STARS - STeamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports
STeamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports ‘STARS’ provides recreational opportunities for people with disabilities, resulting in empowering and enriching the quality of life for its participants.
Steamboat's adaptive sports programs have opened the world of the outdoor mountain environment to participants with special needs for nearly three decades. Steamboat Ski resort and STARS – Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports work together to grow this inspiring program through a staff of highly educated and dedicated employees and volunteers, state-of-the-art adaptive equipment, efforts with outside organizations and by hosting events of all sizes from the annual Vertical Express for MS to the Steamboat All-Mountain Adaptive Ski Camps.
A 501c3 non-profit organization, Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports STARS was founded in 2006 and operates the Adaptive SnowSports Programs at the Steamboat Ski Area. The Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, under an operating agreement with STARS, handles all reservations for STARS lesson programs. For more information on STARS, visit www.steamboatstars.com. In addition, frequently asked questions and additional information may be obtained from this site
Adaptive Lessons and Programs
Steamboat has specially trained STARS Instructors available to provide adaptive lessons throughout the season. Lessons are available by reservation only and advanced booking is required. Customized packages and adaptive equipment to meet any specific need is available.
Steamboat offers discounted Lift Tickets and specially-priced Ski & Snowboard School lessons to individuals who participate in adaptive lessons, as well as for those who prefer to ski/ride at Steamboat with special accommodation without formal instruction. Each requested discount ticket will be reviewed on an individual basis.
In order to access the Adaptive Skier and Rider Programs, please come to the Gondola Main Ticket Office, for lift tickets only, or to the STARS Office in Gondola Square for lessons and lift tickets. A physician's verification is requested for those with disabilities that are not visually apparent. Advance reservations (at least 24 hours) are recommended. Steamboat Ski & Snowboard School Office – 800-299-5017 [toll-free] or 970-871-5375. Lift Ticket Office – 970-871-5252.
Skiers & Snowboarders with special needs
All Levels
7, 5, and 3 Hour Options
Qualified STARS professionals are available to teach skiers or snowboarders with special needs of all levels. Clinics are available by reservation only and advanced booking is required.
Specialized equipment and special lift ticket available during the lesson only. Additional charges may apply if assistants are supplied by the Ski & Snowboard School. Check with the lift ticket office for special "companion" rate lift tickets. Reservations required.
| Adaptive Private Lessons |
Rate** |
| 7 Hour Adaptive Private |
$245.00 |
| 5 Hour Adaptive Private |
$175.00 |
| 3 Hour Adaptive Private |
$105.00 |
*Additional hours are available at $35.00 per hour.
**These are 2009-2010 prices.
Skiers & Snowboarders with special needs
Levels 4 & up
1st Grade to 15 Years
Steamboat’s Inclusion Program takes skiers with special needs and provides them with a specially trained instructor. We then work with the child’s parent or guardian to determine whether the child is ready to participate in a group clinic format or remain with our private program as described above. Must call for reservations in a private clinic first.
Lift Line Privileges
Permission to go to the front of the lift line is extended to disabled individuals that have difficulty standing for extended periods and those whose adaptive equipment makes it difficult to navigate within the maze. This specifically includes above the knee amputees, (and below the knee if skiing with one ski), physically disabled using the mono-ski, bi-ski or sit-ski sled, four-track skiers with two skis and two outriggers and blind persons with an side. All sit-ski sleds must be equipped with standard evacuation systems, (straps, hooks, etc.), and may be inspected at the base of each lift. Upon arrival at the base of the lift, please let the lift operators know the type of assistance you may need for loading and unloading or any other special preferences.
Adaptive Mountain Facilities & Services
Parking & Mountain Access - The most accessible parking for Adaptive Skiers and Snowboarders is in the Gondola Square Parking Garage, located between the Steamboat Grand and Sheraton Hotels. Resort parking attendants will direct you to the most convenient parking space. Access the Ticket Office, Ski & Snowboard School and slopes is possible by using a series of three ramps in Gondola Plaza. All parking is FREE for adaptive guests.
Restrooms - Restrooms are conveniently located around the Base Area as well as on the mountain.
- Base Area - Ground level of the Gondola Building, next to Kids’ Vacation Center and 2nd level.
- Thunderhead Facility at the top of the Gondola-1st level next to the Stoker Bar. These are accessed from the front of the building, and in through the main doors. If desired, please ask the lift operators for assistance and a representative will happily assist you through the inside of the building to the restrooms.
- Rendezvous Saddle-West side, bridge into "loft" level of building. Restrooms are on the immediate left upon entering, accessed from the South Peak lift.
- Four Points Hut-Access the restrooms inside on the main level by way of a ramp.
Wheelchairs - Wheelchairs are available to assist you in accessing the facilities on the mountain. For your convenience, a wheelchair is located at each of the four locations below. Please have your Companion Skier obtain the chair or ask for assistance when you arrive.
- Base of the Gondola in the loading and unloading area.
- Top of the Gondola and Thunderhead chairlift in the loading and unloading area.
- Four Points Hut, behind the food service counter.
- Rendezvous Saddle facility on the top floor, accessed from South Peak Lift. Cross the bridge and you’ll find a wheelchair just inside the door to the left.
Gondola Cabin No. 129 - The resort utilizes a cabin to its gondola that is like no other. Cabin No. 129 was built specifically to be more convenient for adaptive skiers, particularly wheelchair users. The cabin means that wheelchair users can roll through the gondola line to board the special cabin for the trip to Thunderhead for the scenery or for a meal.
The ADA cabin opens up to 32.7 inches instead of the regular gondola door openings of 24.4 inches. The cabin itself is larger and both of the bench seats flip up, allowing enough room for a wheelchair to turn around inside. If the wheelchair guest is traveling with an able bodied person that person may easily sit down on one of the benches while still allowing plenty of room for the wheelchair. Also, the door opening mechanism of the ADA cabin is in the roof (as opposed to the floor), which allows more room overall. CWA of Switzerland (the same company that built the original eight-passenger cabins) built the new cabin at a cost of $32,000.
Resort Transportation - The resort features a 25-passenger El Dorado National Aerotech wheelchair accessible shuttle from its remote parking lot, the Meadows. The shuttle features a Braun fully automatic wheelchair lift, double wheelchair lift doors; passenger foldaway seats over wheelchair positions and enhanced interior and exterior lighting.
Local Transportation - Steamboat Springs Transit (SST) is the public transportation system for Steamboat. SST provides service for both fixed route and para-transit service. The fixed route serves much of the downtown area, the Ski Area base and many of the adjacent condominiums. Please call for the closest stop and service times. The para-transit service is available upon request for those who qualify. This service provides curb-to-curb service to any location within the city limits. Next day advanced request is required for this service. There is no charge for this service, as all SST buses that provide service within the city limits of Steamboat Springs are free. 970-879-3717.
Steamboat Central Reservations:
800.922.2722
The full service reservation headquarters for lodging, air, ground transportation, lift tickets, Ski & Snowboard School, equipment rentals and dining, Steamboat Central Reservations has the most complete information on Adaptive/ADA lodging in Steamboat, including condominiums, hotels and private homes for travelers with disabilities.
