Downhill (Alpine) Skiing Program
Students will learn how to downhill ski at Swiss Valley Ski Area in Jones, Michigan. Students will be taught how to use the equipment, including finding properly fitting boots and getting in and out of the ski bindings. Students will also receive instruction is basic skiing techniques, such as how to stop, turn and use the chair lift. Beginning instruction takes place on the chair lift. Rope tows are rarely used in the SOLO program.
One or two volunteers will work with each student, depending on the student's needs and the number of helpers on hand. First-time skiers often get two volunteers, and students will generally work with the same volunteer(s) each week. Various adaptive teaching tools and techniques are used depending on a student's disability. Ultimately, the goal is for the student to learn the skills necessary to be able to ski on their own with family or friends.
In years past we have found that once a student has learned to ski, they do not continue to do so unless family or friends ski also. In an effort to solve this problem, students are encouraged to bring a friend or relative along to learn to ski also. See our Cost page for more information on siblings and family members.
The downhill program runs for six consecutive Monday nights, starting in early January. A bus will leave Memorial’s Lighthouse Center, located at 6901 N. Main St. in Granger, Indiana, at 6:00 p.m. and will return by 10:00 p.m. If conditions are not conducive to skiing (not enough snow, too cold, etc.), we will make a decision by 3:00 p.m. that Monday. If a Monday night ski is cancelled, we will add an extra week on the end of the program so that we can still ski a total of 6 weeks.
While actual ski instruction begins in January, all students and parents are encouraged to attend our orientation meeting. A ski conditioning exercise session typically is also held at a separate meeting.
