Our family's experience with adaptive skiing using the Dynamique Bi-Ski and the FFS Dual Ski — which was easier to pilot, and tips for booking programs and staying safe on the slopes.
Skiing can feel out of reach for many families when a child uses a wheelchair — but adaptive ski programs and specialized equipment make it possible. Our son Sebastian has sit-skied several times now, and each time it's been pure joy. With the right gear and support, families can share in the freedom of the slopes together.
Adaptive ski programs are led by certified instructors and experienced skiers who escort sit skiers safely down the mountain. Many programs rely heavily on volunteers, and in our experience, they've been some of the kindest, most patient, and most wonderful people we've met. Skilled instructors can even take sit skiers through small jumps — safely, with big smiles all around.
In our case, Emily (a strong, experienced skier) received hands-on training and coaching before taking Seb down the hill under supervision. Families can rest assured: no input is required from the sit skier for a safe ride. That means even children or adults who are nonverbal or have limited motor control can participate fully. When possible, shifting weight right or left can help with steering — but it isn't necessary.
We've now been extremely fortunate and had the chance to try three different pieces of adaptive ski equipment — two widely available bi-ski models used by programs everywhere, and one extraordinary piece of technology that stopped us in our tracks (not literally, thankfully).
The Dynamique is widely praised in adaptive programs — and for good reason. Made by Enabling Technologies and built from aircraft-grade aluminum, it weighs under 45 lbs and fits riders from 4'1" to 6'3" on a single frame size. It's light, highly responsive, and easier to pilot than other models we've tried. Even for a strong but petite instructor, it offered smooth control and quick turns.
Key features include:
Our take: The Dynamique has been the best fit for Sebastian. Instructors found it easier to handle, and the responsiveness gave him a real sense of skiing — not just being along for the ride. It's the most common high-performance bi-ski you'll find at quality programs across North America.
The FFS Dual Ski (Full Feature System) is made by Mountain Man, Inc. out of Bozeman, Montana — just down the road from Big Sky — and was the result of five years and five design iterations to meet the real-world demands of adaptive programs. It's built for high-volume, all-condition use: heavy-duty bindings, a robust metal frame, and construction engineered for years of service. It comes in Adult Regular, Junior, and Adult XL sizes, making it one of the few bi-skis with a dedicated junior build.
Key features include:
Our take: While solid and safe, the FFS felt heavier and less responsive than the Dynamique. It's a great choice for programs prioritizing durability — it's built like a tank, intentionally — but in our experience, it didn't deliver the same "on-the-snow" feel. Think of it as the workhorse; the Dynamique is the sports car.
This one is in a category of its own — and it genuinely moved us.
The TetraSki is the world's only alpine sit-ski designed to give independent control to skiers with complex physical disabilities, including total quadriplegia. Unlike a traditional bi-ski where the instructor guides every turn, the TetraSki puts the skier in command: a joystick or sip-and-puff breath interface (sip left, puff right!) activates electric actuators that carve real turns into the snow. The skier controls their own direction. There's no motor driving them downhill — gravity does that — but for the first time, they are skiing.
Sebastian tried the TetraSki that was on loan to the wonderful Eagle Mount program at Big Sky, Montana, and absolutely loved it. Watching him pilot his own turns down the mountain — on his terms — was something we won't forget.
The TetraSki was developed starting in 2014 at the University of Utah and is built and operated by the nonprofit Tetradapt through the university's TRAILS Adaptive program (Technology, Recreation, Access, Independence, Lifestyle, Sports). As of early 2026, there are estimated to be roughly 25–30 TetraSkis in the world, each costing around $30,000 given the complex manufacturing, assembly, and testing process. They are not sold privately — instead, they're made available free of charge through vetted adaptive partner programs. A certified instructor always skis alongside, connected by a safety tether and carrying a remote override for teaching and emergencies.
Where to Try One
Locations are limited but growing:
🔗 tetraski.us/try-the-tetraski
The New England Healing Sports Association (NEHSA) operates out of Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH, and is one of the most respected adaptive programs in the Northeast. We've skied with Sebastian here and can personally vouch for the quality of their staff and volunteers. NEHSA offers half-day (2 hours) and full-day (4 hours) adaptive ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and all disabilities, as well as adaptive snowshoe hikes, paddle sports, and veterans programming. Reservations open November 1st each season — book early.
🔗 https://nehsa.org
Eagle Mount partners with Big Sky Resort to deliver individualized adaptive ski and snowboard lessons for people with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities, as well as young people with cancer. This is where Sebastian tried the TetraSki. Eagle Mount is affiliated with Move United and is a PSIA/AASI-registered school. Half-day lessons run $200; full-day lessons are $325.
🔗 eaglemount.org
For families visiting one of the world's premier ski destinations, Whistler Adaptive Sports (WAS)partners is a not-for-profit society offering year-round recreational programs for people of all ages with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. In winter, WAS operates in partnership with Whistler Blackcomb's Adaptive Ski & Ride Program to deliver sit-skiing, snowboarding, and alpine lessons on the mountain. Their fleet includes both bi-skis and mono-skis, available to beginners through advanced riders, and all adaptive equipment is included complimentary with lessons — made possible through the Epic Promise Foundation.
Whistler Blackcomb's Snow School also offers private lessons with CADS-certified (Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing) instructors, or mainstream group lessons with additional buddy support — a flexible model that works well for kids with cognitive or developmental disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. One logistical note: there is a 200 lb weight limit for sit skiers due to ski and binding capacity, so it's worth confirming equipment fit when booking.
🔗 whistleradaptive.com | whistlerblackcomb.com/adaptive
For families based in or visiting Vancouver, VASS is a volunteer-run nonprofit offering sit-skiing, stand-up skiing, snowboarding, and adaptive ski racing at three local mountains: Grouse, Seymour, and Cypress — all within 30–45 minutes of downtown. That accessibility makes VASS one of the most convenient urban adaptive ski programs in North America. VASS welcomes students of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners through competitive racers, with no cost barriers to participation.
🔗 vass.ca
The quickest way to find a vetted adaptive ski program anywhere in North America is Move United (moveunitedsport.org), the national leader in community adaptive sports with 245+ member organizations in every U.S. state. Their location finder lets you search by zip code and sport. The United Spinal Association also maintains a comprehensive, state-by-state list of adaptive winter recreation programs worth bookmarking.
Standout programs are in the table at the bottom of this article.
Other NH Programs Worth Knowing
If you're in New England, New Hampshire has a strong network beyond NEHSA:
All three pieces of equipment made skiing possible for Sebastian — but they serve different needs. The Dynamique Bi-Ski stood out for its responsiveness and fun; it's the gold standard of widely available bi-skis. The FFS Dual Ski is the durable, dependable choice for high-volume programs — built to last, if not to thrill. And the TetraSki is in a class apart: a rare, extraordinary technology that hands control back to the skier themselves.
Sit skiing has been one of the great highlights of Sebastian's life — fast, freeing, and unforgettable. The incredible instructors and volunteers who make it possible deserve every bit of the credit.