Are you trying to reach out to the millennials?  The NSAA Journal, Winter 2016 issue, published a chart which should help you understand millennials.  The chart was put together by the NSAA and RRC Millennial Study.

Millennials:

Are currently aged 21 to 36.

Are seekers of authentic experiences.

Are far more health conscious than the generations that came before them.

Have an affinity for high-quality “crafted” items (e.g., food, beer, axes).

Have a strong desire to feel connected to greater causes or communities.

Tend to be much more spontaneous in their travel purchase decisions.

Like to travel in social groups.

Like to be independent but in a group environment (think Starbucks lounges).

Are highly emotionally connected to their technology.

Value convenience and technology over personal interaction.

Are thrifty (deal seekers).

Are much more risk averse than their predecessors.

Have a deep fear of failure and embarrassment.

Are primed for the “idea” of outdoor adventure, but their reality of what this means Is much different from the traditional ideals.

Are not motivitated by the same aspirational nature to be the first/best/biggest that drove the Gen Y and Xers before them.

Are skiing and snowboarding far less by days than the older generations that came before them.

Hold the key to the future success of the ski industry.

This list gives some powerful insights into the psyche of a typical Millennial.

Excerpts from NSAA Journal/Winter 2016 Article “Growing Snowsports in the Age of the Millenial” by Hugh Reynolds

In 2015, two former Paralympians launched Access Adventures – a charity created to improve the quality of life for people with physical disabilities by introducing them to adventure sports.   The charity has grown considerably since launch and continues to improve their service provision.

Jane Sowerby and Tim Farr, both on the British Disabled Ski Team representing Great Britain at the Winter Paralympics in Vancouver 2010, know what a positive effect sport can have on people with disabilities. Teaming up with their long-standing friend Clare Williams – a physiotherapist, currently working with injured military at Headley Court – the three established a charity which organizes residential adaptive adventure camps.

Jane explains: “When the doctor delicately told me I’d never walk again, it felt like my life was over. I was completely paralyz ed from the waist down and thought I’d never be able to partake in extreme sports; I was desperate to find some kind of adrenaline rush again. Then, just over a year after my injury, I went on an adaptive ski camp; it was my saviour. There’s an incredible sense of freedom that comes from disabled skiing. The feeling of leaving your wheelchair behind and hitting the slopes is indescribable.”

Jane, Tim and Clare could all see that there was a gap in the market for adaptive adventure camps, and more importantly, a real need to provide and expand the kind of adaptive sports available for disabled people. So, Access Adventures was born.

They began with several waterski and wakeboard camps, but have since expanded the number of adaptive sports on offer to include kayaking, canoeing, land-yachting, downhill biking, hand-biking, skiing, kite-buggying and kitesurfing. May 2017 will also see their first camp catering specifically for under-18s.

Tim comments:  “Not everyone wants to do the adaptive sports, like basketball and athletics, that are readily available. Quite often people are searching for something fun, to challenge themselves and push boundaries. Often these kinds of activities are not easily accessible for people with disabilities”

The Charity Commission awarded Access Adventures charitable status in August 2015 after recognizing the significant service the organization can provide to those with a recent or long-standing physical disability.

Jane continues: “Tim and I have first-hand experience of the huge benefit our camps have to people with physical disabilities and Clare’s extensive experience working in disability rehab provides a fantastic asset to the charity.”

She adds:“I know personally how being involved in adaptive adventure sports can turn your life around and it’s been incredible to witness the same effect on others at our camps.

“Life with a disability can be very daunting and the psychological benefit following involvement in sports cannot be underestimated. It improves confidence and helps everyday challenges seem more manageable.”

They also recognize that the strong social element of the camps is often just as beneficial. Having a disability is not only about the physical limitations it may result in, some people struggle with low self-esteem. Being around people who understand your situation can really help improve this.

Unfortunately, adaptive sports are far more expensive than their able-bodied equivalent, due to the extra equipment and more tailored instruction required. This means that some people with disabilities just can’t afford to access them, and the fantastic benefits they bring. The Access Adventures team has been investigating various fundraising initiatives which will enable them to subsidise these costs and provide bursaries, with the ultimate goal to make the camps accessible for all.

For further information about Access Adventures visit:

https://www.accessadventures.co.uk/

@axSadventures

www.facebook.com/accessadventures

Credit: AP/ORDA/Whiteface Lake Placid

This Jan. 14, 2015 photo provided by ORDA/Whiteface Lake Placid, shows Megan Gardner, right, as she teaches participants in a lesson at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, N.Y., near Lake Placid.

By JOHN KEKIS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Posted: January 15, 2017 at 1:48 a.m.

WILMINGTON, N.Y. — When Aaron Kellett peers out the window of his office at Whiteface Mountain, these days he’s usually smiling.

“My office is right next to our beginner trail, and when I look out I see people on our beginner trail,” said the 38-year-old Kellett, who’s been the manager at Whiteface for four years. “That means we’ve got new people learning how to participate in our sport.”

And that’s a good thing. As baby boomers begin to pull back from the athletic activities of their youth, ski resorts are focusing on attracting new participants to the slopes. The idea is to get them there and keep them, and the millennial generation — those between the ages of 18 and 34 in 2015 — tops the target list.

According to the latest demographics from the Colorado-based National Ski Areas Association, baby boomers — aged 52 to 70 in 2016 — and those 71 and older have steadily become a smaller share of the visitor base as they’ve aged. Combined, in the past decade they’ve declined from 36.2 percent of visitors to 21.3 percent.

