REGIONAL- Drew Rouse of Babbitt, age 27, never imagined he could learn to ski. Rouse survived a traumatic brain injury when he was 18 months old and its aftermath left him with permanent physical challenges.
In January 2023, however, Rouse overcame that supposed limitation, thanks to an adaptive ski program at Giants Ridge which teaches those with disabilities how to ski or snowboard. In 2023, four volunteers helped Rouse conquer the slopes with the help of volunteers. Along the way he needed as many as four volunteers to make it down the slopes, but by the time the six-week program was done, he was skiing well enough that he was accompanied by just one volunteer. His instructors were optimistic that maybe Rouse would be able to ski without help in 2025.
“I had to learn how to fall; that was a little scary,” Rouse told the Timberjay, “but it’s fun!”
Run by volunteers
The adaptive skiing program at Giants Ridge in Biwabik is one of two run by Northland Adaptive Recreation, which has been active for 30 years in northeast Minnesota, according to Eric Larson, the organization’s program manager. “I helped start the program at Giants Ridge. We had around 15 volunteers last year and I’m excited that this year, we already have 15 more, plus our partnership with Mark Carlson and his students at Minnesota North College – Vermilion.” The program’s participants and students converge on Giants Ridge from throughout the Arrowhead region, some traveling over 100 miles to assist.
The volunteer numbers are crucial to the program’s success. To recruit and retain volunteers, Giants Ridge offers them a discounted season ski pass.
“The more volunteers we have, the more participants we can accommodate,” said Shelley Aho, the coordinator for the Giants Ridge program. “It’s low commitment in terms of time, on Sundays from late morning until 2 p.m. between Jan. 12 and March 2. All levels of skiers and snowboarders are welcome to volunteer. This is a great volunteer opportunity, especially for good skiers looking for a challenge.”
Aho is typical of the volunteers working with the nonprofit. She started with the program at Giants Ridge 21 years ago, when she was an occupational therapy student at St. Scholastica. Today she works in that field for Essentia Health. She became the coordinator for adaptive skiing at the ski area in 2021.
Rave reviews
“This adaptive ski program has wonderful volunteers,” Drew Rouse’s mother Billie told the Timberjay. “They’ve given a gift to our whole family by teaching Drew how to ski. They never treated Drew like an ‘other’ or a ‘less-than’ or a project. They treated him like he was just another person learning how to ski, with respect, kindness, and so much joy and laughter … They were focused on making sure that Drew was a success.”
The program depends on its volunteers. Anyone who is interested in helping others with physical challenges learn to ski should send an email to Eric Larson at Northland Adaptive Recreation at eric.larson@mdfoundation.org.
Learning to ski
Those with disabilities who would like to learn how to ski or snowboard are welcome to enroll in the program. Spots are limited every year, depending on how many volunteers are available.
“We can take kids as young as five or six,” Aho said. “We do screen participants and there is a weight limit on the bike skis.” Depending on demand, the program may select participants by lottery if there are more applicants than openings.
The program charges a fee. Last year, it was around $200 according to Aho. Scholarships are available if finances are a barrier.
“No one is turned away if they can’t afford the fee,” Aho said.
Anyone wishing to try the adaptive skiing program should email Tyler Vandal at tyler.vandal@mdfoundation.org.
Northland Adaptive Recreation does more than teach skiing and snowboarding to those with disabilities. The organization also runs other recreation programs throughout the year, including biking, kayaking, climbing, swimming, diving, and archery. The group is under the umbrella of the nonprofit Miller-Dwan Foundation of Duluth.