Challenge Alaska

Challenge Alaska is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and the whole community through sports, recreation and education. Challenge Alaska was founded in 1980 and incorporated in 1981 by Douglas Keil and other individuals dedicated to providing sports and recreation opportunities for the disabled. Mr. Keil was electrocuted at age 14 and as a result his left arm and leg were amputated. After struggling for years with depression resulting in drug and alcohol abuse, in 1975 Doug visited Winter Park, Colorado, which turned his life around. After winning two Gold Medals in Norway with the US Disabled Alpine Ski Team, Doug was determined to bring those same opportunities to the disabled community of Alaska and in 1980 Challenge Alaska was born. Beginning in a broom closet at Alyeska Ski Resort with less than a dozen participants Challenge Alaska now serves over 1,000 people with disabilities each year with a wide variety of programs and services from Sled Hockey to Hospital Based Therapy as well as Book Clubs, Cooking Groups, Camping, Fishing, Soccer, and much more.