History of the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic

      The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic evolved from the pioneering efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in rehabilitation and adaptive sports. Helping to meet the rehabilitation needs of veterans from World War II to the current War in Iraq, the Clinic provides disabled veterans with opportunities for self-development and challenge through sports and leisure activities, which some may have felt were no longer available to them because of their disabilities. At the Clinic, participants have a chance to develop winter sports skills and take part in a variety of adaptive workshops, which demonstrate that having a disability need not be an obstacle to an active, rewarding life. This is particularly true of today’s returning disabled troops, more than 70 of whom participated in the 2006 Clinic.

     The origins of the Clinic date back to the early 1980s when Sandy Trombetta, founder and director of the Clinic, began bringing VA patients to a nearby mountain resort to participate in disabled ski programs. As a recreation therapist at the VA Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colorado, he recognized the physical and mental healing that skiing and other winter sports can provide to veterans with disabilities.

     The first Winter Sports Clinic was held in 1987 at Powderhorn Resort on the Grand Mesa outside of Grand Junction. During this first year, 20 staff members gave roughly 90 veterans the opportunity to learn to ski using adaptive ski equipment, and helped them participate in a variety of other adaptive activities and workshops. It became apparent over the next few years that because of the popularity and therapeutic benefits of the Clinic, more support was needed. In 1991, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) became a co-sponsor of the event.

     Over the past 20 years, the Clinic grew tremendously. This year, 2007, more than 450 participants attended from across the country, along with 200 certified disabled ski instructors and several members of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team. Several participants who learned to ski at the Clinic are now members of the U.S. team. Other Colorado sites to host the Clinic have included Crested Butte Mountain Resort, and currently Snowmass Village Resort, located near Aspen.

     The adaptive ski equipment has been modified and updated each year, and the event now integrates skiing with exploratory activities. Veterans learn Alpine and Nordic skiing and are introduced to a variety of other activities and sports such as rock climbing, scuba diving, trap shooting, horseback riding, snowmobiling and sled hockey. The U.S. Secret Service also teaches a self-defense course to participants who are in wheelchairs or are visually impaired. Participation is open to male and female U.S. military service veterans with spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, certain neurological problems and other disabilities.

     The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic is the largest annual disabled learn-to-ski clinic in the world. VA and DAV are committed to the rehabilitation of disabled veterans through this annual event and to providing world-class health care at VA facilities. The Clinic truly reflects VA’s mission – to provide quality programs and health care to America’s veterans.

Number of Veterans Participating in the
National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic 1987 - 2005

DAV Freedom Award

   Every year, one participant is chosen for The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Freedom Award for Outstanding Courage and Achievement. This award is given to the veteran who makes the most progress during the week, and who shows outstanding courage and accomplishment in taking a giant step forward in his or her rehabilitation process. This is the veteran who proves to the world that physical disability does not bar the doors to freedom.

The award is inscribed:

“We salute your desire to excel so that others may follow.”

Previous recipients of this award are:

Linnie Howard Spirit Award

   Each year since 1987, the Linnie Howard Spirit Award has been presented to one individual who captures the true essence of “spirit” the way that its namesake exhibited at the Clinic. Howard attended the Clinic in 1987 and 1988. At 69 years young, he was the oldest participant, but he never let that stop him for a moment. He enjoyed every activity and gave it his all. Howard truly represented the spirit of what the Clinic is all about – striving to be the best you can be with the ability you have. He died in 1988, but his spirit lives on through this award, which was initiated by Sandy Trombetta, National Director of the Clinic. Every year, the winner is a model for everyone, someone who represents the true spirit of the Clinic – just as Linnie did.

Previous recipients of this award are: