Over 50 Years of Adaptive Sports History

First established in 1972 as “New England Handicapped Ski Association” by a group of returning Vietnam war veterans as a weekend adaptive skiing program for veterans with physical disabilities. As the program grew, a small lodge was constructed at Mount Sunapee Resort.

Over the next five decades the program grew to include year-round adaptive sports and adaptive recreation opportunities for veterans and civilians with physical and cognitive disabilities. We changed our name to reflect the healing power of adaptive sport and recreation to “New England Healing Sports Association.”

In 1996, NEHSA began hosting a winter sports clinic for disabled veterans in partnership with regional Veterans Associations. This event is one of the largest of its kind in New England, drawing veterans with disabilities from all over the country. Through our adaptive veteran programs and events, we remain committed to enabling access to adaptive sports and adaptive recreation for veterans.

We are delighted to offer year-round programming that includes adaptive kayaking, adaptive paddle boarding, adaptive skiing and snowboarding, and adaptive hiking.