Explore Adaptive Skiing this Winter

Adaptive winter sports offer individuals with limb loss the opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement of winter activities. With the support of specialized equipment and expert instructors, they can engage in their favorite winter sports and enjoy the freedom these activities provide.

Adaptive sports are increasingly gaining traction, with more resorts recognizing the importance of catering to athletes with disabilities. Specially designed equipment makes winter sports more accessible for amputees, and many resorts employ staff and instructors who have received specialized training to provide lessons for both beginners and more experienced athletes. 

If you're looking to go beyond recreational activities, plenty of inspiring amputees have pursued professional careers in adaptive sports. Engaging in competitive adaptive sports is feasible, as various organizations dedicated to this cause, such as Disabled Sports USA, exist worldwide.

Safety Precautions

If you've decided to try adaptive skiing, here are some things you must do before heading to the mountain.

First, ask the resort or the ski resort you plan to visit if they offer adaptive programs. Ask them about the types of equipment available for rent and if they have instructors fluent in adaptive winter sports. If you need some assistance, let them know. Also, your general knowledge and experience in winter sports before and after limb loss will be valuable information for them. So, let them know before your trip. 

Second, set an appointment with your physician, physical therapist, and prosthetist, and follow your doctor's instructions regarding any medications or restrictions. Have your prosthetist check your prosthetic leg to ensure that it's in good working order and capable of enduring the stresses of winter adaptive sports. It's always better to be safe and secure your prosthetic care team's approval before proceeding with any kind of sport. Please note that not all prosthetic knees or feet can manage the stresses of skiing.

Third, set out to acquire the necessary equipment. If renting a helmet doesn't sound appealing, you can also get your own. Decide if you should rent equipment on the mountain or find a rental place before you head to the resort. Depending on rental options, renting locally often removes any time constraints and allows you to ensure proper sizing. 

And lastly, read up on the winter sport you're interested in. Below we take a look at the different types of adaptive winter sports that you can try and which one makes more sense for your level of fitness and level of limb loss. 

Adaptive Downhill Skiing

One of the more popular winter sports that you can try is downhill skiing. There are many variations of this sport, depending on your physical condition. 

Four-Track Skiing

The first technique is four-track skiing, which works well for double amputees. If standing on your own is not an issue, this skiing method is great. You can ski four-track using two skis with two hand-held outriggers. The outriggers are essentially metal forearm crutches with ski tips on them, giving you four points of contact with the snow for better balance and support. Some outriggers are available with adjustable brakes, providing an extra layer of safety on the slope. 

In addition to outriggers, you can use ski stabilizers or tip clamps (also known as ski bras) if you need side-to-side stability. Tip clamps help keep your skis in either a wedge or parallel position and allow your stronger side to help your weaker side. 

For those with more severe balance issues, a snow slider may be your best bet. It is another form of four-track skiing, where skis are mounted to the metal frame, transforming it into something like a walker with skis. If you choose to use a snow slider, you will need to bring your own boots and skis.

Three-Track Skiing

If you have single-limb weakness or an above-knee amputation, you may want to consider three-track skiing. In this technique, you stand on one full ski while being assisted by two handheld outriggers, giving you three points of contact with the snow.

Before trying this form of skiing, you must have arm and leg strength.

Two-Track Skiing 

The two-track version is for anybody who can stand on two skis and doesn't require outriggers. Outriggers may be used, but equipment such as tethers, spacers, and ski bras can further assist anyone with limb weakness. With this technique, you must stand and maintain balance while working your way down the mountain. 

As mentioned earlier, not every prosthetic knee can withstand the forces of skiing. Ask your prosthetist if you need ski-specific components.

Sit-Skiing

If you're not able to stand, you can conquer the slopes with sit-skiing, which is ideal for anyone with good core strength and trunk balance.  

For sit-skiing, you will use a mono-ski or a bi-ski. The former includes a bucket-style seat with a single ski underneath. For balance, you will use two handheld outriggers, which require strong arms. 

Of course, an article about skiing would not be complete without touching on ski bikes—the latest trend in adaptive skiing. Ski bikes are similar to bicycles but feature skis instead of wheels. The ski bike was first used in Europe, and now, adaptive programs have introduced this version so more and more amputees can enjoy skiing. 

Adaptive Nordic Skiing 

Unlike adaptive downhill skiing, Nordic skiing or cross-country skiing is accessible to more adaptive athletes in more areas of the country as it doesn't require as much snowfall or mountains to enjoy. All you need are Nordic skis and a trail map, and you can be well on your way to enjoying the outdoors at a more leisurely pace. The pace is much slower than downhill skiing that you can even chat with friends along the trail.

Athletes can compete in cross-country races, as they are known to be extremely challenging. Furthermore, if you are preparing for summer sports, like running or cycling, Nordic skiing can be used as a great cross-training activity.

Skiing can be for everyone

While it's easy to let the weather dictate your level of physical activity, winter is a great season to stay active. Different types of adaptive winter sports provide incredible cardio, strength, and even full-body workouts. 

Do you ski? Which skiing technique do you use: two-track, three-track, or sit-skiing? We'd love to know your story.