Higher Ground
Ketchum-based adaptive recreation and recreational-therapy nonprofit serving people with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities — children, teens, adults, and veterans. Operates kid/teen programs including the Paralympic Youth Camp (ages 7-18, multi-day winter ski/snowboard/climbing/bowling camp at Sun Valley led by former Paralympians); Local Snowsports Teams (ages 8+, weekly winter ski/snowboard); Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind ski camps + summer campouts (year-round, ISDB-registered students); Adaptive Snowsports lessons at Sun Valley (ages 4+, half-day or full-day 1:1 instruction); Adaptive Cycling (off-road / mountain biking / gravel / road / strider bike lessons); plus year-round skill-building social events (hiking, indoor climbing, golf, bocce, cooking, concerts). Higher Ground is the rebranded successor / operating identity of Sun Valley Adaptive Sports (SVAS, a chapter of Disabled Sports USA) — same EIN, same Bert Gillette-led adaptive program. Most programs are free or heavily subsidized for participants with permanent disabilities.
Programs offered
5 programs · tap for detailsHigher Ground Adaptive Cycling (Mountain / Gravel / Road / Strider)
Adaptive cycling lessons across off-road / mountain biking, gravel biking, road biking, and strider bike formats for participants with physical disabilities. Strider bike lessons are the youngest-age entry point (typical strider age range 2-5 years). Year-round programming where weather permits.
Higher Ground Adaptive Snowsports at Sun Valley (Ages 4+)
Half-day or full-day personalized 1:1 adaptive ski + snowboard instruction at Sun Valley Resort for adaptive learners ages 4+. Tailored to each learner's physical, cognitive, or developmental disability. Ages 4-18 are the kid/teen-pathway entry into Higher Ground's adaptive ski programming.
Higher Ground Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind Programs
Year-round adaptive recreation programs in partnership with the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind (ISDB). Includes adaptive ski camps in winter and summer campouts in summer for ISDB-registered students. Open to ISDB students from across Idaho — Higher Ground hosts the programming in the Sun Valley area.
Higher Ground Local Snowsports Teams (Ages 8+)
Weekly winter adaptive ski and snowboard teams for ages 8+ with permanent disabilities. Group team training plus one-on-one lessons available. Nordic ski options for participants who prefer cross-country to alpine. Year-over-year team-based pipeline that bridges Local Snowsports Teams → Paralympic Youth Camp pathway for serious athletes.
Higher Ground Paralympic Youth Camp (Ages 7-18)
Multi-day adaptive ski + snowboard camp at Sun Valley for athletes ages 7-18 with physical disabilities. Combines skill development (skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, bowling) with camaraderie and adaptive-sport coaching. Led by expert coaches and former Paralympians who help participants refine techniques through tailored drills. Annual camp typically held mid-winter when Sun Valley's mountain conditions are optimal.
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