Sports offer the chance to exercise, have social experiences, and enjoyment. Staying active leads to improvements in health, mental health, self-esteem, and quality of life. Skiing is a sport that can be enjoyed by children, youth, and adults with disabilities with just a few adaptions. In some cases, parents may need to consult with their primary care doctor/medical home or a physical therapist about adaptations for skiing. This page talks about gear considerations, types of skis and equipment, getting started with referrals for different conditions, use and care of the gear, and thoughts about funding and costs.

There is a lot of adaptive ski gear available in child and adult sizes for downhill skiing. Some gear is commercially made while other gear is designed through the creativity of adaptive ski programs to make sure the skier has a good experience. The differences in the make and type of gear give greater personal choice. While most people rent gear offered by an adaptive ski program, owning your ski gear lets you have a custom fit.

For more information, see the links in the Resources section near the bottom of this page.

If or when skiers are able to be more independent in their skiing, their equipment needs could change. For instance, they may progress from skiing with tethers to skiing without tethers, whether in a mono-ski, a bi-ski, or as a standing skier.

If the individual’s condition is progressive, the skier may require more adaptations to ski. The adaptive ski program will watch the skier and help with necessary changes as they progress.

Many people may choose adaptive skiing because they have balance, mobility, or strength issues but mostly for fun. A primary care doctor may not know the right gear that would be needed for skiing but would likely see the need for adaptations and could provide a referral to an adaptive ski program.

The primary care doctor may refer people with these health care needs:

• Spinal cord injury
• Spina bifida
• Cerebral palsy
• Debilitating muscular disease
• Amputation
• Visual impairment
• Rare disorders, such as Hunter or Hurler syndromes, that could impede mobility or balance
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Developmental delay
• Seizure disorder

The adaptive skiing program will look at the needs of the skier and find the most useful ski gear. Also, the adaptive ski program will help them make goals, see progress, and reassess any need for changes in equipment.

The primary care clinician may follow up with the adaptive ski program.

The adaptive ski program will teach the skier about use and care of the equipment. Use the following steps to stay safe and comfortable while skiing:

• The person should check with their primary care clinician before joining an adaptive ski program or skiing on their own.
• The ski gear should be checked with each use for fit, safety, and needs of the skier.
• The skier should tell the teacher about any discomfort from the gear that could cause skin irritation or bruising.
• Temperature should be watched closely in people with temperature regulation issues.
• The skier should call their medical home for any non-emergency issue after skiing.
  • If emergency care is needed while skiing, the adaptive ski program will arrange for care.

Adaptive skiing can be expensive. Most adaptive ski programs offer scholarships for their students. The program will usually have coaching and gear. Some skiers may choose to buy their own equipment, but need to remember that upkeep can be costly. Health plans do not often cover adaptive skiing lessons or gear.