For anyone who has ever considered sit-skiing at Sunshine Village, this is your chance.
For those who want to try snowboarding while visually-impaired, now is the time.
The fourth annual ShredAbility event, the biggest fundraiser of the season for Rocky Mountain Adaptive, is scheduled for Saturday (April 8) at Sunshine Village.
The scavenger hunt aims to raise $30,000 for Rocky Mountain Adaptive, which allows individuals with disabilities programs to explore the mountains. Funds are used to purchase new equipment such as sit skis, and subsidize programming.
The fundraiser not only raises money for a worthwhile cause, it also offers a scavenger hunt around the mountain.
“The treasure hunt covers most of the mountain. You choose if you are a green, blue or black runner, and take the challenges. We have tons of prizes for costumes, the slowest team, the fastest team, and more. We also have adaptive challenges along the way,” said Vick McCulloch, executive assistant with Rocky Mountain Adaptive.
Teams of two will explore Sunshine Village, completing challenges and collecting items along the way. While some teams prefer to race the event, others take their time. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
McCulloch said the fundraiser is integral for the organization, which continues to expand every year.
“The money raised is spent directly on activities. We subsidize our programs to make them available to as many participants as possible,” McCulloch said.
ShredAbility has fast become one of the most anticipated events on the Rocky Mountain Adaptive calendar.
“This event is popular with many of our guests. Our biggest winter programs are at Sunshine, and this event incorporates what our guests do. We want to make it available to everyone.”
While navigating a sit-ski or skiing blind down a steep slope may sound intimidating, McCulloch said the event is well supported, with many instructors and volunteers.
Many new participants have signed up for the event this year and, while entry is $200 per person (lift ticket included), most are able to fundraise to cover that amount.
“More people are getting involved, and more people are hearing about Rocky Mountain Adaptive. We’d like to get even more people involved and have a bigger fundraiser, so we can raise more money to keep our programs going. If there is a sport one of our members wants to try, we try and make that happen,” McCulloch said.
The programs have had a profound effect on many adaptive athletes in the Rocky Mountains. Paula Macdonald said her daughter Kaitlyn is able to downhill ski more than 20 days a year thanks to Rocky Mountain Adaptive.
“She loves it. It creates confidence and independence,” Macdonald said. “It really builds a community for our daughter.”
Teams are able to register online at www.rockymountainadaptive.com on the sponsorship page.
