A Milestone Partnership Fuels Resilience (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Lee Canyon – The resort’s longstanding fundraiser returns this March, blending discounted skiing with support for athletes overcoming life-altering injuries.
A Milestone Partnership Fuels Resilience
Lee Canyon launched Feel Good Fridays a decade ago in partnership with the High Fives Foundation.[1][2] The event has raised more than $100,000 since 2017 to aid adaptive sports initiatives.[2] Resort officials noted the growing enthusiasm each year, drawing skiers eager to contribute while enjoying the slopes.
Last year, Lee Canyon earned recognition as the foundation’s Partner of the Year. The series runs every Friday through March, with lift tickets starting at $18 and $5 from each sale directed to High Fives programs.[2] This model keeps the momentum strong amid a solid snowpack, boasting over 100 inches this season – 90 percent of average.[1]
Shelby Estocado’s Path to Inspiration
Shelby Estocado crashed during a snowboarding run at Lee Canyon in February 2020, fracturing her T6 vertebra and sternum.[1] After surgery and recovery aided by High Fives, she returned to the mountain on a monoski just 11 months later. The 29-year-old Las Vegas native, once a member of the U.S. women’s national baseball team, now competes in adaptive sports including Paralympic training.
“I was crushing all the workouts, and really wanted to get back to my independence,” Estocado recalled.[1] Her first day back brought a mix of excitement and emotion, culminating in tears at the accident site. She now motivates others: “I just like bringing people out of their shell after any life-altering thing going on with their life.”[1]
March 13 Spotlights Community and Triumph
The March 13 installment features “Ride with High Fives Athletes,” where visitors join Estocado, fellow adaptive skier Ryan Chen, and foundation founder Roy Tuscany on the slopes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.[3][1] Tuscany, paralyzed in a skiing accident 17 years ago, established High Fives to help over 1,100 athletes – many veterans – rebuild through sports.[1]
“The coolest part about Lee Canyon is there’s no attitude there. People are celebrating fun,” Tuscany said.[1] The day aligns with the close of the Milan Cortina Paralympics, shifting focus to local joy and inclusion. Johnny DeGeorge, Lee Canyon’s marketing manager, highlighted the rally of athletes and newcomers exploring adaptive sports.
High Fives Foundation Drives Lasting Change
Founded in 2009, High Fives has distributed $12 million in grants and empowered athletes across 47 states and beyond.[4] Programs emphasize adaptive adventures like skiing, fostering independence and barrier-breaking moments. Tuscany described the spark: “When you see their eyes click… we prove to them we adapt and destroy the barriers.”[1]
Here’s the March lineup:
- March 6: Standard Feel Good Friday
- March 13: Ride with High Fives Athletes
- March 20: Continued fundraising
- March 27: Season wrap-up support
All welcome skiers and snowboarders of every ability. Tickets available at leecanyonlv.com.
Key Takeaways
- 10th year raises funds for adaptive sports recovery.
- $5 per ticket aids High Fives’ $12M grant legacy.
- March 13 unites locals with Paralympic-timed inspiration.
Feel Good Fridays proves mountains remain accessible, turning challenge into celebration. Will you join the ride? Share your thoughts in the comments.
