The History of the NSCD
Creating adaptive outdoor experiences since 1970
It all started more than 55 years ago…
The National Sports Center for the Disabled’s story began in 1970 when Winter Park Ski School was looking for ski instructors to teach 23 amputees from Children’s Hospital Colorado how to ski.
Hal O’Leary, a Winter Park ski instructor, was the first and only person to raise his hand. With only six days to prepare, he got to work teaching himself how to ski on a single ski with one leg suspended and borrowed outriggers for support.
Hal didn’t give up, and neither did they
Nothing could have prepared Hal for that first morning on the slopes. The wind was biting, the snow was deep, and frustration set in quickly as the children struggled and fell—again and again. But Hal didn’t give up, and neither did they.
With patience, persistence, and a lot of heart, he soon had them skiing in straight lines down the hill, proving to each child that they were capable of more than they ever imagined. By the end of the day everyone was laughing, empowered, and filled with joy.
Seeing the “able” in everybody
From the joy and inspiration of these 23 amputees and Hal’s fierce determination to help them love playing in the great outdoors, we have worked tirelessly to expand on Hal’s vision of seeing the “able” in everyone and believing that anything is possible.
Over the past 55+ years, NSCD has grown from Hal’s vision, which revolutionized the adaptive ski industry and broke down barriers between sports and people living with disabilities.
Today, the NSCD serves more than 2,200 participants annually through year-round adaptive sports and outdoor recreation programs. From first-time experiences to lifelong pursuits, participants can enjoy skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding, paddling, sailing, archery, and more.
The NSCD is also home to a nationally recognized Competition Center, where elite adaptive athletes train and pursue competitive excellence.