Most Common Ways to Ski or Snowboard with a Prosthetic
January 08, 2021
Skiing or Snowboarding are two sports that can be a challenge to learn for any beginner. Losing a limb may cause you to relearn new ways to experience these types of winter sports. Some of the most common ways for amputees to participate in skiing & snowboarding are:
Sit Skiing
Sit-skiing is a common option for those who may be paralyzed below the waist or new to using a prosthetic. There are 2 ways to sit-ski, one is bi-skis where a bucket is attached to two skis or mono-skis where the bucket is attached to a single ski. The benefits of the bi-skis are it provides a more stable base but it can be more challenging to maneuver. Additionally, sit-skiing includes outriggers that are crutches attached to your forearm to help move the ski when you are not going downhill. If you are new to sit-skiing it is recommended that you get an instructor to properly teach you how to use these types of skis.
Three Tracking
This is a type of standing skiing where you leave the prosthetic off & only use one ski along with two outriggers. This type of skiing is good if you do not want to worry about fitting the prosthetic for skiing. It does put a lot of weight on the healthy leg which may be difficult for stamina.
It is possible to ski & snowboard with your prosthetic on. The main concerns are fitting your prosthetic for the ski or snowboard boot & making sure your prosthetic stays on when onboarding and deboarding the lift. It is recommended to use auxiliary suspensions to keep your prosthetic in place & to help with performance. It is also helpful to use lubricants or grocery bags to help slide the prosthetic into the boot.
Snow Biking
A new option that resorts are starting to allow on the mountain is a snow bike. This machine includes one fixed ski under the seat & one ski on the side attached to the front forks. It comes with shock absorbers & the front forks allow the machine to turn like a bike. Moving your weight side to side and using the handlebars is the most common way to turn the ski bike. This is a great alternative to stand skiing with a prosthetic.
Overall, you don’t have to slow down or miss out on winter sports when you have a prosthetic. There are great ways to get you back out on the mountain and enjoying these activities. The DRYPRO waterproof prosthetic cover is an extra layer of protection from getting the prosthetic wet or contaminated by the snow or bacterial elements.
