Participant Stories & Testimonials

Olivia (pictured) was born with a disability that impacts muscle stamina, and stand-up skiing was something she could only do for a short time before becoming exhausted. This made skiing together as a family difficult.

Olivia’s family was planning a trip to northern Michigan where her family of skiers would enjoy the springtime snow. Prior to their visit, Olivia’s dad contacted Challenge Mountain about opportunities for her, such as volunteers to assist and adaptive equipment.

Upon their arrival, Challenge Mountain volunteers, equipped with a biski, met Olivia’s family at Boyne Mountain on a beautiful sunny day in March. Olivia immediately loved riding up the chairlift and flying down the hill in the biski with the Challenge Mountain volunteers. Before long, Olivia’s dad was comfortable skiing with the biski and even loading and unloading on the chairlift with a Challenge Mountain volunteer. By the end of the sunny afternoon, both of Olivia’s parents and her older brother were comfortable skiing and using the chairlift with Olivia. “This is what we do,” said one of the volunteers. “We help families living with disabilities recreate together.” Because of the instruction provided by Challenge Mountain volunteers, Olivia’s family has purchased a biski for her, and they will be able to spend more fun-filled days skiing together for many years.

Part of an organized group of families who have children with visual or hearing impairments, Lilly and her family visited Challenge Mountain for a winter day of snowtime recreation.

With her visual impairment, Lilly was tentative about stepping out of her comfort zone and trying new things, like skiing. But with encouragement from her family and her volunteer ski instructor, Lilly’s confidence grew. She was making turns and stopping independently by the end of the day.

Lilly’s family was pleasantly surprised when they were given the opportunity to learn to ski right alongside Lilly.

In a thank you note, Lilly’s mom commented: “When we left you all that first day, Lilly said, ‘I never thought I could do something like that, but I did. If I can do that, then I can do…’ and she listed ten other things! You gave our girl the confidence to try something that she didn’t think she could do, and we are grateful.”

The experience was so positive and encouraging for the entire family that they returned to ski at Challenge Mountain two weeks later.

“Thank you so very much Challenge Mountain for providing the greatest adaptive ski experience!

“I was extremely nervous at first, not having skied in over two years and with now having to re-learn my favorite sport with my ever-changing, limited vision.

“However, my nerves quickly pushed aside working with Chuck Fletcher as an instructor. Through his great patience, help, and expertise we narrowed adaptive equipment down to the blind pole and how to apply neat tips/tricks so that we could ski side-by-side down the slopes using verbal cues.

“Chuck not only worked with me, but also dedicated time to having my boyfriend, Mike, shadow us and then take over the role as guide. By the end of the day, Mike was providing the verbal cues for us to ski together both with and without the use of the blind pole. It was a great test of the importance of communication and trust in our relationship. Even though it was scary at times, it felt amazing to regain some of my independence!

“In addition to Mike, please note that we had thirty of our friends at the resort this weekend who all spoke of various opportunities witnessing Chuck and I in action.

“Thank you, again, for the Blind Skier/Guide bibs that will come in handy if Mike and I are able to ski at our local slopes. As our appreciation to Chuck and Challenge Mountain we have made a small donation so that we and others in need of adaptive recreation can experience all that Challenge Mountain has to offer. We also plan on making a special trip to donate items to your resale store in the near future.

“I have the “Challenge Mountain bug” and have already been sharing my experiences with family, friends, and the UofM Kellogg Eye Center. Mike even shared his experience and showed a video he captured with my glaucoma doctor. She is familiar with Challenge Mountain’s summer services and now will be able to share more with her patients about winter programs.” — Gina Livingston

This is Christopher’s story. Christopher wants to learn to ski, so his parents and grandparents bring him to a little hill in the woods near Walloon Lake. His family loves to ski and they want Christopher to feel the joy of flying on snow, but they are reserved in their hopes because Christopher is not able to walk or stand on his own.

Challenge Mountain volunteers give Christopher what he needs to learn to ski: they fit him with adaptive equipment specific to his needs, they encourage and instruct him. Christopher feels the cool wind in his face as he experiences flying on snow. Everyone is inspired by Christopher’s accomplishment and his grandfather’s words capture this life changing moment best:

“Our grandson is still beaming from ear to ear with delight and pride for what he experienced today. You gave him a big boost in his self-esteem and worth. It’s tough having all the cognitive abilities while being trapped in a body that doesn’t allow one to participate in all the activities that most 8 year old boys do. I would have never believed that he could ski, but thanks to your organization, he did so today. We are all very grateful.” — Dick D. Winter 2014

Since 1984, volunteers at Challenge Mountain have watched children and adults with special needs become empowered as they learn to ski at the little mountain once known as Walloon Hills. Thirty years of countless smiles resulting in happy, healthy and longer lives delivered at no cost to clients and their families. Challenge Mountain continues to be committed to enriching lives and empowering people living with disabilities through year-round adaptive recreation. Our mission has been sustained through the work of many volunteers, financial gifts from donors and supportive communities. Great things happen together and with this tremendous support, Challenge Mountain continues to provide opportunities that change lives.