Sit-ski Facts for Kids

A sit-ski is a special sled that lets people ski while sitting down. It's used by skiers who might have conditions like paraplegia (when legs don't work well), spina bifida (a birth condition affecting the spine), muscular dystrophy (weak muscles), or cerebral palsy (affecting movement). Sit-skis are usually made from strong fiberglass. The first sit-skis looked a bit like kayaks and had metal edges, just like regular skis.

A sit-ski

What is a Sit-Ski?
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What is a Sit-Ski?

Sit-skis are used in different types of skiing. These include para-Nordic skiing (like cross-country skiing) and para-alpine skiing (downhill skiing). They help skiers enjoy the slopes and trails.

Types of Sit-Skis

There are two main types of sit-skis. If a sit-ski has only one ski, it is called a mono-ski. If it has two skis, it is sometimes called a bi-ski.

Skiers first used bi-skis for para-alpine skiing. Later, mono-skis became popular. Mono-skis let skiers move down the hill in a way that is very similar to how people who stand ski.

How Sit-Skis are Used

Sit-ski users often use special poles called outrigger skis. These are like small skis on poles that help with balance.

In para-Nordic skiing, a sit-skier might use a normal ski pole. However, these poles are usually shorter than the ones people standing up to ski would use. This helps them push off the snow more easily while sitting.

Learning to Sit-Ski

When skiers first learn to use a sit-ski, their teacher might be connected to them. They use a rope called a tether. This helps the teacher guide the sit-ski. The teacher stays connected until the skier can control the sit-ski on their own. This way, new skiers can learn safely and gain confidence.