Para skiing is a sport that allows individuals with physical disabilities to experience the thrill of skiing with the help of specialized equipment, such as sit skis, which are available to borrow in Nova Scotia. Additional adaptive recreation equipment for use on snow is also available.
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| REGION | COMMUNITY | ORGANIZATION | SIT SKI | PULK | CHARIOT | HIPPOCAMPE | SNOW SLED/COACH | KICKSLED | POLAR SKIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALL | Available for transport | Cross Country Nova Scotia | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||||
| EASTERN NS | Cape North | North Highlands Nordic | ✔️ | ||||||
| Sydney | Cape Breton Regional Library | ✔️ | |||||||
| Antigonish | Antigonish County Recreation | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||||||
| Port Hood | Municipality of the District of Inverness | ✔️ | |||||||
| CENTRAL NS | Truro | Truro Douglas Recreation Centre | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||||
| West Hants | Municipality of West Hants Parks and Rec | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||||
| Halifax | IWK Recreational Therapy | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||||||
| WESTERN NS | Lunenburg | Municipality of the District of Lunenburg | ✔️ | ||||||
| Kentville | Kentville Recreation Hub | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||||
| Yarmouth | Yarmouth Recreation | ✔️ |
Para skiing adaptive equipment
Sit Ski
Sit skis allow individuals to ski by sitting in a bucket-shaped seat mounted on a metal frame, that is attached to two skis. Controlled with upper body movement using poles.
Sit skiing is one of three competitive categories of para nordic skiing, which also includes standing and visually impaired. Events are held at Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals, FIS World Cup and Paralympic Winter Games.
> Video
Sit Ski Mountain Boarding
Practice sit skiing motion year-round! Competitive sit skiers use this equipment for dryland training.
At this time Nova Scotia does not have this equipment available. Please let us know if you would be interested in borrowing a sit ski mountain board, we appreciate your feedback and will use it to guide our inventory possibilities.
> Article “Mountain Boarding with Colette Bourgonje“
Equipment to tow small children while skiing
Chariot Thule Trailer Ski Attachment
Converts a child carrier into a sled by replacing rear wheels with two lightweight skis and using adjustable telescoping towing arms attached to a waist harness.
Pulk
A sleigh that is attached to a harness worn around a cross-country skier’s waist enabling them to ski pulling the sled. North Highlands Nordic offers rental of a Baby Glider pulk.
> Video
Recreational adaptive equipment for fun on snow
Hippocampe
All terrain wheelchair designed for navigating beaches, trails and snow, ensuring you never miss out on adventure.
> Video
Snow Sled/Coach
A sled with back and head support, tubular railings, and a push-handle system for easy maneuverability, along with stable side protection to ensure safety for individuals with a disability. It can be operated and guided by a person on the rear running platform.
Kicksled
Small, lightweight sled with a chair mounted on two long, narrow runners. It’s propelled by kicking the ground while standing on one runner and pushing with the other foot, similar to a scooter. Kicksleds are commonly used on snow or ice for winter transportation, exercise or recreation.
Polar Skis
For strollers or wheelchairs – polar skis are wide, durable skis that can attach to the wheels of strollers and wheelchairs to help navigate snowy conditions, just like cross-country skis.
Sit skiing and sit ski mountain boarding
Sit Ski Basics
Everything you need to know about starting sit skiing!
Rick Mercer Report: Skiing with Brian McKeever
Rick Mercer skis with Canada’s most decorated Paralympian, Brian McKeever, who competed in para nordic skiing and para biathlon.
Rick Mercer Report: Sit Skiing with Colette Bourgonje
Rick Mercer sit skis with Colette Bourgonje, who has competed at 7 Winter Paralympic Games.
Sit Skiing – How to Get Up After Falling
In the news
A New Saskatchewan Club Opens Corss-Country Ski Trails for Adaptive Skiers
Ski maintenance workshops
Attend a workshop as a community member or book a session for your organization’s staff and volunteers. Ski maintenance workshops are interactive sessions that teach participants simple technical skills that will keep equipment in top condition.
Skills clinics
Our ski ambassador program provides skills clinics for participants of all experience levels and wide-range of abilities. Some events offer equipment to borrow, including: ski gear, sit skis (para skiing adaptive equipment) and a kick sled.
Cross Country Nova Scotia 