Donate
Adventure Seeker
National Ability Center
ChanginG Lives
Since ‘85
Celebrate 40 Years of ADAPTIVE recreation and ADVENTURE.
Our History
Year Of Events
Give 40 for 40

History

Since its founding in 1985, the National Ability Center (NAC) has been a trailblazer in providing adaptive sports, recreation, and outdoor adventures for individuals of all abilities. Established in Park City, Utah, the organization started with a focus on adaptive skiing, helping people with disabilities experience the thrill of the slopes.

Over the years, the NAC expanded its offerings to include a wide variety of year-round activities such as cycling, horseback riding, water sports, and team-building programs, empowering participants of all ages and abilities.

Timeline
Get to Know Us

OVER FOUR DECADES

A Journey Through NAC’s Legacy

1985

Co-founder Meeche White and Pete Badewitz, a Vietnam Veteran, start Park City Handicapped Sports Association (PCHSA) – now the National Ability Center, from their home. A grant from the Disabled American Veterans of Utah funded ski lessons for veterans at the base of Park City Mountain.

1986

Co-founder Meeche White serves as Chief of Race for the International Special Olympics Winter Games Alpine Venue in Park City.

1987

Park City Handicapped Sports moves its headquarters from Peter and Co-founder Meeche White’s home to a small 300 sq. ft. office at the base of the Park City.

1988

Park City Handicapped Sports Association hosts its first “Learn to Ski” event with instructor training followed by hands-on instruction for people with disabilities. Over three hundred people attend. The summer cycling program begins and the first outdoor camping trip is planned.

1989

NAC hosts the first Huntsman Cup Alpine Ski Race and our Equestrian program begins.

1992

Co-founder Meeche White takes a team of six Special Olympians to Schladming, Austria for participation in the International Special Olympic Winter Games Invitational. This is the first time in the history of Special Olympics that American athletes travel outside the United States of America.

1993

Co-founder Meeche White goes to Austria with the Special Olympics team as Special Olympics Alpine Team USA Head Coach.

1995

National Ability Center offices move from the Resort Center to its current “temporary building” (the trailer) at the base of Park City Mountain Resort.

1995

Co-founder Meeche White travels to Korea on an exchange program to teach disabled skiing.

1996

26 Acres of land at the eastern edge of Park City were anonymously donated; now known as the NAC Ranch and housing our administration building, a guest Lodge, our equestrian center, the recreation HUB, cycling center, and challenge course, with “backyard” access to the Round Valley trail system.

1997

Co-founder Meeche White travels to Toronto to serve as the advanced course technical delegate at the 1997 International Special Olympics Winter Games.

2001

Bronfman Family Recreation Center & Ranch dedication. National Ability Center headquarters moves to its current location.

2001

Co-founder Meeche White serves as the ADA Manager with the Salt Lake Organizing Committee in preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

2006

An international outreach team travels to Thailand after NAC solicited input from schools for individuals with disabilities from various countries.

2008

The National Ability Center bobsled team beats the Jamaican bobsled team.

2008

After 23 successful years at the helm of the National Ability Center making her vision into a reality, co-founder, Meeche White, retires.

2011

The National Ability Center Equestrian Program receives Premier Accreditation from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (P.A.T.H.)

2014

18 National Ability Center Athletes compete at the Sochi, Russia Paralympic winter games.

2015

No Barriers USA hosts its annual Summit in Park City, UT in partnership with the National Ability Center.

2017

Splore and the National Ability Center join forces, with Splore bringing adaptive outdoor adventure to the program mix.

2017

A new Challenge Course is built in partnership with Intermountain Healthcare and Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

2019

The Pat Moran Family Foundation Equestrian Center building expansion was completed, adding 5,500 sq. ft. of administrative office and meeting space for our growing operations.

2020

The Quinn Family Recreation HUB was built providing 5,317 sq. ft. of indoor recreation and event space to our participants and community partners.

2022

Ten NAC athletes who either currently or formerly trained with the NAC went to the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Winter Games, competing across alpine skiing, snowboarding, and Nordic skiing.

2022

The John Vogely campaign project funded the cycling storage and maintenance expansion, turning our humble cycling shed into a dynamic cycling center, allowing our cycling crew to expand its fleet and offer a broader range of adaptive biking experiences.

2023

The NAC expanded its barn adding approximately 2,000 sq. ft. to accommodate grooming stalls and a tack room for our growing herd.

2023

After many years of leadership and service to PC ALL, the founders stepped down and joined forces with the NAC to carry on the PC ALL operations and mission. PC ALL was originally founded in 2014 by Cindy and Leigh Beem, Dana Reilly and Shelly Smith with additional community support from local Park City families and educators and we are honored to keep their vision and legacy going.

2023

The McGrath Mountain Center stands as a monumental milestone in the NAC’s 40-year legacy, thanks to a historic land lease donated by Vail Resorts. Co-founder Meeche White, who continues to advocate for inclusive recreation, has witnessed the organization’s growth from its humble beginnings in a double-wide trailer to the new two-story, ADA-accessible, 9,400-square-foot facility.

2024

NAC releases its first-ever short film documentary, ‘Tread Setters.’ The documentary, made in partnership with Outride and Osseointegration, follows four paracyclists as they ride the 100-mile White Rim Trail in Moab, Utah in one day.

2025

Celebrating 40 years of empowering people of all abilities, the NAC’s 40th Anniversary kicks off in November 2024 and runs through the 2024-25 fiscal year. Join us in honoring four decades of impact, community, and growth through adaptive sports, recreation, and education!

NAC Presents

40 Years in the Making

Give 40 for 40

We’re turning 40, and what better way to celebrate than with you by our side, continuing to change lives? Join us in our Give $40 for 40 campaign and help us empower people of all abilities through adaptive sports and recreation.

Every dollar you donate supports life-changing programs, and hey, if you can’t give $40, don’t sweat it—any amount is appreciated. If you can give more, you’re a hero!

Two easy ways to donate:

  • Text NAC40 to 512-920-5521
  • Donate Form

We’ve been CHANGING LIVES SINCE ’85, and with your help, we’ll keep doing it for the next 40 years!

Other Ways to Support

Scavenger Hunt

Get ready for an adventure like no other as we celebrate the National Ability Center’s 40th Anniversary with an exciting scavenger hunt!This isn’t just any hunt—it’s a chance to explore, connect, and celebrate four decades of inclusion, empowerment, and adaptive recreation.

Whether you’re a long-time friend or new to the NAC community, join us in this fun-filled event, where every clue uncovers a piece of our incredible journey. Rally your friends and family, and let’s make memories while honoring 40 years of changing lives!

Coming Soon!

Year of Events

Join us in an unforgettable celebration of our 40th Anniversary! All year long, we’re hosting a spectacular lineup of events and activities. Let’s make this milestone special—come celebrate with us by attending one, or better yet, ALL of our exciting events! We’ve been changing lives since ’85, and we can’t wait to celebrate this incredible journey with YOU!

Wiley_RWS_WOM7 (1)
Slope-Side Party
Ski and party with burgers, beats, and NAC athletes!

February 8, 2025
scavenger hunt
Scavenger Hunt
Hunt for accessibility, win various, exciting, FUN prizes!

Coming Soon
DSC05921
Community Celebration
40 years’ worth of celebration in one big summer bash.

July 12, 2025
Give 40 for 40!