Adaptive Sports organizations offer skiing, snowboarding lessons around the Capital Region

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Many ski resorts opened for the season at the beginning of December. Since then, Adaptive sports groups around the Capital Region have started providing winter sports lessons at different resorts around the area.

The Adaptive Sports Foundation began its 41st season of lessons on Saturday, December 14 at the Windham Mountain Club. STRIDE Adaptive Sports began lessons at two resorts, Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort and Catamount Mountain.

STRIDE Adaptive Sports:

Jiminy Peak

The Adaptive program at Jiminy Peak offers lessons to skiers and snowboarders of all ages with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities. All lessons include adaptive and standard ski or snowboard equipment and helmet, as needed.

Lessons are available via a reservation request through STRIDE, with payment through the organization as well. Once the registration form and waiver are filled out and STRIDE has confirmed lesson dates, they will then reach out with an invoice for payment.

Lessons are offered Monday through Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and again on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A private two-and-a-half-hour instruction lesson is $75 and $150 for a morning and afternoon lesson. Any family member who would like how to assist an adaptive skier or snowboarder can purchase a shadow ticket for $45.

To register or to learn more about the program at Jiminy Peak, visit the resort's website. You can also fill out the registration form on STRIDE's website.

Catamount Mountain

Similarly, like Jiminy Peak, Catamount Mountain offers an adaptive program for all ages with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities who would like to learn how to ski or snowboard. The adaptive volunteer coaches will equip and teach the program attendees one-on-one, to meet their specific goals, abilities and learning styles.

Lessons are available via a reservation request through STRIDE, but reservations are paid to Catamount. Once registration is complete, attendees can call the STRIDE office, (860) 482-2931, to make a reservation.

Catamount offers these adaptive lessons on both Saturday and Sunday in two shifts per day. Lessons are offered on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Hours are the same for Sunday lessons.

Lessons are $75 for the two-and-a-half-hour private lesson. Any family member who would like how to assist an adaptive skier or snowboarder can purchase a shadow ticket for $40.

To fill out a registration form, visit STRIDE's website. To learn more about the lessons offered at Catamount, visit the resort's website.

Adaptive Sports Foundation:

Windham Mountain Club

From December 14 to the middle of March, The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) hosts adaptive ski, and snowboard lessons every weekend for ages 5 and up. ASF also offers a competition program and recreational program for more experienced adaptive athletes.

"We’re looking forward to another great winter season of empowering lives," ASF Executive Director John Iannelli said. "This organization is so important to the Windham community and the population that we serve. We’ve gotten some early-season snowfall and the folks at Windham Mountain Club have been working extremely hard to create an elevated experience for its guests, so we’re excited to see our students’ smiling faces as they hit the slopes, some for the first time ever."

The Windham Mountain Club hosts the adaptive lesson program each year in half day sessions or a full day session. Lesson reservations can be made through ASF, 30 days before the desired lesson date and include lift tickets and rentals.

Payment to ASF is required in full when a lesson is confirmed. A full day lesson is $150 while a half day lesson, either in the morning or in the afternoon, is $110. Afternoon lessons begin at 1 p.m. with morning and full day lessons staggered between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. arrival times.

However, lesson availability is based on the availability of volunteer instructors. Starting the last week in December, ASF will be offering weekday lessons too, which can be reserved by calling the ASF, (518) 734-5070.

To reserve a lesson, a registration form and waiver must be signed prior to a reservation request. To fill out the forms and schedule a reservation, visit the ASF website.