Independent Skiing for People with Complex Disabilities

The acquisition of the TetraSki and the Snow’Kart was made possible through a partnership between Green Mountain Adaptive Sports and Northeast Disabled Athletic Association who together, ran fundraisers and received generous donations. We also applied and received a grant from VOREC for the 2025 ski season.

We are proud to own one of the 25 TetraSkis in the world, and the first in Vermont! The Stowe TetraSki and Snow’Kart program is run independently from the resort’s ski school. The private lessons are administered and run through our own certified trained staff and take place at Stowe Mountain Resort.

Read more to see if you could be a candidate for this program.

The Technology that Empowers

The TetraSki represents technology that has finally caught up with our adaptive skiers’ dreams as it offers independent skiing for people with complex physical disabilities due to physical injury or illness. Electric actuators on the TetraSki provide independent turning and speed variability through the use of a joystick or breath control, allowing the skier with limited strength and dexterity to operate the TetraSki safely and with a high degree of performance and independence. The TetraSki does not work like a motor to push the skier forward to increase speed. The skier’s choice alone determines how fast the ski goes.

The TetraSki was designed at the University of Utah, built by Tetradapt, and operated by TRAILS Adaptive with early and continued support by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation.

The Tessier Snow’Kart represents another incredible piece of technology we are offering at Stowe Mountain Resort. Ski almost independently on every slope with the Snow’Kart. Snow’Kart is designed for people who have lack of strength or coordination in the upper limbs and/or who have limited balance. Thanks to the Easy Drive kit, the Snow’Kart is the only equipment in the world that is able to be controlled with one hand.

Both skis have a low center of gravity, offering excellent stability on snow.

After reading all the information, if you are unsure that you are a candidate for this program, contact Cathy Webster.

The Program

The Stowe TetraSki and Snow’Kart Program runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in half, or full day shifts. Times are 9am-12pm, and 1pm-4pm. This year our program, including lessons and lift ticket are supported by grant funding. Also provided for the skier are heated garments. 

Participants need to pre-register using the form below. Once the skier is registered, they will be contacted by Cathy Webster to complete a survey, and to schedule the lesson.

Skiers are matched with the most appropriate ski (TetraSki or Snow’Kart) based on their function, ski experience and stamina, which may change over the course of the season. The weight limit for both skis is 200 lbs.

Additional information will also be shared after registering, such as directions to Stowe Mountain Resort, parking instructions, transferring options, clothing recommendation, cancellation policy, and other important details to make this a great experience on and off the slopes.

Companions who wish to join the lesson are responsible for purchasing their own $96 Epic Day Pass, which are easily available online prior to the visit. We appreciate you handling this independently before your visit to Stowe.

We invite you to register on the application form below. Space is limited and lessons are awarded on a first come first serve basis until space runs out. We do our best to accommodate individual preferences but cannot guarantee that all preferred times can be offered. You can also request to be added to the back up list so we can contact you if a space opens up. Contact Cathy Webster with questions. To volunteer for the program, please contact us at info@greenmtnadaptive.org.

There is a one-time $25 registration fee. Tax-deductible donations are greatly appreciated and will go toward the development of the program. 

More opportunity & participation. More equity & inclusion.

The first ski race series for athletes with complex physical injury or illness featuring the TetraSki and Tessier Snow’Kart debuted in 2022 — breaking barriers, making history, and setting the stage for a competitive pathway to the world’s biggest sporting stage. Local and regional TetraSki races now take place across the country, culminating with the National Championships at Powder Mountain each March. The Brian McKenna TetraSki Express National Championship takes place annually in late March. The giant slalom race includes manual, sip and puff, and joystick skiers. The TetraSki Express is named in honor of the indelible Brian McKenna — son, brother, friend, coworker and TetraSki athlete who redefined what was possible.