Green Mountain Adaptive Sports (GMAS) and our partner Northeast Disabled Athletic Association (NDAA) were recently selected as one of the 51 new recipients of the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) Community Grant Program. These projects mark an investment of over $6 million into Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy.
The $61,310 grant will enable the two collaborating Vermont non-profit adaptive sports organizations to purchase a TetraSki – the world’s first alpine sit-ski to provide independent turning and speed variability through the use of a joystick and/or breath control. People with complex physical injuries, illness or disabilities can ski by controlling the TetraSki and fully enjoy the sport of alpine skiing. Read more here.
The grant is meant to cover the cost and maintenance of the equipment, and the training and hiring of ski instructors.
The two organizations plan to offer TetraSki lessons twice a week on weekdays for a nominal fee. GMAS/NDAA-sponsored certified ski instructors will coach the lessons at Stowe Mountain Resort.
“We are thrilled to be able to finally put this program in place after three years of combined effort between our two organizations. Over that period, we have seen the power that this sophisticated piece of equipment has to enrich the lives of people with complex disabilities like high-level spinal cord injuries. The grant from VOREC will allow us to purchase the TetraSki, train coaches in its use, and provide lessons to athletes who would otherwise not be able to ski independently.” – Cynthia Needham, President, Board of Directors, GMAS.
Partnerships for the Gold
The partnership between GMAS and NDAA for this important effort came very naturally for the two organizations, which have a long history of collaborating on programs and events.
“I am so excited to be partnering with GMAS in the development of the TetraSkI program at Stowe Mountain next winter. We have worked hard for this day to come, and thanks to the State of Vermont’s VOREC grant funding, our next ski season will be full of adventure and fun for so many people who would not be able to be on the slopes if it weren’t for the amazing technology this ski has to offer.” – Cathy Webster, NDAA.
For the past three winters, the two organizations have partnered to host the TetraSki for a few days at Stowe Mountain Resort, providing the most memorable experiences for people who otherwise have few opportunities to enjoy the pleasure of snow sports. Read more here.
Nate Hanson, a certified TetraSki instructor led the lessons and brought the TetraSki generously provided by Adaptive Sports Partners (ASP) based at Cannon Mountain, NH.
The partnership is now reaching the next level. “Stowe Mountain Resort has an established adaptive ski and ride program and GMAS has strong relationships with the management at the resort. These connections help us coordinate resources to accommodate skiers with special needs when they come to participate in our program and events. Cathy Webster and NDAA provide other invaluable resources, mainly through Cathy’s excellent scheduling and managing skills, and her extensive experience and deep-rooted relationships with athletes with complex disabilities. It’s a perfect match and we could not be more grateful to have been awarded this grant,” – Pascale Savard, VP of the Board of Directors, Marketing and Special Events Rep for GMAS.
Additionally, GMAS and the Stowe Mountain Operations have worked together to make the resort more accessible and welcoming to all. New ramps, accessible lift, and additional handicap parking now provide seamless access both on the Sunny Spruce and the Mount Mansfield slopes for athletes in this program, and other guests with limited mobility. Read more here.
Summer Collaborations
In the summer, GMAS and NDAA’s partnership revolves around the NDAA Adaptive Kayaking Program. Cathy and NDAA provides the kayaks, and everything that makes this program such an immense success. GMAS provides volunteers and funds to support GMAS athletes. This summer, 29 GMAS athletes have received scholarships to paddle every Wednesday for 6 weeks under Cathy’s supervision at the Waterbury Reservoir. Read last year’s season recap here, and a sweet success story here.
The two organizations understand the power of collaboration and look forward to this joint effort to serve more athletes and now offer a new option for people with complex disabilities to enjoy snow sports.
Read the full press release here, and view the other grant recipients here.
VOREC 2024 grant recipients.
Join our TetraSki Instructor and Volunteer team
Please reach out if you have experience tethering, and working with adaptive athletes and are interested in becoming certified to teach with the TetraSki. We are looking for people who can commit to a four day training, and instructing two days a week (mid week) from January to March, This is a paid position. Volunteers are also always welcome.
Group photo: (From L to R) Cynthia Needham, GMAS Board President, Lauren Pyle, Outdoor Recreation Grants Manager at the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources in the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation in the Lands Administration and Recreation Division, Cathy Webster, NDAA Kayaking, and Chris Rose, grant writer, Northeast Disabled Athletic Association.