The Bill Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program

The Bill Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program was founded by a group of ski patrollers in cooperation with the management of Holiday Valley Resort in September, 1988. Bill Lounsbury, a patrolman and friend, lost a leg to cancer in the 1980s. He was not about to give up his love of skiing. Bill taught himself to ski on one leg and became an inspiration to many. When Bill lost his courageous battle with cancer, monetary donations came to the Ski Patrol at Holiday Valley as memorials. The money was used to purchase special equipment and start an adaptive ski program to teach mentally and physically challenged persons to ski. The Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program (LASP) is named in Bill's memory.

In 1988, there were 4 instructors and 14 students. That year 32 lessons were taught. We have come a long way since then, now with approximately 50 volunteer instructors teaching on average 220 lessons per season. All instructors are specially trained in adaptive ski teaching methods. More than half of the instructors are certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA).