Winter sets into campus with the first year of the Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding course given through the Colorado Discover Ability program at Powderhorn Resort.
The program will run Jan. 2-13 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Another term will be from Jan. 17 through Mar. 9 on Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Since 1980 the Colorado Discover Ability has served as the only school of adaptive sports in Western Colorado besides Colorado Adaptive Sports of Southwest Colorado, and has accommodated skiers and snowboarders with disabilities along with a summer program of river sports.
Due to the fulfillment of its mission to serve lovers of winter sports with cognitive, developmental, or physical disabilities, no one is left at the base of the mountain this winter. Everyone can enjoy the season and earn a credit for KINA 171, a CMU kinesiology class.
Jeremy Steinhauer was inspired by his brother with Down syndrome, Joshua, and his past in coaching Special Olympics from Junior High to High School. He majored in Adaptive Sports and works with Colorado Discover Ability on the West end of Powderhorn Resort.
Steinhauer works with fellow instructor and Kinesiology Department Director Jill Cordova and plans to work with an instruction crew of volunteers with the CDA to teach skiers with Asperger’s and Down Syndromes, paralysis to limbs or that requiring a wheelchair, dwarfism, or any type of amputation of limbs and permanent injury.
“It is an inspirational thing, when you talk to individuals with disabilities who ski they will often tell you that they feel most free on the mountain,” Cordova said.
A mono ski rig is designed with a bucket seat mounted upon a single ski for students who rely on a wheelchair for transportation. It puts power into the hands of the skier with the use of outriggers. Poles with miniature skis at the base that provide balance and turn initiation. The Bi-Ski system is a similar configuration with a double track mount at its base for added stability.
The two-track system is your basic ski set that can be enhanced with one or two outriggers for balance while a three track system designed for skiers with an amputated leg allows one ski to combine with a pair of outriggers for a frigid good time.
Snowboarders also have equal opportunity to participate. CDA has come up with a crossbar rigged parallel to the board, and attached to a set of vertical posts.
Headsets will also be given to skiers with hearing impairment. Patience is all that is necessary to teach those with cognitive disabilities. Staff for the program has experience and is trained to communicate with disabilities. According to Steinhauer, the only difference in instruction technique is more time necessary.
Course Coordinator Kate Belknap of the English Department and Kinesiology department has volunteered with Colorado Discover Ability in the past and uses her experience to further excel.
Edging into turns, initiating that turn, rotation of hips and balance are still the key elements of skiing. Like all lessons, instruction certification comes from Professional Ski Instructors of America or American Association of Snowboard Instructors. This three level certification takes five to seven years to complete and is required for all instructors.
Students will be graded on participation and attendance. The fee for the class has been waived for students and other than tuition, no additions costs are provided to students. Average projected costs per student amount to $75 but for now the cost are covered so the learning can begin.