By Maddie Lindgren, intern, Vermont State University, Class of 2025    In Williston, Vermont, lives Katherine, a spirited 19-year-old with an infectious smile and a love for adventure. She lives with her parents, Nancy and Neil, and her sister Hannah, who studies at the University of Vermont. Nancy said Katherine finds comfort in the beauty of nature and the thrill of outdoor activities.  “The obvious benefit is getting outside in the beauty of winter and enjoying the mental and physical boost this activity provides,” Nancy said. Katherine’s journey into the world of skiing bega ..read more

By Maddie Lindgren, intern, Vermont State University, Class of 2025    “Put her on that ski and for whatever reason she just wants to fly.”  Mia Marinovich is talking about her 18-year-old daughter, Lucia. Lucia is in her element when skiing, a sport that speaks to her in a language of expression and exhilaration. She finds her voice. In the car on the way to a race team practice at Vermont Adaptive’s Sugarbush/Mt. Ellen location, Lucia captivates her fellow athletes with her updates from the weather up at Sugarbush. She turns a mundane topic into a delightful conversation start ..read more

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a nationally recognized non-profit organization that provides recreational sports to people with disabilities, has selected John Collins, of St. George, to receive the 2023 Kellen Sams Memorial Leadership Award. “John has been a tireless and enthusiastic volunteer for many years,” said Erin Fernandez, executive director at Vermont Adaptive. “John makes himself available in all sorts of manners, from training new volunteers to jumping in on most any lesson regardless of the difficulty or challenge and sometimes providing legal advice, too.” Collins began volunte ..read more

By Maddie Lindgren, intern, Vermont State University, Class of 2025   On a radiant Sunday afternoon, the Central Vermont Mt. Ellen and Chittenden Race Team headed to the slopes for a practice session that left everyone enthused and optimistic. Special Olympic skiers and snowboarders from the Central Vermont and Chittenden Delegations train together out of the Vermont Adaptive program facility at Sugarbush Resort’s Mt. Ellen. They gather for 10 Sundays starting in January to practice for the Special Olympics Vermont Statewide Alpine Ski and Snowboard Competition. The team, composed of pass ..read more

By Maddie Lindgren, intern, Vermont State University, Class of 2025   With her mom trailing behind her, and two Vermont Adaptive instructors in front, 10-year-old Sora swiftly descended the slopes at Bolton Valley during a recent especially bright, sunny Sunday. As her two instructors led the way, Sora copied their exact movements and turns, almost like the game Simon Says. One of her favorite things to do is to ski off the designated tracks as well. She is a trailblazer and loves to wind around the edges of trails and explore the scenery that surrounds the ski area. As soon as her eye ca ..read more

By Maddie Lindgren, intern, Vermont State University, Class of 2025     In the adrenaline-fueled world of winter sports, two young athletes are making turns on the slopes with their distinctive skiing styles. Meet Sierra Roth and Allie Bianchi, a duo whose passion for skiing is matched by their love for adventure. Both have been skiing at Vermont Adaptive’s program location at Mt. Ellen at Sugarbush Resort this winter.  Allie, 25, is from Richmond, VT, and a former special educator. In 2022, she experienced a mountain biking accident that left her quadriplegic. However, the acci ..read more

Written by Maddie Lindgren, Vermont State University Class of 2025   Athlete: Krister Adams  Age: 60 Program Location: Tuesdays and Thursdays at Bolton Valley Resort Originally from Stowe, Vermont, Krister Adams has become a symbol of resilience and has a renewed passion for skiing. Throughout his life, Krister skied any moment he could. From skiing for the University of Vermont to attending ski camps in Europe, he has always raced intensely. ​​At 35, Krister hung up the skis for a while to focus on his health. He noticed his balance being off in his early 20s. “Skiing started gettin ..read more

Hi, my name is Grant Edebohls. I am from Shelburne, Vermont, and I am an 18-year-old intern with Vermont Adaptive at the Burlington Waterfront, Bolton Valley, and Sugarbush locations. In the year 2020, I became an athlete for Vermont Adaptive, and in the year 2023, I began my internship with the organization. Before becoming an intern, I was an apprentice for a year and a half learning about adaptive athletes and preparing to become an intern. I am a level one Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sports Specialist through Blaze Sports, and I am currently working towards the second level of certif ..read more

Meet Greta Wright. Greta initially interned at Bolton Valley with Vermont Adaptive during the winter of 2022 and has returned for another year of interning at Bolton Valley and helping with the winter climbing program. Currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Health Science at the University of Vermont, Greta is going to start her accelerated Master of Public Health program this spring. Originally from Swampscott, Massachusetts, she developed a passion for water activities like sailing and scuba diving during her upbringing. After spending a summer in the mountains during high school she ..read more

To be a volunteer at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is to embody tireless dedication, strong leadership and a big heart. To strive to empower athletes with disabilities is reflected through every highly-trained instructor. The most outstanding volunteers in 2023 were Glen Torres, Andy Holt, Jay Schulz, and Ben Hamilton. Named 2023 Volunteers of the Year, these three recipients embody the traits and legacy of Jim Hutchinson, a Vermont Adaptive volunteer who left a tradition of empowering people of all abilities through sports and recreation as well as a commitment toward supporting the organiz ..read more