Nearly 400 Veterans from across the country have gathered in Snowmass Village for the 39th Annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. This premier adaptive rehabilitation event, co-presented by VA and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), continues through April 5.
The weeklong clinic offers Veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, visual impairments and other serious disabilities a chance to explore adaptive sports, including Alpine and Nordic skiing, sled hockey, rock climbing and more.
The clinic’s theme, “Miracles on a Mountainside,” resonated with participants like Navy Veteran Devora Exline, who credits adaptive sports with transforming her outlook on life.
“One of the things that adaptive sports has really helped me with is to get back my positiveness and turning anything negative into a positive,” said Exline, speaking during the event. “What do they say, ‘miracles on a mountainside?’ I think that’s been the miracle for me.”
Founded in 1987 with just 90 participants, the clinic has grown into one of the world’s largest adaptive winter sports events. More than 600 volunteers and medical staff help Veterans push past perceived limits and embrace new possibilities.
For 21-year-old Navy Veteran Jeremy “JJ” Trammell, Jr., the experience has been nothing short of life-affirming. “I’m so normal. I can do this stuff!” said Trammell when asked if he was excited about returning to the event.
His mother and caregiver, Maria Trammell, added that JJ felt alive and was himself again during the clinic.
The clinic is more than recreation, though. It’s a vital form of therapy and connection. For Army Veteran Bryan McCrickerd, the slopes represent an escape from darkness and a path toward hope.
“It’s an escape, a lifeline,” McCrickerd said. “I wish all Vets in my condition would try this because it would cut down on suicide.”
As the clinic continues through the week, Veterans will not only master new skills on the Colorado slopes but also forge bonds and build confidence that will carry over long after the snow has melted.
Events and Activities at the 2025 Winter Sports Clinic Include:
- Alpine skiing.
- Nordic (cross-country) skiing.
- Sled hockey.
- Curling.
- Snowmobiling.
- Adaptive snowboarding.
- Indoor rock wall climbing.
- Scuba diving (indoor pool sessions).
- Fly fishing clinics.
- Educational sessions on adaptive technology and wellness.
The Winter Sports Clinic is one of several national rehabilitation events organized by VA’s Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events. These adaptive sports and therapeutic arts programs are designed to support the health, wellness and community reintegration of Veterans with disabilities.
Backed by clinical expertise and strong partnerships with Veteran Service Organizations, sponsors and local communities, these events empower Veterans to thrive through physical activity, creativity and connection.
Veterans interested in participating in future adaptive sports clinics or therapeutic arts programs can learn more by visiting the VA National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events website for additional information and eligibility requirements.
Catch more of the action on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Topics in this story
More Stories
VA's Adaptive Sports Grant propelled the Flyers Warriors to new heights, expanding their family and impact, demonstrating how adaptive sports can amplify success and connection for Veterans nationwide.
Unlock free membership to Innerworld, a peer social support mental wellness app. Become an anonymous avatar in a community built for Veterans and their family members.
Most U.S. states and territories provide tax benefits for Veterans, [...]
Americas Veterans are treated like disposable garbage…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwIRcFu2vec
I wrote you a poem VA, enjoy:
The Weight
by WLE
You thank the soldier.
You sing the song.
You raise the flag.
Righteous but wrong.
Your thanks can’t heal.
Your songs won’t save.
Your praying hands
are only seen at their grave.
They did not join to earn your praise.
They did not bleed for a soldier’s wage.
They did not fight to beg for care,
a care you promised, yet never share.
You pledge allegiance,
hand to your chest.
You wave the banner,
hollow like the rest.
You preach of liberty,
like an angel of light.
You revel in tragedy,
and deny all that’s right.
Amber waves have turned to rust.
Purple mountains choke on dust.
The eagle circles, blind to shame,
while bells of freedom ring in vain.
You etched our names,
as a bonus to enslave.
Then speak about honor,
as if you’re the one who’s brave.
The anthem plays.
The rifles roar.
A folded flag,
that flies no more.
The last full measure—still unpaid.
Suffering souls continue to fade.
Returned to empty beds,
forced onto poison meds.
The papers stack.
The lines go dead.
The wounded wait,
and nothing is said.
You quote the fathers:
“equal, free.”
Then bind the men
that paid your fee.
You glorify hate,
in everything you do.
Sacrificing soldiers
of the red, white, blue.
Into the fields,
where they were thrown,
battered, bleeding,
their bloodied bodies blown.
You hoist those colors,
lifting them with pride.
As we’re abandoned, broken,
destitute, denied.
No hand extended.
No justice spent.
Voices are silenced,
love is absent.
The burden remains.
The wars come home.
The cost is theirs,
and theirs alone.
So keep your pleasantries.
Keep your display.
As for his folded flag,
it can never sway.
No gift, no speech,
no monument high,
can mend the wounds
or explain just why.
O nation crowned,
your promises were a lie.
The anthem grows louder,
as peace continues to die.
The gates remain barred.
The rivers run red.
The warriors return,
beaten and bled.
You call this freedom.
I call it shame.
You hold all the coffers,
They bear all the pain.
It’s wonderful that the VA can have such diversity in events like these. Giving equity to these athletes and including them in sports is just the right thing to do.
So the Veteran with spinal cord paralysis goes down the hill once or a few times in a mobility chair with runners on it.
Sure, it might be thrilling and uplifting for the moments. But what has that got to do with the other 10,000+ days for the rest of their life? Instant motivation usually is short-lived.
Same with the fishing, horseback riding, etc. camps.
Isn’t this some of the expense VA is trying to cut?