Adaptive Academy

Adaptive Academy is an annual gathering of the country’s best adaptive instructors from across the United States. Combined with National Academy (alpine), Rider Rally (snowboard), and Telemark Academy, this event is an opportunity to ski or ride big terrain in a supportive environment, learn from and network with your peers both on- and off-mountain, stay up on innovations shaping our industry, grow your community, demo new equipment, and get inspired.  

Dates: April 12-15, 2026
Location: Copper Mountain, Colorado

register
Group of adaptive skiers on snow.
Play
WHY ATTEND?

Slide Better. Teach Better. Have More Fun!

Whether you just got your Level I or have been an adaptive guide for decades, there’s something for everyone. Current and former National Team members help shape the agenda and will be there to coach on-hill sessions. You will leave the event a better skier or rider, and a better instructor! 

Join us April 12-15, 2026 at Copper Mountain in Colorado. Earn 18 CEUs.

  

Event is only open current to PSIA-AASI members. Must have a Level I certification, at minimum.

Price: $1,020

Includes welcome reception on April 12, and breakfast and lunch during the on-snow days. Event price does not include lift tickets, lodging, travel, or transportation. Closer to the event date, PSIA-AASI will provide discount lift ticket and lodging info to registrants, but individuals are responsible for booking these on their own. PSIA-AASI does not provide or handle tickets, lodging, or travel for this event.

Deadlines: Registration ends Monday, March 23, 2026, or when the event is at capacity. Rates increase by $200 on Feb. 1, 2026.

Cancellation Policy:
Cancel before Jan. 31 – Full refund
Cancel Feb. 1-Feb. 29 – $250 penalty
Cancel March 1 and later – No refund 

Event Schedule

Here’s a sample of a daily schedule from last year’s event. The 2026 schedule will be released closer to the event.

  • Breakfast. Equipment demos.
  • Break into on-mountain groups based on skill level, learning outcome, topic, or the use of different equipment types.
  • Lunch. Indoor educational sessions.
  • Official supplier après party with giveaways and DJ

Elective Options (2025)

  • 🎿 Adaptive the Alpine Way – Ski on one ski and use the experience to improve your two-footed skiing. A fun and insightful way to refine technique! (Tuesday PM)
  • 🏂 ⛷️ Advanced Freestyle – Join a multi-discipline group in the park to refine tricks and get feedback in a fun and safe environment! (Thursday PM)
  • 🎓 Building an Effective Teaching Segment for Your Exam – For Level 2 & 3 candidates and trainers—learn to craft engaging, customized teaching segments and move beyond pre-fab progressions. (Tuesday PM, INDOORS; Thursday PM, ON-SNOW)
  • 📊 ⛷️ Carv, Adaptive – Use Carv to boost your own and your adaptive students’ performance with real-time insights! (Wednesday AM)
  • 💪 ⛷️ Core Engagement for All Disciplines – Floppy skis? Floppy body! Learn how core engagement improves skiing for adaptive and able-bodied skiers alike. (Wednesday PM)
  • 🏫 🎮 Creating Structured Learning Environments – Hands-on session exploring how play, experimentation, and structure create better learning environments. (Wednesday PM)
  • 🧠 🎤 Explore Different Strategies for Teaching – With Ellen Post Foster! Work together to develop multiple ways to engage students—no more one-size-fits-all lessons! (Thursday, Amphitheater, 2-4 PM)
  • 🎿 🛠️ Introduction to Freestyle – New to the park? Get an intro to freestyle skiing and basic maneuvers to build confidence! (Tuesday PM)
  • 😨 ➡️ 😃 Managing Fear and Embracing the Awkward – Challenge yourself on tough terrain, recognize fear, and connect with learners—especially those who push social norms. (Thursday PM)

At Copper Mountain in Colorado, you’ll find an alpine playground with:

  • Summit elevation: 12,313 feet
  • Vertical drop: 2,738 feet
  • Skiable terrain: 2,507 acres
  • Terrain parks: 3 award-winning parks plus a 22-foot superpipe

Copper sits right along I-70, just 75 miles west of Denver, making it one of the most accessible big-mountain destinations in Colorado. Regular shuttle service is available from Denver International Airport, so getting here is simple whether you’re flying in or driving up.

And if you’re a passholder, Copper is part of the Ikon Pass.

Registration open October 1!

register

Registration ends Monday, March 23, 2026, or when the event is at capacity. Rates increase by $200 on Feb. 1, 2026.

Cancel before Jan. 31 = Full refund. Cancel Feb. 1-Feb. 29 = $250 penalty. Cancel March 1 and later = No refund

If Adaptive Academy reaches capacity, an online waitlist will be available to allow further registrations in case any participants cancel. Follow the link on the calendar’s event page to join the waitlist. A credit card on file is required in order to join the waitlist. Note that you will be automatically registered and charged for the event if a spot opens up. Your cost for the event will be locked in at the rate of the event the moment you join the waitlist.

If you add yourself to a waitlist, please remember that you are committing to attending that event should you get a spot. If a spot opens up in the event at least 1 month before the start date, you will automatically be enrolled, and your credit card will be charged for the event. You will receive two notification emails, one confirming the event and one confirming the credit card charge.

You will NOT automatically be cancelled from the waitlist if you are registered for another event on the same day.

You can cancel yourself from the waitlist at any time. If you need assistance removing yourself from the waitlist you can email or call us to be removed from the waitlist. Members on the waitlist are subject to following the cancellation policy if they get moved into the event. Generally, this means that it is risky to put yourself on multiple waitlists for the same day, or the same event type within two weeks of each other.

Watch the 2024 General Session Keynote

National Academy opening night was headlined by Josh Pighetti, a Ph.D. candidate at Penn State University focusing his research on snowsports education. Josh is a Level III Alpine, Level I Snowboard, and Level I Adaptive instructor who does most of his teaching at Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra in Mammoth, California.

Josh’s research on inspiration in snowsports education is intended to help all of us bring inspiration to all skiers and riders. His presentation was based on observing clinics led by PSIA-AASI National Team members; interviews with participants learning from team members; and interviews with the team members about what they do, how they do it, and how they develop those skills.