Millennials, on the other hand, represent the largest group of snowboarders and skiers, but they also have the fewest number of days per season. The figures show that the industry will need to increase the frequency of the millennial participant to match that of the exiting baby boomer.

“That’s a significant wake-up call for us. There’s some challenges there,” said Nate Fristoe, director of operations at RRC Associates, which last year produced a report on the millennial generation. “We have this funny little dilemma. We’re trying to build participation. We know we have to grow participants, but we also know that on most of our weekend days we’re hitting capacity.

“It’s a fascinating conundrum,” Fristoe said. “Yes, we have a product offering that has appealed to an older generation for years. It also appeals to this generation in many ways, but there are ways in which we need to tweak it.”

To be sure, millennials are different. They embrace the environment, like to plan spontaneously, prefer to travel with friends and crave healthy food. They also relish sharing their adventures on social media.

“Millennials are harder to attract, for sure. It’s not as cut and dried as it was even 10 years ago,” Kellett said. “They want the best deals and they’ll do whatever it takes to get the best deal. They don’t mind spending money to do what they want. It’s the experience. It’s so much more than just skiing.”

Kellet says online ticket sales have been “huge” for Whiteface because of the savings they offer.

Whiteface, which has plenty of post-ski entertainment in nearby Lake Placid, offers a Parallel from the Start program for beginners. It costs $169 and includes everything needed to start skiing, except the clothing — lesson, equipment rental, and three days of skiing. “It’s an awesome way to be introduced to the sport. It works,” Kellett said.

In neighboring Vermont, the cost is $129 for a Take 3 pass — three ski or snowboard lessons that include rental equipment for the day and access to beginner terrain. The Green Mountain State also offers a $49 beginners package during January, national Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month nationwide.

“Cost can be a hurdle, so anytime we can lower that hurdle a little bit, especially for beginners, we see more people participate for a longer period of time,” said Sarah Wojcik, marketing director for Ski Vermont. “Getting new people to the slopes with incentives and then keeping them are two of the biggest goals nationwide.”

The granddaddy deal of them all might be the Epic Pass offered by Vail Resorts. It’s the most popular pass in the ski industry and features unlimited, unrestricted skiing at all of the company’s mountain resorts. It also will include Whistler Blackcomb next winter season (2017-18), and offers five days at 30 resorts in Europe.

With the rise of social media and mobile phones, most ski resorts are trying to provide easy-to-navigate websites and free Wi-Fi so visitors can share their experiences digitally — think Snapchat. Excellent cellphone service is a must.

“Your website being mobile-friendly is kind of millennial-speak 101,” Wojcik said. “If you can’t look it up on your phone, it’s really difficult to get the message out there.”

At Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico, which was cited by the Ski Areas Association for having the best overall marketing campaign for 2016, millennials aren’t separately targeted but the demographic is important.

“Millennials are big on experience, and Taos Ski Valley has long been known for delivering an authentic, unpretentious and culture-rich winter mountain experience,” marketing manager Dash Hegeman said. “That is something we work very hard to protect and cultivate.”

SundayMonday Business on 01/15/2017

https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2017/jan/15/ski-resorts-woo-millennials-to-replace-/?business-national

Wintergreen, VA Adaptive Sports PT and Ski Program

Individuals with spinal cord injuries, amputation, degenerative diseases of the nervous system, MS, muscular dystrophy, CP. spina bifida or other ambulation challenges, are invited to participate in a program at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia that combines Physical Therapy and Adaptive Skiing. Almost anyone who walks with canes, crutches or walkers or uses a wheelchair for mobility can participate in this program.

There is no fee for the equipment, the on-snow lesson or the PT evaluation or rehabilitation sessions. Session 1 is Jan, 12, 19, 26 and Feb. 2. Session 2 is Feb. 9, 16, 23 and March 2. Participants can sign up for a morning or afternoon session.

WAS provide all adaptive ski or ride equipment and a helmet (required for sit-down ski equipment.)

For more information, call (540) 545-7238 or email mwolff@su.edu.

The News Leader, November 26, 2016

Adaptive skiing uses specialized equipment and/or training to allow people (with disabilities) to experience the benefits of skiing. Skiing and snowboarding provide a sense of freedom that is difficult to duplicate in other sports. Skiing is a fantastic sport for people with physical disabilities or visual impairments in that it helps to develop balance, fitness, confidence, motivation, and social skills. Simply put – Skiing is Skiing!

The primary methods for adaptive skiing and riding are stand-up, sit-down, snowboarding, and ski bike. Stand up skiing includes 2-track, 3-track, and 4-track, while sit skiing includes bi-ski, dual-ski, and monoski.

HISTORY OF ADAPTIVE SKIING

Rooted in accidental injury and war

Started in Europe around WWII – realized importance of participation in sports

Early focus on 3-track (amputees)

Disabled Sports USA formed in 1967 by Vietnam Veterans – Originally, National Amputee Skiers Association

Passing of ADA in 1990

First accepted in Olympics (Paralympics) in 1992

 Development of Technology

·                  Pre-1970 – Outriggers

·                  1974 – Ski Bra is discovered at a ski show. Helps keep tips from crossing.

·                  1975 – Toe-Spreader – Bar that fits under the bindings and across the skis

·                  1976 – Slant Board – inserted under bindings to give forward or backward slant

·                  1978 – First sit ski – ‘Plunk’ cross country sled for paraplegics

·                  1980 – Arroya Sled for alpine skiing became part of the national games (like a toboggan)

·                  1984 – Mono-ski developed

·                  1986 – Bi-ski developed

Whistler Adaptive Sports Program is once again offering a wide range of winter sports, including skiing.   Photo by Photo submitted

The organization offers accessible recreation opportunities for participants of all ages.

While many Whistler residents are tuning up their gear and counting down the days until their first run of the season, the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP) is gearing up for another season of providing recreation opportunities to those who may be facing barriers.

The local non-profit is currently seeking volunteers to help coach the wide variety of accessible winter sports and recreational programming that they facilitate for individuals with disabilities.

This year’s roster of programming, available for everyone aged three years or older, is set to include alpine skiing and snowboarding, nordic skiing and alpine ski racing, as well as indoor sports such as swimming lessons, strength and conditioning sessions and yoga.

And, according to WASP executive director Chelsey Walker, they’re all in high demand. “We’re very, very busy,” she said. “Most of our weekends are already waitlisted for ski and snowboard lessons.”

To that end, WASP is seeking 40 volunteers to coach ski and snowboard lessons alone. “We’re in a capacity building stage where we’ve grown significantly across a few different sports, and now we’re facing needing to increase our staffing… to deliver the demand for the programs,” Walker explained. “We’re looking for help with our nordic program and racing program, and if anyone has a swim background we’re always looking for an extra set of hands in the pool. Anyone who has an interest, really, can get in touch with us and we’ll find a good spot for them.”

While experience with one of the above-listed sports is considered an asset for volunteer applicants, WASP does provide training when it comes to working with the various populations they serve. “We also look for people who are flexible, who can work through plans A through Z and who can also think outside the box,” said Walker. “Our volunteer pool is actually quite diverse, which matches the diversity of the populations that we work with.”

Volunteer coach positions for WASP’s winter programs range in time commitment, from one hour per week for their nordic ski program to a minimum commitment of 23 full, seven-hour days over the course of the winter for weekend ski and snowboard lessons, though that minimum includes five training days.

In addition to helping people who might not otherwise have the chance gain access to recreation, volunteering for WASP as a ski and/or snowboard coach will also earn you the perk of a free season’s pass to Whistler Blackcomb.

But before the season begins, WASP, which accommodates approximately 600 participants on a year-round basis, is raising funds to ensure they can continue to offer the best possible experiences for their athletes. They’ve partnered with Cornucopia for the second year in a row, where they’re set to hold their second silent auction of the week during the Poured Grand Tasting event on Saturday (Nov. 19).

Last year’s fundraiser resulted in $30,000 for the organization. This year, Walker said the organization is hoping to break the $35,000 mark.

“By working all the different populations all ages it really sets us apart from other organizations working in a similar field,” she said. “I think that people really feel their dollar goes a long way when they’re contributing to Whistler Adaptive.”

Question, Whistler’s Award-Winning Newspaper (Megan Lalonde, November 14, 2016)

Veteran Marine Ryan Zimmerer is the driving voice and story behind the short film. “The physical pain, yeah its bad, but it’s tolerable. I can forget the pain and go on,” said Zimmerer. “It’s the emotional and mental pain that’s the hard part for me.”

In 2014, the High Fives Foundation and the Adaptive Training Foundation began a program called Military to the Mountains. Injured U.S. Military veterans are trained for nine weeks at the Adaptive Training Foundation in Dallas, TX, preparing for a week of skiing at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows in California. The veterans are instructed by Achieve Tahoe adaptive ski program.

“The goal of the program is to offer wounded war-fighters an opportunity to tap back into their physicality by pushing through mental and physical barriers,” said David Vobora, founder and CEO of the Adaptive Training Foundation. “Experiencing the mountains for the first time post-injury redefines their limits and ignites new passion to take ridge lines they no longer thought were possible.”

The effort is organized and funded by the High Fives Foundation, whose mission is to provide resources and inspiration to mountain action sports athletes with life-altering injuries.

“We’re dedicated to improving the physical and emotional health of U.S. veterans,” said Roy Tuscany, executive director of the High Fives Foundation. “It’s been an extremely rewarding opportunity to bring all of these organizations together to honor these men and women who have been injured serving our country.”

The project received funding from Chive Charities, the philanthropic arm of the entertainment website TheChive, allowing for another year of sustainability. It also attracted support from 16 other national sponsors.

“As warriors, we don’t need a hand out, we need a hand up,” said Jake Schick, a U.S. veteran Marine who helped pilot the program in 2014. “So if you give us an example of greatness to follow, we’re going to follow it.”

The film about Ryan Zimmerer and the others involved in the Military to the Mountains project can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/190287422

High Fives Foundation, November, 2016

Ski season kicks off November 24, 2016, at Telluride Ski Resort, where there is something for everyone to enjoy both on and off the snow. ( Ben Eng/Telluride Ski Resort/TNS)

TELLURIDE, Colo. — A sapphire sky on a sunny day. The aroma of rich, creamy mushroom soup. Larmandier-Bernier Champagne chilling. Bon Vivant restaurant puts a luxurious twist on the skier’s outdoor picnic lunch — just one of the refined touches at Telluride Ski Resort, where the season kicks off Nov. 24.

Since I first skied here 20-plus years ago, the once rough-hewn edges have been polished to a fine sheen. The on-mountain food is among the best in the Rockies. And as of Dec. 17, new Great Lakes Airlines service from Denver makes it even easier to reach.

The mountain isn’t huge — just a little more than 2,000 skiable acres. But it still boasts more than its share of expert terrain, which was its original lure, while offering an abundance of intermediate and beginner runs as well.

Runs such as Spiral Stairs, Plunge and Power Line rise above the town and dare skiers to test their mettle on the double black-diamond pitches. When the resort opened in 1972, these were among the steepest runs in the Rockies. The above-tree-line runs on Black Iron Bowl and Palmyra Peak opened in the early 2000s, and they challenge even the most skilled skier.

The middle portion of the mountain is awash with superlative groomed runs. The Village Express and Polar Queen Express chairlifts serve acres of intermediate terrain, and the Sunshine Express lift provides access to some stellar family-fun and learning runs.

Polar Queen, Humboldt Draw and Silver Tip are just three of the trails that can easily fill up an afternoon of cruising.

The mountain’s terrain is clustered according to ability; it’s difficult for skiers to take a wrong turn and end up on a run that’s over their head.

The scenery is breathtaking from almost every run but especially on the aptly named See Forever, which traces the spine of the resort. The trail is skiable by an intermediate and shouldn’t be missed. The true test on this run is to find a place to stop at the side and take in the beauty without getting in the way of other skiers.

For a relatively small resort, visitors still have plenty of choices. There are two centers for lodging, meals and entertainment. At the base of the mountain is the town of Telluride; about 800 feet higher on the mountain is Mountain Village. Each has its own appeal.

Home to roughly 2,300 permanent residents, Telluride has all the flavor you’d expect from a town that’s been around since the 1870s. A walk along Main Street makes it easy to imagine what it was like at the height of the late 19th century mining boom.

Visitors can pause outside the Mahr Building and visualize the old San Miguel Valley Bank, the site of Butch Cassidy’s first bank robbery. Funky shops and restaurants are neighbors with the well-stocked, old-time hardware store.

Restaurants range from local hangouts like La Cocina de Luz (www.lacocinatelluride.com), serving superb Mexican food and margaritas, to the exquisite French cuisine of La Marmotte (www.lamarmotte.com), located in an old ice house.

The New Sheridan Hotel (www.newsheridan.com) has been open for nearly 125 years. The rooms, updated in 2008, make for a great marriage of history and comfort.

Designed with convenience in mind, Mountain Village is a cozy collection of excellent resort-style lodging and restaurants that are good but don’t measure up to the selection in town. Amenities differ among the properties; the 32-room boutique hotel Inn at Lost Creek was perfect for my needs (www.innatlostcreek.com).

What makes this sort of split personality work is the Mountain Village-Telluride gondola. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this month, the free gondola runs between the village and the town from 7 a.m. to midnight, eliminating the need to drive or take a taxi.

Perched on a ridge at the 10,550-foot midpoint of the gondola trip is the resort’s premier dining spot, Allred’s (www.tellurideskiresort.com/allreds). Huge windows deliver diners unparalleled views to go along with outstanding, locally sourced food and a fabulous wine list.

Those who wonder how skis are made should take the Wagner Custom Skis factory tour (www.wagnerskis.com), which plans to move from Placerville to Mountain Village later this year. Tours can be arranged by calling 970-728-0107.

“Golfers who are serious get their clubs sized specifically for them,” founder and owner Peter Wagner told our tour group. “I thought that would be a good idea for skis too.”

Although Wagner’s focus is on high-end, custom-made skis, the company also makes a line of rental skis available at Telluride facilities; inquire at the rental shop.

Ski resorts are becoming hot spots for distilleries, and Telluride is no exception. Telluride Distilling Co. (www.telluridedistilling.com) is just 10 minutes outside of town. It makes vodka from 100 percent sugar cane instead of grain or potatoes. The result is an ultra-smooth version of the old standby, perfect for a martini or bloody mary.

Combine a great mountain with a historic town, season with fine food and amenities, and you have the recipe for a ski resort that consistently is ranked among the best in North America.

My Palm Beach Post, November 16, 2016 – By Randall Weissman – Chicago Tribune  

Jane Stevens is described as “the type of person who gives her all to a cause.” Photo / Supplied

PASSIONATE VOLUNTEER’S SKILL GUIDES PEOPLE WITH DIABILITIES INTO JOY OF SKIING

Jane Stevens has an incredible skill. She can teach people with any kind of disability to ski.

It makes no difference “whether it’s physical, sensory or intellectual”, if someone wants to go skiing or snowboarding then Ms Stevens, with Adaptive Snow Sports New Zealand, can make it happen.

Ms Stevens has worked in the field for nearly 30 years.  She began as a passionate volunteer which eventually morphed into fulltime employment.  Those she has helped range from first-time skiers with cerebral palsy to gold medal-winning Paralympians.

For her work in adaptive snow sports, Ms Stevens has been nominated for a Pride of New Zealand Award, in the Community Spirit class.  “Jane is the type of person who gives her all to a cause,” said her nominator.  “She has a wealth of knowledge and is never too busy to help her team of volunteers to further their skills.”

Ms Stevens’ interest in adaptive snow sports was sparked when she met a man in her university physical education class who had a disability but could ski.  “It fascinated me from very early on,” she said. “There was a lot of lateral thinking in those days – that’s what really interested me about it.  “And then it snowballed.”

