The fourth annual Adaptive Snow Sports Festival at Sun Peaks unfolds Feb. 3 to 5. The event features a “Meet and Greet,” equipment demonstrations and opportunity to take a lesson on Saturday, and the popular Guesstimation Race on Sunday, followed by a wind-down and awards at Masa’s Bar & Grill.
“Disabled students guess what time they’ll finish their own individual slalom race (in the Guesstimation race) and the closest to their time wins an award at our medal ceremony,” explains Veronica Connors of the Adaptive Snow Sports Program (ASSP).
“Nancy Greene often has a race with one or two them and tries to match her guesstimated time. A crowd lines the fence with cow bells to cheer them all on. A highlight is the race with their able bodied family member or friend which they’ve never had the chance to do,” says Connor.
Last year 25 racers competed in the Guesstimation race, and many more disabled guests test drove the specialized equipment and took mini lessons offered by ASSP volunteer instructors.
“So many wheelchair bound prospective students wanted to try out the sit-skis (last year) we were crazy busy,” says Connors. “They’re hooked on skiing now and rebook each year for the series of eight weekly lessons we offer to locals.”
Adaptive snow sports are on the rise, especially at Sun Peaks with the expanded instructional options offered through the ASSP and Snow Sports School. Keep your eyes open for sit-skis, Sno-limos, outriggers and sliders on the slopes.
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