Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports (STARS) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 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. Read more.

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 requiring applicants to be waitlisted. The Women’s Program has also been filling up quickly while several spaces are 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 camaraderie with others with similar backgrounds and experiences. Participants in the programs for veterans typically share their active-duty experiences and the challenges they have faced with a disability in civilian life.

“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 several recent STARS alumni from among the BVA membership.

STARS instructors and other staff work effectively with participants with a wide range of proficiencies on a continuum, beginning on one end with those who have never even seen snow before and extending to those who can ski down the mountainside on their own throughout the three-day camp. Similarly, all levels of fitness can also be accommodated, ranging from participants who have trouble walking to those who have total mobility traversing down a hill. For those on either end of the spectrum, STARS also offers a “bike ski” or a ski chair that can move as fast or as slow as the participant desires.

A typical ski day begins with breakfast in what STARS calls the “great room,” down the hall from the bedrooms. Gear is then gathered and it’s off to the 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 a guide. Lunch occurs at one of the many restaurants at the resort or at the lodge near the mountain top. Typically, shuttles are offered back to the Ranch lodge at two different times in the afternoon.

“Once having returned, you can shower, then de-stress in the ‘great room’ with a cup of hot cocoa next to the fireplace,” said Teresa. “Dinner is always a treat at the Ranch, with evenings 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 relaxing 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 veterans 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.