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. Read FAQs (below).
  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 the right to submit your application and review open training opportunities.

For questions:

Volunteer Application & Training Links

Volunteer Registration is now open for Summer 2026!

New Volunteer Information Meeting:
May 28, 5:15–6:15 PM at the Telluride Library. A Zoom link is available for those who cannot attend in person. Please email for more information.

All volunteers — whether you have volunteered before during Winter or Summer programs — must complete an application again for the Summer 2026 season.

This year, we are offering volunteer trainings in Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Paddling, and CPR/First Aid.

Please click the links below to access the volunteer application portal and sign up for trainings:

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

Weekdays (Monday-Friday)! – Historically we need the most volunteer help during the weekdays. We work with many school groups and Telluride’s SkiPE for 5 weeks in January. Due to the high volume of visitors to the ski resort on weekends, TASP schedules many of our specialized group camps during the weekdays.

Special Olympics (SpO) Saturdays! – For approximately 5 weeks throughout January and February, TASP hosts Team San Juan for regional Special Olympics athletes. It takes a village to run not only SpO, but the individualized Saturday lessons we have as well. These weekends vary each year with a schedule released during the winter season to the volunteers.

Yes! At minimum volunteers are provided a resort ticket if needed during TASP training and on-snow lessons. Incentive programs also exist where on-snow volunteering may be eligible to earn day tickets or a pass. Want to learn more? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected].

  • 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.

TASP provides training to volunteers in 3 categories: Flatwater, Rock Climbing, and Bikes. Volunteers are asked to attend training for the recreational discipline they wish to assist with on TASP trips. If you have zero intention of helping with rock climbing you do not need to attend that training. If bikes are your happy place, please register at least for the Bikes Orientation training.

RETURNING Volunteers – are asked to take a refresher training every 3 years in their discipline(s) of choice. I have a record! If you can’t remember how long it’s been, ask and I can help.

YOUTH Volunteers (under the age of 16) – We ask you to please have a parent/chaperone attend the training with you. Your chaperone does not need to be a TASP volunteer.

SOME recreation activities like hiking, fishing, and horseback trips do not include a formal volunteer training clinic. Please indicate on your Volunteer Application your skill level in these activities and make sure your volunteer coordinator knows your areas of interest.

Register for Training – To make sure TASP has the appropriate gear and staff to provide the best training we can, volunteers NEED to register for training. If the roster is full, select the waitlist option. Please register for training at least 48 hours out from the training date (if able) or let me know your intentions. If you need help I’m happy to assist. Please register using the link above.

Mandatory Reporter Training – All instructors and volunteers are required to complete an annual Mandatory Reporter Training. TASP pays for and provides online training for those that need it. Any individual with reporter training through another avenue within the last year of volunteer activity may submit their completion certificate to TASP.

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 a variety of specialized training courses for volunteer involvement and continuing education. Please see the “What training(s) do I need to take as a volunteer?” tab for more information.

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. 

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

Summer: Lessons are typically 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, however this may change slightly depending on lesson specifics.

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 [email protected] 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: