Ability Snow Challenge Takes Flight at Park City

PARK CITY, UT (March 29, 2016) – For the 28^th year, the National Ability Center is teaming with Park City Mountain to provide a lively day of friendly competition with the Ability Snow Challenge. Held Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Park City's base area, Ability Snow Challenge brings skiers, snowboarders and snow enthusiasts of all ages and abilities together in support of the adaptive recreational programs offered by the NAC. 

The general public is encouraged to form five-person teams and each team will be paired with a local skiing legend, Olympian or NAC athlete to claim category titles for racing down the Eagle Race Arena Course. For groups not wanting to race in the morning, the Ability Snow Challenge has added new, on-snow challenges, this year, from face painting and team conga lines to skiing small park features, that will take place immediately following the race. Teams can choose at least one or several challenges to complete before 2pm. Challenges range from very easy to moderate and there are some options that do not require a lift ticket to participate. Each team will be paired with a Mountain Guide who will keep track of challenges completed.

April 2 is also Autism Speaks’ World Autism Awareness Day; a day when people all over the globe will pledge to “Light it up Blue” and wear blue to raise awareness in their communities. Because individuals with autism make us one of the largest populations served by the National Ability Center, this year's Ability Snow Challenge theme is “Light It Up Blue”. Teams can express their creativity by dressing up in any manner of blue desired, with prizes awarded for best dressed team, best dressed individual and best dressed volunteer. A highlight of the event is the Participant Demo Race, featuring NAC participants who have been working hard all winter to hone their skills. Guest get to see firsthand the specialized adaptive equipment used in NAC programs and the NAC Team Flyers will demo their skills in the Ability Cup. The day ends with an amazing raffle and an After Party at Park City’s Spring Concert Series, held from 3-5pm, with live music by Muddpuddle thanks to Mountain Town Music and Park City, as well as a beer garden and food (for purchase) on the PayDay Deck Stage at Legacy Lodge.

“The Ability Snow Challenge is a family-friendly community event, and the National Ability Center’s longest running event! It is a great excuse for people of all ability levels to come together for fun, adventure and support. It is also an amazing opportunity for the NAC to showcase its ski and snowboard programs that benefit the lives of so many.” said Gail Loveland, National Ability Center's executive director. “Like many of our programs, this event would not be possible without the support of Park City and Vail Epic Promise.

For a full schedule of Ability Snow Challenge events or to register, visit abilitysnowchallenge.org. For more information on the event or the National Ability Center, please contact Christa Graff with Graff Public Relations, LLC, at 435.640.7921 or christa@graffpr.com. Additional information about the National Ability Center is available at www.discovernac.org.

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About the National Ability Center

The National Ability Center empowers individuals of all abilities by building self-esteem, confidence and lifetime skills through sport, recreation and educational programs. Located in Park City, Utah, it is one of the leading community programs in the country that provides sports and recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The National Ability Center is recognized as a chapter of Disabled Sports USA and a US Paralympic Sports Club. World-class facilities and program excellence have also elevated the National Ability Center to be a premier provider and partner in the delivery of programs directly supported by the Wounded Warrior Project and the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. The National Ability Center provides more than 28,000 experiences each year. For more information, visit www.discovernac.org.

About Park City
With thrilling adventures across more than 7,300 acres, Park City is the single largest ski and snowboard resort in the United States. Recently combined with Canyons Resort, more than $50 million in improvements were made, including adding a new eight-passenger gondola connection throughout the resort, along with the new King Con Express Six-pack and Motherlode Express Quad. With over 300 trails, 41 lifts, seven terrain parks, six natural half pipes, one super pipe and one mini pipe, plus many diverse ski-in/ski-out and village adjacent lodging properties, and dining opportunities, Park City is an easily accessible, world-class mountain destination located in an authentic and historic western town. For more information visit www.parkcitymountain.com.