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Mountain Creek provides winter recreation for visitors with special needs

Vernon. Vernon. An adaptive program at Mountain Creek allows visitors with special needs to enjoy winter sports and activities.

| 15 Feb 2022 | 10:51
    Tim Stone, Director of Snow Sports at Mountain Creek, mom, Pattie Cerrato, Nick Cerrato, guide Martin and Adaptive Sports Program co-founder Buffy Whiting help Nick get ready for some fun on the slopes. Photo: Dr. John T. Whiting
    Tim Stone, Director of Snow Sports at Mountain Creek, mom, Pattie Cerrato, Nick Cerrato, guide Martin and Adaptive Sports Program co-founder Buffy Whiting help Nick get ready for some fun on the slopes. Photo: Dr. John T. Whiting
    Nick enjoys a run down the Horizon Slope guided by Tim Stone as Steve Baumann ensures a clear slope ahead. Photo: Dr. John T. Whiting
    Nick enjoys a run down the Horizon Slope guided by Tim Stone as Steve Baumann ensures a clear slope ahead. Photo: Dr. John T. Whiting
    Mountain Creek Program Staffer Martin and Director Tim Stone get Nick ready for a run on the Horizon Slope. Photo: Dr. John T. Whiting
    Mountain Creek Program Staffer Martin and Director Tim Stone get Nick ready for a run on the Horizon Slope. Photo: Dr. John T. Whiting

Most people think of skiing as a fun, but challenging winter sport. They don’t give much thought to what is required for visitors with special needs to be able enjoy this fun winter activity.

Inspired by young Vernon Township resident, Nick Cerrato, Mountain Creek, the Adaptive Sports Program at Mountain Creek was created to provide those with special needs the opportunity to enjoy the fun on the snow as regular skiers and riders.

On Friday, February 11, 2022 Nick visited the Resort to once again enjoy the benefits that came from the program he inspired.

Vernon residents and die-hard skiers Buffy and John Whiting learned of Nick’s desire to ski, and helped create a partnership between the Mountain Creek Ski Resort and the Helen Hayes Hospital for Rehabilitation.

Not only is Nick Cerrato able to enjoy skiing during the cold winter as a result of the ASPMC; other skiers and riders are inspired by the ability of this young man and other special needs visitors to have the desire and motivation to overcome their limitations and experience the joy of of winter sports.

ASPMC is continuing to grow its vision, with a goal to provide visitors with enjoy year-round involvement in summer recreational activities in addition to the existing winter program. The long term success and growth of the program depends on dedicated volunteers, trained instructors and donations from friends of the program to pay for equipment and the other program costs. More can be learned about the ASPMC by visiting their web site at www.aspmc.org or making a donation to the program at Mountain Creek Adaptive sports Program, Post Office Box 1234, Vernon, New Jersey 07462.