Adaptive Winter Sports Program

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Click here to check out the Double H Ranch's Adaptive Winter Sports Program feature article in Adirondack Life!

The Double H Ranch Adaptive Winter Sports Program, established in 1998, offers children ages 6-16 dealing with chronic and life-threatening illnesses the opportunity to participate in various winter sports in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains FREE of charge with necessary equipment provided. Activities include Alpine skiing instruction, as well as snowboarding and snowshoeing lessons. Our winter program is aimed at not only teaching children a life-long skill, but also to provide an experience that can be enjoyed by the entire family.

This unique program is coordinated by Ranch staff, and the magic that takes place on the slopes is made possible through the efforts of our 200 volunteer instructors and National Ski Patrol who provide a 1:1 support ratio with students. Each child that participates in the program is encouraged to reach their full potential and strive to be successful, while having fun.

On a typical day, participants arrive at the Double H Ranch at 9:30am and each child is assigned a volunteer ski instructor and fitted for their ski equipment. The Double H Ranch’s mountain has a chairlift and two ski trails in addition to miles of cross country trails. We also make our own snow! Families can sit comfortably in the ski lodge, Charley’s Chalet, as they monitor their child’s progress. After a noontime lunch, children are back out on the slopes for another two hours of instruction, before the day’s end.

Charley’s Chalet enables us to serve at least 30 students per day, 60 family members for Family Sleepover Weekends and provides campers with two private changing rooms, a child quiet room and a National Ski Patrol room dedicated to medical support. The building has a full kitchen, equipment and fitting room, and a lounge room that offers children the chance to sit by the fire to rest or areas to play board games and tell stories from the slopes.

In addition, we host five Family Sleepover Weekends, allowing the entire family to experience the great outdoors, together. Participation is based on approval by our Medical or Nursing Director, and availability, as we operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are also designated Alumni days for those students who have aged out of the regular program.