Teton Kids
Living in Jackson Hole, skiing is the life force of our community. It is the thing that drives our economy, it brings people here from all over to experience skiing in the Tetons. Yet, there are many in our community for whom skiing is inaccessible. Teton Kids was created to ensure that all children growing up in Jackson Hole have the opportunity to ski, even those who have a disability.
Teton Kids embodies the mission of Teton Adaptive- it creates recreational opportunities for children with disabilities living in Jackson who are not able to participate in the same ski programs as their peers. Teton Kids opens the door to skiing at by providing 100% cost free ski lessons to students with disabilities. It is a transformative program, made possible through a strong community partnership between Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) and Teton Adaptive. For ten weeks in the winter, Teton County School District brings students on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to JHMR for ski lessons with Adaptive Ski Instructors. The entire program, from the lift tickets to the gear rentals is completely free of charge for the students. Teton Adaptive funds 100% of the Teton Kids program.
Students from 1st grade all the way through the Transition Academy participate in Teton Kids. Without Teton Kids, many of these students would have little to no access to winter sports, as they have significant barriers to participation. Teton Kids remains the only structured, fully funded, adaptive ski and snowboard program in Jackson, ensuring that students with disabilities have the opportunity to learn to ski, just like their peers!
Teton Kids participants, with their instructor and a volunteer, getting ready to ski!
Photo by Taylor Fasolo
Lessons vary from student to student, some utilize sit-skis and sliders, and others benefit from specialized instruction. Some students are working on being comfortable in their ski boots, while others are working on making parallel turns. Every lesson looks different. Teton Kids was designed to give TCSD students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in winter sports in a way that is safe, accessible, and enriching. Every aspect of Teton Kids, from scheduling and transportation to individualized lesson planning, is structured around the needs of these students.
Ryan, and his instructor Noah, perfecting the art of a “pow-slash” in a sit-ski
photo by Taylor Fasolo
In the 2025–2026 winter season, Teton Adaptive and Teton Kids has provided adaptive ski lessons for 29 students from TCSD, and an additional 17 students from C-V Ranch Therapeutic School, who participate in Teton Kids on the weekends. The program also employs a Teton Kids graduate as an Assistant Instructor! That is a lot of doors that have been flung open, and a lot more skiers on the mountain.
We are committed to providing 100% cost free ski lessons to TCSD students with disabilities. If you believe in this mission, you can help make ski lessons for these students possible by donating to Teton Adaptive.
