Looking to get back into the sport of downhill skiing, or to try it for the first time? Here are a few things you will want to know before you plan a trip.
By Beth Livingston
The author poses with Dave Donaldson, recreation therapist
for C-5 (combat casualty care center) at Balboa
Naval Medical Center, San Diego, and Mohawkie,
a service dog sponsored by Life Is Good!, while attending
the Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge, Colorado, last month.
Editor’s Note: In the February 2006 Action, former Paralympic skier Beth Livingston wrote the following about her return to the slopes after rehab for a spinal cord injury she sustained in 1989:
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to relearn skiing the winter after my accident. Ski equipment for people in chairs was in its infancy, but there was something out there and a slew of kind souls willing to brave the learning curve to getting you back to what you used to love to do. Skiing was a microcosm of every new experience I have had since becoming disabled. It was frustrating, and terrifying. It triggered immense sadness and feelings of loss, and lo and behold, tiny flickers of accomplishment, and exhilaration. Skiing has become both a vocation, and an avocation. It is a part of my identity, as I am a part of a broader community of people with shared interests. It brings me great joy, and a feeling of connectedness.
“I love skiing for many reasons and on many levels. I encourage anyone who loves the outdoors to revisit skiing, or to give it a try for the first time. There are many different ways to enjoy skiing, for many different abilities, and almost every ski hill in America has a disabled ski program staffed by some of the funniest, heartiest, kindest people you could ever bump into.”
We asked Beth to give some pointers on preparing a ski trip. Here’s what she shared.
Challenge Upon Challenge
As a first-time skier, you will need the support of an adaptive program for many reasons. Anyone new to skiing will be tested; skiing with a disability just adds to the challenge.
Disabled Sports U.S.A. is an organization that funds chapters all across the US. These chapters provide outdoor recreation to the people with disabilities and you can locate a chapter near you by logging onto DSUSA’s Web site at www.dsusa.org.
In my hometown of Bozeman, Montana, the local DSUSA chapter is Eagle Mount, which also has branches in Billings and Greatfalls. Our Bozeman branch serves our local and outlying communities using the local ski hill, Bridger Bowl.
DSUSA offers unparalleled lessons and equipment. The costs are relatively low, and you will have the support of a seasoned, dedicated, and talented group of staff and volunteers at your service. As a challenged athlete, you will be given the support you need, until you no longer need it. Independence is the objective and no one you will meet will hope for anything less. A little advice: In the first few weeks of learning, give yourself a break and accept the extra help.
Another reason you will need to work with a local adaptive program is that ski rental shops do not rent adaptive gear—they never have; they probably don’t even know what it is. Adaptive programs do not rent their adaptive gear-they never have, and I promise you, they never will, either. There is too much liability.
Unless you’re lucky, or have specifically chosen to live in a ski town, more than likely you’ll have a drive ahead of you. This is where the concept of the “weekend ski getaway” becomes appealing, especially if the distance is too far to round-trip in one day.
See if your local program is fortunate enough to have more than one ski hill within an hour or so of their facility and if it will offer what is called “destination skiing.” This means, for example, that if you want to ski with the Eagle Mount staff in Bozeman, but your family plans call for a week-long vacation at Big Sky Resort (a little more than an hour away from Bozeman), Eagle Mount will bring their program to where you’re going-including all the paperwork, equipment, volunteers, and paid staff. It really is a gift that these organizations offer such services because hauling everything to a different ski hill, where there is no storage, no facility, no infrastructure, makes it harder. Times are often limited, due to the obligations that exist from the regular program season, so if you want to ski at a particular destination with staff from a program at another mountain, book early!
When you speak to a local or regional adaptive ski program about lessons, they should be able to answer most of your questions over the phone.
Be Prepared-and Have Fun!
Here are some random pointers I think you’ll find helpful as you plan your first trip:
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• Learning something new like skiing is incredibly taxing on your body. Try not to make your first day skiing the first exercise you’ve done in months. If you intend to ski, try to plan ahead, and train. Show up to your first lesson as fit as you can be. The rewards will be huge!
• Try to make your first days skiing as enjoyable an event as you can for you, and your family, if they come along.
• If you have a spare set of snow tires for your wheelchair, put them on, or bring them. You will need all the extra traction you can get on snow.
• Don’t forget to bring a camera; there is no second chance to capture that moment!
• Bring snacks; you’ll earn them. And bring plenty of water. Muscles don’t perform when you’re dehydrated, and you will be using every one you have!
• Another great resource to see and buy equipment and post pictures and stories about skiing is www.sitski.com.
I hope you won’t hesitate to go skiing and make this winter great!
Beth Livingston, a member of the 2002 U.S. Paralympic Nordic ski team, writes the “Growing Pains” column for Action.
I had a chance to visit The Ski Channel which is having all sorts of contests where you can win 3 nights in Crested Butte, lift tickets, and much more. Check out: http://www.theskichannel.com to enter now…