Challenge Mountain began as the dream of Darla Evans. In 1982 Darla took her daughter, Christi  to the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado. Numerous birth defects had confined Christi to a wheelchair. By the end of  the week, 5 year old Christi was skiing all but the most difficult slopes  using special equipment adapted to her needs. She'd discovered a freedom she'd never known and more importantly self-confidence and self-esteem. Hal O'Leary, founder and recreation program director of the Winter Park facility, refused to accept payment for Christi' s week of skiing. Instead he elicited a promise from Darla that she go back to Michigan and work to  begin a similar program.

 A CHALLENGE... 

Upon her return, she approached local ski resorts with the idea of allowing her to recruit volunteers to help the physically challenged and mentally impaired learn to ski on their hills. After many months of phone calls and personal visits, Everett Kircher, Founder of Boyne USA Resorts let her try  her ideas at Boyne Mountain.

  A REALITY...

It  was a success from the start. In 1984 Darla had her ideas incorporated into  a 501(c)(3) a non-profit organization, Challenge Mountain was now a reality!! In 1984 Boyne USA made a gift of the old Walloon Hills Ski Area 160 acres of land and an existing lodge to Challenge Mountain.

 CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE...

The past 5-6 years have proven to be challenging but exciting with a massive explosion of people who have learned about the us and have come to enjoy the fun and adventure our programs have to offer.  We are proud to say we have become one of the popular destinations of the north.  How exciting that adaptive skiing has become so popular!  Our population has grown 75% in those short years

It is more important now than ever before to increase funding to help meet the demands placed on the organization to keep programs vital.