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National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic
About the Clinic
The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic is a world-leader in adaptive winter sports instruction for U.S. military Veterans and active duty servicemen and women with disabilities.
Set in stunning Snowmass, Colorado, the Clinic will celebrate its 28th year by bringing nearly 400 Veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, certain neurological conditions and other disabilities to the mountain.
More than 200 certified ski instructors for the disabled, and several current and former members of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, serve as ski instructors to meet the unique needs of the participants.
In addition to Alpine skiing, the Clinic also features a number of other sports including: cross country, rock climbing, scuba diving, kayaking, trapshooting and snowmobiling.
The Clinic is co-sponsored by The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and made possible by a number of sponsors who make monetary and in-kind donations.
Registration for volunteers begins in June and participants can sign up beginning in August.
Benefits of Adaptive Sports
Recent studies indicate that disabled Veterans who participate in adaptive sports report benefits such as:
- less stress
- reduced dependency on pain and depression medication
- fewer secondary medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
- higher achievement in education and employment
- more independence
Winter Sports Clinic Stories
Perspectives on Sports Therapy
My Journey to the Mountain: By Kevin Beus, Navy Veteran and first-time National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic participant
"I have been a cross country skier for most of my life, but after I lost my eye sight two years ago I just didn't think I could do it anymore. The VA told me I couldn't do anything for a year after my stroke.
During that time, I gained 40 pounds, lost my muscle tone and I just wasn't active at all. Then the low vision clinic sent me to see a recreation therapist.