While travelling the world she was exposed to ski programmes designed to support people with disabilities.  Upon her return to New Zealand she became involved with a local programme which was “at the forefront”.  Part of her work now focuses on recreational skiing – the goal being to get people enjoying snow sport with their families.  “When you get to see kids get out on snow, who perhaps have a visual impairment, and we get them having fun alongside their brothers and sisters, mums and dads, it’s amazing.”

Ms Stevens has also been integral to the rise of Paralympic stars, notably Adam Hall.  “I remember a day at Mt Dobson – and he was pretty young at this stage – I said, ‘Well, if you want a Paralympic medal in skiing, you’ll have to learn’.” Ms Stevens said.  “So we went into a shop, pulled these old skis out and drilled holes in them. It was all hit-and-miss, really.  “We went up to the mountain and it was a powder day, which wasn’t conducive to learning to ski, and we gave it the last we had, trying to figure out how we were going to do it … and then he turns around and wins a gold medal.”

If people want to go down the high-performance track, then Ms Stevens provides them with a pathway.  There is nothing like watching them succeed, she said.  “For me it’s trying to see the whole picture come together and making sure you support every skier, from beginner right through to those who are representing their country.”

The New Zealand Herald, Wed., July 22, 2015

By Eva Corlett

The American Blind Skiing Foundation (“ABSF”) was founded in 1971 and is a non-profit tax exempt  national organization chartered in the State of Illinois. The purpose of ABSF is to provide an educational skiing program that is open to any blind or visually impaired person in the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value.  ABSF provides opportunities for the blind and visually impaired to participate in our sport no matter what their level of expertise.  We provide highly qualified guides to visually impaired skiers and snowboarders to participate in our sport, as well as basic instruction for those just learning.  ABSF provides financial assistance to visually impaired individuals who otherwise would not be able to ski due to financial hardship.

In a world where “a picture is worth a thousand words”  it’s easy to understand the barriers that confront a child … who can see no pictures.  So it is with the blind and visually impaired children and adults who ABSF serves.

Having the spirit and fortitude to overcome the daily challenges of life is difficult enough if you have sight, but for the blind, those challenges can be overwhelming.  Confidence in oneself is needed.  The American Blind Skiing Foundation helps build that confidence.

ABSF helps the blind to focus on what they can do … not on what they can’t see. This knowledge and confidence gives them some of the tools they need to successfully face challenges in other aspects of their lives.

ABSF is endorsed by the Chicago Metropolitan Ski Council (CMSC). Some ABSF blind skiers have become proficient in racing and have participated and won medals with the NASTAR National Championships. ABSF welcomes everyone.

More information is at the ABSF’s website, www.absf.org.

Jim Martinson’s equipment innovations opened up new worlds to multiple generations of aspiring athletes — but there was an ulterior motive along with the altruism.

“I wanted more people to compete against,” he confessed.

That meant everywhere — on his home slopes of Crystal Mountain in Washington, on the road through Natick and Wellesley at the Boston Marathon, or under the Paralympic flag at Albertville, France. In the process, he became a godfather of sorts in the adaptive sports world.

But at the same time, he was all about the race.

So take your pick — contributor or competitor. In either role, Martinson is a worthy addition to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, which adds a seven-person class on Saturday during ceremonies in Aspen, Colorado.

Martinson thought he’d left his ski-racing ambitions behind when a landmine explosion on a Vietnam battlefield took away his legs back in 1968. Time and his own determination have proven him wrong.

“I would never have believed for a second that I’d be able to ski after what happened to me,” said the 69-year-old Martinson. “To be in the Hall of Fame, that’s just unreal.”

And yet he’s already played a role in others getting there. Hall of famers such as Sarah Will and Chris Waddell piled up multiple Paralympic gold medals on Martinson’s iterations of the “Shadow” mono-ski. But even more important, that breakthrough opened the door for countless recreational snow enthusiasts to enjoy the sport.

That’s all Martinson had in mind for himself as a kid at Crystal Mountain, where he was a pretty fair racer.

“How good I was, I’m not sure,” he said. “I just knew I wanted to be involved in skiing — ski patrol, manager, instructor, cat driver. Anything.”

A draft notice interrupted that. He’d been in Vietnam for five months — and just promoted to sergeant — when a member of his platoon tripped the explosive during a supply run. Five days later, Martinson woke up in a Yokohama hospital with no legs “and no clue what I was going to be.”

There was anger and depression, and some self-destructive partying. Eventually, Martinson found his way back to school, and through some friends onto a basketball court with the Tacoma Wheelmen. That piqued both his competitive urges and his innovative ones — he and teammate Jim Hernandez collaborating to build competition wheelchairs that were less than half as heavy as the clunky 60-pounders everyone was using. That segued into a racing phase that saw him win the 1981 Boston Marathon (he would also finish second three times) and claim Paralympic track gold medals in 1980 and 1984.

But always, the mountain was calling.

“I’d take my kids up and do the thing I said I’d never do — sit in the lodge and wait all day for skiers,” he recalled.

He was introduced to the Mono Bob, but was frustrated that it couldn’t be used without assistance. So he took it into the shop, cadging a shock from dirt-bike technology and developing what would become the Shadow — a mono-ski that allowed users to get on and off the chairlift independently. His early runs in the trial and error phase were every bit the thrill his gold medal runs would be later.

“It was totally a dream come true,” Martinson said. “I was only up on real light intermediate hills, but I tell you, it was incredible. I’d fall down, get back up, fall down again and go back and tinker a little bit and figure things out.

“I never really realized what I was doing. I never thought the product would get to the level it is today. I’ve heli-skied in Alaska, done the X-Games jumping 60 feet in the air and raced in the Paralympics going 60 miles per hour downhill. Pretty amazing from those meager first days.”

By this time, his company Magic In Motion was manufacturing the gamut of adaptive equipment — chairs for racing, basketball, tennis, golf, rugby, as well as his Shadows. He sold the company for $2.5 million in 1992, though he stayed on until 2000.

And the competition, well, he kept on with that, too.

In 1992, he won downhill gold in the Albertville Paralympic Winter Games — despite putting on “a whole bunch of weight” from the wine-and-cheese breakfasts he shared with Waddell. And at age 63, he was lured into the X-Games — though all he got out of that was a broken clavicle and scapula.

“It’s been incredibly fulfilling, getting back to something I loved forever, but also to know the impact it’s had,” Martinson said.

“There’s a games in Colorado the Veterans Administration puts on, and when I was back there two or three people came up to me skiing on mono-skis wanting to say thanks for making this possible and saying it’s changed their lives. That’s what it’s all about. You see people like Chris and Sara achieve what they have and it’s exciting to think you might have had a little bit to do with that.

“That’s pretty special.”

John Blanchette is a sportswriter from Spokane, Washington. He is a freelance contributor to TeamUSA.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.

Team USA.org

11 Tips For Parents To Help Plan Your Trip

Group travel is great for many reasons, one of them being the opportunity to travel with friends, or getting to know people whom you hadn’t known well before. For parents wanting to go on a group ski vacation, children can be a major concern. Do you leave your kids at home, or is it possible to bring them along? There are a variety of factors to consider before deciding whether or not to bring your children along on a ski trip. Be sure to research and prepare accordingly.

Here are some things to think about:

1. Does the mountain offer lessons for children? Chances are if your child is not able to stand on their skis or snowboard, they will not enjoy a ski trip. Most mountains offer lessons for beginners, which allows you to spend time with your group while your child learns the basics.

2. Does the mountain offer beginner level and green runs? If your group is made up of experienced skiers, it is unlikely that your child will be able to keep up. To ensure that your child can enjoy themselves, be sure to check the mountain’s website for the percentage of green and blue runs.

3. Consider the costs. Having an extra person in your group means additional costs. Some mountains like Deer Valley in Utah can be a budget-buster. Be sure that you are prepared to spend the extra cash on lodging and meals, as well as ski rentals if your child does not have equipment.

4. Does the mountain have restaurants onsite? Do these menus offer kids menus? Most children prefer chicken fingers and fries to more adult style meals like scallops or pork chops. Be sure to check the area for nearby kid friendly restaurant options.

5. Does the mountain offer accommodations? If not, are there family lodging options close by? Kids will typically be tired and cranky after a long day on the slopes. Being close to accommodations means a quicker warm-up and the possibility for a nap.

6. Are there activities for kids when the slopes close? Unless the mountain offers night skiing, kids will not have many choices after the sun sets. Many ski areas offer kids night out so that parents or groups may enjoy their vacation time together. Places like Copper Mountain in Colorado provide a list of babysitters if you plan on getting out for some après ski.

7. Depending on the age of your child, he or she may not be able to ski yet. If your child is between the ages of 2-6, check with the mountain for toddler daycare programs. This way you can enjoy your time on the slopes while your child stays safe and entertained.

8. Does the mountain offer activities for the whole family to do together? After a long day skiing or snowboarding, some parents may not be up for a big night out. Some resorts offer fun family activities like bowling, mini golf and indoor water parks.

9. What is the commute like to and from the mountain? Travelling in a group can be stressful, and travelling with kids can put an even bigger strain on things. Long bus rides, travelling by plane or a combination of both has the potential to create a stressful and unpleasant situation before your vacation even begins. Keep this in mind when deciding on a destination.

10. How long are the runs? Longer runs mean fewer chairlift loadings and un-loadings. This way, you’ll be able to spend more time skiing down the mountain together, and less worrying about lines.

11. What are the crowds like at the resort your group has chosen? Popular resorts like Vail are often packed on weekends. A large number of people on the slopes can be dangerous and may make children anxious.

If you’ve researched well enough, bringing your children along on a group ski trip shouldn’t be stressful. This way, a group vacation can also be a family vacation.

By Kira Byczek

Article: Need to Know Before Bringing Kids on a Group Ski Trip
Author: Snowbound Ski and Board Planning Guide/2015 Edition

About the Sport

Alpine skiing is practiced worldwide and features seven disciplines: downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G, super combined, team events and most recently snowboard. Athletes combine speed and agility while racing down slopes at speeds of around 100km/h.

Competition accommodates male and female athletes with a physical impairment such as spinal injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, les autres conditions and blindness/visual impairment.

Athletes compete in three categories based on their functional ability, and a results calculation system allows athletes with different impairments to compete against each other.

Skiers with blindness/visual impairment are guided through the course by sighted guides using signals to indicate the course to follow. Some athletes use equipment that is adapted to their needs including single ski, sit-ski or orthopaedic aids.

IPC Alpine Skiing acts as the International Federation for the sport which is co-ordinated by the IPC Alpine Skiing Technical Committee.

Six events are on the Paralympic Programme: Downhill, Super-G, Super Combined, Giant Slalom, Slalom and Snowboard which will make its debut at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Competition description

Downhill

Each athlete competes one run down the course with their finish time determining the final order based on ascending time. Athletes ski down a long, steep course and must pass through a relatively few number of gates. If an athlete misses a gate they are disqualified. For weather, safety and other reasons, the jury can decide to have two-run downhill if the vertical drop does not comply.

