Skiing for all

If you have a child with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, that doesn’t mean he or she can’t enjoy skiing or snowboarding this winter.

Thanks to a partnership between Padraig’s Place, an Apple Valley-based nonprofit, and Buck Hill Ski and Snowboard School in Burnsville, kids and adults of all abilities can experience winter fun in a safe, family-friendly atmosphere.

Special sessions cater to each participant’s needs and include three lessons of skiing or snowboarding, including equipment rental, instruction and snacks for a flat-rate cost of $150.

Check their website for lesson days/times. They sun two sessions each season. Private lessons for other time slots can be booked through Buck Hill. Private lessons start at $75 an hour, and include necessary equipment and instructors from Padraig’s Place.

Buck Hill spokeswoman Dee Oujiri said volunteers are needed for helping with lessons offered in partnership with Padraig’s Place.

“We would love to expand our offerings and take more kids, but we would need more volunteers,” she said. “All we ask is that they know how to ski and they love helping others. We will teach them everything else. The kids fill your heart and make you smile.”

Learn more at padraigsplace.org and buckhill.com.