Home : 18th Annual Ski Event : Frequently Asked Questions About the Ski Event

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ski Event

What is the Adaptive Spirit Ski Event?

The Adaptive Spirit Ski Event is a fundraising event that generates more than half of the operating budget for the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team each year. It heralds as one of the best cable and telecommunications industry networking events in the country - and hoping to expand its appeal to additional industries as well - the event raises funds that directly benefit the remarkable athleticism and competitive spirit of the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team, allowing the organization to remain the top disabled ski team in the world.

Are there prices available for specific portions of the Adaptive Spirit Ski Event?

Yes. We have daily rates available for youths and adults.

Do the members of the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team attend the Adaptive Spirit Ski Event?

Absolutely! The U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team not only attends the event, but also actively participates in all of the weekend events. Their participation is especially noticeable during the Pre-Race Clinic, the Youth Race, and most importantly, at the Adult Race, where the athletes provide invaluable skiing tips to their competing race teams. In addition, each 4-person race team is assigned a member of the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team as the fifth crucial teammate. Throughout the event, attendees have an opportunity to meet and interact with these incredible athletes. Together, laughs are shared, stories are told and lasting friendships are created. The emotional bond formed between the athletes and Adaptive Spirit's participants is one of the main reasons this event continues to grow and flourish year after year.
 

How can I become involved in Adaptive Spirit and the Ski Event?

There are a variety of ways to become involved with Adaptive Spirit. In fact, your involvement is the key to our success! Beyond attending the event and meeting and interacting with the athletes directly, there are volunteer opportunities during the weekend, committee work that is done during the year that needs additional expertise and volunteer efforts, plus a number of sponsorship and contribution opportunities that you or your company may wish to try.

For more Volunteer information Email Lori Wood.
For more Sponsorship information click here.

How long has Adaptive Spirit (formerly SkiTAM) been in existence?

In 1995, CTAM of the Rocky Mountains (a regional chapter of CTAM, the cable industry’s association of marketing executives) wanted to create an event that could raise money for a worthy cause and become a signature event for the chapter. The chapter’s board members learned that the US National Paralympic Ski Team had lost its funding and was in danger of disbanding. The chapter leadership quickly concluded that the team’s survival was the perfect cause for a Rocky Mountain–based organization to embrace, and an event designed to fund the team had the potential to draw executives from across the country.

CTAM’s board of directors agreed to lend the chapter seed money to launch the event and four months later the first SkiTAM was held in Vail in 1996. SkiTAM ’96 attracted 110 attendees and raised $100,000 for the team — an amount that, at the time, seemed remarkable. That dollar figure, along with the support of the cable industry, caught the attention of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and helped secure the Paralympic Team’s standing and its future as a team. It also triggered a chain reaction of events that led to SkiTAM ultimately emerging as the team’s financial lifeblood.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, announced the transition to manage elite Paralympic alpine and cross-country skiing. Effective December 20, 2010, the USOC assumed governance and management responsibility for the high-performance and development services of adaptive skiing.

Also within the past two years the SkiTAM name was changed to Adaptive Spirit. The organization will operate under the umbrella name, Adaptive Spirit. And the annual Ski Event will still be held in Vail. The cable industry’s financial support and sponsorship will continue to fund the development and training of those remarkable athletes, but now Adaptive Spirit’s specific messaging, influence and strategic partnerships will be expanded to include the broader adaptive community.

How much money has Adaptive Spirit earned for the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team?

To date, Adaptive Spirit has generated over $6 million to the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team. This money represents the majority of the Paralympic Ski Team's operating budget and is used to ensure that the team's athletes can train, compete and travel throughout the ski season.
 

I am bringing my spouse, children or a guest to the Adaptive Spirit Ski Event. Do I need to register them and is there a cost?

Yes to both questions. We want you to bring your friends and family to the Adaptive Spirit Ski Event. However, Adaptive Spirit is primarily a fundraiser for the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team so it is necessary to at least cover our costs. All youth must be credentialed to attend any events. Kids 4 and under are free. Kids 5 to 12 may attend for only $75 and those 13 and over receive a discounted rate. There is also a discounted rate for chaperones or nannies. In addition, spouses or guests that are not employed within the telecommunications industry also receive a discounted rate.

