swalker
Very helpful member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2014
- Messages
- 1,580
- Reason
- DX MND
- Diagnosis
- 07/2014
- Country
- US
- State
- CO
- City
- Vail
I live at a ski resort (Vail) and am an avid skier. I have been trying to figure out a way to enjoy one of my favorite past times given the limitations of my mobility. I can still walk short distances and use my hands pretty well. I cannot raise my right arm and am starting to have problems with my left arm as well.
Fortunately, Vail has an adaptive ski program. I filled out all the forms and was accepted into the program. That took almost a month to accomplish. Well, today was my first day on the slopes!
They evaluated me and recommended that I use a biski. That is a chair with two skis attached along with outriggers to prevent me from tipping over. I was accompanied by two instructors and my wife. One of the instructors held onto tethers to keep me from going completely out of control.
I had a blast! We went down 4 runs, which was really about as much as I could handle. For those of you who know Vail, we did Ruders (blue run), Ramshorn (blue run), Northstar (black run), and Northwoods (blue run).
Here are links to a few pictures. This is my first time trying to link pictures in the forum, so bear with me if they don't work.
Zenfolio | Steven A. Walker | 2014 12 20 Skiing with Lori
Zenfolio | Steven A. Walker | 2014 12 20 Skiing with Lori
Zenfolio | Steven A. Walker | 2014 12 20 Skiing with Lori
I have a couple of short videos, but am not sure how to post them.
Some may think it looks like a dreary, drab, and cold day on the mountain. As a skier, I love those conditions. We had new snow and it was wonderful to my eyes
What an experience. I can hardly wait until the next time on the slopes (after the holidays).
Steve
Fortunately, Vail has an adaptive ski program. I filled out all the forms and was accepted into the program. That took almost a month to accomplish. Well, today was my first day on the slopes!
They evaluated me and recommended that I use a biski. That is a chair with two skis attached along with outriggers to prevent me from tipping over. I was accompanied by two instructors and my wife. One of the instructors held onto tethers to keep me from going completely out of control.
I had a blast! We went down 4 runs, which was really about as much as I could handle. For those of you who know Vail, we did Ruders (blue run), Ramshorn (blue run), Northstar (black run), and Northwoods (blue run).
Here are links to a few pictures. This is my first time trying to link pictures in the forum, so bear with me if they don't work.
Zenfolio | Steven A. Walker | 2014 12 20 Skiing with Lori
Zenfolio | Steven A. Walker | 2014 12 20 Skiing with Lori
Zenfolio | Steven A. Walker | 2014 12 20 Skiing with Lori
I have a couple of short videos, but am not sure how to post them.
Some may think it looks like a dreary, drab, and cold day on the mountain. As a skier, I love those conditions. We had new snow and it was wonderful to my eyes
What an experience. I can hardly wait until the next time on the slopes (after the holidays).
Steve