swalker
Very helpful member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2014
- Messages
- 1,580
- Reason
- DX MND
- Diagnosis
- 07/2014
- Country
- US
- State
- CO
- City
- Vail
Last Wednesday I went out for my first ski day of the season.
For those new to my ski adventures, I ski with Vail's adaptive ski program, about which I just cannot say enough good things. I use a biski, which is a contraption with two articulating skis, a suspension system, and a seat for me. I go out with two instructors. The lead instructor is always tethered to me, as I am unable to stop the biski on my own. The other instructor skies behind in an attempt to keep other skiers from getting too close. Both instructors are needed to load me on the ski lift.
My wife (Lori) and two good friends (Alan and Cathy) went with us. Alan is a ski instructor at Beaver Creek, a ski area about 10 miles from Vail.
The adaptive instructors for the day were supposed to be Chris and Franz (a friend). Unfortunately, Chris was sick, so the head of the adaptive program (Barbara) went out with us to get things started. She is the one in the red jacket, which indicates she is a supervisor.
After a few runs, another instructor (Dan) relieved Barbra and I skied with Dan and Franz the rest of the outing.
It was a great day. I am quite a bit weaker than last season and was more than just a bit apprehensive about how well I could handle being in the biski. I did OK, and truly enjoyed it.
We skied slower and made shorter runs for most of the day. I was able to do the equivalent of six full lift rides, which is what I could do last season.
It was a cold day and everyone got cold, including me. You probably won't see many faces in the pictures I am attaching.
Enjoy!
Steve
For those new to my ski adventures, I ski with Vail's adaptive ski program, about which I just cannot say enough good things. I use a biski, which is a contraption with two articulating skis, a suspension system, and a seat for me. I go out with two instructors. The lead instructor is always tethered to me, as I am unable to stop the biski on my own. The other instructor skies behind in an attempt to keep other skiers from getting too close. Both instructors are needed to load me on the ski lift.
My wife (Lori) and two good friends (Alan and Cathy) went with us. Alan is a ski instructor at Beaver Creek, a ski area about 10 miles from Vail.
The adaptive instructors for the day were supposed to be Chris and Franz (a friend). Unfortunately, Chris was sick, so the head of the adaptive program (Barbara) went out with us to get things started. She is the one in the red jacket, which indicates she is a supervisor.
After a few runs, another instructor (Dan) relieved Barbra and I skied with Dan and Franz the rest of the outing.
It was a great day. I am quite a bit weaker than last season and was more than just a bit apprehensive about how well I could handle being in the biski. I did OK, and truly enjoyed it.
We skied slower and made shorter runs for most of the day. I was able to do the equivalent of six full lift rides, which is what I could do last season.
It was a cold day and everyone got cold, including me. You probably won't see many faces in the pictures I am attaching.
Enjoy!
Steve