Our volunteers are the heart, soul, backbone — and our key to success.

Many volunteers opt to share their love of outdoor recreation by becoming an instructor. Other opportunities include special event assistance, fundraising, and administrative support.

We are (almost always!) accepting new volunteers. Summer trainings are held in late May throughout June. Winter trainings are held in December and January. See the calendar below for details.

Prospective Volunteers

Interested in volunteering? Yay!

  1. If you are interested in volunteering with the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP) this winter season please plan to attend our volunteer information meeting on
    Thursday, November 21st at 5:15pm in the Program Room of the Telluride Public Library.
    (Thinking about volunteering but not sure yet? This meeting is for you! Come learn what we’re all about and what it means to be part of the TASP volunteer crew. No commitments necessary!)
  2. Read our health information document to make sure volunteering at TASP is the right fit for you.
  3. Follow steps under Volunteer Application & Training Links to submit your application and review open training opportunities.

For questions, you may

Volunteer Application & Training Links

Access the Instructor/Volunteer Portal to renew your application.

  1. Complete your seasonal volunteer application.
  1. Sign up for an upcoming training (login info is the same as your application, just different URL)

Check out the below calendar to see upcoming trainings.

Instructor assignments for the next day are sent via text each afternoon around 4:30 PM.

Frequently Asked Questions

TASP provides programs all year round, and is primarily divided into summer and winter seasons. We need volunteers for every season! Below are the general timelines for each:

Winter

  • Early November – Volunteer Registration Opens
  • Mid November – NEW Volunteer Info Meeting 
  • December/January – Volunteer trainings, off and on-snow
  • First Weekend of April – Mountain closes, end of winter season

Summer

  • Early May – Volunteer Registration Opens
  • Mid May – NEW Summer Volunteer Info Meeting
  • late May/early June – Volunteer trainings
  • late Aug – summer season starts to wind down, closing fully mid-Oct

  • First time EVER with TASP?
    • Please submit a NEW Volunteer Application. Keep in mind, 3 references are part of our process. Be prepared with their contact information (Email included!) so you can submit that application on the first attempt, instead of ‘coming back to it later’ 😉
  • Joined TASP in the Winter but this is your first Summer? (or joined in Summer and this is your first Winter?)
    • Please submit a NEW Volunteer Application. This version asks about your skill levels in the various seasonal activities we offer.Since this is your second season with TASP, you may put ” -”  in the starred references sections so it lets you submit that application without having to resubmit references.
  • YOUTH Volunteer (<18 years old)?
    • Please submit a NEW/RETURNING YOUTH Application depending on if this is your first season (NEW), or you’re already established with TASP’s summer side (RETURNING).
  • Returning volunteer? (2+ winter and/or 2+ summer seasons)
    • If you’ve volunteered with TASP in previous seasons please submit a RETURNING Volunteer Application. You know the drill :)
    • However, IF it’s been longer than 5 years since you volunteered with TASP…Please submit a NEW Volunteer Application as the original one may be on an older system AND your personal information (very likely) has probably changed too.

All volunteers must sign the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program/Move United Warning Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability & Indemnification Agreement.

Additionally, TASP runs a background check on activity volunteers & instructors annually.

Before starting, all volunteers should review the Health Guidelines and Sports Protection Handbook.

Programs coordinated through local partner organizations may require additional documentation or waivers.

Our team is highly trained in risk management and therapeutic recreation and maintains ongoing certifications and advanced training. Although TASP strongly encourages all paid instructors to receive and maintain Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors certification, this external training is optional for volunteers.  TASP offers an average of 30 specialized training courses for  volunteer involvement and continuing education.

Yes, but within availability as determined by TASP lessons and a successful completion of a background check for those over 18 years old. TASP schedules volunteers on lessons according to many different criteria, not all lessons are appropriate for all volunteers (especially so with youth volunteers). If you are on a time crunch to complete service hours you may want to look at other options outside of TASP.

Generally, the youngest age we accept as a volunteer is 12 years old. Occasionally we will ask a parent or other adult chaperone to join with the volunteering.

What will my child be doing as a youth volunteer?

  • If under 16 years old – Volunteers under the age of 16 are strictly ‘buddies’ on lessons and not responsible for any safety aspects or instruction. Their task is to ‘up the stoke’ for the athlete and help provide confidence for their peers. 
  • If 16 years or older – Volunteers 16 and older may be asked to assist lessons as an assistant instructor. Ability level and prior TASP trainings on and off the snow will determine which type of lesson(s) they may assist.

Please keep in mind that not all TASP lessons are appropriate for youth volunteers. We schedule them when appropriate, but hours are not guaranteed. 

We ask for at least 6 full on-snow days, or approximately 40 hours (training hours not included). This can be broken up between full and half day commitments. Our Volunteer Coordinator will work with you and your schedule to find times that work for you and TASP. 

The general timeframe for volunteering on a full day lesson is roughly 9:40-3:30, however this may change slightly depending on lesson specifics.  Half day availability is occasionally a possibility too. 

We ask all winter volunteers to feel comfortable skiing and/or snowboarding at least on blue groomers. Additional volunteer qualities we look for are being responsible, punctual, open-minded and someone who likes to have FUN!  

TASP hosts a handful of fundraising or other non-recreation type events throughout the year where we can utilize volunteers in more logistical or office work capacity. However, the frequency of these events ebb and flow with the seasons and current objectives. They are not a guarantee for volunteer hours.
We do our best to include as many of our hopeful volunteers as possible, but options are often limited for volunteers who do not wish to be on lessons with adaptive participants. Please reach out to volunteer@tellurideadaptivesports.org for more information on these positions.
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“I get so much from meeting our students and working with them to provide the experience that they want. I enjoy the challenge and the connection that teaching something new and different provides.”

Betsy F.

“This community has fostered so many relationships between the athletes and instructors that have significantly impacted my life and I am forever grateful that I became involved. I am constantly learning and I love being able to see others challenge themselves to reach greater heights of independence in the outdoors.”

Cassidy C.

“I have loved TASP since the minute I became a volunteer last year. There is absolutely no substitute for seeing the joy an athlete feels when they accomplish something new. Special Olympics skiing last year was one of my favorite groups I have ever been a part of in my life. From the athletes to their families to the unbelievable full time staff at TASP, there’s no better way to spend a Saturday. My wife and I feel so grateful to be part of the TASP community.”

Mike K.

We’re excited you’re interested in volunteering with TASP! Fill out the below form: