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126 Ratlum Road, New Hartford, CT 06057            860-379-SNOW

This is a tough Winter.  We're Awesome.  We want to prove it.  Introducing $30 Thursdays!

 Open Wednesday Feb. 22nd, 8AM-10PM with 100% of our trails!

 
 
Adaptive Lessons

Ski Sundown's Adaptive program provides ski and snowboard lessons to individuals of all ages with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities. Ski Sundown is affiliated with STRIDE, Inc., a nonprofit adaptive skiing and recreation organization for individuals with disabilities. Our adaptive volunteers are trained in adaptive coaching and will assess, equip and teach special needs students one-on-one to meet their specific needs, abilities and learning styles. We welcome individuals of all abilities.

Lesson categories include: Hearing and visual impairments or blind skiing; all types of developmental disabilities; two, three and four track skiers and snowboarders and mono- and bi-skiing. Lessons are by advance reservation only.

Adaptive Lesson Package - $75

  • 2 ½ hours of private instruction (includes time for equipment fitting)
  • Adaptive and/or standard ski or snowboard equipment
  • Lift ticket

Ticket available for one person accompanying adaptive lesson participant - $20
Handicap parking is available on the left and right of the main footbridge entrance.

For participation in Ski Sundown's Adaptive Lesson program

  • Complete the Adaptive Application & Waiver. Your application must be accepted by STRIDE prior to making a reservation with Ski Sundown.
  • Call STRIDE ar 518-598-1279 Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm to make an adaptive lesson reservation.

Through the David H. Clark Memorial Fund, STRIDE often helps families who have children already enrolled in STRIDE's program by giving them financial assistance to fully participate in STRIDE's activities or related activities.

Ski Sundown would like to thank and recognize the following corporations that have contributed $1,000 or more to the STRIDE/Ski Sundown Adaptive Equipment/Education Fund. Through their generosity, Ski Sundown's Adaptive Program will be able to serve more children and adults with disabilities of all types.

  • Wiremold Foundation
  • Pacer/Anixter
  • Bob's Discount Furniture
  • J & M Sales
  • AT&T Berkshire Employees CSF
  • Customers of Marandino Food
  • Ski Sundown, Inc.
 
 

Safety:

Here at Ski Sundown we strive to offer the best mountain experience. We work hard on keeping the mountain well maintained, fresh, and exciting. We want as many people to enjoy our creations as possible, that’s why we offer such a variety of Freestyle Terrain which may contain jumps, hits, ramps, banks, fun boxes, jibs, rails, half pipes, quarter pipes, mogul terrain, and other created or natural terrain features.

Skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed in many ways. At Ski Sundown you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country and other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience.

Your Responsibility Code:
  1. Always stay in control.
  2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
  3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
  4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
  5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
  6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
  7. Know how to use the lifts safely.
Be safety conscious and know the code. It's your responsibility.

Freestyle Terrain
Prior to using Freestyle Terrain, you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with Freestyle Terrain and obeying all instructions, warnings and signs. Freestyle skills require maintaining control on the ground, and in the air. Check out the basics, safety information and tips from the pros in the Smart Style video to enable terrain parks to be fun and safe for everyone.

Body Armor - with the popularity of so many extreme and contact sports, there are many brands, models, and options for protective padding all around the body. Many motocross, bmx, in-line skating, and skateboard shops have a variety of gear that is comfortable to wear and fits easily as a layer under your coat and pants. Protecting the tailbone and hipbones with padded shorts or pants is common.

Knee, elbow, shoulder pads, and wrist guards are other options.

Know your limits and ability level and select the appropriate Freestyle Terrain for you.

Your condition, speed, balance, body movements, alignment, trajectory and maneuver difficulty will directly affect your desired outcome.

Know the intended use of the Freestyle Terrain you have chosen.

For example, some features are intended to be used in a series with no stopping and some individually with stopping areas; jump takeoffs are for jumping and rail takeoffs are for entering onto rails.

Your actions can take you out of balance and cause serious injury or death, no matter how the feature is designed or where you land. Land on your feet!

Transitions are changes in the shape and pitch of the snow or feature, or changes from one type of sliding surface to another. Transitions can be gentle or abrupt, and demand that users be alert and respond to them with accurate movements.

Know where to Land. The sweet spot is between Terrain the "knuckle" and center of the landing zone. Even if you land on or near the sweet spot, you can still be seriously injured or die if your landing posture is not correct.

Inverted manuevers are not allowed.

Be aware that features change constantly due to snow conditions, weather, usage, grooming and time of day.

Read and obey all posted signs, instructions and warnings before using Freestyle Terrain.
©2012 by ski sundown