Winter Adaptive Sports & Recreation Activities for People with Disabilities
Here are some programs and groups who have accessible winter recreational activities and events. Many of these are open to people of all ages and abilities.
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Outdoor Activities
DCR’s Universal Access Program
Provides outdoor recreation opportunities for people of all abilities at Massachusetts State Parks. Winter activities include accessible snowshoeing, kick sledding, cross-country skiing and ice skating. Sit-skis and seated ice sleds offer options for those with limited mobility, balance or endurance. Check out the wonderful adaptive recreational activities at DCR’s Universal Access Program.
Phone: 413-461-7126 (Voice) or 413-577-2200 (TTY)
Email: DCR.UniversalAccess@mass.gov
Additional Accessible Winter Activities
AbilityPLUS adaptive sports programs has two program venues: Attitash NH and Wildcat NH. Offers specially designed adaptive ski equipment, a mono-ski, and one-on-one instruction. To schedule a lesson or learn more information about all the AbilityPLUS programs, contact Liz Wehmeyer, Program Director at lwehmeyer@abilityplus.org
Phone: 1-603-374-2688 or 800-287-8415 x103
Email: info@abilityplus.org
Located in Northampton, MA offers winter programs include snowshoeing, x-country skiing & sit-skiing, ice skating, sled skating and more!
Phone: 413-584-2052
Chapter of Disabled Sports at Northeast Passage
Offers cross country skiing and competitive sports such as sled hockey and quad rugby. Located at University of New Hampshire’s Durham campus.
Phone: 603-862-0070
TTY: NH Relay 800-735-2964
ME Relay: 207-955-3323
Email: northeast.passage@unh.edu
Adaptive Sports & Activities provides barrier-free recreational and competitive opportunities for people of all skill levels and age groups, as well as their family and friends in the Springfield area. Click on the link below to view monthly newsletter for activities. For additional information, contact Program Manager Jessica Levine.
Phone: 413-788-9695
Located in Newry, ME Offers skiing lessons at four of Maine’s finest ski resorts: Alpine skiing and snowboarding at Sunday River Ski Resort, Sugarloaf and Saddleback and Nordic skiing and snowshoeing at Sunday River XC Center at Wilderness House and Pineland Farms. They also offer a Veterans No Boundaries program for veterans and their spouse or significant other.
Phone: 800-639-7770
Email: info@maineadaptive.org
Offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. They also offer a military program. They have a winter scholarship program.
Scholarship application (.pdf)
Loon Mountain
Phone: 603-745-9333
Email: info@nedisabledsports.org
Bretton Woods
Phone: 603-278-3398
Email: infobw@nedisabledsports.org
New England Handicapped Sports Association –
NEHSA’s winter program provides ski and snowboard opportunities. They offer a Disabled Veterans program. Located at Sunapee, NH.
For additional information, call Tom Kersey, Executive Director
Phone: 603-763-9158
Email: info@nehsa.org
Sudbury Winter Adaptive Sports & Recreation Programs
Over 20 programs (indoor & outdoor) for people of all ages and abilities. They also offer an Adaptive Ice Skating program. Anna Wood is the Recreation Therapist. All programs run by Amber are open for people from any community. Contact Amber.
Registration: http://sudburyrec.com/info/activities/
Phone: 978-443-1092 X3256
Email: recreation@sudbury.ma.us
Provides year round sports and recreation programs for individuals of any age with any disability. Has winter skiing programs at both Pico Mountain Resort in Killington and Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont and Bolton Valley Resort, Bolton, Vermont. Top notch quality instruction. Cycling, Paddling, Sailing, Climbing, Camping, Snowshoe, Nordic, Snowboard, and others. Specialty day camps and tons of other events and family programs. Minimal fees vary according to activity. Does not refuse services due to inability to pay.
Phone: 802-786-4991
Other Resources
These resources offer information on recreation opportunities year round including outdoor and indoor activities.
Offers a community calendar of accessible and therapeutic recreation programs.
Has a listing of Special-Needs Recreation Events & Programs in Massachusetts
Lists many recreation opportunities in Massachusetts.
Fact Sheet last updated on: 11/22/2023
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Disclaimer: INDEX is pleased to provide you this information. Please note, this information is not comprehensive, nor is it intended to take the place of professional advice. We encourage you to check other resources of such information. No endorsement by the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, DisabilityInfo.org, INDEX, or affiliates, should be inferred. We reserve the right to remove, to modify, or to add any information at any time, for any reason, and without notice.
