The nonprofit National Ability Center relies on financial support from the public and no event is more important in that respect than Red, White & Snow, the NAC’s 11th annual culinary, fine wine and ski fundraiser. This year’s events will take place this Thursday through Saturday.

“It’s very exciting for the organization,” said Denise Begue, director of development at the NAC. “This one event represents 20 percent of our annual budget. And so it’s a very important part of what we do, helping to raise funds so that we can support our mission.”

That mission is to empower “individuals of all abilities by building self-esteem, confidence and lifetime skills through sport, recreation and educational programs.”

“The growth of the event has been substantial in the 11 years from when it started to where it is now, but also our budget has grown,” Begue said. “It’s very specific across the board, so as we raise more funds we can offer more services. And so that’s why you’ve seen this sort of trajectory of growth both in the budget and in the event.”

“We are absolutely grateful to the community of Park City for their generous support,” she said. “It really does help us fulfill our mission.”

While Saturday night’s gala and auction at Montage Deer Valley is sold out, there are several events that are open for people to attend.

“[Thursday] we have a wonderful Uncorked event at Stein Eriksen Lodge at Deer Valley,” Begue said. That event will feature “more than 30 vintners’ favorite wines and hors d’oeuvres, complemented by live music,” according to the NAC.

Friday is Wine on the Mountain, which takes place on the slopeside patio at St. Regis Deer Valley. “It’s a fun day skiing with the legends and all of our vintners come in. You know, it’s a big part of why they really participate with us, is getting to ski with our Paralympic athletes and our Olympic legends and the staff and donors and board members of the National Ability Center. It’s great to go to the patio and sit out on that gorgeous deck and enjoy the food and beverages– it’s a fun way to spend the afternoon.”

The Wine on the Mountain event features prizes for attendees in the best vintage ski gear, so dust off your best neon onesie if you’re planning to attend.

Friday night are private vintner dinners taking place at 26 private homes in and around Park City, which the NAC says “are the highlight of Red, White & Snow.” The vintner dinners pair up premiere chefs, vintners and local homeowners for a luxurious evening. An NAC participant or volunteer “will visit each dinner and share an extraordinary selection of wines.” There is still some limited availability at the vintner dinners.

Though Saturday night’s gala dinner at Montage Deer Valley is sold out, a new auction feature intended to make bidding easier for attendees will also allow people not in attendance to bid on items.

“We’re trying mobile bidding this year for the silent auction,” Begue said. “You’ve been at these events — the auction is closing, or you’re watching something because you really want that ski package, but you have to interrupt your conversation, you know you have to leave and go monitor, and so you find yourself babysitting or watching an item as opposed to really being there and enjoying yourself with your guests.

“And the fact that you can sign up for something, be bidding on that product, and then you’ll receive texts. And it will just buzz you and let you know — you have been outbid, or you’re still in the lead, or you’ve lost this item, and then with just two clicks of your phone, you can stay competitive, still get the item you want, but you’re still there with your guests.”

For details on mobile bidding, visit redwhiteandsnow.org/mobile-bidding/.

This year’s Red, White & Snow Honorary Vintner is Pride Mountain Vineyards. The Honorary Chef is Zane Holmquist of Stein Eriksen Lodge. Clifford Nolan Bailey is the Honorary Artist. “They all work so hard and it’s very important and we couldn’t do this without them,” Begue said. “So it’s incredibly important to us that we’re able to recognize what they bring to the organization and the support.”

For more information on the National Ability Center’s annual Red, White & Snow fundraiser, taking place this Thursday through Saturday, visit redwhiteandsnow.org.