If it’s good enough for the Olympics and Paralympics, it’s good enough for me. Adaptive skiing at Park City Mountain gives everyone the opportunity to ski in the tracks of the best skiers in the world. Through its partnership with the National Ability Center, Park City Mountain empowers people of all abilities to experience the thrill of racing down its breathtaking mountain peaks.
Adaptive skiing locations are ideal destinations for anyone seeking inclusive travel experiences that steer onto the side of adventure. Park City Mountain offers specialized programs and equipment, ensuring that skiing is accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability.
After spending a week in Park City, I’m excited to share about our most inclusive adventure experience, yet. Park City showed a clear commitment to accessibility and creating unforgettable family trips.
**Our trip to Park City was hosted by Ski Utah. All opinions are my own.**
Adaptive Ski Gear
Let’s start with the how. A lot of families with disabilities don’t know how to hit the slopes. Thanks to specialized equipment, there is no disability that can keep you from skiing. The most common adaptive ski options include:
Bi-Ski: Two skis under a bucket seat provide a wider base, making it easier to maintain balance. Guided with the help of an instructor—making it ideal for people with limited upper body functioning or cognitive delays.
- Mono-Ski: Bucket-style seat mounted on a single ski. The skier uses handheld outriggers for balance and turns by moving their head and shoulders or using the outriggers. Ideal for people with limited lower limb mobility.
- Ski-Bike (or Skibob): A modified bicycle with skis instead of wheels. The rider sits on the bike and steers with their arms, legs, and feet. The front fork of the bike is attached to a ski that turns with the handlebars. Ideal for people with limited leg strength and balance concerns.
Options extend in both directions, for those who need more support, or who may have more independence. Blind skiers, for example, may be guided on typical skis, staying close to a guide giving verbal cues to assist down the mountain.
Exploring the joy of skiing with adaptive services opens doors for families who have felt limited by accessibility barriers. It’s a bit of winter magic to see adaptive skiing transforming a winter vacation into a magical journey for the whole family!
How to Get Started
What type of adaptive ski works for you? Which type of equipment do you need?
A great place to start would be contacting the National Ability Center in Park City. The National Ability Center partners with Park City Mountain, and other nearby Ski Utah locations, to provide adaptive gear and instruction. They’ll be able to help you work through the right questions to determine what will work best for your ski trip.
Ski Lessons for All
My eight year old wheelchair user is the middle of three children, but my only child requiring specialized lessons and equipment. This often makes family travel difficult. It’s hard to find destinations and activities where everyone can do the same thing.
The beauty of skiing at Park City Mountain is the seamless partnership between the mountain and the National Ability Center. I was able to set my son up with bi-ski lessons through the NAC, and I got the other two lessons through Park City Mountain. The instructors from both programs were phenomenal to work with. They worked with us to connect with each other so that my kids were able to spend a lot of their time skiing together. The different gear requires a different way of learning, but the kids were still able to gear up and head out together – spending a lot of their time learning on the slopes together!
Our Park City Mountain instructor even helped my youngest overcome her intense fear of chair lifts. The effort she took to connect with my daughter has forever impacted the way she’ll continue to grow in her ski abilities.
When to Go
Thanks to location and elevation, Park City Mountain has a long ski season. The mountain typically operates from mid-November to mid-April.
Park City lays a foundation of snow in early November, using artificial snow to extend its season and ensure consistent conditions. Don’t worry, that foundation is soon covered by the first snowfall of the season. Thanks to traversing the desert on their way, Utah clouds drop some of the lightest, fluffiest snow you’ll ever have the opportunity to ski through.
Mid winter gets cold, and there’s frequent snowfall, so be sure to dress in layers.
Where to Stay
While there are plenty of resorts offering wheelchair accessible accommodations, the National Ability Center in Park City is a standout. Nestled minutes from the base of Park City Mountain, this center offers a variety of accessible room options. Call ahead to make sure you have the right bed height, bathroom design, and room set up for your needs.
The National Ability Center is much more than an overnight lodge for your trip, offering over 20 adaptive activities that you can schedule during your stay. When you’re done skiing for the day, try some adaptive rock-wall climbing, pickleball, or horseback riding.
Breakfast is included and there’s a full, accessible kitchen on site.
