BANFF – There’s ‘snow’ limits to inclusivity and fun at ShredAbility, where skiers and snowboarders of all abilities carve the slopes of Sunshine Village Ski Resort in support of adaptive sports programs in the Bow Valley.
The all-mountain scavenger hunt returns Saturday (April 6) for its ninth year of epic adventure, fundraising and, of course, creative costumes.
“On the day of the event, teams are given clues that take them all over the mountain and to three adaptive challenge zones that we set up throughout Sunshine. So, they follow these routes, they get to a challenge zone and those may be a sit-ski challenge, as an example, or maybe a sensory or visually impaired challenge,” said Tania de Silva, fund development and partnership specialist with Rocky Mountain Adaptive.
“We’re also doing a Nordic ski challenge this year. It’s super fun.”
Teams register for the event and the fundraising runs until April 30, with all proceeds going to Rocky Mountain Adaptive – a Canmore-based charity which provides programming for individuals with physical, neurodivergent and sensory challenges the opportunity to participate, learn, and excel in mountain sports and recreational activities.
In 2023, the event raised $40,000 through team fundraising, event sponsorship, a silent auction and 50/50 raffle.
“Just like Rocky Mountain Adaptive has been growing from a grassroots organization in the Bow Valley to also having people from other areas of the country or the world join in, it’s the same when it comes to ShredAbility,” said de Silva. “Year over year, the event has grown more and more in the number of supporters and it’s expanded beyond Rocky Mountain Adaptive participants to other members of the public who are participating in the event and learning more about the organization.”
De Silva said this year’s grand prize, which goes to the team that raises the most funds, is indicative of the amount of support the organization and event has received.
“We have a three-day CMH Heli hike trip for two. It’s an almost $10,000 trip,” she said. “That is an amazing top prize and really motivates teams to participate and join, but also to fundraise for Rocky Mountain Adaptive.”
The funds raised support program delivery, purchasing and maintaining adaptive equipment and being able to provide cost-effective transportation solutions to participants.
“The impact is really about being able to have more and more people able to participate in our programs and provide that opportunity to everybody to enjoy mountain sport and recreation because it’s just such a joyful thing and adds so much value to people’s lives,” said de Silva.
To add to the fun, the event also offers prizes to those with the fastest and slowest times finishing the scavenger hunt, as well as for best costume.
The event kicks off with registration starting at 8 a.m. at the base of Sunshine Village.
For more information and to register for ShredAbility, visit www.rockymountainadaptive.com/event/shredability.
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.
