Mardi Gras at WAS is held every year in honor of the program’s first student, Vince Fiore. Vince was an avid skier whose enthusiasm for sport, speed, and athletic endeavor never wavered. We miss him greatly, but it is his spirit of joyful determination that we remember and celebrate at each year's Mardi Gras.
In the firmly established WAS tradition, the first Saturday in March is reserved for our annual Mardi Gras celebration. This year it will be March 4th.
While we always hope to squeeze out a few more days of adaptive snow sports fun afterward, this celebration marks the beginning of the end of another exciting snow sports season, and a time to celebrate our students and volunteers with a day-long festival on snow. Join us for our synchronized skiing contest, parade, gumbo lunch and more...
11am–After morning adaptive ski and snowboard lessons, Mardi Gras festivities begin as we launch our version of a second line parade on skis (and snowboards), after assembling at the top of the Wintergreen Potato Patch trail. Traditional Mardi Gras costumes will be featured alongside those designed to reflect the year's theme.
Noon–Following the parade is the traditional Mardi Gras gumbo lunch served at the Hut. Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, Seafood Gumbo, and at least one vegetarian option will be served with French Bread and plenty of Cajun and Zydeco music. Student awards will be announced at lunch.
3pm–Following more post-gumbo adaptive skiing and snowboarding, on the Lower Diamond ski trail, WAS will hold its ever popular synchronized ski contest. As before, expect polished acting, ironic humor, and surpassing athleticism all rolled into one.
5pm–Finally, at the end of the day, staff and volunteers will gather for an informal barbeque, the announcement of volunteer awards, and the drawing of the Mardi Gras raffle prize winners. For raffle tickets, or any other information, email info@skiwas.org
