The Family Vacation for All Abilities
The National Ability Center is the kind of all inclusive vacation I wish for all families with disabilities. By “all inclusive,” I don’t mean an endless flow of drinks, but an endless flow of adventure for everyone in the family.
This is more than finding an accessible beach, or a theme park where you can ride the rides, or a restaurant that will meet your dietary needs. This is adventure, adrenaline, and unadulterated family fun – together. The NAC offers over 20 activities, adapted for all abilities. Want to swing across a ropes course with your kid in a wheelchair? Go for it. Want to ski down Olympic mountains with your sister who’s blind? Have at it. Want to race your mom with a limb difference up a rock wall? Done.
You know that feeling you get at the fireworks show after a long day at Disney? When the music is playing, the lights are flashing, the magic is flowing, and you feel like you can do anything: BE anything?
That’s the vibe right from the start at the National Ability Center. Anything feels possible, here. Our kids no longer have limitations, because the environment is no longer limiting them. There may be other destinations that offer adaptive activities, but few provide a truly all-inclusive experience where families of all abilities can fully participate together. The National Ability Center (NAC) in Park City, Utah, changes that with a one-stop destination for adaptive recreation, accessible lodging, and specialized instruction, making it the best option we’ve found for a truly inclusive accessible vacation.
What is the National Ability Center?
The NAC is a multi facility campus with an adaptive gym, barns for equestrian therapy, a lodge with fully accessible overnight accommodations, and massive sheds filled with every kind of adaptive gear and equipment you can image – from all terrain wheelchairs and adaptive bikes to sit skis and kayaks. It’s an adaptive playground for all abilities – a one stop vacation destination of limitless fun.
What can you do at the National Ability Center?
For starters…
- Rock climbing
- Nordic and downhill skiing
- Pickleball
- Equestrian lessons
- Archery
- Cycling
- Paddleboarding
- Kayaking
- Wakeboarding
- Ropes courses
- Swimming
- Snowshoeing
- Sled hockey
- Waterskiing
You can check out the full list on their website.
Each activity is carefully designed with specialized adaptive equipment and expert instruction, allowing individuals with disabilities to participate alongside their families. That’s right. The whole family. Waterskiing. Together. In a way that is safely adapted for each person’s needs.
Our Experience: Adventure Without Limits
We spent a week enjoying the NAC this winter, and we’re already planning to go back this summer. We’ve had plenty of accessible vacations (that’s kind of my job), but we’ve never experienced adaptive adventure like this. This was all the sorts of vacation activities we’ve never done because we couldn’t all participate – and only a tiny sampling of all they offer. There is no disability that can keep you from having fun at the National Ability Center.
Reaching New Heights: Adaptive Rock Climbing
Climbing a rock wall might seem out of reach for some, but at NAC, adaptive equipment and trained staff make it possible for everyone to ascend. Whether using a harness chair, an adaptive mechanical belay system, or additional instructor support, climbing becomes a challenge the whole family can enjoy together.
Gliding Through the Snow: Adaptive Nordic Skiing
This is one of those things that I had no idea we could do – until we were doing it. Cross-country skiing is such a beautiful way to explore Utah’s winter landscapes. The NAC has paths winding through the campus, with beautiful views all around. They actually had a variety of gear options to make Nordic Ski accessible. We started with a sit ski – like a sled on two skis. They also had a walker on skis, for people who just needed a little support, and a tether that could be harnessed to another skier for people who needed a lot more support. Volunteers showed us what to do, and then guided us through the trails, creating an accessible family adventure.
Hitting the Slopes: Adaptive Downhill Skiing with Ski Utah
Through a partnership with Ski Utah at Park City Mountain, NAC offers world-class adaptive skiing programs. With bi-skis, mono-skis, outriggers, and tethering systems, skiers of all abilities can carve their way down the mountain. Experienced instructors tailor lessons to individual needs, ensuring a safe and thrilling experience. We saw blind skiers, double amputees, and people with developmental delays – all skiing down the same slopes as Olympians and Paralympians from both past and future Olympic games. An NAC employee told us that they can help almost anyone ski, regardless of perceived limitations. The only potential obstacle is weighing too much for the gear.
Seeing my two eight year olds skiing side by side, in spite of different physical abilities and different ski gear, is one of those images I’ll cherish forever.
A Court for Everyone: Adaptive Pickleball
The ever popular game of Pickleball is made easier with sports chairs. In fact, you can really change up the game by letting everyone in the family play in a chair. They also have “active hands” grips for easier paddle grip.
Equestrian Lessons: Horseback Riding for All
Equine therapy has long been known for its benefits, and at the NAC it’s another activity that all can participate in. We didn’t ride this time, but we enjoyed petting, grooming and leading the horses. The arena was hard to roll in, so they adapted and my son lead his horse through the smooth barns – because adapting is what they do!
A Home Away From Home: Wheelchair Accessible Lodging
Beyond the adventure, NAC offers fully wheelchair accessible lodging designed with families in mind. Staying on-site made everything so simple. We communicated ahead of time to make sure we had what we needed – since they have options on things like bed height and bathroom set up. We ended up in adjoining rooms so that we had two bathrooms – one with a tub and one with a roll in shower. Lodge features include:
- Roll-in showers and accessible bathrooms
- Bed height options
- Lowered countertops and adaptive kitchen spaces
- Step-free access throughout the property
The Heart of an Inclusive Vacation at the NAC: A Staff That Feels Like Family
This is important to include with information on the lodge, because it added to the feeling of safety and home. More than the adaptive equipment or world-class programming, what truly sets the NAC apart is the people. Instructors are not only trained in adaptive recreation but they also bring an energy and connection that makes every experience joyful and empowering. Whether it’s celebrating small victories on the ski slopes or spontaneous dance parties on the pickleball court, the NAC team creates a welcoming space where everyone feels capable, included, and celebrated.
It’s incredible to consider that you’re also staying with people who share so much in common with you. When we greeted other people in the halls or at breakfast, we knew they were a part of our community. Every hello turned into a conversation, and every conversation was a connection with like-minded families.
Why the National Ability Center is an Accessible Destination Game-Changer
For families searching for a wheelchair accessible vacation that offers more than just accommodations, the NAC is a destination that delivers. This is an all new kind of accessible vacation – and I can’t get enough of it! By combining adaptive recreation, expert instruction, and accessible lodging, it removes barriers to adventure and creates unforgettable family experiences.
If you’re looking for a truly inclusive vacation, the National Ability Center is proof that adventure is possible for every family, no matter their abilities.
Visit National Ability Center’s website to learn more and to book your next accessible family vacation. There are scholarships available because they stand behind the idea that all families should be able to experience accessible adventures.
We’re also planning a group trip for this August – feel free to contact me if you’d like to join us!