Wheelchair Friendly Places to Eat
Nothing leaves you hungrier than a day on the slopes. Here are the wheelchair accessible favorites that stood out to us from our visit.
Vessel Kitchen
Vessel Kitchen is at the top of my list in all categories. The restaurant was easy to navigate in a wheelchair and had accessible restrooms. The food was locally sourced, made from scratch, and delicious. They had diverse meals for adults, and simple options for picky kids, with plenty of allergy friendly choices. The restaurant is just off the mountain, but priced like it’s not.
Baja Cantina
Baja Cantina was so good we ate here twice. It’s right on the mountain, so easy to hit for a quick lunch or before heading back at the end of the day. They don’t have accessible restrooms, but it’s close enough to the NAC for any bathroom needs. Gluten free menu options.
Yuki Yama
Yuki Yama is in the heart of Park City’s adorable downtown. It’s won all of the awards, and with good reason. The sushi recipes are innovative and fresh. Accessible seating at the counter. Accessible restrooms on site.
Atticus Coffee and Tea House
Atticus is more of a coffee and treat stop, but they offer diverse, delicious, and healthy options. It’s locally owned, has a cute shop and sofas inside, and a percentage of everything they make goes back to local causes. Accessible restroom available.
Why Ski Adaptive in Park City, Utah
Park City is famous for both its world-class skiing and its commitment to adaptive sports. Park City Mountain stands apart as an adaptive ski location because it’s home to the National Ability Center’s McGrath Mountain Center. The mountain center is a massive ADA accessible facility serving as a home base for NAC’s adaptive ski and snowboard programs. The center includes:
- Heated indoor space to properly fit participants in mono and bi-skis.
- Ski-in/ski-out access via an artificial surface to transition to the snow.
- Storage space for specialized adaptive ski equipment, as well as for personal belongings.
- Specialized sensory room for calming and multi-purpose rooms for training and education.
- Accessible restroom facilities on-site for NAC participants and their families – including adult size changing tables.
Beyond the mountain center, the accessible lodge, and the additional accessible activities through the NAC, Park City itself is a vibrant town that offers a complete vacation experience. Boutique shops and countless dining options offer something for everyone.
Alternate Adaptive Skiing Locations in Utah
Park City is the hub of inclusion, but the National Ability Center also partners with Ski Utah to bring adaptive equipment and lessons to other nearby mountains.
You could consider starting at the other base of Park City’s mountain – Canyons Village – or nearby Deer Valley Resort.
Snowbird Ski Resort and Sundance Mountain partner with Wasatch Adaptive Sports to offer custom ski lessons for people of all abilities. Wasatch Adaptive Sports is known for its expert instructors and wide range of adaptive equipment.
You can learn more about adaptive ski in other Utah locations here: Adaptive Skiing & Snowboarding at Utah Resorts.
Utah is a haven for adaptive skiing, offering stunning mountain vistas and some of the best programs in the country. This is the place for building new memories for the whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions about Adaptive Skiing Locations
- What are adaptive ski programs?
Adaptive ski programs are designed to make skiing accessible for everyone, regardless of physical ability. They use specialized equipment like sit-skis, outriggers, and mono-skis, which are customized to meet individual needs.
These programs focus on inclusive skiing, ensuring that people with disabilities can enjoy the slopes alongside everyone else. Training is a key part of these programs. Instructors are specially trained to teach adaptive techniques, ensuring safety and maximizing independence. - What ski resort is best for wheelchair users?
This was only our second time trying adaptive ski, but I cannot overstate Park City Mountain in Utah as a standout destination in accessibility. Known for its excellent adaptive skiing programs, Park City offers specialized equipment and instruction, as well as terrain that caters to all skill levels, making it ideal for wheelchair users.
In addition to adaptive ski options, the National Ability Center offers accessible lodging and over 20 additional adaptive activities.
Let’s Go!
The mountains are calling, and they’re more accessible than ever. With Utah’s programs for all abilities, there are no barriers between you and that family ski trip you’ve always dreamed of.
Adaptive skiing is such a beautiful blend of excitement and empowerment, allowing everyone to enjoy the beauty of the mountains. There’s really nothing like it. It’s time to plan your next accessible trip!