Exploring adaptive skiing in New Hampshire takes an in-depth look at programs found at local ski mountains that help people with disabilities enjoy the freedom of skiing. This project will focus mainly on the adaptive ski program at Cannon Mountain in Franconia, NH. Students will learn how to use different adaptive ski equipment and assist those participating in the program. In the afternoons, students can explore the slopes and develop closer connections with the greater skiing community.
Day 1
We arrived and immediately dove into shadowing lessons. Each student had a different lesson to observe, lasting two hours each. Throughout the day, they gained invaluable experience, learning how to guide adaptive skiers down the mountain while providing verbal cues for turning, operating a harness chair, and using an electric ski chair. One student shadowed a man with two knee replacements, skiing cautiously and learning valuable tips. Another student skied with John, who had progressive muscular dystrophy in his legs and used riggers to ski, enabling him to maintain balance and stand up. Additionally, one student had the privilege of teaching a young child how to ski for the first time. Another student shared, "Today I skied with Greg. Greg had a tumor a few years back and has some motor skill issues. He was able to ski by himself but needed assistance turning and following someone down the mountain."In the afternoon, a trained adaptive ski instructor led some of our students in using a sit-ski. Three students harnessed themselves in, rode the chairlift, and then descended the mountain, which required careful planning and execution. We wrapped up the day with a few group runs and returned to campus, feeling fulfilled and excited for what tomorrow will bring.
Day 2
Day 2 was a bit wet, but everyone did a great job and still had smiles on their face. In the morning, half of the students went out to shadow lessons. The other half of the group got an in-house experience and learned all about New England Disabled Sports, training, and got to see all the different equipment used and how to use it. The afternoon was rainy, and a few lessons were cancelled but those who had a lesson did a great job.
Here are some quotes from student experiences today:
Diego Gomez- “I was skiing with Shani, Shani has autism. She was an awesome student. We went down a ton of big mountains. I was also taught by my adaptive ski instructor, TGIF, not thank go its Friday, but “toes go in first.” Had an awesome day.”
Will Bennett – “Today I skied with Lindsay. Lindsay has Down Syndrome. She was great and fun to ski with. She took a few tumbles but got back up every time and was very positive throughout the whole lesson. Had a great day 2.”
Orchid Coffin – “Today I skied with Mark who had down syndrome. He didn’t talk much but he was very friendly. We went up and down the magic carpet a few times…very fun day.”
Noah Stevens- Today I skied with Cocita, he had autism. I learned how to guide him down by directing him left and right so he can follow me. He understood simple commands and he made it down the mountain a lot. He kept saying he had so much fun!”
Heidi Smith- “Today I skied with Ellis, who had autism and had never skied before yesterday, and we worked on his left and right commands and his turning skills. He did not like to keep his gloves on.”
Trey Farnsworth- “Today I learned about all the different types of adaptive skiing tools.”
Jackson Chadwick – “Today I learned about all the different tools and equipment used in the programs and what they are for.”
Day 3
The rain held off for day three. We had a full day with lessons in the morning and afternoon. Some adaptive skiers choose to do a lesson in the morning and in the afternoon so if you see a name twice and a similar write up, it is because the adaptive student was the same, but a different New Hampton student got to spend time with them. We were able to finish our day with a few group runs and ski until close.
Here are some of the student experiences from today:
Reilly Lynch – Today I skied with Mike. Mike had problems with fatigue. He used an electric wheelchair to get to the chairlift to save energy. He took lots of breaks while on the mountain. (Reilly skied with Mike in the morning)
Trey Farnsworth - Today I skied with Michelle, she was very familiar with how to operate a sit ski and could ski very well.
Jackson Chadwick – Today I skied with Dillon! He was an excellent skier and knew what he was doing, he had seizures and down syndrome. I got to experience a harness that attaches to him on the chairlift to protect him from falling if he were to have a seizure.
Max Moore – Today I skied with Mike. Mike had fatigue in his legs from the army and had trouble skiing for long amounts of time. He had to take lots of breaks while he was skiing. (Max skied with Mike in the afternoon)
Shaun Costello- I skied with a guy who served in the army. He didn’t have any disabilities I don’t think or impairments, but he was new to skiing and it was his first time. He learned how to pizza and turn and conquered the bunny hill.
Finn Davis – Today I skied with Brendan. Brendan had a seizure disorder and autism. He was a great skier and a had a good sense of humor. He wore a harness on the chairlift because of his seizure disorder. It was lots of fun!
Diego Gomez - Today I worked with joe. He was a first-time skier started off the lesson in the trees; but by the end of the lesson, he was doing very well!
Orchid Coffin - Today I skied with Stephany, she had a traumatic brain injury and could speak but was very sweet and like to give hugs…we went up the magic carpet and skied down a bunch.
Day 4
Day 4 was another great day. The day started off a little dark and rainy but by our last run at 4pm the sun was shining. We had new lessons in both the morning and afternoon. At the end of the day we even had time for a few group runs!
Here are some experiences from today:
Will Bennet – Today I skied with Bella. Bella was nonverbal and couldn’t walk. She was taken down the mountain in a sit-ski and was going very fast. She was very happy and laughed the whole way down the mountain.
Shaun Costello- Today I worked with Cameron. Cameron had a type of muscle dystrophy which is degenerative, and his life expectancy is in his 20s. While having limited mobility, Cameron was excited to ski using the Tetra, but it didn’t work when I was with him. I learned how to transport Cameron from his wheelchair to the Tetra, and how the Tetra works.
Max Moore- I skied with Greg. He used to have a brain tumor which caused him to have some balance and speech problems. He was a good skier and only fell once.
Reilly Lynch- Today I skied with a military veteran. I don’t think he had any disabilities or conditions that affected him. He wasn’t able to get to the bottom skiing so he walked down the hill.
Finn Davis – Today I skied with Susie, she’s a veteran who has ptsd. It was very cool teaching her how to turn and move across the mountain.
Orchid Coffin- Me and Diego paired up with one instructor who didn’t have a second instructor to help. We helped a woman learn to ski and we went on the magic carpet. She has never skied before and was able to ski down a little bit without help. She was very funny, and I had a good time with her.
Diego Gomez – Orchid and I helped a vet learn to ski on the magic carpet. She was not a fan of skiing at first, but once she got loose, she loved it.
Heidi Smith – Today I skied with Mary who is a veteran, she had never skied before so we worked on getting her used to the boots and skis, she was very friendly and made lots of jokes.
Ms. Houseman – I had the pleasure of skiing with Greg today. Today was Greg’s fifth year anniversary of being cancer free! Greg had the best attitude and was such a great learner. Today was Greg’s 4th day skiing this week so by the afternoon his legs were tired! Greg had a brain tumor that caused him to lose some of his mobility but once on skies, Greg had great balance! Greg also struggles with his speech a bit but is very talkative and excited to learn and share with everyone. I was very fortunate to spend my afternoon with Greg!
Trey Farnsworth - Today I skied with Nevel, it was a lot of fun skiing with him today and he was a really funny guy.
Noah Stevens - Today I skied with a lady that was in the Air Force. She served in the dessert storm war and was telling me all about it. We taught her how to ski for the first time and she picked up on it very fast!
Day 5
The sun was out and shining for day 5. We had a great last day on the slopes. We did lessons in both the morning and afternoon, learning lots. We were able to spend the last hour of the day doing group runs, hitting some jumps and laughing a lot.
Diego Gomez – Today I skied with Jackie who was an instructor and a student in a sit ski. Our student flew off the mountain and went into the trees. He was okay, but Jackie got hurt and had to be taken down in a sled.