The Bill Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program (LASP) was founded by dedicated ski patrollers with the cooperation and support of Holiday Valley Ski Resort in September, 1988.
Bill Lounsbury was a member of the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol who lost a leg to cancer in 1982. Undaunted and determined to remain active in the sport he loved, Bill taught himself to ski on one leg. Bill eventually lost his battle with cancer but his courage and love of skiing was an inspiration to everyone who watched his struggle. In September of 1988 a group of dedicated Holiday Valley Ski Patrollers with the cooperation and support of Holiday Valley Ski Resort, founded The Bill Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program (LASP) to honor his memory. The first pieces of adaptive equipment for the program were purchased using donations that were sent to the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol in Bill’s memory shortly after his death.
In 1988, there were 4 instructors and 14 students. That year 32 lessons were taught. Thirty four years later the program has grown to 40 instructors who collectively teach over 250 lessons during the course of a single ski season. All instructors are specially trained in adaptive ski teaching methods and over half of these instructors are certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA).
LASP is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Our Staff
The Staff consists of dedicated volunteer instructors. Over 70% of our instructors are PSIA certified. All staff members are specially trained in using innovative teaching techniques. Without the dedication of our volunteer instructors, we could not run this program. We welcome new recruits.
Sue Whistler
Program Director/Lesson Coordinator
Ann Chamberlin
Assistant Lesson Coordinator
Jim McAndrew
Equipment Manager
Laurie Barrera
Treasurer
Mark Dunford
Director
Franco Brady
Director
Kara Lounsbury Elias
#GivingTuesday Coordinator, Resource Development & Website
Maureen Sigeti
Chairperson, Penguin Paddle
Kris Sigeti
Co-Chair, Penguin Paddle Food
Tom Whistler
Co-Chair, Penguin Paddle Food
Mark Mattar
Chairperson, Penguin Paddle Raffle
Janice Glose
Chairperson, Penguin Paddle Auction
Interested In Volunteering?
Volunteering for LASP is physically demanding and a major time commitment. All volunteer instructor applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for the program.
-
A strong intermediate skier
-
Available to teach a minimum of 12 days during the season.
-
Successfully complete our training program
Extensive and continual training is essential to provide the best possible instruction for our students and is required of all of our staff. A solid foundation in basic alpine skiing and teaching techniques is a prerequisite to volunteering for LASP. All of our instructors must demonstrate the ability to teach basic alpine skiing before they can progress to learning about the techniques and equipment involved in teaching adaptive skiing.
Training follows the Professional Ski Instructors of America’s teaching system and the PSIA Adaptive Instruction combined with criteria from Move United (formerly known as Disabled Sports USA). Over 70% of our instructors are currently PSIA certified and all of our instructors are required to pursue certification within the first 3 years of becoming a volunteer. Please mail us at info@lounsburyadaptive.org if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.
Can’t Volunteer? We Could Still Use Your Help!
We’re always looking for support, both on and off the mountain. If you’re unable to volunteer, but still want to support our program, please consider the many other ways you can help out!
Learn More
Making A Difference
Our Impact
250
Given During The Ski Season
40
PSIA Certified Instructors
