Adaptive skiing in Steamboat with STARS: how to plan it, and where to stay

By Ashley Prince, DO & Matt Prince, DO · November 15, 2026

Adaptive sports are close to our hearts, and Steamboat is one of the best places in the country to try them. The reason is STARS, the adaptive program right at the resort base, a short walk from our condo at The West.

Here's what STARS offers, how to book, what to ask, and an honest look at whether our condo is the right base for your family. (Sometimes it isn't, and we'd rather tell you now.)

What STARS is

STARS stands for Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports. It's a nonprofit founded in 2007 by ski instructors, parents and Steamboat resort leaders, and it is the adaptive lesson and winter program provider at Steamboat Resort (OnTheSnow). STARS serves kids and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, and it's a PSIA member ski school and a member of Move United (Steamboat Chamber).

In winter, STARS offers:

• Adaptive alpine skiing and snowboarding
• Nordic (cross-country) skiing and snowshoeing
• Private lessons and an adaptive guide program
• A guide program for skiers who are blind or visually impaired
• Programs for veterans

STARS provides the adaptive equipment, so you don't need to haul a sit-ski or outriggers across the country. Need-based financial aid is available, and you apply through STARS directly.

How to book

1. Start early. Lessons depend on trained instructors and specialized gear, and holiday weeks (Christmas through New Year's, MLK weekend, Presidents' Day, spring break) fill first. If your dates are set, reach out as soon as you book your lodging.
2. Register online or call. Go to steamboatstars.com, or call the STARS office at 970-870-1950 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Mountain time).
3. Ask about financial aid at the same time if cost is a barrier. It's easier to sort out before your trip than after.
4. Confirm the meeting spot. The STARS winter base is at 2305 Mt. Werner Circle at the resort base. STARS will confirm exactly where to meet when you book.

We don't quote STARS prices or schedules, because they set those and they can change. Please get them straight from STARS.

Questions worth asking STARS before you go

As physicians, we've learned that a good first visit starts with good questions. A few we'd ask:

• What information do you need about my child (or me) ahead of time, and is there an intake form?
• Which equipment do you expect to use, and is it fitted on the first morning?
• How long is a session, and how much indoor time or rest is built in?
• Can a parent or caregiver ride along or watch?
• What happens if it's very cold, or my skier needs to stop early?

On the medical side, keep it simple: bring any usual medications and supplies in your carry-on, plan for cold (fingers and toes chill fast when you're sitting), and give yourselves an easy first day at elevation. If your skier has a medical condition, talk with their own doctor before the trip about altitude and cold. That's general advice, not a substitute for their care team.

Why Steamboat works well for adaptive skiing

STARS has been here for nearly two decades, and the resort base is compact: ski school, the gondola, restaurants and the ice rink are all around Gondola Square. STARS also runs summer programs (hiking, cycling, horseback riding and water sports), so a family that loves winter can come back in July (OnTheSnow).

Where to stay: an honest look at our condo

Mountain Modern at Steamboat is a 3-bedroom, 3-bath condo at The West. Here's what helps an adaptive ski week:

• Close to the base. It's about 0.1 miles, a 5-minute walk on a paved path, to Gondola Square, ski school and the Wild Blue Gondola.
• Free bus at the door. The free city bus stops at the crosswalk below the condo and reaches downtown in about 10 minutes.
• Gear-friendly. A mudroom entry with a commercial heated boot and glove dryer, a private ski locker by the front door, and heated bathroom floors.
• Room to spread out. Every bedroom has its own bathroom and smart TV, so a caregiver or grandparent gets privacy. It sleeps 8, plus 1 to 2 infants under 2.
• A soft landing. A gas fireplace, a vaulted great room facing the mountain, and a clubhouse pool and two hot tubs about 30 seconds away.

And here's the part we always tell families first. Our condo has a 3rd-floor entry with no elevator, and three levels inside connected by stairs. It is not wheelchair accessible, and it works best for guests who can manage stairs. If your family needs step-free lodging, our condo won't be the right fit, and that's okay. Ask STARS about accessible lodging options. They also operate STARS Ranch a few miles outside town, which has ADA-compliant lodging (OnTheSnow), so ask whether it's available for your dates.

If stairs are fine for your crew, we'd love to host you. See dates and book direct with us. Booking direct means you talk straight to us, Ashley and Matt, and skip the big platform service fees.

Frequently asked questions

Does STARS provide the adaptive ski equipment?

Yes. STARS supplies adaptive equipment for its lessons and programs. Ask when you book which equipment they plan to use.

Is financial aid available for STARS lessons?

Yes. STARS offers need-based financial aid. You apply through STARS.

Who can take lessons with STARS?

STARS serves kids and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, plus programs for veterans and for skiers who are blind or visually impaired. Call STARS to confirm the right program and any age minimums.

How far is Mountain Modern at Steamboat from the STARS meeting area?

The condo is about a 5-minute walk on a paved path to the resort base. STARS confirms the exact meeting spot when you book.

Is your condo wheelchair accessible?

No. The entry is on the 3rd floor with no elevator, and the condo has three levels connected by stairs. Families who need step-free lodging should ask STARS about accessible options.

When should we book STARS for a holiday week?

As early as you can, ideally right after you book lodging. Holiday weeks fill first.

One more thing

We're Ashley and Matt Prince, two doctors raising our kids in Michigan. We host the way we love to travel, and if you have a question about the condo before you book, message us. If summer on the water sounds good too, our Higgins Lake Sunrise Cottage in northern Michigan has its own sandy beach and kayaks for the whole crew.

We hope your skier has the best day on the mountain.