BOEC 2025 Winter Wrap Up

BOEC’s Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program brought excitement, smiles, and a sense of wonder to those of all abilities through winter sports this season. This took the collaboration and dedication of numerous instructors, volunteers, and interns, teaching close to 3,000 ski, snowboard, and Nordic ski lessons using a variety of equipment and adaptations. Over the course of the 2024-25 season, over 1,000 participants were out on the snow at Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Copper Mountain resorts with BOEC. 

This winter was packed with excitement, starting with The Hartford’s Ski Spectacular, one of the nation’s largest winter sports festivals for people with disabilities.

We welcomed participants from Snow Sports Alliance and numerous local schools, including Upper Blue Elementary, Summit Middle & High School, Buena Vista Schools, and home-schooled students through our Round Up School Sessions.

We were also thrilled to host Endeavor Academy, Ft. Collins Adaptive, Evergreen Parks & Recreation, Alpine Autism Center, Timberline Adult Day Care, The Dale House Project, and REACH Burn Foundation.

Our long-time friends returned for another great season, including Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, The Children’s Hospital, The Not Forgotten, ALS Rocky Mountain and Team Semper Fi & America’s Fund, among many others. 

We’re grateful for the new partnerships that took root this season with the Hanger Clinic and For Motion Prosthetics. 

This season also featured Mono-Ski Camp, Cleft Camp, Outdoor Adventures Within, and more. Our Wilderness Program camps provided meaningful experiences for those refining their mono-skiing skills and individuals with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, combining time on the mountain with a true retreat at the Scott Griffith Lodge.

BOEC Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Assistant Director, Yuri Czmola, shares his sentiments, “As we reflect on the 2024-25 winter season, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible community that has come together to make the Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program at BOEC such a success. This season, our talented instructors, passionate interns, and over 450 dedicated volunteers worked side by side to create life-changing experiences for our participants and their families.

We welcomed 15 exceptional interns who quickly became vital members of our team, and we celebrated our volunteers at the Volunteer Appreciation Party in March. Their contributions are at the heart of our success, and together, we’ve built a stronger, more unified community.

Looking ahead, we’re not only excited about the upcoming milestone of BOEC’s 50th anniversary but also about the new direction we’re growing toward. We’re eager to build on this momentum, continue innovating, and create even more impactful experiences for our participants and community.

Together, we’re not just changing lives—we’re continuing to build a lasting community with an even brighter future ahead.”

In recognition of the incredible contributions made by staff, volunteers, and interns who serve individuals from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of abilities, BOEC recently celebrated their efforts at our annual end-of-year volunteer and staff barbecue.

With so many outstanding individuals dedicating countless hours to the Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program, choosing this year’s award recipients was no easy task. Those honored truly embody the spirit of the BOEC family—demonstrating exceptional dedication and creating lasting memories that reflect the pride we take in our mission.

Kyle Carnahan & Tracy Smith – Volunteer of the Year

Sydney Kwan & Harry Hittle – Rookie of the Year

Ally Huffman – Instructor of the Year

Here are their memories of the season.

“I grew up in New Jersey (I promise I’m a good guy despite that) and set my sights on settling in Summit County for the scenery, the people, and the mountain lifestyle. I started volunteering with BOEC back in 2021 at the Breckenridge office and got involved with the Keystone Adaptive Center in 2023.

My passion for skiing and being on the mountain has always driven me, and I’m so grateful that BOEC has given me an amazing outlet to share that passion in such a unique way. One of the highlights of this season was being given the opportunity to lead lessons for the first time. I’ll admit, I wasn’t 100% confident in myself at first, but thanks to the encouragement and support of my supervisor, Courtney Berzolla at KAC, I felt inspired and capable of creating lessons that were both fun and exciting.

What I love most about being on the mountain in a BOEC-green jacket is how easy it is to re-center and reconnect with my authentic self. No matter what else is going on, being a part of BOEC brings out my enthusiasm and positivity—and sharing that with the mountain community is truly special.”

“Everything about this season was great! What stands out for me was joy and confidence. It was incredible to witness participants gain confidence in their abilities and experience the joy of skiing. This year I felt so fortunate to really make connections with participants, staff, and other volunteers. It just doesn’t get any better than that.”

“Being awarded Rookie of the Year is such an honor! It’s awesome to know I made an impact in my first season.

One of my favorite memories this season was teaching snowboarding to Brenden at Keystone. I had the opportunity to lead two of his lessons, and it was incredible to watch his confidence grow in such a short time. On our final run down Schoolmarm, I remember the exact moment when linking turns finally clicked for him—we were both so pumped and ecstatic!

What inspires me most to volunteer is knowing I can help make someone’s day on the slopes super fun and memorable. It is incredibly rewarding to be a part of a program that gives everyone the opportunity to experience the joy of snow sports. I am already excited to volunteer again next season!”

“It’s hard to choose just one favorite memory from the season, but the most gratifying lesson I was part of this year was with a little girl named Kayla. She had never skied before, but she was excited to be on the slopes and eager to learn. Her enthusiasm was contagious—it energized all of us as instructors, and the shared momentum helped her progress incredibly fast. In just one morning, she went from her very first ride on the magic carpet to tackling (multiple!) Quicksilver laps without any physical assistance from Lucie or me. We could both see how proud and excited she was, and we were just as thrilled for her. I left that day feeling incredibly grateful and proud to have helped give her a glimpse of the happiness that skiing and the mountains have brought me.

As time has passed since I returned to school, I’ve become even more grateful for the BOEC and the relationships I built this past winter. I’ll carry those with me—and this award is just the icing on the cake.

When I first signed up to volunteer, I thought it would just be a good way to pass the time during my school’s long winter term. But as the winter went on, I realized I was having way more fun on my volunteer days than on my regular freeski days. The joy that radiates from the BOEC office and everyone who comes through it is instantly palpable. Once you feel it, you just want to keep coming back—and that was definitely the case for me. Without a doubt, I’ll be back.”

“I had so many memorable lessons, but my favorite was probably skiing with Tripp at Breckenridge and Keystone, and taking him on the gondola! He’s one of those students who reminds me why I love working with people with disabilities. It’s hard not to feel motivated when you’re around someone like him. He has such a bright outlook on life and an incredible sense of humor. He definitely isn’t my easiest lesson—but that’s part of why I loved working with him. We pushed each other to improve.

Every student is here to have fun and learn, and I always aim to create a positive, encouraging environment for each and every one. The smiles are why I do it! I can’t help but smile when I see students and their families beaming after a great lesson. You might even catch me tearing up once in a while—though I’d have my goggles on for those moments, haha!

Thank you to all the staff, coworkers, and volunteers who made my time at the BOEC so fulfilling and fun!”