Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports (OVAS) has been providing adaptive ski and snowboarding opportunities to persons with disabilities in northern Utah for over 11 years. “Our participants range in age from 5 to 95 and come from all walks of life,” says Don Hickman, President of the Board of Trustees. “Even with Covid, this season we will have provided more than 200 ski and snowboard lessons to participants including local children, military veterans, and adults with disabilities. We rely on the generous support and donations of our community to make all of that happen.”
OVAS holds ski and snowboard lessons at Snowbasin Resort, Powder Mountain Resort, and Nordic Valley. These incredible partners provide free lift tickets and equipment to participants and, with OVAS, help ensure that all persons, regardless of abilities, can enjoy winter sports.
“Our certified, professional ski instructors train exceptionally hard to ensure we can provide opportunities to as many folks as possible,” said Steve Correa, OVAS’ Executive Director. “Specialized adaptive ski equipment is expensive, and we carefully select the right equipment to ensure a safe and productive experience for everyone. The average 2-hour lesson costs almost $500 in labor and equipment. Every dime is worth it when we can assure as many people as possible can enjoy our great outdoors.”
To support its programs this year, OVAS is presenting its inaugural “Opening Doors to the Outdoors” online auction starting at 9 AM on March 26th and running through 8:00 PM March 28th. All auction proceeds will directly fund OVAS programs. The auction features local businesses and outdoor equipment suppliers and includes a portal to donate as part of a $7,000.00 challenge grant by an anonymous donor.
Participate by visiting our Facebook page or our online auction.
Auction items include spectacular opportunities such as:
- Sun Valley Getaway – stay and ski package
- Yellowstone Getaway – wildlife tour in Yellowstone
- Ski Season Passes and Day Tickets – Powder Mountain Resort, Snowbasin Resort, Sun Valley Resort
- Castle Valley River Trip – half day rafting trip for 2
- Diamond Peaks Heli Ski Adventure
- Brewer for a Day Experience – provided by UTOG Brewing Company
- Ski Gear and Equpment – Rossignol, Atomic, Icelantic, Kuhl, The North Face, HEAD, Rossignol, Never Summer, Good Ski Technologies
Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports is a local non-profit corporation (Federal EIN 27-0650748) established in 2009 as the Snowbasin Adaptive Sports and Education Foundation. OVAS has dedicated itself to assuring all persons have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors regardless of their ability. Hundreds of local children and adults with disabilities have skied and snowboarded at Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, and Nordic Valley through the generous support of individuals and corporations throughout northern Utah. These experience have changed the lives of countless individuals with disabilities. A parent from last year’s program relates:
“My son has had the most amazing experience participating in the adaptive ski program. I have watched him grow in his confidence that he can do new and challenging things. He has had the most patient, wonderful instructors whom he has enjoyed getting to know & spending time with. They are always so kind and encouraging. I am so grateful that Freeman has been so blessed to have such an amazing opportunity!” For more information, go to this website Home – Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports or contact the Executive Director, Steve Correa, on (801) 698-2014. To donate click here: Donate – Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports
