Getting ready foran adaptive ski lesson in Crested Butte.
Adaptive ski, snowboard, Nordic and snowshoe lessons at the base of Mt. Crested Butte, from a center that names autism on its list of who it serves. A full day is $95 with gear included.
Adaptive Sports Center, Crested Butte
Address
Kelsey Wright Building, 19 Emmons Road, Mt. Crested Butte 81225 (at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area) Directions
Hours
Ski and snowboard lessons: full day 9:30 am to 12 pm and 1 to 3:30 pm, or 9:30 am to 3:30 pm with lunch; half day 9:30 am to 12 pm or 1 to 3:30 pm. Nordic and snowshoe 10 am to 1 pm.
“Since 1987, we have had the pleasure of sharing outdoor recreation with people with disabilities including, but not limited to the following: Autism,” cognitive disabilities, Down syndrome and more. Its programs “are inclusive to families and friends.”
Private lessons are “for individuals with disabilities/special needs, or family members who want one-on-one instruction.”
Our note The center names autism on its list of who it serves, and its lessons cost less than the other adaptive ski programs in this guide: $95 for a full day, $85 for a half day, with equipment, helmet, goggles and a lesson lift ticket included.
Our note There's a full-day option with lunch included and supervised, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, which can make a long day easier on the family.
Our note Requests stay pending until the center emails a confirmation. When there's room, family members at a similar skill level may be able to take the lesson together.
Three things to know
Private lessons $95 full day, $85 half day, with rental gear, helmet, goggles, overnight ski storage and a lesson lift ticket included.
Nordic skiing and snowshoeing: $95 for a 3-hour private lesson, 10 am to 1 pm, with other times by request.
Crested Butte sits between 7,000 and 10,000 feet. The center suggests drinking extra water before you arrive and dressing in warm layers, since “temperatures can drop rapidly.”
More: registration, scholarships, getting there
The center names no loud or quiet spots
Louder
Quieter
Quiet roomnot stated
Registration for winter 2026-27 is open. Book through the center's registration page; all requests are pending until staff confirm by email.
The center offers scholarships and asks families to pay what they can. Ask about them when you register.
Group lessons ($95 full day, $85 half day per person, two to three people) are for family or friends of similar ability who don't need adaptive instruction, and depend on availability. For adaptive instruction, book a private lesson.
Lesson lift tickets are only valid during lesson times.
Veterans, active military and first responders with disabilities, or with a family member with a disability, pay $50 a lesson through Operation Rise and Conquer.
Reservations: 970-349-2296 ext. 200 or registration@adaptivesports.org.
What the center doesn't say
not stated a minimum age
not stated a quiet room or break space in the building
not stated whether parents can stay nearby during the lesson
not stated season opening and closing dates
not stated what instructors do when a kid is overwhelmed
Request lessons through the center's registration page and wait for the confirmation email. Full-day and morning lessons start at 9:30 am; afternoon half days start at 1 pm. The center's office is in the Kelsey Wright Building at the base; ask where to meet when your confirmation comes. Rental gear, a helmet, goggles and a lesson lift ticket are included. A full day with supervised lunch is an option. Change anything.
Common questions
What if my child won't look at the schedule or story?
That is common at first. Leave it where the moment happens, point to one picture at a time, and keep it low-pressure. Many kids warm up to it after a few calm tries, in their own time.
Can I make this in Spanish?
Yes. Every tool and this page exist in Spanish, and the printed page comes out in the language you choose. Use the language switch at the top.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no signup, and we don’t keep what you type; anything you save stays on your device. Make it, print it, done.
