KayDub, on 11 October 2011 - 02:18 AM, said:
I'm an adaptive ski instructor (I was when I was AB and now I'm an incomplete T 10 and still working, I grew up outside of Vail, CO so I've been skiing since I was 2). Anyway, T 2 is fairly high to be independent on a monoski BUT it's not the injury level that counts so much as your own personal abilities. You said you're very athletic and active so that's a good thing. I know I have complete trunk control, flex and balance still despite my spinal cord being impacted higher than the doctors originally thought. However you also mentioned a lack of trunk control which could be difficult.
But then again, as I tell my kids I teach, there's no such thing as skiing wrong or right. There's just ways to ski that are easier and more efficient to get down the mountain, if that makes sense. It's very possible if you're very determined you could compensate for your lack of control with very strong shoulders and arms. The idea behind monoskiing is to really use weight shifting to balance and turn and to keep your shoulders straight and facing forward (a lot like AB skiing, ideally it should only be your hips and legs moving, not your upper body at all, especially not to turn side to side across the mountain). But who cares about "ideals" when you're out enjoying yourself and being safe and healthy. A lot of AB ski in big S shapes, facing back and forth down the mountain. It's not how you're supposed to ski, but they still are!
I would recommend this, especially since it appears to be your first year post-injury on snow. Go to a mountain with a good adaptive program. I'm not familiar with European resorts, but if you're in the US/Canada feel free to PM me and I can set you up with some contacts. They'll be able to help you with the proper equipment. They'll ideally have a bi-ski and a mono-ski, as well as tethers and experienced instructors. You can start tethered in a bi-ski on some beginner terrain and really work your way up depending on your comfort level. A lot of it depends on the specifics of your injury and how you felt about skiing prior to your injury. You might even find you like it more than you did before you were hurt! On the other hand, don't get frustrated if you feel stuck at first! Monoskiing is tough. I know at the mountain I live/work at (Vail and Beaver Creek) I'd say about 80-90% of our guests who use sit skis stay in a bi-ski or least tethered on a monoski. Monoskiing is similar to AB skiing but not exactly the same, so don't worry if what you were able to do before doesn't transfer right away.
So basically, you have a fairly high injury particularly since you say you have poor trunk control to monoski, as to do it independently it requires a lot of balance and ability to weight shift for turning and carving. BUT that doesn't make it impossible, and you might just have to find what works for you to control the ski. Definitely find a good program to start with so you can feel comfortable, safe and have the proper equipment while you find what works best for you.
Good luck!!!!! Let us know how it goes!
Wow thank you soo much for this reply, nothing is impossible!! well at least thats what i believe, but i know it will be difficult.
this winter will probabl come too soon, and who knows next year what i can do. Maybe ill have some trunk control.
for now its not much and i find i difficult with everyday things...
Im going to find out if there are some programs maybe indoor here i can try.
And if monoskiing is too difficult, is there another way?
Canada US is a bit too far for me
and flying isnt a hobby after my accident!! But here in France and Switserland, Austria etc we have great slopes and maybe some interesting programs.
ajl338, on 10 October 2011 - 11:08 PM, said:
T2 is really high to be mono skiing. to work a monoski involves a lot of trunk control, for turning and edges etc. I understand that a duel ski could be done, its a thing made by tessier, the other option is a bi-ski but not really an option for doing it independently.
You might get away with a mono if you were skiing easy things and it was a very forgiving mono with a really soft ski on so basically took you for a ride.
Thank you! bi-ski, i didnt know it excisted. Im going to look into all this and see what works best for me.
This winter will be too soon but maybe next year! And im working hard to regain as much functin as possible so who knows what i can do next year!
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