Maine Handicapped Skiing, celebrating its 23rd season in 2005, is looking for participants to take part in its winter adaptive recreational program which starts Jan. 3.

Adults and children with physical disabilities who are interested in learning to downhill or cross country ski, snowboard or snowshoe are encouraged to contact Maine Handicapped Skiing.

All lessons are free of charge and are offered at four locations: Sunday River Ski Resort, Sugarloaf/USA (weekends only), Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski Center and Pineland Farms in New Gloucester (for cross country skiing and snowshoeing).

Maine Handicapped Skiing attracts program participants from all over Maine, New England, Canada and as far away as Great Britain. In 2004, over 360 volunteers taught some 1,300 lessons to 250 adults and children with physical disabilities.

Call Maine Handicapped Skiing at 800-639-7770 or go to www.skimhs.org to learn more about the winter adaptive recreation program. All participants are required to fill out an application and submit a physician’s statement.