Supporting Disabled Skiers & Snowboarders
Click here to edit subtitle
Types of Adapted Skiing
Stand up skiing
Outriggers
Outriggers are adapted crutches with a small ski tip attached to the base which can be flipped up to use as a crutch in the lift lines or down in the ski position to assist with balance and initiation of turns. Outriggers are used by standing skiers and a shorter model is used by sit-skiers.
4-track
4-track skiing refers to standing skiers who usually require the assistance of crutches or a walking frame to assist with balance. These skiers may also require the use of a tip clamp to keep the two skis together. 4-track skiing may be suitable for people with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, post polio or spina bifida.
3-track
3-track skiing refers to standing skiers who ski on one leg with stand up outriggers, for example people with a leg amputation or post polio.
Snow Slider
The Snow Slider is similar to a walking frame on skis. It has forearm rests and handles and provides support to stand up skiers. The Snow Slider is tethered by a guide or instructor and other guides can provide support by holding onto the side handles. It can only be used on easy terrain.
Tip connectors
Tip connectors are two clamps attached to the tips of a person's skis, connected by a chain. This helps the skier keep their ski tips close together and make a snowplough more easily. A guide or instructor can attach tethers to the tip clamps and help the skier control their speed and direction of travel.
Sit Skiing
Sit-skiing involves skiing in a seated position within a modified, padded seat (a 'bucket') that is fixed to either one or two skis. A number of straps secure the skier into the bucket. The skier uses two shortened outriggers to assist with balance and to help initiate turns. All sit-skis are designed so that the ski and skier can be easily loaded onto chairlifts, with quick-release type attachments also allowing loading onto Poma or t-bar tows.
A bi-ski is named so because the bucket is attached to two skis. Bi-skis are stable with a low centre of gravity. These skis are designed so that the skier is positioned close to the snow and the short and wide shape of the ski provides a large snow contact area. The snowsport guide or instructor can help control the speed and direction of the sit-ski by holding onto the bucket or attaching tethers to the bucket.
Similar to a mono-ski in that it has a shock absorber and longer skis shaped for speed and agility. The dual-ski has two skis attached which provides more stability than a mono-ski.
The skier is in a seated position. The monoski is designed for low level paraplegics and people with conditions affecting their legs. The moulded seat is attached to a single ski and requires balance and strength. The monoski is designed for people with spinal cord injuries and double amputees. Other disabilities may include spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, muscular distrophy and cerebral palsy.
Similar to a mono-ski in that it has a shock absorber and longer skis shaped for speed and agility. The dual-ski has two skis attached which provides more stability than a mono-ski.
Kart Ski
Ski almost independently on every slope with the Snow’Kart.
Snow’Kart is designed for people who have a lack of strength in the upper body and/or who don’t have enough balance to ski with Uniski or Dualski.
Thanks to the Easy Drive kit, the Snow’Kart is the only equipment in the world that could be drive by one hand.
Easy to handle. Quick learning.