Adaptive Sports and Recreation Committee
Skiing! "I can't wait for winter!"
Adapted Sports and Recreation Committee, AACPDM, Montreal, 2003
 |
 |
 |
< |
 |
Why skiing? Outdoor recreation is great for fitness and fun for everyone and for people with disabilities it means added self-esteem, adventure, and perhaps a sense of freedom. It also allows families to participate in loved activities together, enjoying similar experiences.
Safety considerations: helmets, generally seizure free for six months, warm clothing and sensation of cold or close monitoring
What type of equipment is available, and how do you know what to try?
- Mono-ski: good candidate is someone in good physical condition, perhaps an individual with paraplegia.
- Bi-ski: good for someone with a mid to high level spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, or spina bifida.
- 2-Track: Stand up skiing for those who can balance, typically those with visual impairment or cognitive disabilities.
- 3-Track: Stand up skiing with one ski and two outriggers, for amputees.
- 4-Track: Two skies and two outriggers, for those with LE weakness or balance issues, and may be suitable for those with CP, TBI, some forms of Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida
- What about Nordic/cross-country skiing or snowboarding?
How do we find an appropriate program for our child? An internet search yields numerous programs and can be narrowed by location, association, and/or type of adaptive equipment used. Some good sites include: