Adaptive Skiing

What is Adaptive Skiing?

Adaptive skiing enables skiers with disabilities to participate in alpine skiing by using special equipment. Adaptive skiing lesson programs are available at many ski resorts for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities.

The first adaptive ski programs were started for disabled veterans after World War II. They have expanded to include special needs skiers of all ages and abilities. Ski areas on public lands are required to accommodate skiers with disabilities.

Adaptive skiing is a caring, therapeutic experience between individuals with disabilities who enjoy adventure. Adaptive skiing is one of many sports enjoyed by people with disabilities.

With the increase in adaptive ski programs throughout the country, and the advances in equipment, adaptive skiing is fast becoming one of the most popular sports.

Through a combination of specialized equipment and training, people who might otherwise be left behind when friends and family take to the slopes can now join in the fun by using special rail-like devices, ski-bottomed crutches and tethers to take part in what is known as adaptive skiing.

In adaptive skiing, there are six different disciplines: Developmental, visually impaired, mono-ski, bi-ski, 3-track and 4-track.

Skiers range of disabilities include blindness, deafness, amputations, para and quadriplegia, autism, and other forms of injury, illness and cognitive defects that prevent people from skiing in the more traditional ways.

Much attention has been focused on adaptive skiing recently. This is mainly due to exposure relating to the Wounded Warrior Project which, through a partnership between Disabled Sports USA, provides year round sports programs.

Adaptations for disabled skiers:

Guides for blind skiers - The guides are considered "equipment" and there are generally no extra charges for them.

Bi-skis - These are for people with significant lower extremity or trunk weaknesses and for others with difficulty standing and balancing. It's a sit-down ski that lets even those with severe balance impairment experience the thrill of skiing.

Two-track skis and snowboards - These are for any skier who stands on two skis but who might need tethers to aid in leg strength. These are good for people with visual and hearing impairment and for those with developmental and cognitive disabilities.

Three and four-track - These are for skiers who can stand on skis but need additional support to remain balanced. They are best for students with leg amputation, cerebral palsy, arthritis, spina bifida or a traumatic brain injury.

Ski Bike - The latest piece of adaptive skiing equipment is similar to a bicycle with skis instead of wheels, the ski bike has been used in Europe and now adaptive programs have recently discovered that it can be an ideal way for many people with disabilities to enjoy skiing. SInce the ski bike takes the majority of a person's weight off of the legs and feet, it can fill a frustrating void between stand-up and sit-down snow skiing.

Paralympic alpine skiing is an adaptation of alpine skiing for athletes with a disability.

Paralympic alpine skiing is one of the sports in the Paralympic Winter Games. It is governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) under the auspices of the International Ski Federation (FIS).

In addition to the Paralympic Games, elite disabled ski racing includes the Disabled World Alpine Skiing Championships (held every four years from 1980 to 2004 and every two years beginning in 2009) and the IPC Disabled Alpine World Cup, an annual international racing circuit. Disabled ski racers compete in three different medal categories: standing, sitting, and visually impaired. Each of these groups is divided into three to seven classes, some of which are further subdivided into two or three sub-classes.

Using the best adaptive equipment and teaching techniques available, private one-on-one instruction in adaptive skiing and snowboarding maximizes each participant's potential for success. Mono-skis, bi-skis and outriggers allow beginners to quickly feel the freedom of gliding down the mountain while those with more skill and determination take on the advanced slopes.

Further Information Regarding Adaptive Skiing

Adaptive Sit Skiing Information
The Sit-Ski was one of the first sitting position skis developed, for people with lower extremity limitations. This may include those with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, lower extremity amputations, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, brain injury or spinal cord injuries. The Sit-Ski is usually preferred by people with significant physical limitations.

Adaptive Ski Camp for People with Disabilities and Wounded Warriors
Monday, January 12th, Access Anything, Adaptive Adventures, Steamboat Powdercats, and Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. have joined together to sponsor the 4th annual All-Mountain Adaptive Ski Camp and Powdercats Trip; an event that will combine instructor and volunteer training, adaptive ski clinics, and a backcountry Powdercat trip for 30-40 men, women, and veterans with disabilities.

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports Announces New Location at Bolton Valley
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, long known for its year-round adaptive sports programming for people of all ages and disabilities, will offer adaptive skiing and snowboarding for the first time at Bolton Valley Resort this season, partnering with this northern, metro Burlington ski resort.

Adaptive Skiing Locations and Instructors USA
A list of locations offering adaptive skiing and ski instructors for persons with disabilities in the USA. People with disabilities can learn to ski or refine their skills with trained instructors using specialized adaptive ski equipment to help meet their personal needs.

Vermont Adaptive Skiing to Host US Association of Blind Athletes Winter Ski Festival
As part of its commitment to introducing individuals with disabilities to the love of sports, including skiing and snowboarding, Vermont Adaptive Skiing & Sports, the only year-round organization in the state to offer daily programs for people with disabilities, will host the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) Second Annual Winter Ski Festival Jan. 16-18, 2009.

Paralympics Adaptive Cross Country Skiing
Paralympics Cross-country Skiing will be taking place at the Whistler Olympic Park located just south of Whistler in the spectacular Callaghan Valley. Individuals and teams are beginning to visit the park to become familiar with the facilities and get the layout of the land.

Paralympic Alpine Skiing
Paralympic alpine skiing is all about sheer determination, as well as mind over matter. There are two aspects within this sport that must be dealt with that we humans, who are blessed with sound bodies will find to be mind boggling.

Ski For Light - Skiing for Adults with Disabilities
Each year Ski for Light, Inc. lays down tracks at a different winter sports area across the nation for a week of cross-country ski instruction, fitness workshops and cultural activities. The participation of Norwegian-Americans lends a unique flavor to the program due to their enthusiasm for Nordic skiing, fitness and cultural diversity.

Skiing in Switzerland
The ski and snowboarding season begins at the end of November and ends in May. St. Moritz was officially opened as a ski and snowboarding resort almost 145 years ago. On St. Moritz surroundings there are many beautiful towns that worth visited: Celerina, Maloja, Pontresina, Sils/Engadin, Silvasplana, St. Moritz and Zuoz.

Skiing in Austria
One of the most sought countries in the world during the winter season is Austria. Thousands of tourists arrive here each year, enjoying perfect skiing and snowboarding conditions. The ski resorts are countless.

Adaptive Snow Sports Athletes Report
Adaptive Snow Sports is about adapting equipment and lessons and providing accessible support systems to allow people with a wide range of disabilities to take to the snow and experience the freedom of snow sports.