Slalom

Each athlete competes two runs on the same day on different courses. Times from the two runs are added together to determine the final order based on ascending total time. It is a technical event over a shorter course than other events but with a high number of gates that the athlete must negotiate. If an athlete misses a gate they are disqualified.

Giant slalom

Each athlete completes two runs on the same day on different courses. Times from the two runs are added together to determine the final order based on ascending total time. It is a technical event with a longer course and fewer gates than the slalom. The number of gates is determined by the vertical drop of the course. If an athlete misses a gate they are disqualified.

Super-G

A speed event where each athlete completes one run down the course with their finish time determining the final order based on ascending time. The course is generally shorter than downhill but longer than slalom and giant slalom.

Super combined

A combined competition which represents the final result of two disciplines – usually one of either a downhill or super-G and a single run of slalom. Each athlete competes two runs on the same day on different courses. Times from the two runs are added together to determine the final order based on ascending total time.

Snowboard cross

Each athlete competes three runs down the course with their finish time of their best two runs determining the final order based on ascending time. There is only one rider on the course at a time. The event takes place on a man-made course constructed from a variety of terrain features like bank turns, various types of jumps and rollers etc.

The Wyoming Adaptive Ski Experience carries a theme of inclusion.  Injured veterans and US military service personnel participate with civilian adaptive skiers, and at the JH segment the adaptive group is integrated with able bodied skiers at one of the renowned JH Mountain Sports Schools “Steep and Deep Camp”.

This very impactful experience is made possible through the combined efforts of:

• Teton Adaptive Sports
• Adaptive Adventures
• Disabled Sports/USA
• 21st Century Warriors
• Grand Targhee Resort
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
• Homewood Suites  Jackson Hole

For more information contact Teton Adaptive Sports at 307-699-3554 or tetonadaptive@aol.com.

The Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Ski Program (“SEWASP” pronounced “see-wasp”) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that provides adaptive alpine skiing and snowboard lessons for people with disabilities in southeastern Wisconsin and surrounding areas. Accessing the unique abilities of each skier, SEWASP fosters self-confidence and independence. SEWASP is a PSIA ski school and teaches mono-ski, bi-ski, 4-track 2-track and snowboard lessons for people of all ages and diabilities.

SEWASP began as a Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center recreation program in 1985. Through the years the program grew until, in 1996 with the support of Marquette Medical Systems Foundation, SEWASP, a unique community based organization, was established. In 1998 SEWASP incorporated in the State of Wisconsin and became a chapter of Disabled Sports USA.

SEWASP is a not-for-profit 501c(3) non-stock corporation licensed in Wisconsin as a charitable organization and is a chapter of Disabled Sports USA. We rely on contributions to support all functions of our ski school. Our mission is carried out with an all-volunteer board of directors and volunteer ski/snowboard instructors.

“Adaptive” refers to the modified equipment and teaching techniques used to enable skiers and snowboarders to participate safely and as independently as possible. Instruction is generally provided at Alpine Valley Ski Resort near East Troy, Wisconsin (southwest of Milwaukee on I-43), on Thursday evenings from January through mid-March.

SEWASP provides lessons for participants with all types of disabilities including motor and physical (spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), spina bifida, etc.), cognitive (brain injury, mental retardation, etc.), sensory (blindness and other visual impairments, deafness and other hearing impairments, etc.).

The program primarily teaches at Alpine Valley Ski Resort near East Troy, Wisconsin. The participants are from Milwaukee, Chicago and surrounding areas.  SEWASP is a member club of the Chicago Metropolitan Ski Council.

The program provides adaptive ski equipment and equipment fitting. Equipment provided includes bi-skis and mono-skis for participants who may sit down when they ski. Some skiers have their own equipment. Learn more about SEWASP at www.sewasp.org.

October 7, 2015

By Jill Beathard, jbeathard@snowmassun.com

Challenge Aspen is working on a longtime dream of its founder — to spread the adaptive snow sport teaching methods it employs around the globe.

Co-founder Houston Cowan and a group of instructors just returned from Interski 2015, a worldwide snowsports conference, that this year was held for the first time in South America. Cowan gave a presentation about the adaptive sports industry at the conference, and afterward, he and some Challenge Aspen instructors shared their methods with Argentine instructors.

“When I helped co-found Challenge Aspen in 1995 … it was kind of a dream to teach others how to teach,” Cowan said.

Challenge Aspen already has a presence in Bariloche, which started with “Decifio Bariloche” (Challenge Bariloche), a local program modeled after it. Now an organization called Challenge Argentina aims to train instructors at ski resorts throughout the country in adaptive teaching methods.

The alternating winters have helped the program grow as Aspen instructors have been able to go to Argentina in the summer, while their trainees have been able to come here in the winter, Cowan said.

Challenge Argentina invited the Snowmass Village-based nonprofit as a delegation to Interski, and Cowan was asked to give a keynote address. Cowan chose to speak on how ski areas can benefit from developing adaptive snow sports programs, using the partnership Aspen Skiing Co. and Challenge have as an example.

One in six families have a member with a disability, Cowan said. Challenge Aspen integrates family members into the activities it does with its participants, and Cowan stressed that as part of the nonprofit’s — and the ski area’s — success.

