I have spastic cerebral palsy, which impacts my gait, dexterity and balance. I grew up helping out on our family farm in Nova Scotia, and, as an adult living in Calgary, I’ve stayed active by cycling in the summer and fat-biking in the winter — regular movement helps my muscles and joints stay loose and pain-free, and feeling good fuels my active lifestyle.
Because of my balance, I never considered downhill skiing until I heard about Rocky Mountain Adaptive [RMA], an organization that runs programs for people with disabilities so they can participate in outdoor sports. A lot of my friends ski and they encouraged me to try it, so I signed up for an RMA ski camp at Sunshine Village in March 2021, at age 37.
My first lesson was both terrifying and thrilling. Even getting onto the magic carpet [a ski lift that services the beginner slope] was scary! To begin, the instructors had to figure out what kind of adaptive equipment would work best for me, and we settled on outriggers — poles with little skis on the end of them for extra balance, so it’s like I have four skis instead of just two. Because my right foot pronates inward, which makes rightward turns more difficult, they taught me how to do small, tight turns to control my speed.
Once I started linking a few turns on the bunny hill, it was exhilarating. Skiing on the same mountain as my friends made me feel included. I was hooked! I began hitting the gym to strengthen my right leg to improve my rightward turns. My trainer there also taught me how to get up after a fall by laying on my stomach and using unloaded barbells to push myself up. Now I ski independently, get off the lift without assistance, and use my outriggers to right myself when I fall.
After four seasons, skiing has become a big part of my life. I love the accepting ski community and the friends I’ve made through the sport. I’m now comfortable on all beginner and most intermediate runs, and I ski regularly at Lake Louise and Fernie. I’ve also skied at Whistler and in Zermatt, Switzerland.
This journey from never-ever to passionate skier led me to become an RMA director in 2022, so I can make sure as many people as possible have the opportunity to learn to ski if they’re so inclined.
What most people don’t realize is that making skiing and other activities accessible not only improves the physical health of people with disabilities, it also builds their mental health and confidence, and that spills over into all facets of their life. Since learning how to ski, my confidence has increased significantly — I am better at my job, and I’m a better friend, advocate and community member. Skiing means everything to me. –As told to Lisa Kadane
What is Sit Skiing?
Sit skiing is a way for people with lower-body disabilities to carve up a mountain. The skier is strapped into a moulded seat suspended above the ground by a shock-absorbing metal frame. A monoski (single wide ski) is attached to the bottom of the frame. Then, using their body weight and handheld devices known as outriggers — similar to ski poles but with a ski blade on the bottom — the athlete can steer and control their speed. –Riley Fonger