Stowe Mountain Resort

Adaptive Skiing & Riding at Stowe

Please Note - We are no longer offering lessons for the 2012-13 winter season. Find out about our children’s Summer programs here. Check back for information regarding Winter 2013-14 at the end of the summer. We begin taking winter lesson reservations after Labor Day, on September 3, 2013.Have a burning question now? Write to lessons@stowe.com and we will respond shortly. Thanks!

Skiers and riders of all ages and varying abilities can benefit from instruction with an adaptive pro from the Stowe Ski and Snowboard School. Our trained coaches assess, equip, and teach students with disabilities in a one-on-one setting. This allows each student to be coached according to their specific needs, abilities and learning styles while optimizing their skiing or riding experiences. We offer adaptive lessons for two, three, and four track skiers, snowboarders, bi-skiers and beginning to advanced mono-skiers. In addition, if you need the assistance of a blind guide or help getting around the mountain as a bi- or monoskier, our adaptive coaches are ready to help you.

Stowe Mountain Resort is a partner of Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports (FOSAS), a chapter of Disabled Sports, USA. FOSAS is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships for Vermont residents living with disabilities to ski or ride at the Resort, as well as access to specialized adaptive equipment and training in adaptive coaching for the Resort’s ski and snowboard instructors.

 

Instructors are all qualified professionals in the Ski and Snowboard School with specialized training in adaptive coaching.

Lessons are available in one or two hour, half day (9 am to 12 pm or 1 pm to 4 pm) and full day (9 am to 3 pm) increments. We encourage you to book at least a two-hour lesson for your first visit to allow time for an initial assessment and fitting appropriate adaptive equipment as well as some time on the snow.

We require advance reservations for all adaptive lessons. We strongly encourage you to make your reservations as early as possible to make certain that an appropriate coach and any necessary equipment are available.

Contact the Private Lesson Desk at Spruce Peak at 800-253-4SKI (4754) ext 3681 to make reservations.

Stowe Ski and Snowboard School offers adaptive lessons for guests in the following categories:

  • Two Track Skiing is suitable for any skier who stands on two skis and can maintain balance while in motion. Two tracking is best suited to students with developmental and cognitive disabilities, visual impairment, and hearing impairment.
  • Three/Four Track Skiing is appropriate for the skier who can stand on one or two skies but who requires additional support to remain balanced.  Outriggers help compensate for weakness in the lower extremities.  Three/four tracking is best suited to students with cerebral palsy, arthritis, spina bifida, leg amputation, and traumatic brain injury.
  • Snowboarding offers an exciting alternative for the guest who has difficulty standing in ski boots or for the student who is simply interested in the sport.  Equipment, including outriggers, is available to assist the student.  Snowboarding is suitable for anyone who can stand and maintain balance while in motion.
  • Bi-skiing is designed for any skier who has significant lower extremity and/or trunk weakness and difficulty standing and balancing while in motion.  The sitdown ski offers a way for guests with severe balance impairment, including students with spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy, to experience the thrill of skiing. 
  • Mono-skiing is similar to bi-skiing but better suited to the student who has full use of the upper body and the ability to balance.

An initial assessment by one of Stowe's trained instructors will help determine what equipment is best suited for each student's abilities.

Adaptive Lesson Rates 2012/2013

Rates include private coaching with a qualified adaptive instructor, an all mountain lift ticket, and all specialized adaptive equipment. Students are expected to provide their own skis, boots, poles, snowboards, and helmets as necessary.

  • 1 Person/1 Hour: $94
  • 1 Person/2 Hours: $166 
  • 1 Person/1/2 Day (3 hrs am/pm): $237  
  • 1 Person/Full Day (6 hours)*: $374
  • Additional coach per hour: $25

*Some lesson arrangements require that a second instructor assist. 

*New students meet their instructor at Spruce Camp for a 15 minute consultation at the start of the lesson. 

* For children 4-12 years of age, the full day rate might include some integration into an appropriate peer group (with their private coach) and lunch at the Adventure Center. The appropriate adaptive private rate will apply to students who participate in a peer group lesson with the aid of one of our adaptive instructors.

