Ski Films for a Good Cause
Three upcoming film events build excitement for winter while supporting the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program at Holiday Valley
Ski season is just around the corner, and what better way to kick off the winter festivities than a couple high energy ski films to get the adrenaline pumping? That is exactly what is in store with three upcoming events benefiting the life changing lessons provided by Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program, a local non-profit founded in 1988 at Holiday Valley Ski Resort. LASP provides ski and snowboard instruction to persons struggling with virtually any disability, both cognitive and physical.
The events kick off on Saturday, November 21 with the showing of Warren Miller’s 77th film, Days Off, hosted by the Erie Ski Club. The showing will take place at Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie; doors open at 6:00pm. This annual event features a Warren Miller film and will include a 50/50 cash raffle and – new for this year: a silent auction.
On that same evening, the inaugural Winter Stoke 716 event will take place at The Barrel Factory in Buffalo from 7:00-10:00pm. Wear your favorite tie dye and enjoy a pre-film social, film screening of Chris Benchetler’s Mountains of the Moon set to a Grateful Dead soundtrack, and an after party. Can’t make that date? The event will repeat itself at Holiday Valley’s Tannenbaum Lodge on Saturday, January 16th from 7:00-10:00pm.
EllicottvilleNOW caught up with Sue Whistler, the LASP’s Program Director, for comments.
“The Winter Stoke 716 events are being organized by Doug Bradley and Brandon Chase,” said Whistler. “Holiday Valley is promoting them; the January event will be held there,” she said. “The Erie Ski Club has been hosting a Warren Miller movie night for us for the past several years – this is the first year of the Winter Stoke 716 event.” She continued, “Both [Winter Stoke 716] events are new, and Brandon and Doug hope to establish them as annual events to benefit various local non-profits,” she explained. “Doug and Brandon approached us with the concept, and we are so grateful they did!”
In addition to these three stellar events, which will surely get everyone pumped for the start of ski season, registration for the LASP adaptive lessons begins on Sunday, November 15th for the 2026-2027 season. Sign up instructions for lessons and for the mail list are available on the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program website at www.lounsburyadaptive.org.
With over 300 students and families in the Lounsbury community, Whistler says that the program offers approximately 200 adaptive lessons each season and the demand increases with each year. “We have a staff of about 40 dedicated volunteer adaptive instructors, and all staff members are encouraged to pursue certification through the Professional Ski Instructor Association (PSIA),” Whistler shared, adding that over 70% of the LASP staff are certified. “LASP covers the cost of their training and the exam process which is a major part of our budget,” she continued.
And last but not least, LASP will participate in the annual Giving Tuesday event on Tuesday, December 1st and will have an online giving campaign on the organization’s website and through its social media platforms, according to Whistler.
“We’re always excited to ski with our returning athletes and to welcome new students and their families to the program,” she said. “We are hoping for plenty of snow through March and steady, sustained cold temperatures to preserve the base and allow for snow making; we just don't want many of those subzero days with arctic wind chills that are not safe conditions for our younger and more physically compromised skiers.”
What better way to celebrate the start of ski season than high-octane ski films in support of a good cause! Don’t miss the Erie Ski Club’s screening of Warren Miller’s Days Off at Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park at 301 Peninsula Drive in Erie on Saturday, November 21st from 6:00-10:00pm. Tickets are $17.50 each before taxes and fees and can be purchased on the Humantix event page: https://events.humanitix.com/warren-miller-s-77th-annual-film-days-off.
That same evening, Winter Stoke 716 kicks off at The Barrel Factory at 65 Vandalia Street in Buffalo from 7:00-10:00pm. The party continues once again on Saturday, January 16th at the Tannenbaum Lodge at Holiday Valley Ski Resort from 7:00-10:00pm. Tickets to both events are $35 before taxes and fees and can be purchased through the Winter Stoke website at: https://www.winterstoke716.com/#tickets.
For more information on the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program, visit www.lounsburyadaptive.org or email info@lounsburyadaptive.org.