Keith Gabel - Annual Award - Adaptive Spirit Athlete 2021

One of the most important annual celebrations of the state’s snow sports industry, the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame induction, is on tap for Sunday, August 22 at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. For the next few days leading up to the 2021 Hall of Fame Celebration, the CSM will be highlighting inductees and annual award recipients. Tickets for the event are on sale HERE.

Keith was introduced to snowboarding in 2000 and developed a love for the sport. In June of 2005, Keith was injured in an industrial accident that crushed his left foot. Following four blood transfusions, 26 hyperbaric treatments and a blood clot in his left lung, the doctors told Keith that he would most likely watch his foot die. Due to complications and lack of technology at the time, he made the decision to amputate his leg just below the knee. Keith returned to his snowboard three months later.

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After his sixth season riding with an amputation, he found out about competitive para snowboarding and began training with the National Ability Center.

At the Sochi Games in 2014 Keith won a bronze medal in the sport’s Paralympic debut of snowboardcross. At the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games he was awarded silver in snowboardcross and placed 6th in banked slalom. He also participated in four World Championships, winning first in snowboardcross in 2019.

Keith’s hobbies include hiking, fishing, mountain biking, swimming, cliff diving, camping, playing and writing music, and hanging out with his dog. He is passionate about cooking and baking. Furthermore, he also enjoys being involved in humanitarian projects and philanthropy work when he has free time.

Paralympic Experience

  • Two-time Paralympian (2014, 2018); Two-time medalist (1 silver, 1 bronze)

  • PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, silver (snowboardcross), 6th (banked slalom)

  • Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, bronze (snowboardcross)

World Championship Experience

  • Most recent: 2019 – 1st (snowboardcross)

  • Years of Participation: 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019

  • Top Finish: 1st - 2019 (SBX), 4th – 2015 (banked slalom)

Source: Team USA

If you cannot attend the Hall of Fame Celebration in person, please consider making a tribute gift: HERE.

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