Disabled Sports Hosts 18th Annual Ability Celebration at Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley

Disabled Sports USA Far West’s week-long celebration takes place March 27-April 1

[Tahoe City and Olympic Valley, Calif.] March 22, 2012 – Disabled Sports USA Far West, located at Alpine Meadows Resort, hosts its week-long Ability Celebration, March 27 - April 1. In celebration of Disabled Sports USA Far West’s accomplishments with adaptive sports and recreation for people with disabilities, a variety of events take place including the Wounded Warrior Ability Camp, March 27- April 1; Ability Challenge, March 30 and 31; “Winter” movie premier from the Ski Channel, March 30; and the Ability BASH, March 31.

The Disabled Sports Program Center is located at Alpine Meadows and their Professional Ski Instructors of America certified instructors and trained volunteers make skiing or snowboarding possible for anyone with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities.

This annual, week-long event invites veterans disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan to participate in adapted skiing and snowboarding and celebrates the abilities of people with disabilities and the powerful rehabilitation benefits of Disabled Sports USA Far West’s programs.

“We sincerely value our partnership with Disabled Sports and their efforts to empower people with disabilities” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. “Through their adaptive snowsports programs, the thrill and accomplishment of skiing or snowboarding can be achieved by anyone.”

Fourth-Annual Wounded Warrior Ability Ski & Snowboard Camp, March 27 –April 1

As part of a week of skiing and celebration, 25 active-duty U.S. soldiers and marines disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan will ski Alpine Meadows' slopes for the Wounded Warrior Ability Ski & Snowboard Camp, March 27-April 1.

Soldiers who were disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan will receive specialized instruction in adapted skiing and snowboarding at the Disabled Sports Program Center at Alpine Meadows. They will also participate in other winter recreation such as cross country skiing at Tahoe City Cross Country Ski Area, sled hockey at South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena, snowmobiling with Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours – all designed as part of their therapy and reintegration into the community. Part of what makes this camp possible is that Disabled Sports USA Far West is a Paralympic Sports Club, through US Paralympics, a division of the USOCUS Paralympics and Disabled Sports USA Far West.

"We’re honored to give something back to these brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms,” said Haakon Lang-Ree, program director at Disabled Sports. “Our dedicated volunteers work hard to share their passion and expertise of snowsports with others who might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy these sports. We're grateful to our generous sponsors and for the support of Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley who make the Ability Celebration week possible."

Annual Disabled Sports Ability Challenge, March 30

This is a unique fundraiser for Disabled Sports USA Far West that offers a fun and challenging day for skiers and riders of all ages and abilities. Utilizing GPS technology, the Ability Challenge takes skiers around the mountain seeking checkpoints and revealing some of the most exciting runs that Alpine Meadows has to offer. In addition to the checkpoint course, the event features bonus challenges designed by pro-snowboarders Andy Finch and Iris Lazzareschi, a timed hike to an expert run, a costume contest and more. Teams of four to eight members are responsible for a team registration fee of $200 and then each member raises a minimum of $200. All proceeds benefit the programs of Disabled Sports USA Far West, based at Alpine Meadows, providing adaptive recreation to people with disabilities since 1967.

"Winter” movie premier from The Ski Channel, March 30

A premier showing of “Winter” from the Ski Channel honoring Wounded Warriors disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan will take place at the Olympic Village Lodge at Squaw Valley, March 30. This film stars Sarah Burke, Rory Bushfield, Jen Hudak, Mike Wilson and others. An introduction will be made by Kirk Bauer, executive director of Disabled Sports USA, whose climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro is featured in the film. The doors open at 6 p.m. Matt Reardon of Black Sunshine will perform at 6:30 and the movie will start at 7 p.m. A $10 donation is encouraged.

Annual Disabled Sports Ability Bash, March 31

The week culminates with the Annual Disabled Sports Ability Bash at the Olympic Village Lodge in Squaw Valley. This sold out event has been known as one of Lake Tahoe’s premier fundraising events offering guests an evening of gourmet cuisine, fine wines, microbrews, mystery raffle, a silent auction, dancing and more.

About Disabled Sports USA Far West, March 30 & 31

Disabled Sports USA Far West was started more than 40 years ago by World War II veteran, Jim Winthers, of the 10th Mountain Division. The chapter was founded by the World War II 10th Mountain Division in 1967 in order to offer support and rehabilitation to Vietnam veterans. The organization paved the way for adaptive sports and recreation for people with disabilities.

To learn more about Disabled Sports USA at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, visit DisabledSports.net or call 530.581.4161.