Adaptive snowsports instruction has always existed at the cutting edge of how PSIA-AASI members teach skiing and snowboarding, with an ever-shifting focus on how to customize each learning opportunity to the physical and mental needs of each student.

U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Famers such as Hal O’Leary and Gwen Allard were instrumental in establishing the baseline for welcoming adaptive students to the thrill and freedom of snowsports, while former and current PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team Coaches Bill Bowness and Geoff Krill have played a critical role in defining the baselines of tactic and technique.

An Emphasis on Sensation and Improvement

Today, there is also a renewed emphasis on the fact that adaptive instruction is as much about improvement as it is about the sensation. And this is a critical element to providing all resort guests with an all-mountain experience.

It’s a message PSIA-AASI Adaptive Team member Melodie Buell, the education and training manager at Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS), in Bend, Oregon, has been sharing with resorts as a way to not only improve their on-hill offering, but also increase their market.

Buell, who last month shared that message with the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PNSAA), said, “One thing about families with adaptive snowsports participants is that they’re incredibly loyal. Once they find an area that meets their qualifications, they hardly go anywhere else.”

And by qualifications, that includes clear accessibility to resort facilities, including physical and cultural infrastructure, videos of how to park, how to get to the snow, and how to get from snow to chairlift; signage for how to navigate the liftline as an adaptive equipment user; chairlift training videos specific to adaptive riders for the lift ops teams; and phone or email access to a human on an accessibility specific page that links to a human with information.

The information Buell shared in her presentation to PNSAA “aims to highlight key content areas that resonate with the resort’s interests while emphasizing how adaptive access can improve the on-snow experience, benefit guest retention, and grow the industry.”

Below are the top takeaways from her presentation, which resorts can consider when assessing an adaptive program:

1. The World Is Adaptive Curious

Accessibility is important as more people are becoming interested in adaptive skiing, riding, and outdoor experiences. It’s vital to create hooks to engage the community by making adaptive experiences approachable and inclusive. In turn, these concepts can translate into all types of skiing and riding.

2. Access to Adaptive Sports Spurs Resort and Industry Growth

Adaptive athletes and their families are more likely to return to the same resort year after year. In fact, by providing adaptive access, resorts can increase guest retention by as much as 20% – as reported by OAS and Summit Daily – while ensuring a transformative experience that fosters loyalty. Also, introducing adaptive equipment opens up the possibility for wider engagement and offers the opportunity to partner with nonprofits to help manage equipment costs, care, and training.

3. An Inclusive Culture and Welcoming Space Can Change Perspectives

An adaptive program helps change perspectives by not seeing disability as limiting one’s experience but rather expanding possibilities. It can also help staff be more inclusive and aware of different needs. Training can help staff to better assess risk from a cultural perspective rather than just physical ability and create a welcoming space for adaptive guests to experience the outdoors with independence and confidence.

4. The Power of Transformative Outdoor Experiences

Outdoor sports are transformative in helping to build confidence and independence. The journey of adaptive athletes mirrors the broader human pursuit of meaning and purpose. For instructors, it helps them be actively engaged in learning and serve those in the adaptive community.

5. The Business Case for Adaptive Access

Adaptive guests tend to be more loyal, and adaptive athletes often bring family and friends. In addition, nonprofit partnerships can reduce liability, help with funding, and ease the cost of lessons and equipment. Partnering with nonprofits can also bring consistent equipment use and training for staff, as well as increase their expertise and satisfaction.

6. Practical Strategies for Resorts

To assess accessibility at your resort, start by evaluating access points (e.g., bar, entrance, ski area). Next, you’ll need to train your staff to understand and serve guests who may have different needs or experiences. Finally, it’s important to identify capable adaptive professionals and ensure they’re rewarded for their expertise.