Sports & Leisure

Recreation & Leisure

Skiing

Skiing is a competitive and recreational winter activity in which individuals use skis to maneuver downhill or cross country. Skiing is a popular activity with several programs and a wide range of adaptive equipment available for individuals with disabilities. There are several skiing events offered by various organizations to encourage individuals of all abilities to participate. Information on adaptive equipment, teaching techniques, workshops and certification clinics can be obtained from the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA).

CROSS COUNTRY NORDIC SKIING
Cross country skiing is a recreational and competitive activity in which individuals can strengthen their upper bodies and get an excellent aerobic workout.

The All Terrain Ski Terminal Device by TRS (pictured left) is a prosthetic device that fits all USA standard prosthetic wrists. The Ski Hand by Hosmer Dorrance is made of silicon rubber and resembles a closed hand. Both can be used for alpine or nordic skiing. For more information, see keyword: ski hand.

DOWNHILL ALPINE SKIING
Mono-skis - Individuals sit in a bucket style seat attached to a single ski and use outriggers to maintain stability. The skier has the ability to lift their body to the height of a chair lift with little or no assistance from other skiers in the same time that it takes an able bodied skier.

The Dual Ski distributed by Spokes 'n Motion is an independent bi-ski that attaches to a pair of skis with standard bindings and can be lifted by the individual in order to get on a chair lift without assistance.

Bi-skis - Individuals sit in a bucket style seat attached to two skis and outriggers attached to the sled. Some individuals use hand held outriggers while others use fixed outriggers attached to the ski. An instructor is always tethered to a skier when fixed outriggers are being used.

Three-track - Individuals use one ski and two outriggers for stability. Outriggers are poles that attach to the forearm and have ski tips at the base.

VISUALLY IMPAIRED SKIING
Skiing with a visually impaired skier requires good communication between the visually impaired skier and a sighted guide who calls out the ski instructions.

Alpine events include: slalom, giant slalom, super giant slalom, and downhill. Cross country events include: men's 10K & 30K; and women's 5K, 10K & 4x10 relay races. For more information, contact the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) or Ski for Light.

SPECIAL OLYMPIC SKIING
Alpine - ability levels are divided into advanced, intermediate, and novice. Events include: downhill, slalom, and giant slalom. Individuals with lower ability levels can participate in 10 meter walk, glide, and super glide. Cross Country - Individual events range from a 500 meter race to a 10K race. Teams may compete in 3 x 1 km or 4 x 1 km races.

For more information, contact Special Olympics International (SOI).

HEARING IMPAIRED SKIING
The U.S. Deaf Ski & Snowboard Association (USDSSA) is affiliated with USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF). USDSSA sponsors various championships and is responsible for selecting members of the U.S. Deaf Ski and Snowboard Teams.

For more information, contact the United States Deaf Ski & Snowboard Association (USDSSA).

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS
Hosmer Dorrance (ski hand), (800)827-0070

New Halls Wheels (mono-ski, nordic ski), (617)628-7955

Spokes N Motion (mono-ski, bi-ski, etc.), (303)922-0605

Radventures-Yetti (mono-ski, outriggers, etc. (503)628-2895

Mountain Man, Ind. (bi-skis), (406)587-0310

Isoski (dual-ski), (418)877-4766

TRS (AT-Ski-Terminal Device), (800)279-1865

Reliable Racing (skier notification bibs), (800)223-4448

FOR MORE INFORMATION
(See keywords: skiing, ski equipment, ski programs, and ski hand)

Disabled Sports USA, (301)217-0960

PSIA, (303)987-9390