Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports (STARS) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has opened registration for four ski adventures in early 2024 for disabled veterans, including a new program session for women veterans only. Lodging, ski equipment, lift ticket, along with breakfast, snacks, and dinner, are all included in the 5-day/4-night package. Lodging is at the STARS Ranch. 

Session dates are:

• Veterans Ski & Ride Session 1: January 14 – 18
• Women’s Ski & Ride Week: February 4 – 8
• Veterans Ski & Ride Session 2: February 25 – 29
• Veterans Ski & Ride Session 3: March 31 – April 4

Registration for all four programs began on October 1. However, at press time for this week’s BVA Happenings, heavy demand for Sessions 1 and 2 of Veterans Ski & Ride were already requiring applicants to be waitlisted. The Women’s Program was also filling up quickly while several spaces were still open and available in Session 3 of Veterans Ski & Ride.

STARS provides life-changing experiences for participants with cognitive and physical disabilities, autism, and war injuries. The mission of the program is to empower and enrich lives through recreational activities that help participants gain self-esteem, independence, resilience, and courage while simultaneously enjoying the camaraderie with others of similar background and experience. Participants in the programs for veterans typically share their active-duty experiences and the challenges they have faced in civilian life with a disability.

“STARS is a great place to meet new friends and learn something new,” said Teresa Galgano, BVA’s Director of Member Relations and one of numerous recent STARS alumni from among the BVA membership.

STARS instructors and other staff take participants ranging from “never seen snow before” to skiing on the slopes during the three-day day camp. All levels of fitness can be accommodated, beginning with newbies who have trouble walking, up to an expert level. STARS offers a “bike ski” or a ski chair that can go only as fast or as slow as an individual desires.                                                                                                                            

A typical ski day begins with breakfast in what STARS calls the “great room,” down the hall from participants’ rooms. Gear is then gathered and it’s off to the ski slopes. If skiers need some beginning instruction, they go directly to a bunny hill, or they can start off on the easy runs. If they have skill and confidence, they proceed to the experts’ slope with their guide. Lunch occurs at one of the many restaurants at the resort or at the lodge near the mountain top. Typically, shuttles are offered at two different times to return . Skiers choose the time based on their energy level.

“Once back at the ranch in the afternoon, you can shower, then de-stress with a cup of hot cocoa in the ‘great room’ by the fireplace,” Teresa said.  “Dinner is always a treat at the Ranch with evenings being spent relaxing with others by the fire.”

One evening on each trip, she added, there is time and transportation available to go downtown to the hot springs for a soak or some shopping.

Sundays are reserved for arrival and fitting of shoes and skis. Thursdays are the departure day. If you don’t have ski clothes, you can rent them there for a fee. A $100 deposit is required when you sign up. The funds are returned upon completion of the camp and a survey.

Challenged Athletes Foundation or Angel Wings may be able to help with transportation. For spouses or other family members, there is a $399 fee to cover expenses, not including the lift ticket and ski equipment.

For more information or to register, click here or call (970) 870-1950.