It takes dedication to ski in the South. None are more dedicated to the sport than adaptive skiers, who overcome the challenges of birth defects, illness, injuries, accidents, or war.

Wintergreen Resort in Virginia has one of the best adaptive ski programs in the country, led by director and high school teacher Michael Zuckerman. Individuals with disabilities have been taught to ski at Wintergreen since 1984.

“From the top of the mountain, all you see is possibility.” That’s the slogan of Wintergreen Adaptive Skiers. The athletes are challenged to perform. Blind skiers run the slopes with a guide who tells them when to turn, slow down, or stop. To understand the difficulty of this feat, blindfold yourself and try to ski (with a guide) for a few minutes. That is one way Wintergreen Adaptive Ski instructors are trained.

Deaf skiers have other challenges, because they cannot hear someone coming behind them or next to them. They also need volunteers to guide them.

Disabled skiers have special poles with mini skis on the bottom. Some of the fastest and most versatile skiers on the mountain have only one leg. Paralyzed skiers have other challenges. They sit on a special mono-ski, and guide themselves through stomach muscles, and hands and feet when they can. They are sometimes tethered to an instructor, and are helped loading and unloading on the lift. But some of them get so proficient, they can do so on their own.

Wintergreen Adaptive Skiing is gearing up for its two major events of the year: the third annual Wounded Warriors Weekend from January 26-28, and the 12th Mardi Gras bash and fundraiser on March 3.