Adaptive winter sports have continued to be some of the best recreation activities for children with disabilities, in terms of accessibility and enjoyment. Above all, snowboarding has taken off in the past decade as one of the most popular of these winter sports. The sport, which has its roots in skateboarding and surfing, is attracting more young people today than skiing.

The days of two planks are but a fond memory in the popular youth culture. Now it appears as if snowboarding has finally come into its own. For children with disabilities, this hip sport may be the perfect way to get involved in some fun activity. For the past 30 years, the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) at Winter Park Resort in Colorado has led the field in finding the match between sport and disability. Our snowboarding program, as well as our signature skiing program, has been very successful in both teaching the sport and using innovative adaptive equipment to fit the rider’s particular disability. “Snowboarding is a lot better than skiing for some people,” said NSCD Adaptive Certified Instructor Beth Fox. “A snowboard is still a sliding tool, but it allows some people with different physical challenges in their lower legs to participate in snow sports.”

The advantages of snowboarding over skiing are that it is easier to learn and the rider can quickly gain the needed confidence. “The learning curve is much better in snowboarding,” says NSCD snowboarding instructor Jim O’Connor. “We can take someone a lot farther a lot faster with snowboarding because there is really a lot less to learn.”

What draws young people to snowboarding is not its practical appeal, however. “It’s a hip, new sport,” Fox said. “If it’s cool and popular in (young people’s) minds, it might help them get up and want to be active. That motivation is great. It’s just another avenue to reach people who may not have otherwise had the desire to participate in winter sports.”

Snowboarding instruction is available to most students who are able to stand, and students do not need independent leg action because both feet are attached to the board. Snowboarding is an ideal sport for children with visual impairments, hearing impairments, amputations, brain injuries, and developmental disabilities. The use of “outriggers” (Canadian crutches with ski tips on the end) helps with balance and gives children with amputations, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida the chance to participate. Children with below-the-knee amputations can have great success with the use of a heel wedge under their prosthesis in the boot to help with flexibility. A child with a visual impairment will find that a companion instructor will help make the day on the mountain a more enjoyable one. “We teach one-on-one and lots of hands-on, with the student holding onto the instructor’s hands. That way it’s not just your voice teaching, but also touch,” said Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) certified instructor Tony Peters. “This teaching technique helps prevent most of the hard falls people can take on a snowboard.”

Instructors are hopeful that someday, snowboards can be adapted with a bucket seat for children who need to board sitting down. For now, children who need to remain seated are usually referred to skiing, where they can use a bi-ski or mono-ski which uses a bucket seat. Instructors insist that falls are just a part of any snow sport, but taking lessons with a certified instructor can minimize risk. What other precautions should parents take? For one, a proper introduction to snowboarding should include a lesson taught by a professionally certified instructor. When looking into programs, it is important to ask questions about the individuals who will be teaching the lesson and if they have certification from PSIA.

Other questions to ask and issues to be curious about include:

Will there be a personal evaluation to assess the goals of the child and his or her adaptive equipment needs? Inquire about and inspect the age and condition of equipment that is provided through the program (including helmets).

Are the slopes and buildings at the resort accessible?

How long has the program been in business? Always ask for references that you can contact.

Will the instructors take time to talk to your child¹s doctor or therapist? Be sure to ask if the ski resort offers discounted lift tickets and lesson rates for customers with disabilities.

Parents worried about exposing their child to winter sports should not fear. There are many adaptive sports programs throughout the nation that can cater to the needs of a child with a disability. Terry Peterson, whose son has cerebral palsy, is one parent who knows that the time her son has spent on a snowboard has been positive for him. “Snowboarding seemed ideal for him. Having one board fit him well because there was less to manipulate,” she said. “The NSCD has been a great program for my son Bryn. The instructors are his friends, and he has a great time with it all. Snowboarding has done a lot for his self-esteem. Especially with his friends because it¹s the cool thing to do.”

This story is submitted by Exceptional Parent Magazine. Visit their site at www.eparent.com