Big Chill Camp at Stevens Pass

Outdoors for All’s year round adaptive recreation programs keep growing in large part due to customer demand by children and adults with disabilities and their family members.

For example, during the winter season of 2005-06, while The Summit at Snoqualmie remains the primary location for the majority of our adaptive lessons for children and adults with disabilities, other mountain ski resorts now also have Outdoors for All’s mission in action.

Our adaptive lessons at Crystal Mountain began as a small three week program six years ago and now run January through March. At Stevens Pass, what started a few years as a small pilot program, has now expanded to a full season of adaptive programs offered by the Outdoors for All Foundation.

In late December I was fortunate enough to get out of the office and out on-snow to assist with our “Big Chill” ski and snowboard camp held at Stevens Pass. Led by Outdoors for All Foundation Training Director John Stevenson, participants, volunteers and staff had a great week full of fun. Here’s what some who participated in this season’s Big Chill camp had to say:

    “I really enjoyed exploring Stevens Pass together with Ingrid (Baumgartner). We had a great time -- new snow throughout the week and nothing but fun!
    It was especially wonderful when Ingrid's young daughter joined us on the third day of camp and Ingrid was able to give her daughter some pointers on the snow.
    At the end of our experience, Ingrid, who was not able to be a part of our multi-week ski programs, said she was really looking forward to skiing with us again in a couple one-time lessons later in the season. It was a great week of on-snow fun!”
    Cathy Nyrkkanen, Program Coordinator

    “(Cathy) Thank you for being my ski partner. I had a lot fun on the slopes. (My daughter) Anais enjoyed being included and can't wait for more lessons w/ ski school, so we have to keep up w/ her.”
    Ingrid Baumgartner, Participant

“OMG ED!!!
    Wow we had so much fun with everyone didn't we?
    You guys really made me laugh when I skied with you. Thanks so much for all the great times we had on the mountain/lunch/and etc. I loved laughing with you guys.”
    Liz van Oppen, Participant

    “I feel very fortunate to be able to make new friends and spend quality time at an exceptional place.  Tristan (Tripp) was a special athlete and I truly appreciate being with someone who likes skiing and being where there is snow.   Kari Lynn (Moose) was fast and it was fun trying to keep up with her!  She wore me out!  I think of them and the snow and I want to go back NOW!”
    Dave Leonard, Volunteer Instructor

    “I had tons of fun with BG (Miller).  I looked forward to seeing him there everyday at the “BIG CHILL” camp.  He had so much fun and became a better skier.”
    Kaitlin Leonard, Volunteer Instructor

    “I feel that this is the best way to spend a week.  I had no problem spending three days out of my winter vacation to volunteer for Outdoors for All.  My athlete, Miles (Travis) was a sensational skier, which in turn made me a better skier.  I remember the times he went into the powder, which was always FRESH!”
    Andy Leonard, Volunteer Instructor

    “Getting to know the participants while on the chair lift was wonderful, talking about life, school, and anything else we could think of.  I had fun helping people challenge themselves, whether going through trees or taking one more run at the end of the day. I really enjoyed skiing with great people I might not have met otherwise. Thanks!” 
   Megan Addison, Volunteer Instructor

This growth in the delivery of our mission to other ski areas has come not only due to customer demand, but also from the hard work of Outdoors for All Program staff and volunteers – and certainly the support of a number of donors and sponsors. Special thanks for our program growth at Stevens Pass goes to Stevens Pass itself, The Sample Foundation, The Raynier Institute & Foundation, Islands Fund, Fairweather Foundation, The Gibney Family Foundation, The MJF Foundation, the Outdoors for All Gala Auction and many individual donors.

Come exercise your abilities with us at The Summit, Crystal Mountain or Stevens Pass – I hope to see you on the snow!

Ed Bronsdon
Executive Director
edbronsdon@outdoorsforall.org