The National Sports Center for the Disabled will begin its 50th year celebrations with three days of races next weekend, all of which support a good cause.

The 45th annual Wells Fargo Ski Cup will be Feb. 21-23 at Winter Park Resort. This is the largest fundraiser for the NSCD, and the event brings in nearly $250,000 to support therapeutic recreation programs for children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities.

“For the past five decades the NSCD has provided service to over 15,000 children and adults who are living with a disability that want to enjoy sports and the outdoors,” said Kim Easton, president and chief executive officer of the organization. “We are able to provide services because of events like the Wells Fargo Ski Cup and donors who have provided continued support that help facilitate operations and programming.”

Three races are held over the three day weekend. First will be the AEC Challenge Race where architects, engineers and contractors compete in an industry specific race with the goal of winning the “Outrigger Trophy.”

The AEC racers will also compete with the sponsor teams during the Wells Fargo Corporate Challenge on Feb. 22. Skiers and snowboarders from 30 corporate teams will race against each other for prizes. An NSCD Competition Center athlete will race on each team and compete for cash prizes to help finance expenses to attend the 2022 Winter Paralympics.

The Feb. 23 race is the Kids Snowplow Spring for racers ages 5-12 to compete on the same course as the professionals. They will be joined by mascots from Winter Park and Colorado sports teams.

The events will conclude with the World Disabled Invitational. Professional athletes from around the world will compete for cash prizes in this exciting race where sit skiers, 3-trackers and visually impaired athletes race against each other.

Other weekend events include a two-day silent auction and tubing to raise funds for the NSCD and the Ski for NSCD Pledge Drive.

Anyone can join in on the activities by registering for Ski for NSCD. Participants can create a website page and collect donations in their name. To learn more, visit http://www.nscd.org.