Visit the National Ability Center for an Extensive Offering of Adaptive Sports

My Visit to the National Ability Center in Utah

By Arash Bayatmakou - NorCal SCI Executive Director

I was recently in Utah visiting and working with our Franklin Project partners and friends at Neuroworx when the staff told me I had to pay a visit to the National Ability Center (NAC) in Park City. It’s been nearly 12 years since my own SCI and in that time, I’ve taken part in a variety of activities with differing levels of adaptation and support from road biking with our local friends at BORP and Able Bodied (very adaptive and well supported) to ocean kayaking and lake canoeing (not at all adaptive).

None of that prepared me for what I encountered when I visited NAC at their incredible facility in Park City, about 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City.

I was met by Tracy Meier, Program Director, and given a comprehensive tour of the grounds, lodge, and various buildings and facilities onsite. I was truly astounded by all the different programs and resources available to people with a variety of disabilities. In addition to providing services to people with mobility challenges, NAC also caters to people with neurodiversity and developmental challenges as well as military veterans.

Tracy Meier - Program Director of NAC

One of the most impressive things they offer is a fully accessible lodge with rooms for participants and family members to stay in. The rooms are clean, simple, and moderate sized but there are communal areas with couches in order to foster engagement and community with other travelers. There’s a large shared kitchen/cafeteria with coffee and beverages available most of the day as well as food available to order. The catering manager told me they’re able to accommodate most dietary requests and provide tasty and healthy food to fuel people’s outdoor adventures.

Entrance into the Lodge from the parking lot

Kitchen/Cafeteria at the lodge

Most of the services and activities begin or take place entirely at the NAC campus where I visited but if you come for winter downhill skiing, the ski center is actually a 5 minute drive and located right on the slopes of the Park City mountain. NAC has an accessible shuttle that can take people there directly from the lodge so you can get dressed in your winter gear in your room, roll out the front door, and hop on the shuttle for an easy ride to some of the most epic downhill skiing in the world!

Some of the highlights of my tour were the ropes/climbing course, archery range, indoor equestrian center, mountain and road bike program, large event space, and the indoor climbing walls.

If staying in the lodge isn’t feasible, it’s easy to find hotels or Airbnbs at any budget in the greater SLC area and come up for the day as most of the programs are available for day use. That said, NAC also offers overnight excursions, camps, and multi-day trips available for advance booking. They also partner with other organizations in the area to provide visitors with a truly astounding offering of activities in this gorgeous part of the country.

NAC is growing its operations and continues to add more programs, partnerships, and opportunities so definitely check out what’s on offer as there are things to do all year-round. They have a small but growing location in Moab (3.5 hours drive in southern Utah) and known for its mountain biking and proximity to a number of national parks including Arches, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands.

Tracy informed me that NAC offers grant programs and financial assistance so if you’re limited in your budget, contact them to find out more about these opportunities.

I left NAC feeling positively overwhelmed and inspired by all they have to offer. While I wish that every state had something like it, I’m grateful that they have so many ways for people to get outside, enjoy nature, and take part in recreational activities. So if you’re interested in trying a new adaptive sport or traveling to a new place and seeing what I personally consider some of the most beautiful nature in the US, reach out to NAC and make a visit!