Disabled athletes hit slopes with Eldora's Ignite Adaptive Sports

Dec. 27—When Colleen Bell clipped into her skis at Eldora Mountain in February, it was the first time in 33 years that the 44-year-old had hit the slopes.

After battling numerous health conditions that stemmed from a birth defect, the Colorado Springs native, who now resides in Fort Collins, had seen firsthand how inaccessible travel and recreation can be for those with disabilities.

On that February afternoon, she was joined by two instructors from the Ignite Adaptive Program, an organization headquartered at Eldora that offers outdoor sports classes for people with disabilities. Alongside two volunteer instructors, Bell carried her portable oxygen concentrator in her backpack as she began heading down the slope.

"I was really shocked with how much muscle memory there was when I got on my skis and was able to actually stand on them," Bell said. "I was really impressed with myself."

Scholarships and more

Bell was one of 274 Ignite athletes who had classes last year, according to Operations Manager Kevin Wilson. Bell said her classes were made possible through the Ignite scholarship program. The organization not only prides itself in the financial support it can provide to athletes, but its ability to provide ski and snowboard clothing and equipment for those who need it.

Carol Nickell, the executive director of Ignite Adaptive Sports, which was started in 1976, said it's the second oldest adaptive ski program in the state.

"We were founded by two CU (Boulder) students who were attending CU to become physician assistants and they were working with people with disabilities," Nickell said. "They were also ski instructors at Eldora, and they got a great idea to bring up some CU students with disabilities and start an adaptive program at Eldora."

Beyond snowboards and two-track skis, the program's extensive adaptive equipment includes ski bikes, mono skis and Nordic skis. Nickell said the organization has never turned anyone away based on disability. It also trains volunteers in all capacities to work with people with disabilities. Veterans are permitted to ski for free.

Native Boulderite Chris Ward, who now lives in Niwot, began skiing as a kid. But after what his family calls "a bad boot day" Ward avoided the slopes for almost 15 years.

However, since his mother, Jana Ward, found Ignite eight years ago, her son has been taking weekly lessons every season.

"He's grown tremendously, both physically and emotionally," Jana Ward said. "When he started at Ignite he had very low confidence in his physical abilities.

"The volunteers listened carefully to my input and feedback from both my husband and I, and made adjustments when needed. And they provided just the right amount of challenge to (him) to keep him coming back."

The family's involvement in the program doesn't end with Chris Ward. Jana Ward served on the Ignite Adaptive Program's board of directors for six years and his father is currently an instructor for the organization. Beyond being an athlete, Chris Ward also now serves on the board as well.

During her time on the board, Jana Ward organized the group's first annual Gala which began fundraising efforts for a new building for Ignite. It is currently under construction, and set to open in the 2023-24 season.

Nickell said one of the best amenities of the building will be the elevator which will take wheelchair users to the top floor of the building, where they can exit closer to the ski lift.

'Everybody deserves that opportunity'

Hunter Wright, the director of sustainability and project development at Eldora, said accessibility to ski resorts and other recreational facilities hits home for her, as she has a son with autism.

"Everyone deserves to be able to enjoy the outdoors and participate in winter adventure regardless of your abilities," Wright said. "Everybody deserves that opportunity and freedom."

"Kids like my kid are overlooked. They're often overlooked, and they just want to live their best lives too," Wright said.

Wright said Eldora currently supplies Ignite and their athletes with lift passes, ski tickets, and the use of its terrain and facilities.

Beyond the physical accommodations for the athletes, Chris Ward and Bell said the organization offers something even more — community.

Chris Ward said most of all he enjoys "being with friends, being outdoors and just having fun."

Bell said one of her motivations to begin at Ignite was the fact that her friends skied. Throughout her classes, Bell said she grew close with her instructors. They would talk about what they did in their free time and give her specific ski pointers. Then, at the top of the mountain, they'd savor their surroundings.

"To be on top of the mountain and looking across Boulder, the city and the view was amazing," Bell said. "Just the camaraderie, all of that was wonderful."

She continued, "You will meet people that will make you feel like you hung the moon. You'll feel like a different person, you'll grow in a way you never expected and it will give you confidence you never expected."

In March, Bell's mother, who has Alzheimer's, was moved into a memory care facility. Bell said Kevin Wilson, the Operations Manager at Ignite, heard and offered to give her a free extra lesson.

"He said, 'Well it sounds like you're having a hard time, why don't you come out one last time and just enjoy the day'," Bell recalled. "So I did that — which was really, really sweet. And after everything they had given me, I really wanted to give back."

Bell volunteered at the Gala last year by co-running the silent auction and hopes to continue to give back to the organization. This season, she wanted to become an instructor. Due to her mother's current situation, she will be unable to do so. However, she does plan to hit the slopes again this season.

Those interested in signing up for classes, volunteering at Ignite or donating to the organization, can visit its website at igniteadaptivesports.org. Classes are scheduled to begin Friday for the 2023-24 season.