CHEK Upside: Local organization helps make skiing more inclusive

It’s a winter tradition for many Islanders, hitting the slopes at Mt. Washington, but for people living with disabilities skiing and snowboarding might seem out of reach.

That’s where the Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports comes in.

Tracing its roots back to the 1960s when Herb Bradley first began teaching adaptive skiing lessons, the society now instructs hundreds of students of all abilities to take on Mt. Washington.

“People that have cognitive disabilities, behavioural challenges, people with physical disabilities, we’re able to provide free equipment to all of our students,” says VISAS vice-president Sebastien Bracconier.

“In the past, we’ve coached people to actually reach the Paralympics and to medal in the Paralympics.”

The classes have been life-changing for many students including Victoria’s Craig McKinnon. McKinnon was an avid skier before suffering from a brain tumor and subsequent stroke during surgery.

The Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports has helped get him back on the mountain.

“Just feeling the wind in my face kind of the first time I was going down the easiest hill was very powerful and emotional,” says McKinnon.

“Since then I’ve kind of learned to ski independently and it’s just my favourite thing to do and it’s the exact same feeling as skiing.”

For the all-volunteer team, those moments are what makes instructing worthwhile.

“It gets me so passionate and just makes me want to do more and more and more,” says Bracconier.

To learn more about the classes or about how to volunteer, visit the VISAS website.

csorenson@cheknews.ca

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