“I’ve never met someone who didn’t want to help people with disabilities,” Cowan said. “We happen to be in an industry that’s very expensive for anyone. You can’t look at it as a charity all the time. People with disabilities … can bring a lot to the financial aspect of ski areas.”

Challenge Aspen also took adaptive equipment to Argentina and offered on-snow clinics to interested Interski attendees. Following the conference, the group returned to Bariloche, where former Challenge Aspen instructors Charley Phelan and Bobby Palm led eight instructors from four different ski areas in a four-day intensive workshop in adaptive instruction. Their goal was to leave AADIDES, the Argentine equivalent of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, with a framework for certifying and training instructors in adaptive methods.

“It is my goal, a lifetime goal, to create a passion and accessibility for people with disabilities,” said Phelan, who with Palm now owns and operates a business training instructors in adaptive teaching methods throughout the world. “It was the trip of my lifetime so far, because I hope that it’s still building and that there’ll be another trip and that it’ll be better and it’ll be more successful.”

This winter, three Argentine ski areas plan to send instructors to Snowmass to train with Challenge Aspen. Representatives from other countries who were at Interski were also invited to participate. All part of a shared goal of helping people in other countries to have the same life-changing experiences that Challenge Aspen is able to provide here.

“We have no hidden agenda,” Cowan said. “We’re not trying to make any money. We’re just trying to teach others (so that) they don’t have to come to Aspen, hopefully they can do it in their own backyard.”

Aspen Times, October 8, 2015

Sports Center Facilities for Disabled Skiers

This wing of the National Sports Center for the Disabled is located in a building at the base of Winter Park. The adaptive skiing facility has equipment that can accommodate a wide variety of disabilities. This facility frequently works with blind skiers and skiers who have amputated limbs.

Disabled Skiing Programs

Lessons and assistance are offered on an individual and group lesson basis. Families of any size are welcome to book a family lesson; this is sometimes recommended so that family members can learn how to assist with the special equipment that is used to ski. Many families enjoy this opportunity because it is a unique experience, that often turns into a life-long passion and obsession.

There are also several adaptive skiing groups that meet on a weekly basis throughout the winter. These lesson groups will typically have several skiers/riders with similar disabilities in a group setting.

Handicapped Parking

There is a handicapped parking lot just across the road from the main base area and approximately 100-200 yards from the sports center building. You can view parking information on the Winter Park Parking Information page.

More Activities

There is a wide variety of activities that are offered by the center for the disabled. A few of the popular activities besides skiing include horseback riding, snow shoeing, snowboarding and more.

Activity reservations are recommended. You can reserve space by calling 303-316-1518.

Names, faces, equipment and disabilities constantly vary and instructors need to be on their toes in order to keep up. But there’s one thing that always remains the same: the learning curve. Surprisingly, we’re not talking about the skills the student learns on the mountain. Rather, we’re referencing the life lessons that adaptive instructors learn from their students.

1.  We’re In This Together

Life likes to throw us lemons, and it can be tough to remember that we don’t need to battle this world alone. Alan Hammersmith, a third-year volunteer adaptive ski instructor at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, learned this recently from one of his students.

Sara*, a student with slight behavioral disabilities, arrived at Vermont Adaptive as a total newbie to winter sports. And as luck would have it, the beginner chair lift was broken on the day that Hammersmith took her up the mountain. Instead, the two of them hopped on a bigger chair lift and traversed over to the easier green trails.

 Naturally, Sara struggled. Not only was she brand new to skiing, but she was also high up on the mountain with a ski instructor she had just met that morning. She fell down numerous times and Hammersmith began to worry that an emotional meltdown was coming. Fortunately, he remained calm, acknowledged her reasons for frustration and provided basic tips to help her navigate the scary hillside.

With Hammersmith’s help, Sara began to get the hang of things. She learned to control her speed which automatically made the descent less terrifying. When they arrived at the base, Hammersmith prepared to take off his skis and head to the lodge with his student. But, lo and behold, Sara wanted to ski more! In fact, she was even attempting small jumps by the end of the day!

We all face tough decisions and scary circumstances on a daily basis, but it is helpful to know that you always have someone there to support you while you fall–even if it is a new person in your life! 

2.  Determination Will Get You Through This

When things take a turn for the worse, it is often easier to just give up. Throw in the towel. Call it a day. But rarely does that make the situation better, as Amber Tierney learned from one of her adaptive students.

Tierney began working with adaptive athletes when she was ten-years-old and has been with Vermont Adaptive for the past two seasons. However, it’s one of her early lessons that stands out in her mind. As with Hammersmith, Tierney’s student, Jennifer*, was new to winter sports and very uncomfortable on the mountain. She was nervous on her skis and grew discouraged every time she fell down. Yet despite her fears, Jennifer continued coming out every week and Tierney continued working with her.

Over time, Jennifer chipped away at her discomfort and grew to love skiing. These days, she is a fantastic skier and skis with her family since she no longer requires adaptive lessons. It would have been very easy for Jennifer to just quit when her nerves got the best of her or when that one big fall kind of hurt. However, she was determined to figure this two-plank world out and her determination guided her to success.

 Be Thankful

More than anything, students teach adaptive instructors how to be thankful in life. “It is so inspiring to see people defy the odds of an injury or an illness every day,” Tierney says. “I have learned to be thankful for what I have. Every person has their own challenges to overcome, and if they can do it, so can I.”

*Names changed for privacy.

Huffington Post, 3/27/15

By Heather Balogh / @AColoradoGal