Nonprofit Outdoors for All Foundation is making snowsports more accessible
written by Daniel O’Neil
Washington is full of mountains, skiers and snowboarders. The state’s world-class ski resorts draw millions each year and have raised Olympians and legends. There’s no reason, then, that disabled Washingtonians shouldn’t join in the fun and stoke. Since 1979, the Outdoors for All Foundation has made such access a reality for people with disabilities, which also makes the mountain scene more complete.
At its outset, Outdoors for All, then named Ski for All, consisted of a group of skiers who had adaptive needs and a group of volunteers eager to share their love of snow. Since then, the organization has grown to provide year-round activities and continues to provide lessons and guidance on the slopes at The Summit at Snoqualmie and at Stevens Pass, ski resorts that help keep the Outdoors for All mission on track.
With weekday and weekend programs throughout the snow season, Outdoors for All organizes more than 400 volunteer instructors and oversees the adaptive equipment, like sit-skis and modified ski crutches, for more than 200 participants. All abilities and all types of disabilities, from physical to intellectual, including visual and hearing impairments, are welcome to learn and enjoy downhill skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing in the company of trained volunteers. Participants’ ages range from around 10 years old to adults in their 50s.
“Outdoor recreation is kind of a right,” said Connor Inslee, executive director of the Outdoors for All Foundation. “Everybody should be able to get outside and recreate. We’ve seen endless studies about how it improves quality of life, what it means for individuals. And living in the Northwest, where most folks are here for the outdoor recreation, we want to ensure that everyone has access. So we do that through providing adaptive programming regardless of disability.”
Along with offering instruction and adaptive gear, Outdoors for All helps participants surmount the high prices of winter recreation. Financial aid covers up to 90 percent of the cost for programs. Ski clothing can be rented. And free transportation is provided throughout the Puget Sound area for all programs. The benefits transcend any boundaries.
“The work Outdoors for All does at Stevens Pass is transformative,” said Ellen Galbraith, vice president and general manager of Stevens Pass ski resort. “It’s about more than access—it’s about empowerment. Their adaptive programs ensure that anyone, regardless of physical or developmental ability, can fully experience the magic of winter sports.”
For people of all abilities to have such access to chairlifts and groomed runs, and the equipment that makes it possible, fundraising remains crucial to Outdoors for All, a nonprofit. Several annual events, including Spreefest, to be held on March 7 at The Summit at Snoqualmie, ensure a continued commitment.
Twice a year Outdoors for All asks participants about the benefits of its programs. The most recent survey showed that 99 percent of participants reported having an increased sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. Ninety-eight percent reported an enriched or improved quality of life. And 94 percent reported an improved or increased level of physical fitness.
“We see firsthand, through our own surveys, how impactful adaptive recreation is,” Inslee said. “And we really emphasize that the activity is just part of what we do. We are also building community. We’re giving folks a place to build relationships, to engage their community and to get outside.”
At Stevens Pass, the universal benefits of adaptive snowsports are tangible. “Through our partnership, we see firsthand how breaking down barriers on the mountain helps build stronger, more connected communities,” Galbraith said. “Each lesson creates a ripple effect, inspiring families, friends and fellow guests to see what’s possible when access and opportunity come together.”
To learn more, volunteer or donate, visit www.outdoorsforall.org
