Adaptive Ski Program

This program is designed to provide the fun of skiing to our guests with disabilities or in need of special assistance. Heavenly adaptive coaches are trained to teach guests in six areas of disability:

• Blind or low vision
• Three track: disability of one leg
• Four track: disability of both legs, but can stand with assistance
• Bi-ski: disability of legs and arms
• Mono-ski: disability of legs but strong upper body
• Stand-up: all other disabilities but able to stand

Adaptive Clinic Program

Adaptive alpine skiing is all about meeting the needs of each individual through specialized equipment or teaching methods. Each session guarantees a one-to-one student-teacher ratio. Coaches are selected based on the student's specific disability and skiing experience. All coaches are full time professionals who can provide instant feedback and personal attention. You are the focus of these sessions.

Adaptive Season Ski Pass

Heavenly Resort offers a five-resort season pass, called an Adaptive Ski Pass, to people with permanent disabilities at a significantly discounted price. To qualify for an Adaptive ski pass an individual must be legally blind, deaf, or has an amputation, physical condition or cognitive disability that requires the use of adaptive ski equipment to ski or adaptive ski techniques to ski. Having a disability or illness alone does not constitute an adaptive ski pass. This is the criterion and standard by which Heavenly Resort evaluates eligibility. If you choose not to answer these questions you may apply for a regular season pass. A committee will review each application case by case for this special product.

You may renew or purchase a new adaptive season pass by filling out and returning the appropriate form below:

New Adaptive Season Pass Application

Adaptive Season Pass Renewal Application

Physician Verification Form

The following conditions may constitute a disability that qualifies for the Adaptive Pass: Blind: Legally blind (20/200 in the good eye) to totally blind. Individuals with one good eye are not candidates. Physician diagnosis may be required if there are any questions. Amputations: any single or combination of hand, arm, foot, leg amputations. Deaf: This pass is for individuals that use sign language or lip reading as a primary form of communication. This pass is not for individuals that have a mild hearing loss. This pass is for individuals who wear two hearing aids and are profoundly deaf in ears, a hearing loss of 35 decibels or more in both ears. You need to have gone to special schooling to learn sign language or lip reading. Cognitive Disabilities: a mental impairment that affects the ability to process information and/or coordinate and control the body, which limits the individual's ability to navigate the mountain safely and independently. (e.g. Severe Cognitive impairments, Autism, Down Syndrome, TBI-traumatic brain injury that results in severe cognitive impairments. An IEP is required for children with cognitive disabilities.) Individuals that are on social security disability will be reviewed case by case. Physical Disabilities: An individual with a permanent physical disability that requires adaptive equipment or adaptive ski technique. Having a disability or illness alone does not qualify for an adaptive pass. Individuals that are on social security disability will be reviewed case by case. Adaptive equipment may include, but is not limited to mono skis, bi skis, dual skis, outriggers, ski bras, walkers and harnesses.

Adaptive Equipment

We offer a variety of ski equipment to support our adaptive students. This equipment is for use during the clinic session only.

The Heavenly adaptive program has a range of equipment for specific disabilities. Blind and guide bibs, ski-tip stabilizers, reigns and outriggers are used for stand-up skiers. We have Bi-Unique bi-skis in child, junior and adult sizes. We also have Freedom Factory mono-skis with large and medium seat capability. Adaptive equipment is provided as part of the adaptive clinic and is not available for rental outside the clinic.

Adaptive Clinic Locations

Sit-down adaptive ski clinics are offered at the California Base Lodge area only. Stand-up clinics are available at the California Base Lodge, the top of the Gondola and the Boulder Base Lodge area.

Clinic Specifics

Our adaptive clinic starts with a student assessment and indoor equipment set-up. This important part of the clinic takes approximately 30 minutes, familiarizes the student with the equipment, determines the goals for the clinic and allows the coach to custom tailor the session to the student's needs.

The on-snow portion of the clinic is dedicated to safety, fun and learning based on the goals made in the set-up phase.

The on-snow session is followed up with a wrap-up session that recaps the clinic and records the specifics of the clinic for future reference.

2007/08 Adaptive Rates

*Adaptive pass holders may purchase one guide/companion ticket for $40.00 a day. (The Companion must be skiing with the adaptive skier.)
**Adaptive passes can be purchased through the Heavenly Season Pass Office

Adaptive Reservations

Adaptive clinic must be booked at least 48 hours in advance and is subject to the availability of our adaptive trained coaches and equipment. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact our reservation center at 1-800-HEAVENLY during the winter season. You will be asked to provide basic information about the student's ski experience, other sports and nature of disabilities. Payment in full is required at time of reservation.

For information during the off-season please contact the Ski Schools of Heavenly administrative offices at (775) 586-7000 x6206.