Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports

We're kicking off National Volunteer Week with the announcement of our summer volunteer training dates - mark your calendars and come join us for outdoor adventures in the Green Mountains! Online training begins May 1 with in-person training in June. Vermont Adaptive relies on nearly 400 volunteers annually to provide the lessons and programs that we offer - and we couldn't do what we do without you. All are welcome to volunteer as instructors and guides this summer. Programs include kayaking and canoeing, sailing, adaptive mountain biking, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, a full slate of programs for Veterans, mountain bike camps, and more. Just bring your love for the outdoors and we'll train you on the rest! Fill out a volunteer application online today to get started. https://lnkd.in/eFiR_Ygk . . . #volunteer #summer #training #outdoorrecreation #adaptivesports #hike #bike #aMTB #vtadaptive #sportsforeverybody

Vermont Adaptive joined the Vermont Mountain Bike Association and the Kelly Brush Foundation this past week in Madison, Wisconsin for the American Trails International Trails Summit. Director of Strategic Partnerships Jeff Alexander presented about trail accessibility and trail work in Vermont with partners Nick Bennette and Kelly Brush. More than 800 trail builders, planners and designers attended the Summit from around the world. While Vermont is home to over 1200 miles of mountain bike trails, the extent to which these trails are accessible for adaptive riders is largely unknown. Over the past few years, Vermont Adaptive, VMBA and the KBF developed and scaled an Adaptive Assessment Program to rapidly scale the quantity and quality of trails for aMTB use across Vermont. This effort included the creation and implementation of an adaptive trail assessment protocol, reporting tools to communicate necessary upgrades to make trails adaptive-friendly, and communication approaches to ensure aMTB riders know where they can ride. Thanks in large part to this program, over 100 miles of mountain bike trails in Vermont are now designated and clearly communicated as ‘adaptive-friendly.’ That means MORE trails to play on for everyBODY! . . . #accessability #trails #conservation #aMTB #mountainbike #vtadaptive #sportsforeverybody #adaptivesports

It's snowing in Vermont today, but doesn't look quite like this. No, this is from last month's avalanche level two course with our Veteran Ventures program provided by East Coast Avalanche Education at Mount Washington. Eight veterans battled days of cold and high winds with long treks into the Mount Washington backcountry to learn about the extremes of the backcountry. As Veteran Ventures Program Coordinator SSG (Ret.) Misha Pemble-Belkin put it, "I’m beat. One more day tomorrow in negative degrees. Only a few blisters. Tons of knowledge gained. Bonds formed. Pits dug and snow science learned. The vets are very happy with the range of options/opportunities we provide. Pretty cool stuff." Pretty cool, indeed. We strive to provide backcountry experiences for veterans that pushes the limits while still keeping safety top of mind. Thanks to East Coast Avalanche Education for the knowledge of how to play safe and still have a great adventure. Stay tuned, the Veteran Ventures spring and summer program calendar will be released soon! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eevWC9gk . . . #avalanche #training #backcountry #veteran #sportsforvets #veteranventures #vtadaptive #adaptivesports #sportsforeverybody Move United U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Last year I saw Ty Salvant speak on the topic of volunteerism—something she called “The Unseen Force Driving Business Success.” When someone suggested I volunteer to help with accessible ski lessons at Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, I told him I'd love to but I’m no expert. I'm a solid intermediate at best. (A hack skier, if I'm honest.) He said no worries, they're always in need of a “moving cone” behind a lesson to keep people from running into an assisted athlete. A moving cone. 😂 Perfect. I can be a moving cone. High five. So I did it. And I loved it. And they kept letting me come back. And you know what? The weeks I took time out of a workday to volunteer were my most productive work weeks all year. My P&L proved it. I was more creative and more effective for my clients. My work outputs were better. And bonus: I got a workout. Pretty sure Ty was right and volunteering is, indeed, the secret sauce of business success. I’ll continue testing the hypothesis this summer on a bike though. If you’re in or near Vermont—come join me. 📸 Pictured: the view from a moving cone.

