Soaring down snow-coated slopes on planks is the foundation of Park City’s collective identity. The town was nearly abandoned when the mining boom ended in the mid-1900s, and the introduction of a chairlift resurrected the little community. In the seven or so decades since, Park City’s character has continuously developed around a soul of skiing and riding.

Empowerment on the Snow

Because of the dedication of Park City-based National Ability Center (NAC), every person who lives in or visits the area can participate in the sports that define the territory. Brian Castillo, the NAC’s Ski and Snowboard Senior Program Manager, describes how providing recreation opportunities for disabled people can transform lives and make dreams come true. “The programs and opportunities we offer can change their perspective on what's possible for them.”

To gain a holistic angle on how the NAC and other Utah-based adaptive organizations empower people with disabilities through winter recreation, I spoke with three athletes and two program organizers. The path to adaptive skiing varied for each person. However, the consensus was unanimous—the skill to ride on snow equals freedom. Athlete Madison Baumann says, “It's such a freeing experience because when you're out on the hill, everybody does the same thing. It doesn't matter how you're doing it. Everybody slides down snow.”

Ogden Valley Adaptive Recreation Executive Director Alexander Davenport explains the power of learning lift-accessed snow sports. “There's no doubt about it: it's very challenging and takes a village. Our state has amazing people who are extremely professional and dedicated to getting people outdoors… Try it once, and you'll probably have a great experience and want to do it again.”

Skiing and Snowboarding with the National Ability Center

Brian of the NAC echoes Alexander’s advice by encouraging people to take a leap of faith and give skiing or snowboarding a try. The creation of the NAC’s newest campus, the McGrath Mountain Center, which opened at Park City Mountain Resort last year, ensures that adaptive ski and snowboard lessons are available to many people. In fact, the National Ability Center ran around 4,200 ski and snowboard experiences in the 2023/2024 season alone.

Programs are made available to anyone who wants to get out on snow!

The organization is dedicated to creating a seamless reservation process. Interested people can easily peruse program details and dates, plus register on the website. Every person who registers will communicate directly with NAC staff to guarantee each lesson is satisfactory. “The initial registration or conversation with our reservation team is step one,” Brian explains how that first chat can determine the type of equipment and establish the best instructor pairing. “We take extreme care and focus on matching the participant profiles to the instructor’s skill sets.”

Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Lesson Costs and Scholarships

A typical lesson costs $245, which includes a lift ticket and one-on-one instruction. The NAC provided $6.5 million in scholarship and program subsidies in 2023 with the ambition that cost should never prohibit someone from trying adaptive sports.

“The scholarship piece is something I can't stress enough,” Brian says. “We want to make sure that people can get out there. And some of these activities, specifically skiing and snowboarding, are pay-to-play. That can be a barrier to recreation. We want folks to know there are resources for them to be able to participate in those activities.”

“If folks need any adaptive equipment, it is included in the lesson,” Brian says. “We've got a variety of equipment so people can try out different models and make the best choice for them… If they're doing stand-up skiing or snowboarding, they are responsible for getting rental equipment on their own.”

When an individual arrives for their first experience with the NAC, they meet with their instructor for a more detailed assessment. Brian describes what instructors aim to learn during the first in-person visit. “Let’s see how we're how they’re approaching the world. How do they ambulate? How do they move around?” The live assessment helps the instructor suggest appropriate equipment for each person and provides a building base for long-term goals.

A diverse range of equipment accommodates all athletes!

Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Stories 

Of the five individuals I interviewed, each shared the perspective that learning to ski or snowboard as an adaptive athlete isn’t easy—it’s a pursuit that requires determination and grit, with a massive reward. Skiing has always been a life focus for athlete Louis Arvelo. “Four years ago, I was involved in a ski accident that left me paralyzed from basically my chest below. That changed everything.” he describes. “I was eager to get back out and start recreating outdoors.”

The equipment room at the McGrath Mountain Center!

Louis' Story

Trying the sport on a mono sit ski was more challenging than Louis imagined. “It was really, really hard,” he says. “It was starting from zero… It’s learning a completely different way to function.” Thanks to the sage advice to stick with it for at least 20 days before giving up, Louis eventually re-gained skiing. “It wasn't until my 11th day that I was able to do something like First Time face without falling. It took a long time,” he describes what it felt like as he increased competence. “It was a relief. It was also freedom… Now, I get to ski with people I've known my whole life – my family and friends. I can continue exploring the world through skiing.”

Louis recommends that people interested in the sport set themselves up with as many lessons as possible—ideally, multiple weeks in a row or multiple lessons during a vacation with built-in recovery days.

Emil's Story

Mono sit skier Emil Chaung shares a similar story of persistence. “I felt I spent more time on the snow sideways in the first few years before I got good enough that I didn't fall.” However, Emil learned to ski for the first time as an adult. “I had polio when I was little [6 months old]. I have leg braces and walk with crutches.” He grew up in a family enthusiastic about skiing and never participated in the pastime as a child. When he relocated to Switzerland for his job, and his kids started ski lessons, he was determined to experience skiing for the first time. “I'm not going to miss out skiing twice. I found an adaptive ski program in Switzerland,” he remembers.

Emil and his family decided to move to Park City because of the opportunities available through the NAC. By that time, he had already taken a dozen lessons in Switzerland. “I was a blue kind of skier… but now I go down black diamond moguls.” He shares the trick of his continued improvement. “If you're fearful and timid, you won't achieve anything. So, you need to be willing to go that next step. That’s the hardest part… And you've got to find the right teacher and the right equipment that suits you. That’s the beauty of an organization like the NAC; they have adaptive equipment that suits everybody.”

Madison's Story

Accessibility to adaptive skiing and snowboarding is multi-faceted, and some athlete’s requirements don’t involve custom snow equipment. Skiing was the focus of Madison Baumann’s life since she was two. When a traumatic accident at age 11 caused her to lose vision, the prognosis was devastating. “Nineteen years ago, I was told you'll never be able to do anything, you'll never be able to play sports again,” she describes how she didn’t let that news stop her from trying. Her first adaptive ski lesson was in Whistler, “The best description I have for it is I had to learn how to see with my feet, not my eyes.”

An incredible crew of people support adaptive athletes in Park City!

One of the instructors from Whistler encouraged Madison to relocate to Park City because of the opportunities the NAC facilitates. “I started skiing with the National Ability Center… I learned about audio headsets for blind skiers, and that opened a whole new world of skiing for me,” Madison explains how communicating with a guide about the terrain improved her skiing capacity and even led her to spend a couple of seasons on the NAC’s racing team.

Every Body is Welcome in Park City

Overcoming the challenge and learning a modality for flying on snow certainly isn’t easy. Yet, it’s a worthy pursuit. Brian beautifully sums up the benefits of taking an adaptive ski or snowboard lesson. “Take a moment for yourself or your family member… Give it a go because even if skiing or snowboarding isn't the thing, it can open a pathway to experience other activities and opportunities in life.”

More Adventures in Park City

Adaptive Transit in Park City

Learn More About the National Ability Center

Learn More About the McGrath Mountain Center

Park City Web Cams