Youth Programs
Challenge Aspen provides adaptive recreation opportunities in partnership with local special education programs throughout the year. This partnership grew out of an identified need to provide adaptive recreation to local youth and improve health outcomes for those with disabilities throughout their lifespan. This partnership aligns with Project Play’s recommended best practices to promote equity in and access to youth sports. CA is currently working with schools to provide adaptive physical education opportunities, as well as other outdoor recreation activities, with hopes to grow as capacity allows. CA will also be hiring a bilingual/bicultural team member this year to improve service delivery for Spanish-speaking students and improve its ability to communicate with family members that support that student.
Activities and availability vary. Pricing for our school programming is heavily subsidies, making it low-cost or free for our community partners.
Examples of activities:
- Significant Support Needs ski days (downhill & nordic)
- Archery (Fall & Spring)
- On-site adaptive P.E.
- Hiking
If you’re a local educator and would like to get your students involved, please email info@challengeaspen.org.
Locals Ski Development Program
The locals development program is for youth and adults in the Roaring Fork Valley who are interested in learning to ski or progressing their skills to become an intermediate skier/snowboarder. This program is intended to be a developmental program to enable participation in the Special Olympics Locals Program.
Small group lessons are led by an adaptive certified ski instructor, encouraging positive peer-to-peer social skills.
6 Lessons | $300
Locals Program
Multi-day regional programming for adults in the Roaring Fork Valley that creates inclusive participation and social opportunities for 8 weeks in the Summer, 6 weeks in the Fall, and 8 weeks in the Winter.
**Now offering six Adaptive Nordic sessions at the Aspen Nordic Center. Rental equipment, trail passes, instruction, and buddy support are included.
Alpine
The Adaptive Alpine program pairs skiers and snowboarders one-on-one with a trained volunteer for on-snow training days and supports athletes who wish to compete in Special Olympics, NASTAR Nationals, and X-Games Unified.
1 day a week + no competitions | $150
2 day a week + no competitions | $300
This does not include on-snow training for Special Olympics, NASTAR and X-Games competitions
1 day a week + competitions | $300
2 day a week + competitions | $600
This package includes on-snow training for Special Olympics, NASTAR and X-Games competitions
Winter registration fees include:
- Season passes (Alpine 1 or 2).
- Ski rental equipment, if needed.
- Trained volunteer and staff support.
Nordic
The Adaptive Nordic program offers six sessions at the Aspen Nordic Center (Aspen Golf Course).
Daily Rate | $20
Full-Season Rate (six sessions) | $100
Rates include:
- Rental equipment
- Trail passes
- Instruction and buddy support
Summer programming offers a wide variety of adaptive recreation activities (paddle-boarding, rafting, cycling, bowling, etc.) and group socials (BBQ’s, arts and crafts, movie nights, etc.).
Only Tuesdays (Biking): $200
Only Wednesdays (Rotating Activity): $400
Only Thursdays (Paddle Boarding): $200
Tuesdays and Thursdays: $400
Daily Drop-In: $35
Summer registration fees include:
- Access to activities.
- Trained volunteer and staff support for all activity days.
Fall programming supports athletes who wish to compete in Special Olympics Bowling Regionals and is six-weeks long.
Day Drop In | $25
Bowling only (4 weeks) | $150
Bowling AND Special Olympics Bowling Competition | $200
Entire Fall Program (6 weeks) including Special Olympics Competition | $250
Contact Us
Discover more about our year-round adaptive recreation opportunities for people of all ages and disabilities.
To apply for a resident disability pass, click here.