Adaptive Outdoor Access

Flintsteel’s goal is to make the outdoors more accessible to people with disabilities.

Flintsteel Restoration in cooperation with Big Powderhorn Mountain hosted a learn-to-ski day for people whose disabilities preclude the use of conventional skis on March 8th.

Adaptive equipment is designed to provide the optimum stability and comfort for skiers who are disabled. For the beginner, an instructor skis behind, using tethers to control the direction and speed of the bi-ski. A skier with enough upper body strength can learn to bi-ski independently, using outriggers. Outriggers are a crutch and a ski tip which are used with mono/bi-skis. The outriggers provide stability for the upper body. A mono ski can be used by the more accomplished skier, this equipment requires more upper body strength to use.

Though the weather was very cold (4 degrees) there was a great turnout. Ten instructors, ten students and many volunteers signed up for the event and all had a blast. Most people who come to the event came from out of town but this year we wanted to make extra efforts to draw in some local kids who would really benefit from having events closer to home. Two first time local kids, Dylan Korpela-Jorgenson and Timothy Minier, signed up for a lesson.

The instructors are members of the Professional Ski Instructors Association, trained in working with people with disabilities. You can feel very confident and comfortable with the abilities of the instructors. Instructors must call upon skill, creativity, and experience. The adaptive program is prepared to handle a variety of disabling conditions including amputations, Down’s Syndrome, visual and hearing impairments, MS, Cerebral Palsy, and spinal cord injuries.

Flintsteel owns four bi-skis, two child-sized and two big enough for adults. They have been described as looking like a small dogsled mounted on a pair of wide, short downhill skis. We borrowed more equipment from Courage Center in Duluth and Midwest Independent Living Center at Rhinelander, Wis. Big Powderhorn provided lift tickets, equipment and meals for participants.

“Without the dedicated people to help events like this would not be possible”, said Dave Anderson, Exec. Director, Flintsteel.

If you would like to sign up for a lesson, to volunteer or if you are an instructor who would be interested in participating please contact us.

We are again seeking donations for our Adaptive Ski Program for this winter. Funds will be put towards lodging for certified instructors, and event costs. All instructors and volunteers donate their time and talents to provide this service lets help support their efforts! Please feel free to contact us and discuss specific needs and volunteer opportunities. If you wish to donate please send to: