Skiing for quads....

[Emi2]

I know, I know....it's August, not December! But I've been wondering about quads who sit-ski.... What kind of equipment works best? How the hell do you ride a lift? Is it really hard to learn?

The only way to deal with Canadian winters is to get out and enjoy them... or else I'll go cabin fever crazy in a matter of weeks!! Plus, how can I live 4 hours from Banff and Jasper and not take advantage of the mountains?

Thanks....

Does anyone from Alberta know if sit-ski's can be rented somewhere here?

[Chris Chappell]

Emi,

I'm kind of on the run but a couple of quick suggestions.

1. Check out www.boec.org (http://www.boec.org)

2. Do a search under "skiing" (I started a thread last winter)

3. Go to www.sitski.com (http://www.sitski.com)

Let me know if there's anything else you need help with. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/cool.gif

Onward and Upward!

[KLD]

If you have not taken part in skiing since your injury, it would be best to go to a formal program first where you can try out different equipment, get instruction, and work with assistants on the slopes.

Here are two Canadian programs and some more information:

http://www.whistler-blackcomb.com/mountain/school/adaptive.asp

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3558/

http://skiing.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canuck.com%2Fcad s

[bruce]

I started to learn to sitski last April at Snowbird, a great victory for me since I got into this mess from a skiing accident in March 2001. It was a big thrill to be back on the horse that threw me, so to speak. Check out their adaptive sports programs at http://www.snowbirdadaptivesports.org/

I was on a bi-ski, which has two skis connected by a linkage so when you lean into a turn, the inside ski lifts up and the outside ski lowers so both can edge the snow. There is also a tether on the back so the instructor or other AB skier can catch you if you lose control. The tetherer can also help steer the sled as you learn.

To get on the lift, the seat is jacked up by a hydraulic jack so it's high enough to catch the seat of the chairlift. At the top you push off with the outriggers and you're on your way. Some monoskis have a jack, and some you can load just by pushing up on your outriggers.

Once you master the bi-ski, they move you to a monoski. I didn't get to that as I only skied two days. But after those two days I could link turns and control my speed on intermediate runs. I was amazed at how much it felt like regular skiing .. the feeling of carving the turn, the body position, the thrill of speed .. it's all there.

I'm a C6 ASIA D and am learning to walk again. However, I don't know if I will ever regain the trunk strength I would need to ski expert terrain standing. I know I will be able to do it on a monoski, though. My goal is to make it back to the scene of my accident on March 7, 2003 .. the second anniversary .. a tall order as it happened at the bottom of a steep bowl at Alpental. But I believe I can do it!

Chris, thanks for the sitski.com link. I especially liked reading the reviews of the various monoskis

[bushman]

Check with all your close ski hills and ask if they have "CADS" instructors and sit ski rentals CADS (http://www.skikimberley.com/) then go , I can't wait to try it myself I've already talked to the instructor I'm just waiting for the snow now , I am learning at the Kimberly alpine resort.