Instructor training begins in November for skiing, snowboarding and winter sports
KILLINGTON — Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, the largest year-round disabled sports nonprofit organization in Vermont to offer daily, year-round sports and recreation for people with disabilities, is looking for energetic winter volunteer-instructors who have a dedicated passion for sports and who want to share that passion with others.
Winter volunteers will be trained with Vermont Adaptive trainers to help teach and lead the organization’s popular winter programs that “enable people with disabilities to get outside and enjoy all that Vermont has to offer,” said Felicia Fowler, program director for the organization. Winter activities include Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, indoor rock climbing, veteran retreats, wellness programs, and more.
Volunteers complete online training modules in November and then two days of on-snow training in December. Volunteers learn about different types of disabilities and how to adapt equipment and teaching techniques within winter sports to each individual person. Once volunteers attend training, they can help at any Vermont Adaptive location throughout the state during the winter. Winter programs are offered at Pico Mountain/Killington Resort, Sugarbush Resort, Bolton Valley, and Saskadena Six.
Winter volunteers should be advanced intermediate-level skiers or snowboarders and at least 16 years old. Volunteer benefits include free skiing and riding, discounts and pro deals, professional development, and academic and community service credit.
“Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community by helping individuals with disabilities rediscover their abilities and passion for sports,” said Fowler. “We couldn’t do what we do without the help from our dedicated volunteers—so come join the team, and be ready to have some fun with some awesome people!”
All new and returning volunteers must fill out an annual application form online to get started. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, complete the application at vermontadaptive.org/volunteers.
About Vermont Adaptive
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is a nationally recognized organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming regardless of ability to pay. In addition to sports, year-round programming options integrate environmental, holistic wellness, and competitive training philosophies for people of all ages with cognitive, developmental, physical, and emotional/behavioral disabilities. Sports and recreational opportunities include alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, cycling, mountain biking, sailing, rock climbing, horseback riding; Veterans programs and retreats; and more. More than 400 volunteers serve athletes from all over the world at three winter locations in Vermont – Pico Mountain at Killington, Sugarbush Resort in Warren, and Bolton Valley Resort in Bolton, as well as statewide in a variety of locations, including the Burlington waterfront during the summer and warmer months.
For more information, visit www.vermontadaptive.org.