For more Registration information click here.

I don’t ski. Do I need a lift ticket?

No. If you wish to join the group for on-mountain activities such as Friday lunch or Tubing, you only need a foot pass. The foot pass will allow you to have access to the Gondola or the Vista Bahn Express that has both upload and download capabilities. Lift tickets and foot passes are available at the Adaptive Spirit Headquarters at a substantial discount. You should also know that 20% of the people that attend the Ski Event do not ski or snowboard. There are a lot of non-ski activities available in and around Vail.
 

If I am a sponsor or on a sponsor team, do I have to race?

No. As part of the sponsor group, you will receive the same benefits as the racers. Only 1/3 of the people that attend the Ski Event participate in the race. Most enjoy the race on a spectator basis.

If I cancel a registration, what is the cancellation policy?

All requests for cancellation must be received in writing by March 9. If payments have been made, 100% of the registration fee will be refunded minus a cancellation fee. If you paid by check, there will be a $20 cancellation fee. If you paid by credit card, there will be a 7% fee. After March 9, there are no refunds for cancellations. You may substitute another person at no cost up until March 9. After this date, there will be a $20 fee for new or changed credentials.

For more Registration information click here.

If ski racing isn't my thing, why should I participate in the Adaptive Spirit Ski Event?

Even if skiing against the clock is not your thing, you can still attend the event and make a difference in the future of the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team. Participate in the numerous networking events and socialize with the amazing ski team athletes! In addition, there are plenty of non-skiing activities to participate in at the Ski Event, including exploring all that Vail has to offer. Snow shoeing, gondola/chair lift rides, shopping and enjoying the night life are just a few alternatives to skiing.
 

What do sponsoring companies get out of the Adaptive Spirit Ski Event? What are the benefits of sponsorship?

Adaptive Spirit's continued success depends on the generosity of its sponsors. In return for their kindness, sponsors are prominently featured in all the Ski Event marketing materials, including the organization's Web site, electronic newsletter, and all event materials. In addition, the benefits of sponsorship can be seen in the faces of the athletes, the camaraderie and unity of the team, and the preeminent performance of the adaptive skiers. For example, at the 2002 Paralympics, the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team took home 40 medals overall to remain #1 in the world!

For more Sponsorship information click here.

What is a foot pass?

If you wish to go up the gondola or upload on a lift but do not ski, you will need a foot pass. It allows you to gain access to all of the Adaptive Spirit Ski Event group events that are on the mountain such as the Friday lunch or the tubing hill.
 

What is the connection between the cable industry and the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team?

Despite being comprised of extraordinarily talented athletes with winning personalities, the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team is not yet a fully recognized athletic organization alongside others like the U.S. Olympics and the U.S. Ski Team. Early on, several key cable industry executives recognized the need for the Paralympic Ski Team to secure additional funding to continue their operations and opportunities for disabled athletes, and the idea for SkiTAM was born (and eventually Adaptive Spirit). In addition to securing funding for the team's operating budget, Adaptive Spirit is dedicated to increasing knowledge of the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team and the Paralympics among key constituents. The intent is to attain more public support of the team while attracting additional corporate sponsorships and media exposure for these remarkable athletes.

What is the purpose of the Adaptive Spirit Ski Event?

The event was created to directly benefit disabled athletes and help them achieve their dreams. Along the way, the Ski Event became regarded as one of the cable and telecommunications industry's best networking opportunities. By providing funds that allow the team's athletes to train and compete throughout the ski season, Adaptive Spirit has been influential in helping a large number of those dreams become reality.

What portion of the funds raised at the Adaptive Spirit Ski Event goes to the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team?

After event expenses are paid, all of the funds raised at the Ski Event directly benefit the U.S. National Paralympic Ski Team. Adaptive Spirit has raised more than $6 million for the ski team since the program began in 1996.

What should I wear to the Ski Event?

In Colorado, we call it "Mountain Casual." That means you wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing in a casual business setting. Jeans are welcome. Gentlemen, we suggest you leave the coat and tie at home. Ladies, anything you like is fine but shoes with high heels may be a liability when you go outside. We find it important to dress in layers so you can be comfortable in the ever-changing Colorado weather. We highly recommend that you wear comfortable shoes or boots that have slip-resistant soles.