An Inside Look Into Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports

The Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports program has been a part of the Waterville Valley Resort community for many years, empowering individuals with disabilities to try new things and get out on the snow. The program continues to evolve thanks to dedicated leadership, passionate volunteers, and the growing number of athletes that come back year after year.

This summer marked the third year of the Adaptive Biking program in partnership with Northeast Passage. With more athletes interested in participating this year, and the goal to offer more programming for next summer, four new bikes were purchased and used during each and every ride. “We have been absolutely jam-packed, so what better way to meet that than to offer more,” said WVAS’s director MiKayla.

What started as a small group of riders has become a larger group with families, friends, volunteers, and up to 20 adaptive athletes riding along for the fun. It’s extremely important for the WVAS team to create an inclusive atmosphere in which adaptive athletes can ride with everyone. While the biking program has come to an end this year, next year will bring more fun rides looping around the Valley!

With winter on the horizon, WVAS has been busy through the offseason. A new walkway was built on the back entrance, making it much easier for athletes to access the building. This will allow for much smoother entrances and exits with the equipment necessary for adaptive skiers, as well as for any individuals requiring improved accessibility.

As the calendar turns to November, the Adaptive Sports team has shifted focus to their volunteer recruiting, as well as the annual Cold Turkey Plunge: one of the larger fundraising events that WVAS puts together each year.  

The Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports team is small, tightly-knit group, with MiKayla as the director, a winter programming manager as well as the large group of volunteers. The Adaptive Sports volunteers are a great community of people, with many coming back year after year. Throughout November, there are several opportunities for new volunteers to get involved, including open houses, training sessions, and the Cold Turkey Plunge. If you are interested in volunteering for this season, be sure to reach out to the Adaptive Sports team at wvas22@gmail.com anytime, call 603-236-8311 ext 3175 during the season, or visit their website for more information! 

As a former volunteer myself, working with the athletes and other volunteers for a few winters was an incredible opportunity and I cannot recommend it enough! It is a great way to put into perspective how lucky we are to be able to come ski at Waterville Valley while supporting an amazing program and initiative.

The WV Adaptive Sports team is getting ready to welcome their returning and new athletes to the slopes. When you are on the mountain this winter, be sure to keep an eye out for our Adaptive groups, as they have some incredible, technologically advanced equipment for varying groups and disabilities, including the TetraSki: The world’s only independent alpine ski for athletes with complex physical injury or illness. This adaptive ski provides independent turning and speed variability through the skier’s use of a joystick or sip and puff breath control. What the adaptive athletes are able to accomplish with the help of the volunteer instructors is nothing short of impressive and inspiring.

Here’s to what we hope to be the program’s best season yet!