Ski resorts have evolved so much over time to support the needs of those adaptive athletes!  Whether it be having adaptive instructors and equipment, to a quiet place in the lodge for those who get overstimulated easily.  There are so many different things that a resort can do to make life a bit easier for those adaptive families.  Here are a few different resorts across the globe who have gone above and beyond to make it more accessible.

Chamonix, France-France has some of the best skiing in the world!  There is an incredibly accessible program there, named the ESF Chamonix, that caters to people with a wide range of disabilities.  On top of that, Chamonix  was the first town in France to receive a seal symbolizing commitment to making spaces more handicapped.

Park City, Utah-Utah is just known for its skiing!!  It is surrounded by slopes, and there are mountains in every direction that you look!  Due to it having such a big industry, cities (such as the one and only Park City) have the resources to make skiing there so much more accessible.  Organizations such as the NAC, provide lessons to more than 4,000 disabled skiers on an annual basis!

Steamboat Springs, Colorado-Colorado is notorious for having some pretty amazing skiing!  It has probably done the best job of adapting for disabled skiers.  For starters, in 1977 they hosted the first Special Olympics.  Then in 2007 a program run by “STARS” turned the Rocky Mountains into probably one of the most accessible ski destinations for handicapped athletes.  Today,  they have a variety of equipment, instructors, and programs for disabled athletes.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada-Tahoe is truly just amazing!  Snow Capped mountains in the winter, and breathtaking beaches in the summer.  Resorts such as the famous Squaw Valley (which hosted the 1960 winter Olympics) and Northstar are very disability friendly and are homes for the program Achieve Tahoe.  Achieve Tahoe makes it possible for many families all over the country to watch their loved one ski!

As you can see, these are just a few of many programs across the world.  A resort becoming more accessible changes the lives of so many disabled skiers and helps foster a passion.