TAS is very excited to be bringing the “I Can Shine” therapeutic bike program to Jackson, WY this summer. This 5 day bike camp is specifically designed to teach people with disabilities to ride a 2 wheel bike independently. Camp dates are July 29 thru Aug 2. Last year the “I Can Shine” organization held 90 bike camps across the country, helping 2500 people with disabilities become independent riders. Please check out their website http://icanshine.org/ or contact Kurt Henry at tetonadaptive@aol.com or 307-699-3554 for more information.

Tuesday February 26 was a rest day for the 8 campers who attended the complete Wyoming Adaptive Ski Experience. Wednesday Feb 27 began the 4 day session at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The group was joined by 5 additional skiers. 2 new Wounded Warriors, 2 more civilian mono skiers, and blind skier Paul Schafer returned for his 5th S&D Camp. A bit of new snow softened things up and all campers had the opportunity to push their personal limits- this mountain delivers! Since it’s inception, a theme of JH S&D Camp has been inclusion. Adaptive skiers participate along side able bodied skiers, mixing at meals and social events. A number of adaptive campers had the opportunity to ski with able bodied groups which is a huge educational eye opener for able bodied campers as most are unaware of the possibilities and skill level of many adaptive skiers. We are already looking forward to next year’s Wyoming Adaptive Ski Experience. Thanks to all involved!

This is the 4th year Teton Adaptive Sports, Adaptive Adventures, Grand Targhee Resort, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort have partnered to host the Wyoming Adaptive Ski Experience. This opportunity for intermediate to advanced adaptive skiers with physical disabilities combines the 4 day Grand Targhee All Mountain Adaptive Ski and Ride Camp with the 4 day Jackson Hole Adaptive Steep and Deep Camp. This year’s program ran from Feb 22 thru March 2. These 2 ski areas are very different, but compliment each other in a way that provides an unparallelled natural progression of terrain and conditions that provide the opportunity for maximum growth of all mountain skills. Participants came from across the country and literally around the world as there were skiers from Denmark, Ireland, and Canada. 8 Wounded Warriors participated, with 3 doing both camps. TAS thanks JH and GT Mountain Resorts and Adaptive Adventures for their help and support. More to come… Photos courtesy of Adaptive Adventures.

We haven’t had a post in awhile and I apologize- time gets away from us during ski season. Adaptive activities at Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee have been very busy. Both communities offer an Adaptive Winter Sports Program for students receiving Special Education services, possible through a partnership with TAS, GT, JHMR, and respective school districts. Here’s Isabelle at WY Special Olympics Area Games held at Grand Targhee Resort. Thanks Targhee for a great event!

 We hope everyone had a great holiday and are rolling into 2013 happy and healthy. The ski season is really just beginning and we look forward to seeing many adaptive skiers out on the slopes. The Teton Adaptive Sports annual raffle was successful again this year raising just over $7000 for the TAS Winter Sports Scholarship Fund. Thanks to everyone who helped sell tickets, bought tickets, or came out to the party. Special thanks to the Town Square Tavern for their amazing support. The funds from the raffle combined with the Annual Grand Targhee TAS Fun Race( held in March and last year raised over $8000) will just about cover scholarship expenses for this season. Last year TAS committed over $15,000 to support participation in the Adaptive Ski Programs at JHMR and Grand Targhee. We truly believe that getting out on the mountain does have incredibly positive impacts on peoples lives. And if you know of someone with a disability who is not getting out, please encourage them to do so. Contact Tara Sanders at Targhee(1-800-TARGHEE ext 1352) or Ryan Burke at JHMR (307-690-4774). Looking forward to another fun and exciting season. Kurt and Ryan