VI/Blind Athletes Winter Festival

16th Annual Vermont Adaptive VI/Blind Athlete Winter Festival February 7-10, 2025 at Pico Mountain, Killington, VT

For 16 years, Vermont Adaptive has hosted this national winter festival for athletes who are blind or visually impaired. Attendees can participate in Alpine skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing for this weekend-long event. The event continues to be one of the largest annual gathering of skiers in the United States who are blind and visually impaired.
 
Participants will ski at Pico Mountain on Saturday and Sunday with an option to practice snowshoeing as well. During the weekend, participants can practice with Vermont Adaptive’s auditory rifle system, the same system used for competition in Nordic Combined in the Paralympics. The festival includes a Friday night welcome party, group lunches each day, and a Saturday night banquet.

Itinerary

FRIDAY, February 7, 2025
(Participants arrive throughout the day)

2:00 – 6:00 PM- Check-in with hotel and a Vermont Adaptive representative at the Inn at Long Trail, Killington, VT.
6:30 – 7:30 PM- Reception for participants, family/friends, and guides – Welcome Party with light Dinner and Snacks.
7:30 – 8:00 PM- Short night meeting and program overview of weekend

SATURDAY, February 8, 2025

7:00 – 8:00 AM- Continental Breakfast at the hotel
8:30 AM- Instructors at Pico-assignment of students
8:30 AM- Participants travel to Pico Mountain
9:00-9:30 AM- Place Skiers/Snowboarders in appropriate groups and programs                 
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 PM- Ski/Snowboard Session 1 at Pico Mountain                        
12:00-1:00 PM- Lunch as a group at Pico Mountain (lunch provided)                       
1:00 – 3:30 PM- Ski/Snowboard Session 2 at Pico Mountain
1:00– 3:00 PM-Rifle Scope Demo at Pico Mountain for anyone interested –  (Weather permitting)                   
3:00 – 3:30PM- Shuttles head back to Hotel                       
3:45-4:30 PM- Free time at hotel                        
4:30-4:45 PM- Shuttles Leave for Dinner Banquet
5:00 – 8:00 PM- Dinner Banquet (6:00 PM service of meals)

SUNDAY, February 9, 2025 

7:00 – 8:00 AM- Continental Breakfast at the hotel
8:30 AM- Instructors at Pico Mountain – assignment of students
8:30 – 9:00 AM Pico Participants travel to Pico Mountain, place Skiers/Snowboarders in appropriate groups
9:30 – 12:00 PM- Ski/Snowboard Session 3 Pico Mountain
9:30 – 10:00 AM- Snowshoe Participants travel to offsite location, place skiers in appropriate groups                 
10:30-12:00 PM-Snowshoe Session 1                       
12:00 – 1:00 PM- Lunch as a group at Pico Mountain (lunch provided)  **Separate lunch for Snowshoe Session
1:30 – 2:00 PM- Snowshoe Participants return to Pico Mountain/Shuttle back to Hotel
1:00 – 3:00 PM- Ski/Snowboard Session 4 at Pico Mountain                        
3:00-3:30 PM- Shuttles head back to Hotel
5:00 PM- Event/Program ends, participants are on their own for meals or go to local restaurant with group
5:00 PM- Shuttle to local restaurant for anyone interested (meal cost paid day of dinner)

MONDAY, February 10, 2025

Transportation back to Airport/Amtrak if needed
6:00 AM-Shuttle leaves Hotel for Burlington Airport
6:30 AM-Shuttle leaves Hotel for Rutland Amtrak
8:00 AM-Shuttle leaves Hotel for Burlington Airport
10:00 AM-Shuttle leaves Hotel for Burlington Airport

Questions or Concerns Please Contact:
Tom Alcorn
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (802) 353-7584