Skiing has been my passion for over six decades, and as I celebrate my 64th year on the slopes, I’m grateful for the opportunity to watch the fourth generation of my family fall in love with the sport. Crested Butte holds a special place in our ski history. Four members of my family have competed here, and my father skied these mountains with all three of my children. His ashes are now scattered across these very peaks, making this place even more meaningful to us.

In addition to my love for skiing, I’ve always felt a strong desire to help others, which is why the Adaptive Sports Center (ASC) has become such an integral part of my life. When I moved to the valley in 2012, I had the privilege of joining the ASC as a volunteer, and it has turned into the most rewarding ski adventure of my life. Every day I get to ski with the ASC, I feel fortunate to be part of this transformative program, set against the breathtaking backdrop of these mountains.

ASC participants come in many forms—some arrive with family, while others join in groups, and many are local community members. Regardless of how they come, each participant is welcomed as part of the ASC family. Even before they step into the building, there’s already a personal connection made through emails and phone calls from staff. The community here—volunteers, instructors, interns, and staff—works together to create a warm, safe, and inclusive space. I can honestly say, I find myself saying “living the dream” every day.

In 2015, I was invited to start teaching able-bodied skiers as a volunteer instructor. These skiers could be family members of participants or individuals with cognitive disabilities. At first, I was in awe of how effortlessly the ASC instructors seemed to handle what was, to me, a challenging job. But with time and encouragement, I discovered that teaching gave me as much fulfillment as volunteering. The more I volunteered, the better I became as an instructor, learning from the skilled professionals around me. That dual role—volunteer and instructor—has allowed me to grow in both areas, continually refining my skills through training clinics and learning opportunities provided by the ASC.

In 2023, I was honored to be invited to become a paid instructor. With additional specialized training, I’ve been able to teach higher-level lessons, and it’s been a dream come true. Recently, I sought feedback from a fellow instructor about how I could better support a participant’s goal of independence. After implementing some new drills and techniques, we received a letter from the participant’s parents praising the positive impact we had on their child. That moment was indescribably rewarding, reaffirming why I do what I do.

Being part of the Adaptive Sports Center means being part of a community of compassionate, enthusiastic, and highly skilled individuals who believe in removing all limitations. I’m proud to be surrounded by such a group, and even prouder to contribute to this life-changing work.