The ski team dismounts from the Challenger high-speed quad lift and starts down Blue Mountain. In matching jackets and helmets, they follow each other, making neat turns following one another, stopping each time they reach a switchback in the trail.

It’s not the Blue Mountain Racing team, it’s the Lehigh County Special Olympics ski team. For more than 20 years, the resort has provided lift tickets and rentals at no cost to the program, benefiting dozens of people with intellectual disabilities.

“They’re great, they’re all super. To me, they’re kind of my buddies,” said Linda Schuler, the team’s head coach.

Skiing is not the first sport that comes to mind when someone brings up the Special Olympics. It takes a lot of work, from the coaches who transport the athletes to the mountain themselves, and the athletes.

The coaches get involved for a number of reasons. Wendy Demjanick wanted to give back after a career as a nurse and a ski patrol member. She also had firsthand experience, since her sister has Down syndrome and competed in the Special Olympics.

“It’s a special community. It’s a tight-knit community. Once your life has been touched by one of these special kids, it’s always in your heart,” she said.

Since 2000, when Schuler joined the program, more than 50 skiers have participated. They train every Wednesday morning at Blue Mountain in preparation for the state championships, which take place at the end of January. This year, the Lehigh County team took home 14 medals, four gold. The gold medalists included one athlete who just got on skis this year, and another who worked hard for years in his pursuit of gold.

“It really brought tears to my eyes, just to see these kids. It was pretty awesome,” Demjanick said.

While the athletes are young at heart, they range in age from their teens to 50s. Some have been participating for decades.

Ben Mayes of New Tripoli started skiing 25 years ago. He enjoys spending time with his teammates, skiing and drinking hot chocolate.

“Take your time, get it right and have fun,” he said.

He enjoys the challenge of competition at the state level, as well as meeting friends from all over the state.

“It’s a little bit hard, icy, but you have fun, a good time,” he said.

The athletes have a blast getting in runs, and of course hanging with their friends. For the coaches, the goal is always to keep the kids safe.

Some athletes take longer to pick up the skills than others, but the coaches try to be patient. Some require one-on-one attention, and need to hear an instruction a few times before it becomes clear.

“It makes them strong, mentally physically and spiritually — they have a unity, they’re very bonded because of this,” Demjanick said.

Many of the coaches have a background in the medical field. Demjanick said it helps to have an understanding of the conditions that the athletes face to help them thrive in skiing.

Through their training, the athletes learn more than just how to ski. They get opportunities to socialize, which for Schuler can be the most rewarding aspect. Sometimes she’ll have to cheer up an athlete who is discouraged by a harsh word or a tough day.

The athletes show gratitude for the coaches, and lots of hugs.

“Everybody loves to be recognized that they did a good job. They give back to us too, and make us feel we did something great,” Schuler said.

They say Blue Mountain’s continued commitment to the program is really what keeps it going. It started with the mountain’s founders, Ray and Diane Tuthill, who opened the ski area in 1977.

When their daughter Barb Green took over, Schuler was concerned that the arrangement might change. But Green didn’t hesitate to reaffirm the connection.

“I wanted to know if they were going to continue. She said ‘whatever my father did, I will do.’ ” she said. “It’s been a blessing.”

And with dedicated coaches, the program should continue for years to come. And that means a lot of happy athletes.

“Once you get them involved, they love it,” Schuler said.