Adaptive Nordic Skiing

This program is for individuals with a physical or cognitive disability who may need the assistance of adaptive equipment. People who have amputations, visual impairments, strokes, autism, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, and other physical or cognitive disabilities are welcome to join. If you have questions about whether cross country ski lessons would be a good fit for you, please call or email to inquire.

Stand-up skiers: Stand up Nordic independently requires the ability to walk and balance on one foot for a short prior of time in order to glide through the tracks. If you have challenge with balance, a “ski walker” may be handy when you first get started to get comfortable with balancing on the skis.

Visually-impaired skiers: VI skiers typically will ski standing up with poles and a guide. Our volunteer guides typically will use a mic and speaker system and give verbal commands.

Sit skiers: Individuals with limited to no use of their legs, double leg amputees and some single leg amputees will choose to use a sit ski. A sit ski has a seat mounted on top of two fixed-width skis and requires the use of your upper body to “double pole” to propel the ski.

Volunteer Information
Athletes are paired one-on-one with volunteers throughout the program and meet every week throughout the 6 week session. If you want to learn more about being a volunteer, contact Mari Salveson at Mari.Salveson@allina.com or 612-775-2729.

• Loopet Foundation
• Disabled Sports USA Cross Country Skiing
• US Paralympics Nordic Skiing