Tyler Carter, 16, took up adaptive snowsports when a friend of his father's mentioned there was an amputee skiing camp not far from the family's Pennsylvania home. That was five years ago, and it took Carter less than two years after that to get into competitive ski racing.

Born missing a fibula bone, Carter's right leg was amputated below the knee when he was a year old. The teen wears a ski leg with a knee brace and dons two skis when he's on the slopes. Amputee skiing participants with single above-the-knee limb loss usually use a single ski and no prosthethesis.

We caught up with Carter when he visited the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colo., during the prestigious Wells Fargo Ski Cup to mingle with Paralympians and other hopefuls. Racing with teammate Mashi Shinoda, the two got a taste of international competition on the triple slalom course.

Amputee skiing devotees were joined by monoskiers and bi-skiers with a range of disabilities, as well as celebrity able-bodied athletes in the fundraising portion of the competition.

“I want to get a feel for the Paralympics,” Carter said. Specializing in Super G and Giant Slalom events, he's well on his way.  A visit to Vancouver to soak in the atmosphere at the 2010 Paralympics will make the experience seem like old hat if Carter makes it to the 2014 Games.

Hooked on amputee skiing, Carter's easygoing exterior belies a fierce competitive spirit. Asked what motto he lives by, the young man responded with two.

“No excuses!” he offered first, with a wide grin. Then he paused after signing a ski bib at one of the round tables set up on the snow for Ski Cup participants and sponsors, and added, “You can rest when you sleep.”

More: Near-blind Skier, Disabled Skier with TBI