Handicapped Skiing Programs

[teachski]

I ran into a wonderful, handicapped couple yesterday. Both are restricted to wheel chairs as the result of accidents in their teen years. One was injured in an automobile accident and the other a ski accident. Before their accidents each was and avid skier. I actually remember skiing with the woman when we were children.

During yesterday's snow storm they brought their son (about 8 y.o.) out to Pine Ridge to learn to Snowboard. He fell in love with it and was on the slope from opening to closing. I got to talking to them in the lodge at one point during the day. The man mentioned how he would love to be able to go back to skiing. I told him that I would try to get some information on Handicapped Ski programs close to Central MA for him.

Does anyone know of such programs that would be willing to share the information?

Thanks for any help you may be able to give,
Laurie

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

I know Sunapee has a large program. (Actually, I think it's an outside program, so it might be better said that there is a large program based at Sunapee.)

Loon and Smugg's have the "Bold" program for visually impaired skiers. I don't know about programs for skiers with other handicaps.

The Mass hospital School in Canton has a program, but I guess it's just for their students. They used to bring their group to Blue Hills. I don't think I've ever seen a group having so much fun on such little vertical.

 

[Brn4353]

disabled skiing programs

Laurie

I used to be an instructor for GPSD (Greek Peak skiing for the Disabled) in Cortland, NY. While working there, I learned that there are programs at Ski Windam in NY and one at Jiminy Peak in Hancock Massachusetts. I think Jiminy's program is callked "STRIDE" but I am not sure. I am sure that some of the southern NH or VT resorts must have a program as well, didn't know about Sunapee. Check out the following website: http://www.abilityplus.org/
they list programs at many resorts including wachusetts, nashoba valley, gunstock. Aren't wachusetts and nashoba near central, eastern ma?

Hope this helps,

Scotty

 

[subdude]

Hi Teachski. Wachusett has an excellent adaptive program with certified instructors and the latest equipment. Also look into Nashoba Valley i'm sure they also have a program to offer.

 

[ctenidae]

http://www.nehsa.org/

This is the group at Sunapee. We see them out a lot. Looks like a good program- the instructors seem more than compitent, and some of the skiiers rock- even hitting bumps. I'm often in awe watching them cruise down the hill.