Do I Need an Adaptive Lesson? Our General Eligibility Criteria for Skiers and Riders taking lessons at Stowe Ski and Snowboard School may help you determine whether the student's needs can best be met through a group lesson, a private lesson, or an adaptive lesson.

ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

General Eligibility Criteria for Skiers and Riders: 

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide staff and guests information to make objective assessments when determining whether a guest can meet the essential eligibility criteria necessary for participation in the stated activity.  Please note that references to a companion do not include any Mt. Mansfield Company staff.                                   

SKIING/RIDING:

  • The skier/rider must have the ability (once shown) to load, ride, and unload the lift safely, either independently or with assistance from a companion.
  • The skier/rider (and/or their companion) may not be under the influence of any controlled substance, intoxicant, drug, or hallucinatory agent while engaged in the sport.
  • The skier/rider (and their companion) must be wearing a valid lift ticket or season pass prior to riding any lift on the mountain.
  • The skier/rider must be capable of learning and understanding Your Responsibility Code, either independently or with assistance from a companion.
  •  The skier/rider must be able to ski/ride in control and follow the rules set forth in Your Responsibility Code.
  • The skier/rider must be able to get down off the mountain safely (independently or with the assistance of a companion).
  • If a skier/rider falls down while skiing/riding, they must have the ability, independently or with the assistance of a companion, to get off the ski trail, and get into position necessary to continue skiing/riding.

LESSONS:

Specific Ski and Snowboard School Eligibility Criteria for Skiers and Riders.

The following are eligibility criteria for participation in ski/snowboard group lessons at the mountain. Private and/or adaptive coaching is available for those students that require more assistance than mentioned in the criteria below:

  • The student must be willing to participate in the lesson and willing to ski or ride.
  • The student must understand (independently or with the assistance of a companion) simple one and two step directions given by the instructor.
  • The student must be able to secure and return their own equipment (excluding adaptive equipment) independently or with the assistance of a companion.
  • The student must have the ability (once shown) to properly put on and take off his or her own equipment, independently or with the assistance of a companion.
  • The student must be able to use the restroom independently or with the assistance of a companion
  • The student (or companion) must disclose any allergies or medications that could affect their participation in the program to the Adventure Center Staff and/or to the ski instructor prior to the lesson.  Food allergies must be known ahead of time if the student is to be eating lunch in the Adventure Center or going in for breaks (hot chocolate, snacks etc.). 
  • The instructor and other Mt. Mansfield Company staff are not allowed to dispense medication and arrangements must be made for an authorized caretaker to do this for the student, if applicable.
  • The student must be capable of physically moving around with the rest of the class on equipment, independently or with the assistance of a companion.
  • The student’s physical ability (independent or with the assistance of a companion) is such that the instructor need not give continued physical assistance any more than needed by the other students in the lesson.  
  • The student must have the ability to attend and focus on the tasks of the class.
  • The student must not try to leave the class without permission.
  • The student must refrain from discourteous behavior or profane language while engaged in the lesson.
  • The student’s cognitive ability must be such that the pace of instruction is not limited to one-on-one instruction for any duration of the lesson (private or adaptive coaching is available on a limited basis with advance notice). 

The instructor has the authority to cease the student’s participation in the lesson if the student:

  • Exhibits any behavior that makes the lesson unsafe to the student, instructor, and/or others on the mountain.
  • Makes it apparent that they no longer want to continue the lesson.
  • The prevailing conditions or circumstances warrant. Even if an adaptive lesson is better suited to the student's abilities, it may be possible to include the student and his or her instructor in a peer group lesson upon request.

Skiing or riding "buddies" are available to help our guests enjoy the excitement of Stowe Mountain Resort's trails and facilities. Contact the Private Lesson Desk at Spruce Peak at 800-253-4SKI (4754) ext 3681 to make arrangements.

Rates are same as above and include an all mountain lift ticket, and all specialized adaptive equipment. Students are expected to provide their own skis, boots, poles, snowboards, and helmets as necessary.

Please note, all rates and dates subject to change without notice.