Rentals For Adaptive Recreation in Utah

Folks with adaptive needs often require a little more preparation to get outdoors and recreate when it comes to the adaptive equipment they need to thrive. There are a few local organizations that offer adaptive equipment rentals in Northern Utah and even more that offer a ton of fun and diverse programming to help folks with adaptive needs get out and get moving. Don't miss these annual events in Northern Utah for the adaptive community and keep scrolling for rental info.

The cost of adaptive outdoor gear is prohibitive. Sports like skiing and biking are costly to begin with but if you factor in the price of a recumbent bicycle or a monoski, which can range from $5,000 to $15,000, it's downright unattainable. Luckily, there are a handful of organizations in Northern Utah that offer rentals for adaptive equipment.

NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER

Located in Park City, Utah, the National Ability Center (NAC) has created an inclusive and uplifting environment for people with disabilities for nearly 40 years. Everyone should enjoy the benefits of recreation and the NAC builds community while providing diverse programming that promotes wellness and independence. Click here for information.

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The NAC runs a great equipment rental program for folks to recreate on their own or with families and friends. You'll need to contact the NAC directly to set up an equipment rental. A staff member will ensure a proper equipment fitting and you'll be required to participate in a lesson or skills check-off before completing the rental process. Note that participants in NAC's programming will have priority on all rental equipment, based on availability, so it's best to make a rental request well in advance. Rental costs range from $15-45+ depending on equipment needs and scholarships are available. Here's a breakdown of the gear rentals offered by NAC

NAC BIKE RENTALS

Cycling is a huge part of the programming enjoyed by NAC's guests. There are group rides, outings, mileage challenges, races and more. The NAC offers the following bike rentals:

Fat Tire bikes
Mountain Bikes - recumbent, hand cycles, tandem mountain bikes and more
Road Cycles - recumbent, hand cycles, side-by-sides and more

NAC SKI RENTALS

If you're just learning to ski, NAC offers a ton of opportunities to take lessons, hone your skills, and meet others who also want to make moves on the mountain. NAC offers skiing, snowboarding and nordic skiing lessons at Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort. Lessons at Solitude or Brighton can be accommodated upon request. NAC's instructors are trained to teach 2-track, 3-track, 4-track, mono-ski, bi-ski, snow slider, ski bike, and snowboarding techniques. Learn more here. The NAC's roster of rental equipment includes the following.

Nordic skis - classic or skate
Seated Nordic ski rentals
Mono-skis
Ski bikes

WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY

Weber State University in Ogden offers a robust Outdoor Equipment Rental Center as part of its campus recreation offerings. Students can enjoy 30% off rentals and faculty/staff can deduct 15% for the cost of rentals. There is adaptive gear for rent which includes training on how to use and transport the gear. The center offers Joëlette Single Wheel off-road wheelchairs and Nuke Off-Road Recumbent Handcycles manufactured by Reactive Adaptations. Click here for more info or to get in touch with the Outdoor Equipment Rental Center.

WASATCH ADAPTIVE SPORTS

Salt Lake City-based Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS) offers year-round programming supported by an incredible community of students, families, instructors and volunteers. From ski lessons to group bike rides to snowshoeing and yoga WAS keeps participants active with a focus on promoting independence and self-confidence. Click here to learn more about activities at WAS.

WAS provides short-term rentals on a variety of adaptive bikes, skis, and other adaptive equipment. If you're interested you'll need to contact the organization to discuss options. Adaptive skis are available for rent on a case-by-case basis and preference is provided to programming needs. Ideally, those looking to rent ski equipment have previously participated in a lesson with WAS and all renters must be capable of loading and riding the chairlift independently. Click here for more information.

TRAILS ADAPTIVE

TAILS Adaptive is a wonderful program in partnership with University of Utah Health. Their mission is to provide support in recreation, wellness and education for people with complex physical injuries or disease. TRAILS stands for: Technology, Recreation, Access, Independence, Lifestyle and Sports. We in Utah are so lucky to have TRAILS as they are staffed with experts in medicine and technology who design and build equipment in tandem with the University of Utah. They specialize in creating and maintaining equipment for beginners to Olympians with a focus on alpine and Nordic skiing, water sports, cycling, swimming, wheelchair tennis and recoil shooting. Click here for more information.

A great reason to try the programming at TRAILS: they have one of the largest arsenals of adaptive sports gear in the world! While TRAILS does not have a rental program, those who participate in a few sessions of their programming are eligible to use their equipment on loan on a case-by-case basis to stay active. Users must have participated in TRAILS programming and must demonstrate proficiency in using the gear and offer a commitment to responsibly store and transport it. Their loaner program includes handcycles, recumbent trikes, kayaks, paddle boards, cross country and downhill sit-skis.

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If you need a little help in getting out to enjoy Utah's beautiful natural places, there are a plethora of fantastic local organizations that offer a nearly countless array of activities, events, and community-minded outings. The following list is a great place to start. You'll discover a diverse collection of fun things to do like horseback riding, climbing, sailing, snowshoeing, snow biking, rafting, ice skating, kayaking, cycling, skiing, snowboarding and so much more. To get started, don't miss this post about a handful of accessible trails in the Wasatch.