The Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Ski Program (“SEWASP” pronounced “see-wasp”) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that provides adaptive alpine skiing and snowboard lessons for people with disabilities in southeastern Wisconsin and surrounding areas. Accessing the unique abilities of each skier, SEWASP fosters self-confidence and independence. SEWASP is a PSIA ski school and teaches mono-ski, bi-ski, 4-track 2-track and snowboard lessons for people of all ages and diabilities.
SEWASP began as a Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center recreation program in 1985. Through the years the program grew until, in 1996 with the support of Marquette Medical Systems Foundation, SEWASP, a unique community based organization, was established. In 1998 SEWASP incorporated in the State of Wisconsin and became a chapter of Disabled Sports USA.
SEWASP is a not-for-profit 501c(3) non-stock corporation licensed in Wisconsin as a charitable organization and is a chapter of Disabled Sports USA. We rely on contributions to support all functions of our ski school. Our mission is carried out with an all-volunteer board of directors and volunteer ski/snowboard instructors.
“Adaptive” refers to the modified equipment and teaching techniques used to enable skiers and snowboarders to participate safely and as independently as possible. Instruction is generally provided at Alpine Valley Ski Resort near East Troy, Wisconsin (southwest of Milwaukee on I-43), on Thursday evenings from January through mid-March.
SEWASP provides lessons for participants with all types of disabilities including motor and physical (spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), spina bifida, etc.), cognitive (brain injury, mental retardation, etc.), sensory (blindness and other visual impairments, deafness and other hearing impairments, etc.).
The program primarily teaches at Alpine Valley Ski Resort near East Troy, Wisconsin. The participants are from Milwaukee, Chicago and surrounding areas. SEWASP is a member club of the Chicago Metropolitan Ski Council.
The program provides adaptive ski equipment and equipment fitting. Equipment provided includes bi-skis and mono-skis for participants who may sit down when they ski. Some skiers have their own equipment. Learn more about SEWASP at www.sewasp.org.
