No matter what the disability, anybody can enjoy going downhill skiing thanks to quality instruction and equipment. If you are going to invest your time and money at a local or not-so-local ski resort, start with a Professional Adaptive Ski Instructor. I have been instructing Snowsports since 1996 at Disabled Sports USA programs www.dsusa.org, and the most valuable advice I can give you is to choose a resort that puts a lot of effort into training their instructors to be professional while also offering a wide variety of adaptive equipment.
In adaptive skiing, there are six different disciplines: developmental, visually impaired, mono-ski, bi-ski, 3-track and 4-track. Following is information about the different disciplines and choosing a qualified Instructor. So don’t sit inside on those cold winter days; get out and play.
Instructors
Adaptive Snowsports instructors can earn three different levels of certification; before scheduling your lesson, check to see if your instructor is qualified to teach at your level. An Instructor qualified at Level 1 has performed to national standards in at least one of the six disciplines to the beginning level. Adaptive Level 2 instructors have performed to national standard in all six disciplines to the intermediate level. Adaptive Level 3 instructors have performed to national standard in all six disciplines to the expert level.
Choosing a Resort with Adaptive Programs
When choosing a resort, the number one question to ask is how many instructors at the program have adaptive certifications. If they have a high percentage of certified instructors, you can expect that those certified instructors are training the new guys and gals how to be professional as well. You will often have a great experience at this resort, even if your instructor is new that season. However, if the percentage of certified adaptive instructors is very low or non-existent, you may have a substandard experience. It is up to you to do the research and remember you are in control of the lesson. When you pay to have a great experience and you feel it was inadequate, you may want to request a level 2 or 3 instructor during your next visit just to get you going in a positive direction.
Adaptive Equipment
Over the past two decades there has been an explosion of quality adaptive equipment on the market; each device assists specific populations towards being as independent as possible on the ski hill. Therefore, the second question I would ask when interviewing an adaptive ski program is about the equipment they offer. Most good programs should offer at least four different types of mono-skis, two different types of bi-skis, and a variety of other adaptive devices including ski walkers, at least six sets of outriggers, adaptive snowboard equipment, etc. If they have a large variety of equipment it shows that they are ready to handle any disability, at any time. Listed below are a few recommendations and brands of equipment resorts may have.
Bi-Skiing
If you are an individual with minimal or no hand functioning, and limited abdominal control, you may want to request a bi ski. In a Bi-Ski you can be assisted on the mountain by an instructor. The articulation of the ski allows for an individual that has minimal or no ability to move laterally to ski with family and friends. Those with the ability to consciously move from side to side can control the direction of the ski even with a slight movement, like tilting their head left to right. A few of my favorite brands are the Bi-Unique by Enabling Technologies www.superlite.com , Mountain Man FFS out of Bozeman, Montana, and the French Tessier line of products www.dualski.com.
Mono-Ski
Mono-skis are used by wide varieties of individuals with diverse abilities. The spectrum of mono-skiers starts with individuals that have limited hand function, good arm strength, lots of patience, and a considerable amount of time to practice. At the other end are individuals with lower-limb amputations, poor standing strength, and even people with temporary disabilities,,such as a person recovering from an early-season knee surgery who doesn’t want his season pass to go to waste. The mono ski group has seen some of the largest growth and specialization recently. For individuals on the limited function end of the spectrum, I often recommend the Austrian Praschberger www.praschberger.com or the Yetti www.yetti-radventures.com. For individuals with more function and those mono-skiing while recovering from a temporary disability, I often recommend the Freedom Factory Pro Comp www.freedomfactory.org . If your goal is to jump into the terrain park or compete in the downhill, two mono skis that can take the abuse while performing at the top are the Strange and KGB www.sitski.com.
3-Track and 4-Track
If you can stand with two legs but need some assistance with balance, you can use Outriggers or Ski Walkers to assist you on the mountain. Due to the number of tracks on the snow (two skis and two outriggers), this group has earned the name “four trackers.” Individuals who have or only use one leg on the snow and use Outriggers or Ski Walkers are known as “three trackers” for the same reason as above. I often recommend the Superlite Outrigger by Enabling Technologies www.superlite.com due to the ease of modification; however as individuals improve, they often build heavy-duty custom outriggers. Ski Walkers can also assist individuals with a variety of disabilities. Freedom Factory creates a very adjustable model at www.freedomfactory.com.
Skiing for Visually Impaired
If you have a visual impairment, an instructor may choose from a variety of high-tech and low-tech methods to get you safely down the hill. On the high-tech spectrum are helmets with two-way radios mounted in them so the guide and visually impaired or blind skier can be in constant communication about terrain and speed. I have not always had the best luck with these due to interference and malfunction. The most popular method to get you down the hill is low tech and very reliable: guiding closely while shouting turn directions. This usually requires an identifiable bib that states “guide” for the instructor and “visually impaired" skier” for the student. Two places sell these bibs www.reliableracing.com and a new zip-up model at www.luckybums.com, which I found displayed this summer at the 2007 Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City.
Developmental Disabilities
If you have a developmental disability, often different methods of teaching can be used to assist you in becoming a proficient skier. Equipment can also be used by the instructor to help with muscle memory and speed control while learning on the hill. The most commonly used piece of equipment to assist individuals with developmental disabilities is the ski-tip connector. For young kids, Lucky Bums www.luckybums.com has a few different models. Teens and adults needing the assistance of ski-tip connectors can find stronger ones made of steel at Freedom Factory, www.freedomfactory.com . These metal ski-tip connectors can withstand lots of pressure and may even be connected to tethers without breaking.
No matter what your disability is, if you have ever wanted to try adaptive skiing, or if you want to improve your skiing skills, you can. If you follow these tips and have a desire to learn, anyone can experience the thrill of Alpine Skiing! See you on the slopes!!
See Related Articles
Looking for more reasons to adopt a winter hobby? See Adaptive Ski Camps for All Abilities to learn more about adaptive skiing with a disability.
See Relearning How to Ski After an SCI: Muffy Davis to learn more about one woman's struggle (and success) to find her place on the mountain after a serious accident left her paralyzed.
