Recreation Unlimited provides adaptive alpine skiing and snowboarding lessons for people with disabilities at Bogus Basin Recreation Area.

The program started as a downhill ski program in 1978 with nine students. It now regularly serves about 60 students who have physical, visual, auditory or developmental disabilities.

Recreation Unlimited grew out of a project started by Boise Cascade that supplied ski passes and consultation on adaptive skiing. Adaptive snowboarding instruction was added in 2002.

The Recreation Unlimited program consists of two components.

The sit-down program uses specialized equipment to open the door for skiers of all abilities to experience the challenges and exhilaration of skiing. The stand-up program serves skiers and snowboarders on standard equipment.

Physically challenged skiers with limited or no use of their upper or lower body use specialized downhill skis, either bi-skis or mono-skis.

A bi-ski is for someone with limited upper-extremity strength. It consists of two skis with a seat and foot buckets.

A mono-ski has one ski under the seat. It is useful for people who have a spinal cord injury but have good upper-body strength and balance.

Some use outriggers - ski poles with a little ski attached to the bottom. Other sit-down equipment has handlebars.

Adaptive ski equipment rental is included in the lesson/lift package, making skiing affordable. Purchasing a mono-ski or bi-ski can cost from $2,800 to $3,000.

Christina Gredler of Meridian is entering her sixth season with Recreation Unlimited. She is an adult skier who uses a bi-ski. About seven years ago, she had a spinal cord stroke that left her with diminished strength from the waist down.

"I appreciate the opportunity to spend time outdoors with my family and friends doing something physically challenging and active," Gredler said.

Her husband is an instructor and her children, ages 11 and 12, join her on the ski hill.

Over the years, Recreation Unlimited has served people ranging in age from 4 to 60 with a variety of disabilities. Depending on the skier, one or more instructors work with a student.

The instruction process starts with completing an application and submitting a doctor's permission form. Before the season begins, students attend a dry-land equipment fitting clinic and meet the instructors. Ski and snowboard lessons start the first week of January.

The annual membership fee is $35. Children's lessons cost $12 for a half day and $20 for a full day. Adult lessons are $18 for a half day and $28 for a full day. Fees include lift passes, instruction and specialized equipment. Scholarships are available.

Skiers and boarders can opt for as little as one lesson or take a full six-lesson series. Some participants use the ski lessons to prepare for the Wells Fargo Winter Games, held each February in Idaho.

Recreation Unlimited has an extensive ski and snowboard instruction program.

"It's a great way to be around great skiers and it improves your skiing," said James Lofthus, a Recreation Unlimited board member and ski instructor from Boise. Lofthus has been an instructor for 14 years.

"You don't have to be an expert skier, you just need to be confident," Lofthus said.

Instructors complete a preseason training clinic at Bogus Basin and learn about teaching progressions, types of disabilities and use of the adaptive ski equipment. He said patience, willingness to learn, initiative and reliability are desirable instructor assets.

Natalie Bartley is a freelance outdoors writer. E-mail: natbartley@earthlink.net