Killington, VT – Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, the largest year-round disabled sports non-profit organization in the state, will host its annual Ski Challenge fundraising event on Saturday, March 10 at Pico Mountain. A retro ’80s is this year’s theme. People do not have to participate in the race to attend the family friendly gala after the day’s event, as gala-only tickets are available.

In addition, Killington Resort and Pico Mountain are providing lift ticket and season pass fundraising incentives in order for the non-profit to reach its event goal of raising $100,000.

Vermont Adaptive has established a special page on FirstGiving.com, enabling both participants and non-participants in the Ski Challenge to reap the benefits of raising money for Vermont Adaptive. The incentives and fundraising levels include:

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  $200 in pledges = (1) 2012-13 Pico Mountain Lift Ticket

• $300 in pledges = (2) 2012-13 Pico Mountain Lift Tickets
• $500 in pledges = (2) 2012-13 Killington Lift Tickets
• $750 in pledges = (1) 2012-13 Pico Mountain Season Pass
• $1,000 in pledges = (1) 2012-13 Killington Midweek Season Pass
• $1,500 in pledges = (1) 2012-13 Killington Unlimited Season Pass
• $2,000 in pledges = Complete Rossignol Ski or snowboard Package

Every $100 in pledges enables Vermont Adaptive to provide a full-day skiing scholarship. The cost of an outing with Vermont Adaptive for the consumer can range from a $15 for a two-hour canoeing session to $90 for a full day ski lesson, including instructors, ticket and adaptive equipment. All of the school and advocacy groups that the organization works with are also subsidized by Vermont Adaptive; school groups are charged a reduced rate starting at 50% off, and participants receive the same one on one experience as any individual who participates.

“We believe sports and recreation provide a physical, mental and social experience that is immeasurable in promoting self-confidence and independence in an individual,” said Erin Fernandez, Vermont Adaptive’s executive director. “This is our largest winter fundraiser and monies raised will help us to underwrite some of the costs of our adaptive programs and allow more people with disabilities to participate. We are so thankful to our resort partners like Killington and Pico, who continually step up and come through with us with amazing support. We couldn’t be who we are without partners like them.”

This year’s Ski Challenge includes a day filled with skiing, timed racing and a night complete with family friendly grazing stations with a retro ’80s theme and music, awards, and dancing. Saturday begins with check-in for participants from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the Sunshine Room in the Pico Mountain base lodge. The fun race begins at 10 a.m. and is open to all ages and abilities of skiers, riders and telemarkers. Each racer will complete two times runs. Participants are encouraged to create teams of three and compete in costumes as well. Awards will be made in various categories for all participants, from best individual times to fasted teams, best costume, youngest and oldest participants, as well as acknowledging top fundraisers.

Beginning at 4 p.m. the event moves to the Killington Grand Hotel. A cash bar and silent auction begin at 4 p.m. Then the night continues with awards, dinner and dancing. The silent auction will wrap up around 7:30 p.m. A DJ will be spinning retro ’80s tunes.

Registration includes a special wool Ibex Outdoor Clothing beanie as well as full-day lift ticket for the day at Pico, Ski Challenge festivities, awards, and the après ski party. Après ski party tickets can be purchased in advance as well. Registration is available online at www.vermontadaptive.org.