United Spinal Association, in partnership with Joe Hurley and the Bart J. Ruggiere Adaptive Sports Center of Peru, Vermont, took to the slopes of Bromley Mountain, Vermont on Saturday, February 23rd and Sunday, February 24th to host a skiing clinic for United Spinal members. Participants received two full days of lessons including extensive one-on-one instruction from the Bart Center coaches and volunteers. All attendees were individuals with spinal cord injuries. Some of United Spinal’s athletes used “mono-skis,” in which the user sits in a molded seat mounted to a frame above a single ski. A shock absorber links the frame to the ski and two outriggers are used for balance and turning.
Others challenged the mountain on bi-skis, a molded fiberglass shell 
above two specially designed skis. Outriggers are also used to turn the bi-ski and to maintain balance. Funding for the event was provided to the United Spinal Association by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
United Spinal Association’s Sports and Recreation Director Steve DeMott stated, “our organization and the Bart Center share the mission of improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. We also hope to partner with the Bart Center in 2008 on clinics for some exciting adaptive summer activities like kayaking, canoeing, and handcycling.”
