Marquette Mountain Resort to host adaptive sports event

Marquette Mountain Resort is opening up its slopes to veterans and persons with disabilities for free ski and snowboard lessons and runs as part of Adaptive Adventures Ski and Ride Camp, March 9 to 10. This is the first year the resort is hosting the event, which is run by Adaptive Adventures Military Operations in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.

“I’ve been fortunate to have volunteered with Adaptive Adventures for a number of years and I’m very pleased Marquette Mountain Resort will be hosting this special three-day event,” said Kaet Johnson, general manager of Marquette Mountain Resort. “It is a great opportunity to work with a very worthwhile non-profit organization, as well as the local and regional VA facilities.”

Adaptive Adventures Military Operations provides injured veterans, active military personnel and their families the chance to participate in customized sports and recreational activities. Often, non-military persons with disabilities are welcome to take part, and Marquette Mountain Resort is open for them during the event.

“We will provide lessons with skilled instructors in adaptive skiing and snowboarding for people of that just as seriously as I take the physical stuff,” she said. “It keeps me grounded, and it gives me peace. You can have a stressful day and take five minutes out of your day, and just sitting there and meditating or being in nature can change your whole day.

“That’s why I ski too. When I have stressful days, I go skiing. I get on skis and nothing else matters.”

De Vooght works part time with the Noquemanon Trail Network as a trail host. NTN Executive Director Lori Hauswirth said De Vooght is a positive problem solver constantly looking for ways to help others.

“I know Casey’s passionate drive and commitment will propel her to success in her pursuit of the Paralympics,” Hauswirth said.

De Vooght hopes her visibility as an athlete helps others, especially those with disabilities, expand their view of what is possible. She hopes that by sharing her lessons learned, she helps them overcome their own obstacles. It’s another way for her to give back.

One of those lessons is to “Listen to your body,” she said. “I grew up as a farmer, and if something happened, you sucked it up and you pushed through. Since all this has happened, I’ve learned that pushing through physically is not always the right way to do things. If your body says take a break, you need to listen to it.” all abilities and skill levels. Additionally, lunch, lift tickets, equipment rental and any adaptive equipment is provided at no cost to veterans,” Johnson said. “We’re also welcoming people who want to volunteer for this special event. We’re looking for experienced skiers, snowboarders, instructors, ski patrol members, athletes and healthcare professionals to come join us. Lunch, lift tickets and equipment rental are also free for volunteers.”

Veterans are encouraged to contact their local VA Recreation Therapist for participation information. Those who want to participate or volunteer should contact, Dan Loch, Adaptive Adventures National Alpine Manager at dan.loch@adaptiveadventures. org or (720) 744-0783. Visit adaptiveadventures.org to register for the event.

“We sincerely hope our local veterans and service members come to the mountain for what is sure to be a fun and memorable event,” Johnson said. “We’re also hoping with the success of this Adaptive Adventures Ski and Ride Camp, we’ll partner again for future events to give back to those who served with the full range of our adventure activities, including kayaking, cycling and hiking.” challenge for me. I have friends that are very supportive and take mental health very seriously, and so do all my healthcare professionals. That’s been a big part of this recovery for me.”

Her foremost piece of advice: “Don’t give up,” she said. “Anyone — not just athletes — can be challenged by an obstacle every day. It can be the littlest thing in a normal day, and I think the biggest thing is to just find a way to keep going.”

As De Vooght keeps going toward the 2026 Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, she continues to draw on her experience growing up on a farm in Skandia.

“Every day on a farm there’s an obstacle that comes up, and 90-some percent of the time you figure out a way to push forward. It’s been the same way with injuries for me,” she said. “Something comes up like the stroke — it was another obstacle — and I find a way around it to keep doing what I love.”

MM

She also shares the importance of self-care and developing a strong support system.

“I’ve focused more on my mental health than I ever did before,” she said. “Physically, I know I can push through. I like a challenge. But these things mentally have been a bigger

Linda Remsburg is a long-time resident of Marquette County. She works in youth development and nonprofit capacity building as an associate with Grow & Lead: Community and Youth Development. She has a BA in journalism from Michigan State University and spent her early career as a news photographer and writer.