EVEN WITH THE SPRING RAIN… THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A DAY ON THE SKI SLOPES. BUT WHILE WE ALL KNOW WHAT’S IT LIKE TO RIDE OUR FAVORITE TRAILS… THERE’S áANOTHER STYLE OF SKIING… THAT OFTEN GETS OVERLOOKED. WE’RE TALKING ABOUT PARA- SKIING. HERE IN VERMONT, THE KELLY BRUSH FOUNDATION IS CONTINUING ITS MISSION TO EXPAND ACCESS TO ADAPTIVE SPORTS. TODAY, THAT MISSION WAS ON FULL DISPLAY. NBC5’S YUNIER MARTINEZ — TAKES US TO SUGARBUSH RESORT. <NAT> FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THIS JUST LOOKS LIKE ANY OTHER DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN BUT FOR ADAPTIVE SKIERS HERE AT SUGARBUSH RESORT YOU START TO NOTICE WHAT GOES INTO EVERY RUN SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT… EXTRA HANDS… AND COORDINATION JUST TO GET MOVING KELLY BRUSH, Kelly Brush Foundation <“And that’s never more true than in Vermont and in the winter.And, you know, being able to get outside when you’re living in Vermont and on chairlift > WHAT YOU’RE SEEING HERE IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR AN ADAPTIVE ATHLETE TO GET ON THE SLOPES KELLY BRUSH, Kelly Brush Foundation <“The thing to take away from a day like this is just like there’s community there and there’s people around who want to get out and be active and UNION MUTUAL INSURANCE WHO SAYS DAYS LIKE TODAY ARE A WAY TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR SIMILAR MISSIONS LIKE THE KELLY BRUSH FOUNDATION George Mackinnon, VP Underwriting at Union Mutual <” Vermont is a special place for the different things that you can do. So the skiing, the hiking, the mountain biking, there’s so many opportunities to be outside and be active.”> AND THAT OPPORTUNITY KELLY BRUSH SAYS CAN BE A CRUCIAL PART FOR MONO SKIERS KELLY BRUSH, Kelly Brush Foundation <“But being able to do it with other mono skiers so other people with disabilities is so much fun and just having things in common, being able to, you know, follow them down t
Adaptive skiers hit the slopes at Sugarbush
The Kelly Brush Foundation brings adaptive skiers to Sugarbush, promoting accessibility, community, and opportunities for people with disabilities
Updated: 6:24 PM EDT Mar 22, 2026
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For many, a day on the mountain may seem routine. But for adaptive skiers, it often requires additional planning, specialized equipment, and support to make each run possible.The Kelly Brush Foundation, a cornerstone in providing those opportunities, was on full display at Sugarbush Resort.“And that’s never more true than in Vermont and in the winter,” said founder Kelly Brush. “Being able to get outside when you’re living in Vermont and it’s snowy and all that, it’s hard to do.” Brush adds that creating those opportunities is central to the foundation’s work, helping people with disabilities stay active and connected.“The thing to take away from a day like this is just like there’s a community there and there’s people around who want to get out and be active and do it with other people,” Brush said.Support from partners also plays a role. A representative from Union Mutual Insurance Company joined participants on the mountain, calling the day a chance to recognize the foundation’s impact.“Vermont is a special place for the different things that you can do,” said George MacKinnon, vice president of underwriting. “So the skiing, the hiking, the mountain biking, there are so many opportunities to be outside and be active.”For many adaptive skiers, the experience goes beyond the activity itself.“But being able to do it with other mono skiers, so other people with disabilities, is so much fun,” Brush said. “Just having things in common. It makes a huge difference.”The foundation hosts events year-round, including its premier event, the Kelly Brush Ride, coming up Sep. 12 in Middlebury.
For many, a day on the mountain may seem routine. But for adaptive skiers, it often requires additional planning, specialized equipment, and support to make each run possible.
The Kelly Brush Foundation, a cornerstone in providing those opportunities, was on full display at Sugarbush Resort.
“And that’s never more true than in Vermont and in the winter,” said founder Kelly Brush. “Being able to get outside when you’re living in Vermont and it’s snowy and all that, it’s hard to do.”
Brush adds that creating those opportunities is central to the foundation’s work, helping people with disabilities stay active and connected.
“The thing to take away from a day like this is just like there’s a community there and there’s people around who want to get out and be active and do it with other people,” Brush said.
Support from partners also plays a role. A representative from Union Mutual Insurance Company joined participants on the mountain, calling the day a chance to recognize the foundation’s impact.
“Vermont is a special place for the different things that you can do,” said George MacKinnon, vice president of underwriting. “So the skiing, the hiking, the mountain biking, there are so many opportunities to be outside and be active.”
For many adaptive skiers, the experience goes beyond the activity itself.
“But being able to do it with other mono skiers, so other people with disabilities, is so much fun,” Brush said. “Just having things in common. It makes a huge difference.”
The foundation hosts events year-round, including its premier event, the Kelly Brush Ride, coming up Sep. 12 in Middlebury.
Clinton Mora is a reporter for Trending Insurance News. He has previously worked for the Forbes. As a contributor to Trending Insurance News, Clinton covers emerging a wide range of property and casualty insurance related stories.