• Snowboarding
• Snow Skiing

• Staff Certification:PSIA-certified Instructors

• Adaptive equipment available
  Some ski and snowboarding gear is provided to athletes by Colorado Discover Ability. Additional ski and snowboarding gear is provided by the Gene Taylor's Sporting Goods store in Grand Junction. Gene Taylor's provides all SOCO participants with season rentals free of charge. Students keep the rented gear at home for the duration of the program. Killtec team uniforms (ski jacket and ski pants) are leased free of charge to all participants in the program. Athletes will be required to wear helmets when practicing with the team (no exceptions) and are encouraged to wear helmets when skiing or riding outside official training sessions.

• Accessible by Public Transportation: No
  
  
• Transportation Provided by the Program: Yes
  
  CDA will provide transportation to athletes that need assistance in getting to training sessions at Powderhorn Resort. Colorado Discover Ability will provide transportation to and from events at Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood Springs and at Copper Mountain Resort. If necessary, CDA will rent additional vans to provide additional transportation means to the events
  
  

Colorado Discover Ability (CDA) is proud to host the local Special Olympics Colorado team as they prepare for the regional & state competitions in slalom and giant slalom events. Training, equipment, ski passes, and facilities are provided by Colorado Discover Ability at no cost to participants.

Sport is a crucial part of the lives of the world's population. It offers to persons with intellectual disability the same values, pleasures and satisfaction. In addition it is an invaluable means by which social, physical and psychological skills can be taught and learned. Sport is a major contributor to good health. It can transform the lives of individuals with intellectual disability by giving a new stimulus, a feeling of success, self-worth, achievement and belonging. It can also transform the lives of parents and caretakers. Ability not disability is the catalyst for change. Athletes with intellectual disability competing in sports not only provide role models for others, but also assist in breaking down the prejudice and ignorance which often so badly restricts their lives.

Colorado Discover Ability and its Special Olympics program is powered exclusively by volunteers. All CDA volunteers are qualified by the head coach and CDA management. Volunteers are assigned the best-fitting role in the program based on their qualifications and goals. All CDA volunteer instructors are provided with opportunities for continued education and self-improvement. They are also required to attend ski and teaching clinics throughout the season. The head coach is Martin Wiesiolek, a CDA volunteer. Martin is PSIA-certified Level II Alpine Ski Instructor and USSA-certified Alpine Coach.

Program Information For Competitors

• Attendance: The athlete must make a commitment to attending minimum eight (8) training days and both competitions.
• Meals: Athletes bring an appropriate lunch for each training date or buy lunches at Powderhorn. Meals will be provided during competitions at Sunlight Mountain Resort and Copper Mountain.