Powder

I LOVE skiing. Just can't get enough of it.

What's not to love about the life of a ski bunny? Hmmm?

I wake up at noon, do my hair, put on my designer outfit complete with white fluffy, furry earmuffs. I don my sunglasses, slowly make my way to the lift where I meet up with the rest of my crowd for a lazy run or two until we hit the bistro for an apres ski dinner of lobster and soufflés topped off with a nice Merlot.

HA! NOT! I am a Ramen Noodle-eating, season pass-holder, who proudly wears my badge of honor (also known as duct tape) in all the appropriate spots. I check the six a.m. snow report looking for the magic words we all long to hear – “New Snow “– and then prepare for some serious activity.

Three hours, four layers of clothing and two meals later we're in line waiting for the lift to start running – there until we're ready to drop, eating our lunch of pb&j sandwiches (for the uninitiated… peanut butter and jam) on the high-speed quad, after a 15-run day and being swept by ski patrol. Then it's home to wax skis and pass out by eight so we’re ready to do it again the next day.

From the second I get off the last lift for the last run on the last day of the season, I begin counting down the days until the next chair is hoisted up the mountain. I dream of epic powder shots and Hollywood runs down Ptarmigan Bowl.

But I wasn't always like that. When I first started skiing, well... let’s just say that it wasn't that spectacular at all. In fact, I spent the entire first lesson screaming "don't let go" at the top of my lungs and I won't even get into what I was wearing.

Chilling on the Hill

I started with the local adapted program – DREAM in Whitefish, Montana (www.dreamadaptive.org). I was outfitted in program
gear which didn't fit me at all. And I didn’t progress the way I thought I should.

Then I got a Shadow (yup, an original) and a Head shaped ski. Skiing with DREAM and my own crowd of friends, within two seasons I was taking on some steeper and more challenging runs. Building on that, I did some research and bought myself a Revolution Pro Comp from Freedom Factory. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when Elan hooked me up with the Magfire 10. With that setup, I was hitting runs I had never before considered possible… scaring some tourists along the way.

If you're a skier, you've likely seen a monoski on the hill. Depending on where you ski, you may have seen lots of them. You may even be the “Friendly Stranger” who stops to talk about the ski, the hill, the weather, food, etc.

And it could be your youngster squatted down, intently inspecting the underside of the ski, the shock and the linking system with great fascination.

Or, maybe you ride one yourself. Either way, we monoskiers are becoming much more commonplace on the slopes. And to be expected. Adapted skiing is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. With competitive opportunities welcoming adapted skiers around the globe, and local programs adding extreme and advanced clinics, and resorts loading up on adapted rental gear, it's just getting even bigger and better.

Need a reason to ski? Check out some of mine! Pick one. Mind blowing views. Creating your own wind chill factor. Being outside, away from my chair, moving sideways, getting breathless. I've got lots more, but the absolute very best reason I get up at the crack of dawn on any given winter’s morning, put on four layers of clothes and be out before it's even full daylight is … Fresh Tracks. It’s the goal of every self-respecting skier I know. The heavy silence of new snow. The snow-draped, tree-lined run and the absolute thrill of being the first one down the hill. Piles of powder, face shots… an indescribable feeling until you’ve tried it.

Monoskiing

Leaving behind a set of uniquely distinctive tracks, the feeling of complete freedom and independence from monoskiing is something I think everyone should experience. To find your way to your own fresh tracks, read on.

Getting Started

If you're new to skiing, or want to learn new skills, I highly recommend looking up your local adapted program and seeing what they have to offer. Alternatively, book a lesson with the Ski School at a local resort. Be sure to ask for a PSIA Adapted Certified instructor.


Gearing Up

As with most sports, proper equipment is as essential as a proper mindset. Be safe, be warm and be careful.

Safety First – Wear a Helmet. Skiing is a sport with the potential for serious injury. Obstacles like rocks and trees, fellow skiers, tree wells, loose boards, missed turns and errors in judgment can prove hazardous when encountered at fast speeds. Wearing a helmet may save your life.

Goggles & Gloves

Sunglasses may look cool, but they just won't work on the hill. A good pair of anti-fog goggles (they won’t work if you leave them in your car overnight) that fits your helmet will keep you skiing when the weather changes from top to bottom.

Cheap gloves will end your day faster than anything. If your hands are wet and/or frozen, you can't hold your outriggers. Metallic glove liners are inexpensive and add an extra layer of warmth. Try your local army surplus store for the best quality.

Dress Code

Staying warm is critical and starts with the base layer. Meant to be worn next to the skin, base layer fabrics are designed to wick away moisture while keeping a layer of warm air next to you… Under Armor, or anything with polartec, polypropelene, silk, that sort of thing. At the very least, head to Kmart and grab some cheap long johns.

Next comes the insulative layer or layers - choose your thickness and fabric to match the weather and your activity level. The key is to create air pockets that will trap the heat from your body. Mid- and heavy-weight materials will keep you cozy without adding extra bulk.

