The origin of Maine Adaptive started during an annual ritual of the Salzmann family in the fall of 1979. Each year, this family of Sunday River skiers dragged out their ski boots so that the boys, Craig and Kirk, could try them on and see who needed new gear for the coming season. Their baby sister, Kim, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy did not ski but expressed interest in joining the fun and asked to try on ski boots with her brothers. 

At the time, Kim’s diagnosis prevented her from walking, but once she got up on her feet in the ski boots the stability they offered allowed her to both stand and walk! Klaus and Beverly, Kim’s parents, asked each other, “If she can walk, why not ski?” Beverly recalled what happened next, “Klaus ran down to the Sunday River Cross Country Center and got some of those little fish scale skis” The next step was actually getting Kim on skis, and that took place at Sunday River where the family had a ski home.

During Christmas vacation in 1979, with her father, Klaus, as her instructor, Kim made her first ski runs on the South Ridge beginner slopes. A ski tip retention device was used to aid in the controlling of her skis.  Out on the beginner slope, Kim would manage about ten feet of skiing and then fall, but she loved it. Klaus skied behind holding her between his legs. Then he recruited the ski school to help instruct her and they jumped right on it and Kim was well on her way!

Now, over 40 years later, Maine Adaptive continues Kim’s legacy by using tools, techniques, and any means necessary to adapt all sports to the unique needs of each student with a “can-do” attitude. We would not be here today without the support of Sunday River and our four passionate founding members – Omar D Crothers (1941-2013), Charles R Stevens (1934-2020), Charlie Roscoe, and Leslie B Otten.