HUNTSVILLE -- The aroma of hot dogs, cotton candy and popcorn filled the air at Snowbasin ski resort during a winter carnival Saturday to raise funds so individuals with disabilities can enjoy the slopes.
The first-time event was sponsored by the fledgling Snowbasin Adaptive Sports Education Foundation.
Proceeds from the event's admission ticket sales will be used to purchase bi-skis and mono-skis as well as establish a scholarship fund so disabled individuals can take snowsport lessons, said Alicia Crandall, director of SASEF.
"Everyone should enjoy snowsports out on the slopes," she said. "Nothing makes you feel better than when you see a (disabled) kid's eyes light up and a dad's eyes light up when they realize they can do something together."
Although SASEF is newly established, the organization has assembled a team of 11 certified instructors who provide adaptive lessons to participants.
Saturday's carnival was well-attended and hopefully will become an annual fundraiser for SASEF, Crandall said.
The event featured a variety of activities, including tubing, snow mini-golf, blindfold ski shuffle, snow bowling, face painting, hair coloring and a snow sculpture contest.
Various snowsports equipment manufacturers also displayed goods.
Skye Willard, an SASEF instructor who applied brightly colored temporary dye to kids' hair, said it's rewarding to help disabled individuals get out on the slopes.
"It's cool," she said.
Pam Boies, another SASEF volunteer who sold hot dogs at the carnival, agreed it's magical watching children with disabilities having fun in the snow.
"If you could see their faces out there, it's unbelievable."
Elle Dunton, who was among dozens of children attending the carnival, enjoyed the face painting and hair coloring the best. "It's silly," she said explaining why those two events were her favorites.
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