On a crisp January morning at Bogus Basin, seven young athletes arrived at the mountain with excitement and anticipation. For three of them, it would be their first time ever skiing or snowboarding. By the end of the day, smiles stretched as wide as the mountain itself, and those first-timers were already asking when they could come back. 

The 2026 CAF-Idaho Winter Kids Camp, held on January 31st in partnership with Boise Adaptive Snowsport Education (BASE), brought together youth ages 4–18 with permanent physical disabilities for a day of adaptive winter sports instruction, community building, and pure mountain joy. 

Building Skills, One Run at a Time  

The camp offered participants a choice between alpine skiing and snowboarding lessons, each carefully designed to meet athletes exactly where they were in their winter sports journey. Whether a child was experiencing snow sports for the first time or building on existing skills, the program created a supportive environment where every athlete could progress at their own pace. 

Twenty-one trained coaches and volunteers from BASE worked one-on-one with participants, providing individualized instruction tailored to each athlete’s abilities and goals. This personalized attention allowed young athletes to build not just technical skills, but the confidence that comes from trying something new, overcoming challenges, and celebrating victories—big and small. 

The fundamentals were there: proper body positioning, balance, turning techniques, and safety awareness. But beyond the technical aspects, something more powerful was happening on those slopes. Athletes were gaining confidence, finding moments of pure joy and experiencing the freedom that comes from gliding down a mountain. 

The Power of Adaptive Sport  

Days like this showcase why adaptive sports programs matter so deeply. For youth with physical disabilities, opportunities to participate in winter sports aren’t always readily available or accessible. Equipment needs can be specialized. Instruction requires specific training. The logistics can feel overwhelming for families navigating these experiences for the first time. 

That’s where partnerships like the one between CAF-Idaho and BASE become transformative. By removing barriers to access and creating welcoming, inclusive spaces, these programs open doors that might otherwise remain closed. They create communities where young athletes can connect with peers who share similar experiences. They remind every child—and every family—what’s possible. 

The three first-time participants at this year’s camp exemplify this impact. Within hours of their first runs, they had fallen in love with the sport. The mountains had captured their hearts, and they were already making plans to return. That immediate connection, that spark of passion—that’s the magic that happens when barriers come down and opportunities open up.