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For the third year, the KBF had the pleasure of sponsoring five athletes to go to Move United’s Hartford Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge, Colorado. Participants had the opportunity to ski for five consecutive days with coaches from across the country. 

“Ski spec is a special week because it brings so many people together for adaptive skiing,” explains KBF Founder Kelly Brush. “It is the absolute best place to learn or hone your skills so the KBF scholarships to help people get there from all over the country are invaluable.”

With approximately 800 participants consisting of athletes and instructors from all over the world, Ski Spectacular provides opportunities for adaptive athletes to learn to downhill ski, play sled hockey, and nordic ski, experienced athletes to hone their skills in the race program, and instructors to learn about new equipment and coaching skills. 

In the Learn to Ski program, expert coaches from around the world come together to get athletes comfortable on the snow.  “I feel like I made some lifelong friends from my coaches,” explains KBF athlete Carson from Michigan. “I felt this immediate trust and confidence in them and myself right away,” he explains.

For Ryan from Seattle WA and Bend OR, Ski Spectacular was about consistency. “I was able to get a fit kit figured out for the bi-ski which I took home with me and will be bringing to all of my lessons! I’m a quad and I have a somewhat personally dislocated hip, so the fit of the ski is super important. Now I feel like I can show up at any program and tell the instructor exactly how to set up the equipment.”

Of the five KBF athletes this year, two of them are Colorado locals with their own brand new monoskis that they received via a KBF Active Fund grant. They were able to meet personally with the equipment vendors to get fitted into their new rigs on the snow with coaches that they can recreate with the rest of the season.  “This week I made new friends that I can do outdoor activities with locally,” says Lauren with her new Dynaccess Hydra! Planning to go back to the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center to continue her lessons, “I made amazing connections with local instructors that I will be skiing with for the rest of the season,” she says.

Above all else, Ski Spectacular is about overcoming mental blocks and connecting with the community. “This camp eliminated a lot of fears I had about Mono-Skiing all while bringing together a great community to be a part of,” says Jeff from Colorado Springs. Ryan from Vermont agrees, saying the best part of the week was meeting and talking with so many other people with injuries like himself. “The community aspect couldn’t be beat,” he explains. “I also came away with a lot more confidence in my ability to travel!” he adds. 

For KBF Sr. Program Director Greg Durso, this even means so many things to so many people. “As one of the largest adaptive events, it’s hard to find anything like it,” he explains. “For me, it’s another amazing opportunity to  bring this community together and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”