Virtual Slopes: Adaptive Ski Adventure

Chatfield, Natanya

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Virtual Slopes: Adaptive Ski Adventure Public Deposited

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Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/z890rv88j

Abstract

I have always been able bodied, which makes my accessibility to facilities and activities in sports feel like second nature. This privilege starkly contrasts with the experiences of individuals facing mobility disabilities, for whom participation in winter sports can pose significant challenges. Fortunately, those in Boulder, Colorado live only 40 minutes away from Ignite Adaptive sports, located at the base of Eldora Mountain, which provides children and adults with disabilities access to Colorado’s amazing outdoor winter sports.While skiing can be an option for those living in Colorado, I also recognize the frustrations and limitations faced by others who do not have access to adaptive sports in their area.

My project, “Virtual Slopes: Adaptive Ski Adventure,” aims to bridge this gap by leveraging virtual reality (VR) technology to create an inclusive and accessible skiing experience tailored for individuals with disabilities. This immersive VR experience offers users the opportunity to virtually ski alongside an accomplished adaptive ski team as a student and as an instructor. By utilizing 360-degree video technology to simulate the environment of snow-covered slopes, the experience educates users about adaptive skiing and makes skiing accessible for all.

By teaming up with Ignite Adaptive Sports, this project focuses on giving people a peek into what's possible in adaptive sports before they even come to the mountain. Whether you're someone with a disability who's excited to check out skiing, a parent thinking about adaptive skiing for a friend or family member, or just someone who's curious about the sport itself, this experience provides a safe entryway to all of these possibilities. Ultimately, it's about pushing the boundaries and getting those interested involved in the adaptive sports scene, even if getting to a ski resort isn't always easy.

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