Al Wilner – A Life in Motion
For Al Wilner, skiing has always been a passion — but twenty years ago, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever hit the slopes again. After experiencing a life-changing disability, he assumed his days on snow were behind him. That is, until his wife did a bit of research and discovered adaptive ski programs around the country, including right here in Jackson Hole.
That discovery reignited a journey that’s now spanned over 15 years with Teton Adaptive. Al’s story is one of innovation, resilience, and a deep love for the outdoors. “I think I’ve had close to 200 ski days using different adaptive methods,” he shared. He began with sit-skiing, then moved on to a Ski Bike specially suited to his needs — a piece of equipment that eventually became his own to maintain and use independently. “I skied seven winters on that thing,” he said, “but I eventually passed it on to someone else.”
That’s when Teton Adaptive introduced him to the SnoKart — A newer type of sit ski where the user can ski via poles connecting to the skis themselves. “It just felt like skiing used to feel 30 years ago,” Al said. This past winter alone, he clocked more than 30 days on the slopes with the SnoKart, often skiing at Grand Targhee Resort.
But skiing is only the tip of the iceberg. Al is a regular participant in Teton Adaptive’s summer activities too — from adaptive mountain biking, to kayaking and even sailing. “I think I’ve done just about everything you offer,” he said with a laugh. “I’m more active now than I was before I retired.”
He’s also exploring new terrain — literally and figuratively. Recently, Al has been working with a friend to design an adaptive device to help him return to golf, another sport he once loved but had to step away from due to mobility challenges. “There are lots of older folks who can’t golf anymore. We want to make something that helps them get back on the course,” he explained.
Al is quick to credit his wife for her unwavering support and shared love of the outdoors. “She’s always been the one encouraging me to keep going. She does all these sports too,” he said. Together, they’ve found a community that helps them thrive — and they’ve given back to it in return.
From therapeutic horseback riding and adaptive yoga to simply showing up, Al embodies the spirit of Teton Adaptive. “My goal,” he said, “is just to keep doing what I love for as long as I can.”
We’re honored to celebrate Al Wilner — not just as an athlete, but as a cornerstone of our community. His passion, courage, and drive to keep moving forward are exactly what our 20th anniversary is all about.
