blind skiing?

Question

Anybody know anything about the Adaptive Skiing Program at Breckenridge CO? My girlfriend's child is legally blind and would love to try skiing. I've heard they have a program, but I don't know anything about it.

Answer 1

I don't know about Breckenridge, but I have been (and will be again this year) an Adaptive Skiing Instructor at Pico, VT. I have skied with blind skiers several times. Usually it's a pretty fun time, both for the client and the instructors.

Many Adaptive Skiing Programs utilize volunteer staff members, not all of which are PSIA-Adaptive certified. However, all of the staff members receive formal training over a period of days. This includes on snow training in various Adaptive disciplines as well as off snow training in things like Teaching Standards, ADA compliance, etc. (Like this year I have to do four days of on-snow training and a half-day off-snow refresher.)

When we are skiing with a NEVER EVER skier, the instructor and assistant are almost always veterans of the program and have dealt with blind clients before. So your gf's child should be in good hands.

Likewise, a skier who is partially sighted is a lot easier to teach than a skier who is totally blind. I've taught both and the semi-sighted usually have an easier time than the totally blind.

But the skier's progression depends largely on a number of factors. The skill level and patience of the instructor; the conditions; the skier's age and willingness to learn....wow, the same things that affect a sighted skier! (Who would have guessed?)

My best advice is to call the Adaptive Center and speak to whomever takes the reservations. They'll ask you for a bunch of info and then get you set-up.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Contact the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center @ 970-453-5633 or www.boec.org (i think)

They have awesome programs for people with all kinds of disabilities including blindness.

Answer 3

only place I've ever seen this is at blue mtn and it is amazing. they fence off a portion of one run for the beginners, the experienced ones follow a guide wearing a bell and they ski all over the mountain, you'ld be so impressed how they ski around all the out of control sighted beginners

Answer 4

Thats a good question. If she knows how to ride take her down hte hill with a whistle in your mouth. Who knows, she could be in the trees before the end of the day.

I like what you said about the prego girls a s s being the size of a voltswagon

Answer 5

yellow vests and an instructor should help
but you could always check to see if they have a website