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“Do you want to take a trip to the Mile High City?” I ask my friend Anthony, who uses an electric wheelchair.wheelchair.

Um, it doesn’t seem very easy to reach, mate,” he remarked. “I mean, how do you get up there? Is there an elevator?

I have no idea,” I had to confess. “Forget it,” he said. “Let’s go.

Anthony, who lives with cerebral palsy, doesn’t easily accept limitations. He essentially received an OBE for challenging the established norms.

Therefore, Denver, USA, known for being precisely one mile above sea level, wasn’t going to hinder him and his quest for adventure.

Perhaps we could go skiing too,” I continue. “Denver is right next to themountains, and they appear to have this thing known as a sit-ski…’

In fact, the western US statepossesses one of the finest configurations for adaptive skiing globally,

Get my long johns,” answered Anthony. “We’re leaving.

And away we went – toward the westUS stateof Colorado, for a once-in-a-lifetime city and ski getaway.

Getting there

On boarding the United Airlines flight from LondonHeathrow, Ant is moved from his electric wheelchair to an aisle chair (the former needing to be stored in the cargo hold), then carefully transported like a delicate vase to Economy Plus, the “Plus” referring to extra legroom rather than additional lobster or champagne.

Throughout the nine-hour flight, Ant watches seven episodes ofBridgertonand two cans of lager, the latter allowing us to inspect the plane’s available restroom, which expands in size when a partition is taken down. Neat.

Denver appears magnificent from above: the wide dry plains, the Southern Rocky Mountains, the sparkling silhouette of its downtown. Landing in the city is a pleasure.

After retrieving Ant’s wagon and passing through customs without any issues, we take the convenient A-Line train into Denver’s Union Station, a neoclassical gem featuring a striking neon top.

Inside the station is Mercantile Dining and Provision, a Michelin-recognized establishment where the pork chop is astonishing and the grapefruit panna cotta even more impressive. (We neglected to leave a tip. Sorry Brie.)

Our hotel—the Indigo—is located just a short distance from the station. The lobby is filled with free popcorn (as it should be), and our room is definitely spacious.

When we let the reception staff know that the fold-down chair in the roll-in shower isn’t suitable for Ant, they quickly provide a different option. Well done.

A day in Denver

With a day to spare before heading to the snow, we have breakfast the following morning at Snooze (known for its candied bacon and vibrant decor), then hail a taxi to take us to the art museum.

Ross gathered us, having created RideToo after noticing that individuals with accessibility requirements were not being served in Denver. Although not inexpensive (£35 for a pickup plus £3 per mile), it’s reassuring to know the service is available if needed (ridetoo.us).

Denver underwent a significant transformation in the 1960s and 1970s, which is why it now appears more likeMilton Keynes than it does Veniceor Ravenna. The art museum serves as a prime example: it is theopposite of classical, and more refined for it.

If you’re short on time, head to the seventh floor, where the artworks showcase aspects ofthis the area in question, which cannot be said for the Monets and Constables found elsewhere.

Then, we go for a walk to RiNo (short for River North), a neighborhood with low-rise structures that once had a more vibrant, edgy vibe but has since transformed into an artistic and bohemian area that feels authentic and playful instead of being overly calculated or insincere.

Denver Central Market is right in the middle of it all. What a spot! Great vendors, a welcoming atmosphere, and in Lunch Boxx, it has an outstanding lunch location.

My lunch box containing rice, coleslaw, pickles, tempura mushrooms and a bundle ofcarnitas (braised pork that is both crispy and juicy, presented in its own broth) is truly as good as it gets.

Since RiNo has the most microbreweries in the United States, we take a brewery tour following lunch led by a Californian dubstep DJ named Darrick (denvermicrobrewtour.com; £40).

At Our Mutual Friend, the cherry beer is a great relief and the hot dogs are free every Monday. At Ratio Beerworks, the carrot flower beer makes us jump around like rabbits.

And at Odell – where their blueberry drink has become nationally popular – Ant begins talking about why the US should rejoin the Commonwealth.

Off to the slopes

At 7 a.m. the following day, we began our journey on the Winter Park Express, a service that has been transporting people from downtown Denver to the Winter Park resort since 1940.

At some stage during the two-hour trip, as we wind our way into the Southern Rocky Mountains, we’re informed that ‘a tenth of Colorado’ is visible from the window. What an incredible way to reach the snow (one-way tickets begin at £7).

The winter sports destination, Winter Park, is where you’ll discover theNational Centre for Sports for the Disabled, which began in 1970 when a local individual named Hal O’Leary took some young amputees and showed them how to ski.

“There are a hundred ways to glide across snow,” says Mark Stump, a native Texan with a fondness forPrue Leith, and a crucial component in the NSCD system.

Around £100, as Mark explains, visitors to the center are assessed, provided with equipment, given a lift pass, and then taken out by a fully trained instructor for a lesson on the slopes.

The center also features a competitive division, assisting aspiring Paralympic athletes from around the globe in preparing for competition.

One local lad, Trevor Kennison, retrained as a sit-skier at the NSCD following a paralysis caused by a snowboarding accident. The documentary Full Circle recounts how Kennison went back to the location of his accident… and performed a double backflip in a sit-ski. Legend.

Following a breakfast burrito at a renowned café namedCoffee& Tea, Ant is introduced to his equipment, a Dynamique sit-ski.

It’s essentially a seat supported by two skis, with additional stabilizers for better balance.

The sit-ski features a clever system that makes it simple to attach to a chairlift, almost as effortless as spreading butter on toast.

As Mark and Anthony move away on the chairlift, I hear Ant let out a long yodel, which might mean happiness, but could also show he’s in trouble. I’ll look into it later.

As we go down a set of green and blue slopes, I notice that Ant is still a little anxious, which is understandable considering it’s his first time on snow.

However, he is in capable hands, with Mark Stump behind him, skillfully guiding him through the tight areas, and then releasing the rope (which connects the two) when the path becomes simpler.

I catch up with Ant at the base. “How did that go, buddy?”

Terrifying,” was the response. “Let’s do it again.

After spending another few hours on the slopes, we arrive at our lodging, The Vintage Hotel, where our accessible room is both warm and roomy.

We are thinking about trying the outdoor hot tub, but it’s -12 degrees outside, so we’ll go to bed and watch Sense and Sensibility instead.

The following morning, we venture further and higher into the mountain, once more with Mark Stump serving as our guide. Ant is becoming more comfortable – which might explain why he performs it a few times in rapid succession.

At our last meeting, Ant’s mood is approaching pure joy. I sense he would remain here indefinitely, and I believe Mark Stump would too, but I’m aware that time is moving forward.

Shall we make this the final trip?” I ask. “Not a chance,” says Mark. “We don’t have final trips around here. Let’s do two more trips but skip the second one.

I have an even better plan,” says Ant. “What if we do three more and leave out the last two?

Mark Stump is thrilled. “Now you’re speaking, Anthony. Now you’re speaking.”

Ben Aitkenand Anthony Ford-Shubrook were guests ofVisit Colorado, Visit Denver (visitdenver.com), and Winter Park Resort.

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