ADAPTIVE SKI ASSOCIATION OF WEST MICHIGAN
"If I can do this, I can do anything!"
Volunteer with us!
Skiing together is better.
Help make the hill a more accessible place for all, and share your love of the sport with people of all abilities. Come be part of a team that believes everyone deserves a place on the slopes.
Registration opens Sunday, November 1st at 8:00 AM
Our athlete roster filled up within 13 minutes of registration opening! (A new record!)
Volunteers - help us get athletes off of the waitlist and onto the hill this season, please register as soon as possible!
COME SKI WITH US!
Share your love of skiing and the great outdoors while helping others learn new skills and take on the challenge of skiing.
Non-skiing volunteers are also needed to assist with weekly registration, special events, bookkeeping, equipment management, marketing (social and digital), and athlete assistance.
Program format
ASAWM offers a 5-week format consisting of one two-hour lesson each week. Lesson times are at the same time and with the same instructors each week.
Lesson times options are as follows:
Tuesday: 6 pm – 8 pm
Wednesday: 6 pm – 8 pm
Thursday: 6 pm – 8 pm
Sunday: 10am - 12pm, 11am - 1pm, 12pm - 2pm
*You will be assigned one lesson time for the entire season. Our Volunteer & Athlete Coordinators will pair you with a group of volunteers, ensuring each group has experienced volunteers to lead the group.
What’s in it for you?
-
Helping others enjoy the sport you love!
-
Ski for FREE* – Lift ticket for the day is provided by ASAWM.
-
A reason to get to the hill – Bring family/friends along!
-
Real life experience – If you are pursuing a career in PT or OT, we offer real-life experience in your field of study!
-
New friends who share a love for life-long physical activity.
-
FUN – You’ll get way more than you give at ASAWM.
*$40 yearly due required
No - you do not need to be an expert!
While we are always looking for more advanced skiers to serve as lead volunteers and tethers, we welcome skiers of all abilities!
Every volunteer is assessed each year during our annual On-Hill Training. We use that information to find the best fit for your skill level and match you with a volunteer group and role where you can feel confident and be successful.
And tethering isn't the only way to help! We rely on other volunteers to help keep our adaptive athletes safe on the hill. "Blockers" ski alongside and behind the athlete, helping maintain a safe distance between them and other patrons on the slopes.
This is a great role for beginner and intermediate skiers, and it's an incredibly important part of keeping everyone safe. Every role matters, and there's a place for skiers of all abilities on our team!
2026-27 Season Schedule
-
Pre-season Gathering & Volunteer Appreciation | Wednesday, October 21st
-
3125 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE Ste 200, Kentwood, MI 49512
Athlete & Volunteer Registration Opens Online | Sunday, November 1st @ 8:00 AM EST
-
Blizzard Bash Fundraiser | Friday, November 13th
-
6:00 - 9:00 PM EST
-
Event features:
-
Live entertainment, games and activities
-
Plinko Game to win prizes
-
Silent auctions featuring a wide variety of items to bid on
-
Prizes include Bill and Paul’s Sporthaus Gift Card
-
Past items have included ski gear, home goods, sports memorabilia, VIP cruise packages and other donated items.
-
Delicious food and cash bar
-
-
For more information and ticket sales, click here!
-
The B.O.B. 20 Monroe Avenue Northwest , Grand Rapids, MI 49503
-
*Time & location subject to change
-
Mandatory Dry Land Training | Wednesday, November 18th
(Required for all volunteers and trainers)
-
Time: 6:00PM - 8:30PM
-
6645 East Paris Ave SE Caledonia, MI 49316
-
If you are unable to attend, please let Alexa know - Alexa.ASAWM@gmail.com
-
-
-
Mandatory On-Hill Training (All volunteers and trainers) | Sunday, January 2nd 2026
(Required for all volunteers and trainers)
-
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
-
Cannonsburg Ski Area, Belmont, MI
-
Lessons Begin | Sunday, January 10th 2027
-
Mary Free Bed Clinic | Saturday, January 30th 2027
-
In partnership with Mary Free Bed Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports and Kentwood Parks & Recreation, ASAWM hosts a 1-day clinic for adaptive athletes to experience adaptive downhill skiing.
-
For more information, visit: https://maryfreebed.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/maryfreebed/event.jsp?event=5288
-
Cannonsburg Ski Area, Belmont, MI
-
-
Teddy Fest Fundraiser | Saturday, February 13th 2027
-
For more information and ticket sales, visit: https://teddyknapefoundation.org/teddy-fest/
-
Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, MI
-
-
End of Season Banquet | Sunday, February 28th 2027
-
Bingo Brunch Banquet to celebrate another successful season!
-
RSVP through flyer posted here & shared via email, closer to the date!
-
-
Downloadable Training Resources:
-
Adaptive Ski Association of West Michigan Handbook (54Mb .pdf)
-
Adaptive Ski Association of West Michigan Sport Protection Handbook (1.5Mb .pdf)
-
Adaptive Ski Association of West Michigan Sport Protection Reporting Form (.5Mb .docx)
-
PSIA Alpine Adaptive Resources (multiple .pdfs)
-
Dynamique Bi Ski Owners Manual (3.5Mb .pdf)
Video Resources:
2023 ASAWM Video Training Part I: An Introduction (25 minutes)
Learn from Nicole Astfalk about:
-
The types of disabilities a volunteer can expect
-
How to work with each type of athlete and the equipment they might use
-
What to expect on the day of your first lesson
2023 ASAWM Video Training Part II: Teaching a Lesson (25 minutes)
Learn from Holly Omiljan about:
-
The anatomy of a lesson
-
How to manage challenging behaviors
Other video-based resources:
-
Adaptive Skiing: Coaching Fundamentals for Four-Track Skiers
-
Adaptive Skiing: Coaching Fundamentals for Three-Track Skiers
Adaptive Skiing: Coaching Fundamentals for Mono-Skiers