Angela's Adventures

Angela's Adventures: Eagle Mount Skiing

Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:49 AM by Angela Douglas - Q2 News
Updated: Feb 6, 2012 11:49 AM

RED LODGE - For nearly 25 years, Eagle Mount has been putting smiles on faces and provoking squeals of joy.

Since 1988, the Eagle Mount Ski Program has given hundreds of disabled people the ability to experience skiing or boarding down Red Lodge Mountain.

"We work with individuals with cognitive or physical impairments," explains Eagle Mount's Tom Hinthorne. "It's been a program here at Red Lodge since the mid to late 80s."

With a mission to get as many people on the slopes as possible, regardless of skill level or ability, Eagle Mount makes an effort to serve just about anyone.

"There is so many teaching techniques and strategies," Hinthorne points out. "So much in the way of adaptive technology that we can get pretty much anyone up here."

To get a better understanding of the mechanics and muscle groups involved with using a bi-ski, I take a seat and strap in.

Beneath the chair are two skis, plus there's two smaller skis attached to the side of the chair to help with balance and steering - similar to training wheels on a bike. Eventually the side skis are unattached and replaced with skis that the skier attaches to their arms with a brace. Also, the two skis underneath the chair are replace with one ski.

There's a special method to getting on the chair lift and I need some assistance, but I'm told that experienced sit-down skiers can do everything independently without any extra help. That includes lifting themselves onto the chairlift.

Once we're at the top of the Miami Beach run, Eagle Mount participant, Taylor, and I get situated.

Every Eagle Mount skier has at least one volunteer with them. I have two, one person tethering me from behind and one person skiing ahead of me to show me the right path to take.

Taylor goes first and appears to know what she's doing, so in effort to mimic her example we had down the hill.

I quickly learn bi-skiing is a pretty great core workout. You have to lean into each turn, then square up and sit tall before leading into the next turn.

Sit skiing is a special and significant part of the program, but skiing with Eagle Mount isn't limited to just bi-ski and mono-skiers.

"We have adapted coaches, we have alpine coaches, we have snowboarding coaches, it just runs a spectrum," says Hinthorne. "Ultimately you just need to be making that choice to get up here on the hill."

And once that initial commitment is made, to give skiing or boarding a chance, there's usually no going back to a life without it.

"When someone progresses in their ability, there is actually this glow about them," Hinthorne says with a smile. "That they're that much closer to being free."

As Taylor and her volunteer, Jim, ski past me at the bottom of the run - each squealing and smiling - it's obvious that both the participant and the volunteer are embracing and enjoying this adventure on the mountain.

If you're interested in volunteering with Eagle Mount, volunteers are required to go through three days of training prior to being accepted as a volunteer with our program.

For more information visit eaglemount.us.