SPORTS ROUNDUP |
By Tom Scott
Adaptive skiers spend their summers on pavement yearning for frigid air, packed powder, and the exhilaration of darting down a mountain strapped into a mono-ski with a frosty grin ear-to-ear. For many who have a disability, playing in the snow beats the intensity and excitement of all other sports. Since 1942, when adaptive ski pioneer Franz Wendel, a World War II veteran and leg amputee, strapped makeshift crutches to a pair of short skis and hit the slopes, millions of people with disabilities have discovered, or rediscovered, their love for skiing. And improvements in assistive technology have enabled today’s adaptive skiers to enjoy a much smoother and safer ride than Franz experienced on his “crutch skis.”
No matter the ability level, there is adaptive ski equipment available to conquer the trails, from snow sliders (a type of ski mounted to a walker), outriggers (adapted forearm crutches used to enhance balance), bi-skis and mono-skis (types of sit-skis), to ski bikes and even adaptive snowboards. Skiing is an expensive hobby, but don’t be frightened off by the prospect of having to pay for your own adaptive equipment.
Some ski resorts are beginning to drastically overhaul their adaptive programs, making the sport easier and more affordable for people with disabilities of all ages, raising the bar of inclusion to an unparalleled height. Seven thousand feet up in the Colorado Rockies, Steamboat Springs (www.steamboat.com), one of the largest ski mountains in North America, has recently restructured its adaptive ski programs and packages to provide more reasonable accommodations to adaptive skiing beginners, especially children who would like to learn but do not have their own equipment. It’s a significant problem that exists at many ski resorts––the only access to adaptive ski equipment for many children with disabilities is through costly private lessons that can range from $100 (3-hour lesson) to $300 (full-day lesson).
Through its partnership with local nonprofit group Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports (STARS), which supplies the adaptive equipment and volunteers, Steamboat Ski and Snowboard School offers children with adaptive needs (age’s first grade–15) an opportunity to participate in its “Trail Busters” program and receive five all-day lessons at $195 (Session II––Saturday: Jan. 24, 31; Feb 7, 21, 28, 2009). The program addresses the issue of inclusion by giving children with disabilities the opportunity to join children without disabilities on group lessons, allowing them to ski with their friends and be a part of the group. Steamboat is also home to a one-of-a-kind ADA-compliant gondola with extra-wide door openings (32.7 inches instead of 24.4 inches) and a larger cabin with flip-up bench seats.
In Vermont, the trails may be cold, but skiers with disabilities are receiving a warm welcome at the Green Mountain State’s premier ski areas. Working in coordination with numerous local resorts, including Pico, Killington, Sugarbush, and Bolton Valley, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports (www.vermontadaptive.org) has trained over 400 volunteers for the 2008–2009 Season to help adaptive skiers enjoy Vermont’s winter wonderlands and raise disability awareness. The volunteer program consists of three training sessions that teach skills such as guiding visually-impaired or blind skiers, adapting a sit-ski for wheelchair-users, and teaching adaptive skiing and snowboarding lessons. There are similar programs occurring at resorts across the Northeast, giving local community members the chance to assist others in enjoying the sport.
If you live in the New York Metropolitan area, fear not, there are great options a few hours away. In partnership with the Adaptive Sports Foundation (www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org), Ski Windham (www.windhammountain.com) offers adaptive skiing and snowboarding lessons 7 days per week from December through March. Hunter Mountain (www.huntermtn.com) is another popular choice among adaptive skiers for its accessible facilities and its disability friendly atmosphere. Unfortunately, you would never know it from their Web site, which offers crumbs in the way of adaptive skiing information.
This is a noticeable problem at numerous ski resort Web sites. If the goal is to raise disability awareness and welcome adaptive skiers, more resorts need to take the initiative and better highlight such programs on their Web sites or at least provide some information front and center. Hopefully this trend will change, but in the meantime, page 46 provides a list of popular ski resorts and their respective disability sports-related affiliates that join forces to provide adaptive skiing opportunities to thousands of individuals each season. You may also want to visit United Spinal’s USA TechGuide Web site (www.usatechguide.org) for a comprehensive list of adaptive ski organizations and equipment manufacturers.
Adaptive Skiing Safety Tips
Harsh weather can wreak havoc on our bodies. The cold can be a very big obstacle for many people with disabilities to overcome, especially while skiing down a mountain at high altitudes. Bodily exposure to the elements can cause skin damage and frost bite, so extra precautions must be taken to ensure your safety.
If you are going skiing, it is obviously important to dress warm and appropriately. When you are using electric warmers of any kind, make sure they do not risk burning your skin. You know your body better than anyone else, so use common sense, good judgment, and do not test your limitations.
You should always pay attention to changes in weather and trail conditions. Take a break from the action every few hours to regulate your core temperature, rehydrate, and free your body from the adaptive ski equipment and heavy clothing. To avoid excessive pressure and rubbing on your skin that can cause sores make sure all your clothing and equipment is snug and comfortable. If something feels too tight or not properly secured, address the issue before you start skiing.
While skiing with guides or assistants, it is important to develop trust in them. If you feel that they are endangering you or placing you in unsafe situations or environments let them know immediately.
Above all, new adaptive skiers should take lessons from professionally trained individuals until they are comfortable using the equipment and can maneuver properly and safely down the mountain. If you are joining an intermediate group of adaptive skiers that are supplying you with equipment do not feel pressured to attempt to ski above your experience level. Let them know you need a few lessons and would rather not risk getting injured.
Select Mountains and Adaptive Ski Organizations in the US
Below are select ski resorts and the organizations that promote adaptive skiing for people with disabilities in states across the nation.
Colorado
Breckenridge Ski Resort breckenridge.snow.com (800) 789-SNOW
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
www.boec.org/
970-453-6422Steamboat Mountain Resort www.steamboat.com/ 800-299-5017
Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports (STARS)Massachusetts
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort www.jiminypeak.com 800-882-8859
STRIDE Adaptive Sports
stride.org
518-598-1297Michigan
Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort www.skipineknob.com 800-642-7669
Michigan Adaptive Sports
www.michiganadaptivesports.org
248-988-0156New Hampshire
Attitash www.attitash.com/ 800-223-7669
AbilityPLUS at Attitash
www.abilityplus.org/attitash.htm
603-374-2688New York
Ski Windham www.windhammountain.com/ 800-754-9463
Adaptive Sports Foundationwww.adaptivesportsfoundation.org
518-734-5070Whiteface Mountain www.whiteface.com 877-SKI-FACE
Whiteface Adaptive SportsOhio
Mad River Mountain www.skimadriver.com/ 800-231-7669
The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition
www.taasc.org
614-293-4963Oregon
Mount Bachelor www.mtbachelor.com 800-829-2442
Oregon Adaptive Sports
www.oregonadaptivesports.org
541-848-9390
PennsylvaniaCamelback Mountain Resort www.skicamelback.com 570-629-1661
Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports
www.centeronline.com
215-765-5118Utah
Beaver Mountain www.skithebeav.com 435-753-4822
Common Ground Outdoor Adventures
www.cgadventures.org
435-713-0288Park City Mountain Resort www.parkcitymountain.com 800-222-7275
National Ability Center
www.discovernac.org
435-200-0987Vermont
Pico Mountain Vermont www.picomountain.com 1-866-667-PICO
Sugarbush Resort www.sugarbush.com 800-53-SUGAR
Bolton Valley www.boltonvalley.com 1-877-9BOLTON
Adaptive Ski and Sports
www.vermontadaptive.org/
802-786-4991Virginia
Wintergreen Resort www.wintergreenresort.com 434-325-2100
Wintergreen Adaptive Skiing
www.skiwas.org
434-325-2007
