The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, Colorado, is the largest annual disabilities ‘learn-to-ski and board’ program in the world. Specifically designed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to further rehabilitate and empower US Veterans, the Winter Sports Clinic provides a safe, challenging community where disabled veterans can build confidence and dignity while learning sports like Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, scuba diving, trap shooting, horseback riding, snowmobiling and sled hockey. The US Secret Service even teaches a self-defense course to participants who are in wheelchairs or are visually impaired!

HISTORY:

The origin of the Winter Sports Clinic stretches back into the early 1980’s and the pioneering efforts of Sandy Trombetta, founder and director of the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. Sandy, a recreation therapist in Grand Junction, Colorado, who worked closely with wheelchair bound patients, recognized the power that skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports had on the mental and physical healing process of his disabled patients. So, year after year, he brought VA patients to a nearby mountain resort to participate in their existing disabled ski and snowboard programs.

Fast-forward seven years to 1987 and the very first Winter Sports Clinic at Powderhorn Resort outside of Grand Junction, Colorado. At the very first Winter Sports Clinic, 20 staff members taught 90 disabled veterans to ski and board using the most current adaptive ski & snowboard equipment available at that time. Over the next four years, the Clinic more than doubled in attendance. In 1991 the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) recognized the effectiveness and therapeutic value of The Winter Sports Clinic and became a co-sponsor of the popular event. The Clinic was welcomed by Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado from 1993 to 2000 and has made its home in Snowmass Resort, just outside of Aspen, Colorado, since 2001.

With help from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic has grown leaps and bounds. In 2005, more than 320 participants gathered in Colorado from across the country to be taught by 150 certified disabled ski & snowboard instructors and several members of the US Disabled Ski Team, who originally learned to ski & snowboard at the Winter Sports Clinic. Sandy Trombetta is also still actively involved as the VA National Director of the Winter Sports Clinic. Participation is open to male and female US military service veterans with spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, certain neurological problems and other disabilities.

Every year, ski equipment and exploratory activities are modified, updated and improved to accommodate the needs and evolving interests of Disabled Veterans and to reflect the VA mission to provide quality programs and health care to all American Veterans; leading veterans to overcome obstacles and enjoy a more active and rewarding life.