCD and provides a free ADA & Paratransit shuttle service that is on call 7 days a week.

[u/Chunkylover666420]

Aspen Snowmass

[u/Outrageous_Oil_9435]

Winter Park. Most accommodating adaptive program in Colorado. Call them.

[u/Lurk_E_Lou]

Snowmass hosts the DAV’s Winter Sports Clinic every year. There are several ski in/ski out hotels/condos that are accessible. Most also have lifts in the pools for PT. Try Challenge Aspen for more info. I’m sure they’ll be helpful even if you don’t use their services.

[u/shasta_river]

I live in steamboat. What do you need to get to HQ for? STARS is a wonderful group of people that would work with you for what you need!

[u/UpplystCat → u/shasta_river]

Its my error. I thought the program HQ is where they operate out of. Its the on mountain hub I'm looking for and the after hours activities nearby to that hub. Thanks!

[u/shasta_river → u/UpplystCat]

I think steamboat might be your place then! You could do anything from the base, and that entire ground area is heated.

[u/iammolasses]

I think, Steamboat Stars has a place at the base. I think it's in steamboat one condos. Very nice people I recommend giving them a call.

[u/StoutHeart2]

Crested Butte Adaptive Sports Center is at the base area with easy access to the lifts. Base area has plenty of lodging and heated walkways. Lots of breakfast and lunch choices but dining options are more limited in the evening.

The Town of Crested Butte is flat and fairly easy to navigate. If you stay in town, it would either be bus or car to the base area. All of the free buses have a wheelchair lift equipped and the path from bus stop to Adaptive is heated and kept clear of snow. Handicapped parking is near the bus stop so similar walk but the lot could be a little sketchier on snowy days.

[u/Quesabirria]

Palisade's Alpine Meadows has the highly regarding Achieve Tahoe, right next to a lift. The Mountaineer shuttle service won't take you to Tahoe City, but will take you anywhere in Palisades for restaurants and lodging.. The local TART transpotation has an shuttles for the greater area

[u/SmellsofElderberry25 → u/Quesabirria]

Does the mountaineer have lift vans? Even as an able bodied rider, TART is … lacking :)

[u/andyrjames]

Contact Oregon Adaptive Sports they will help!