About the Vermont 50

• Vermont Adaptive, founded by Laura Farrell in 1987, started at Ascutney Mountain Resort as the Vermont Handicap Ski Foundation.
• It was the first adaptive skiing program in Vermont that worked with people of all ages and abilities and promoted the beneficial aspects associated with sports and recreation.
• During this same time, Laura and her running and equine friends and dedicated supporters of the organization established the VT 100 and the VT 50 races to help subsidize the organizational expenses.
• In 1989 The Ski Foundation grew to include summer activities such as canoeing and rock climbing in Southern Vermont.

1990’s

• By 1991 the adaptive skiing program expanded to Northern Vermont, beginning winter program operations at Sugarbush Resort.
• By 1996, the organization offered full-time statewide programs and adopted the name Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports with the mission to provide year-round recreational opportunities to individuals with disabilities.
• In 1998, Vermont Adaptive expanded its summer programming by collaborating with Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center to bring an Adaptive Water Sports program to the Champlain Valley.
• Vermont Adaptive moved its southern programs and operational headquarters to Pico Mountain Resort in 1999, centralizing administration.

2000’s

• In the spring of 2000, Vermont Adaptive played a large part in the development and creation of the first inclusive camp in Chittenden County. “Partners in Adventure” pairs able bodied and disabled campers ages 11-17 together for adventure and activities and is still a program partner today.
• In 2002 Vermont Adaptive developed, trained and sponsored a disabled alpine ski team to participate in the Diana Golden Race Series held throughout the Northeast. The series is designed to allow disabled athletes to become familiar with the sport of alpine ski racing in a fun and supportive environment.
• In 2004, Vermont Adaptive aligned itself with the US Paralympics as an official partner and Paralympic Sport Club. Paralympic Sport Clubs are responsible for promoting awareness for the Paralympic Games and for developing programs and competitive events for physically disabled athletes. The US Paralympics is the sanctioning body for the US Olympics and hosts the Paralympics Games following the Olympic Games.
• Vermont Adaptive and United States Association for Blind Athletes (USABA) partnered in 2007 to offer the first National Winter Festival “learn to ski, learn to race and Nordic event” for visually impaired and blind athletes. The organization has hosted the event ever since.
• Sadly, in 2008, Vermont Adaptive lost a great friend, Jim Hutchinson. For many years Jim served on the Board of Directors; Jim was a volunteer, a Race Director for the VT 100, and at one time served as the Executive Director. Through his active involvement his presence is inherently woven into the fabric of the organization we are today. In Jim’s memory, we honor our top volunteers with the “Jim Hutchinson Volunteer of the Year Award.”
• To better serve Chittenden County, in 2008 Vermont Adaptive expanded to a third Winter Program location at Bolton Valley Ski Area. Its proximity to Burlington and the rest of Chittenden County provide a convenient location for many year-round residents.

2010’s

• The inaugural Century Ride (now The Charity Challenge) to Benefit Vermont Adaptive began in 2011 by the Black Family sponsored by the Lookout Tavern in Killington.
• This event quickly grew, and Long Trail Brewing partnered in 2012 as the title sponsor. The event remains a strong source of operational funding along with the VT 100 and VT 50.
• In 2013 Vermont Adaptive completed construction of the first adaptive sports center in Vermont, the Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge at Pico Mountain. This is a fully accessible space designed for the unique needs of our clients and families for programs, administration and storage. This project was completed in partnership with the Pico Ski Education Foundation.

2020’s

• Adaptive Sports Facility at Sugarbush’s Mt. Ellen opens
• The Community Sailing Center in Burlington has been a devoted partner to Vermont Adaptive, providing a space for an administrative desk, shared storage and access to the lake and bike path. From this spot, Vermont Adaptive offers more than 300 sailing, paddling and cycling lessons every summer. However, we have outgrown this shared and borrowed space.