Under no circumstances are blue jeans are considered appropriate ski wear… or flannel pants or anything cotton. Ski Patrol and EMTs refer to jeans as job security.

Finally, the outer layer - the shell or element layer. This is the barrier between you and the elements. Go for waterproof. This will be your weak link if you choose poorly because once wet, everything else becomes wet and cold. Mountain Hardwear is a good choice, as is Patagonia, Columbia and Betty Rides. For dressier days, try Obermeyer.

Choosing a Ski

The key to good skiing is a ski that fits. Try different setups. Your local Adapted Program, Ski School or resort rental shop should have a few for you to rent or try out.

Adapted ski equipment technology has come a long way since 1978 when adapted sports pioneer Peter Axelson (www.beneficialdesigns.com) first introduced the Sit Ski and the Arroyo monoski and put the technology into the public domain.

Thanks to Axelson, we're now seeing manufacturers with monoskis, bi-skis, shredder plates, snowboard frames, monoski snowboard mounts and more. Some of the continent’s top monoski racers are also developing and marketing their own skis.


Ski Shop

Here's a guide to help find the adapted gear that’s right for you.

Monoski

A bucket on a framework with a shock absorber that attaches to a single ski. Good for leg amputees, paras, individuals with lower limb concerns, and even those without a disability who just want to play in some cool gear. Monoskiing requires balance and outriggers for turning.

Revolution Pro Comp. From $3,025. By Freedom Factory. Great ski for anyone with good upper body mobility and balance. Available in adult and junior sizes with a choice of colors. Delivery is 6-8 weeks. Visit www.spokesnmotion.com.

Mogul Master SP (single pivot). From $1,600. By Freedom Factory. The evolution of the original Mogul Master, with a single pivot loading system. Like the Revolution, it’s available in a choice of colors. Delivery is 6-8 weeks. Visit www.spokesnmotion.com.

Yetti Program Ski. From $2,100. By RadVentures. While known for its medal count (right up under Praschberger) and its elite riders (Chris Waddell, etc), the Yetti is the ideal program ski, offering multiple adjustments. Delivery time is 4-8 weeks. Yetti Performance Packages are available from $2,800.

KGB. By U.S. Paralympic monoskier Kevin Bramble, the ski is custom-made to order. It’s an advanced ski for advanced riders. Prices vary. Contact Kevin at Kevinbramble@hotmail.com.

Praschberger. The world leader in alpine ski medal count. Designed by European monoskier Alois Praschberger, this ski is available in adult and youth sizes and in a race configuration. Recommended for higher-level paras and leg amputees. Distributed by Paul Speight at www.spokesnmotion.com.

Tessier LEISURE Uniski. Currently the most-used sit ski in competitions worldwide. Available through www.spokesnmotion.com.


BiSki

A bucket mounted on a frame with shock absorber that attaches to two skis - great for quads, those with limited balance or movement, skiers with cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis, or those just beginning to ski.


The Mogul Master TWO (MMT). From $2,611. The Bi-Ski version of Freedom Factory's Mogul Master. This ski is available in adult and junior versions, multiple color choices and ships in 6-8 weeks. Visit www.spokesnmotion.com.

The Unique BiSki. From $2,500. Manufactured by Enabling Technologies, this ski is ideal for those who require some assistance to ski. An upright skier handle, detachable fixed outriggers and a front bar for the rider to hold onto are optional equipment with this ski. Available at www.spokesnmotion.com.

Mountain Man FFS Dual Ski. The original bi-ski. Made with custom skis. Not available online. Call (406) 587-0310 for more information.

The Tessier "LEISURE" Dualski. A high-performance sit ski that does as well on hard snow as in powder snow. Its totally articulated frame offers great comfort and sliding security. Visit www.spokesnmotion.com.

OUTRIGGERS

These are the crutch-like stabilizers with ski tips on the ends used to turn and for balance by monoskiers and biskiers, as well as some lower extremity amputee skiers. Required equipment for monoskiing and biskiing.

Superlite Outriggers. From $329. Manufactured by Enabling Technologies, these lightweight outriggers are
available in adult and child sizes and in standard and race configurations. Available at www.spokesnmotion.com.

RadVentures Outriggers. From $329. From the manufacturers of the Yetti Monoski, these outriggers use actual ski tips for ease in carving. Ideal for racing.

Ski Accessories

Praschberger Snowball. Child’s ski with piloting bar for parents. Cross country ski also available. Visit www.spokesnmotion.com.

Snow Slider Upright Ski. From $1,430. An upright frame on skis for ambulatory skiers requiring some support. Available at www.spokesnmotion.com.

Rider Bar Snowboard Aid. From $765. The only single-party snowboard aide. Designed to give the rider control of the board while controlling the edge movements from the upper body.

Shredder Plate. From $500. Attaches a monoski frame to a snowboard. Available at www.spokesnmotion.com.