Low snow prompts Oregon Adaptive Sports to move two upcoming youth events from Hoodoo to Mt. Bachelor
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Low snow conditions have prompted Oregon Adaptive Sports to move this Saturday's Ellie Bartlett Junior Racers adaptive skiing event and the following weekend's CamPAH! snowsports camp from Hoodoo Ski Area to Mt. Bachelor.
The junior racing event provides young athletes with disabilities a low-barrier entry point into alpine sports. The program focuses on a non-competitive experience for youth in Central Oregon.
The events are typically held at Hoodoo Ski Area but was relocated to Mt. Bachelor this year due to challenging snow conditions. Organizers said the temporary move allows them to maintain safety and appropriate on-snow conditions for participants while continuing the seasonal program.
The Bartlett Junior Racers event is structured to prioritize time on the snow, rather than competition. Participants ski in a supported environment that emphasizes exploration and repetition.
This non-competitive approach is designed to encourage participation among children and young adults with disabilities.
The event is named in memory of Bartlett, who was a prominent member of the Oregon Adaptive Sports community. Bartlett was known for her work recruiting and organizing volunteers from the University of Oregon to support adaptive programs.
The Bartlett Memorial Fund provides financial support for the event to ensure it remains a low-barrier opportunity for youth athletes.
For more information about Ellie Bartlett Junior Racers or Oregon Adaptive Sports youth programs, visit:
https://oregonadaptivesports.org/sport/ellie-bartlett-jr-racers/
OAS also will host CamPAH!, a deaf-centric adaptive snowsports camp for deaf and hard of hearing youth, on Feb. 14–15. Traditionally held at Hoodoo Ski Area over President’s Day weekend, CamPAH! will take place at Mt. Bachelor this season due to low snow conditions.
CamPAH! serves deaf and hard of hearing youth athletes ages 10–19 who want to learn or improve their skiing or snowboarding skills in an environment designed specifically for visual communication and cultural connection.
The camp operates entirely in American Sign Language, with volunteer coaches who are fluent in ASL and are Deaf, CODA, and/or professional interpreters, ensuring direct communication and meaningful access on snow.
Since its founding in 2013, CamPAH! has supported nearly 200 Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth athletes as they begin and continue their snowsports journeys. Founded with leadership from Cara Frank, Development Director at Oregon Adaptive Sports, the program was created to establish a Deaf-friendly space on the mountain where access is foundational rather than accommodated.
The program’s name, CamPAH!, reflects the ASL sign “PAH,” which conveys a sense of “finally” or “success at last” in an upbeat, celebratory way. That meaning echoes the experience many athletes and families describe — the impact of participating in a program where communication access is built in, not adapted as an afterthought.
CamPAH! continues to demonstrate the importance of Deaf-centered instruction and culturally responsive access in outdoor recreation. Parents consistently point to both skill progression and confidence gained through the program.
“You all did an amazing job. I can’t stop talking about the positive impact this had on my son. He engaged in a different and more sophisticated way, and his skiing skills improved over the weekend. We came for exposure to Deaf culture and to try something new — I didn’t expect him to love skiing, love his teachers, and grow so much. Now he wants to do it every weekend. We can’t wait to come back next year.”
— Parent of CamPAH participant
CamPAH! is one of the few deaf-centric adaptive snowsports camps of its kind in the United States and highlights the value of culturally responsive programming and community-led access in outdoor recreation.
For more information about CamPAH! and OAS programs, visit oregonadaptivesports.org/sport/campah/.
Oregon Adaptive Sports, founded in 1996 provides adaptive outdoor recreation throughout the year.
The organization offers various programs for children and young adults with disabilities across Central Oregon, including Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, cycling, mountain biking, hiking, paddling, and golf. These programs aim to provide consistent access to outdoor activities in the region.