Last month, Vermont Adaptive joined in on the fun at the Turtle Ridge Foundation's annual BodeFest at Cannon Mountain. Executive Director Kyla Miller, and her brother, Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup Champion Bode Miller, presented a check for $50,000 to Vermont Adaptive to continue their support of our programs and the many participants and athletes we serve year-round. All of us at Vermont Adaptive are grateful for TRF, Bode and Kyla's continued support of what we do - and for the friendship they provide to everyBODY who wants to get outside and enjoy outdoor recreation. The first floor of our facility at Pico Mountain is aptly named the Turtle Ridge Center, and they contributed to the success of our Sugarbush Resort facility as well as much, much more. Thank you Bode, Kyla and Turtle Ridge Foundation! Consistent with his family values of one human being helping another, Bode and his family came together in 2005 to establish the Turtle Ridge Foundation. The Foundation seeks to provide a philanthropic platform in the community and beyond, backing up youth and adaptive sports programs. Their goal is simple: to give their disabled buddies and young folks the chance to dive into sports and athletic activities they might miss out on without a little boost from the foundation. To learn more visit https://lnkd.in/ehfCZZ73. . . . #bodemiller #trf #give #philanthropic #adaptivesports #bodefest #vtadaptive #sportsforeverybody Kim Armstrong Jackson

Travel Economy Day in Vermont is always a special time to celebrate the travel and tourism industry and its importance to the economy. Half of Vermont Adaptive participants travel from all over to enjoy time away with family and friends making memories in the Green Mountain state. Director of Communications Kim Armstrong Jackson shared Vermont Adaptive stories (last photo) with the committees along with other business leaders from around the state. We continue to be so grateful for the opportunity to have a seat at the table. Thank you to the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Tourism for having us. . . . #tourism #travel #skivt #thisisvt #access #vacation #vtadaptive #adaptivesports #sportsforeverybody

We're "gearing up" for you and prepping for bike season! Congrats to members of the staff (along with more than 20 other folks) who graduated from the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance's 10-hour professional development bike mechanic training held in the Central Vermont, Chittenden, and Rutland regions. The 10-hours and 5-session combined instruction with hands-on practice. Training Modules included: - Bike Anatomy, Common Bicycle Standards, and Tube/Tire Change Procedure - Set-Up and Adjustment of Common Front and Rear Derailleurs - Set-up and Adjustment of Caliper Rim and Mechanical Disc Brakes - Wheel Truing and Hub Bearing Adjustment, Headset + Bottom Bracket Bearings - Service Writing Overview, Shop Workflow, and Final Evaluation Ensuring our fleet of bikes is ready for the season is top priority - for safety and adventure! Stay tuned for our summer line-up of programs and summer registration opening soon. . . . #ridevermont #thinkvermont #bikemechanic #vorec #thisisvt #vtadaptive #adaptivesports #sportsforeverybody

Jaeger began skiing with us this season after successful rotationplasty at Boston Children's Hospital over a year ago. With fantastic progress after a severe accident, he is well on his way to becoming an expert skier! Look out Team USA, he may be coming your way! Huge thanks to some stellar volunteer instructors including Frank Kelley, and Andrew and Michele Kimpton who have been skiing with him at our Killington/Pico Ski Resort Partners, LLC and Sugarbush locations. . . . #rotationplasty #usa #skiteam #teamusa #paralympics #prosthesis #vtadaptive #adaptivesports #sportsforeverybody Andrew Kimpton Ski Vermont/Vermont Ski Areas Association Vermont Tourism Move United U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Boston Children's Hospital Trust

Vermont Adaptive joined Vermont Tourism and Commissioner Heather Pelham at U.S. Travel Association Destination Capitol Hill this week to talk all things travel, tourism and outdoor recreation for everyBODY. About half of our participants enjoy our programs while on vacation in Vermont and we’re grateful to be a part of this important conversation with Vermont’s leaders. . . . #dch25 #travel #tourism #access #outdoorrecreation #vtadaptive #thisisvt #adaptivesports #sportsforeverybody Move United Ski Vermont/Vermont Ski Areas Association

“I left that weekend thinking, ‘I can do this again,’” D. Van Wart said. “Your organization is extraordinary. You showed me what I could do and in just one weekend. Literally your instructors inspired me to want to snowboard again for as long as I can. To support the progress, the organization, what you guys do is just incredible, from walking in and seeing the bench with your name on it to the equipment being right there and ready for you, to the level of detail that you supported every person; you go the extra step.” Van returned to snow for this first time in awhile during the 16th Annual VI/Blind Athletes Winter Festival at Pico Mountain this past February. Read about his experience back on snow here: https://lnkd.in/ecRWUCKu Ski Vermont/Vermont Ski Areas Association Killington/Pico Ski Resort Partners, LLC Vermont Tourism Lexi Moore