Gateway Disabled Ski Program

gdsp.org
 Mission Statement

The Gateway Disabled Ski Program is a not-for-profit, recreational ski

program for children and adults with disabilities. We are committed to the
development of lifetime skills for people of all ages and abilities by
providing an affordable ski experience. Our objective is to build self-
esteem, confidence, physical development, socialization and fun that
enhance active participation in all aspects of our community by promoting
the concept of ability through integration, public awareness and education.
What does the Gateway Disabled
Ski Program Do?
 The Gateway Disabled Ski Program offers
athletes an opportunity to achieve through a variety
of exciting winter snow sport adventures, including
alpine skiing, snowboarding, ski biking, downhill,
slalom and giant slalom racing.

 The Gateway Disabled Ski Program provides

modern up-to-date adaptive ski equipment,
QuickTimeª and a instruction to disabled skiers and professional
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 This program is open to any athlete who needs
adaptive equipment or special instruction.

 Our programs are designed for individuals, families

and groups and are available for all levels of ability,
from beginner to advanced athletes.
 Where Do Athletes Learn to Ski?

Hidden Valley Ski and Golf in Wildwood has been the home and
partner to the Gateway Disabled Ski Program from its inception in
1984. Without their kind support our program could not exist.

Hidden Valley provides slope-side space used to house GDSP adaptive

ski and snow sport equipment as well as indoor space to fit and modify
adaptive equipment to the athletes.

They continue to provided in-kind services, including lift tickets,

discounted season passes for winter volunteers and help provide
professional training for our volunteers to learn to become better
instructors.
Gateway Disabled Ski Programs

For 24 years The Gateway Disabled Ski Program with the help of volunteers, donors, and
professional training has had the opportunity to positively impact the lives of people with
physical, mental and behavioral challenges through adaptive recreational snow sports in a
direct, immediate and visible manner.

Offering hope, encouragement and the ability to achieve to people with a wide range of
disabilities GDSP offers programs for children and adults, individuals, families and groups
with disabilities who require adaptive snow sports equipment or special instruction.

Programs are available for all disabilities and levels of ability from beginner to advanced stand-
up and sit-down skiers, ski bikers and boarders.
 The Beginning
 The Gateway Disabled Ski Program was founded in 1984 by three friends from St. Louis, Lyle
Siemer, Terry Carpenter and Jim Smith. Together they volunteered to teach Special Olympians to
learn to ski at Hidden Valley Ski Area. Lyle, a teacher by profession, believed the athletes could be
taught in a more effective an safer manner. The results of their direct action was the beginning of the
Gateway Disabled Ski Program with 11 Special Olympic Athletes; and friends and acquaintances as
the first volunteers.

 In 1988 the Untied States Association of Blind Athletes inquired about the program and 15 athletes
from the Missouri School for the Blind joined the growing number of athletes.

 In 1991 The St. Louis Society for Crippled Children and Adults inquired about the program and an
acquisition of used adaptive ski equipment launched a new program for physically disabled athletes.

 In 1993 the St. Louis Wheel Chair Athletic Association came on board. Word of mouth brought more
athletes and the interest of more organizations for disabled athletes.

 The Gateway Disabled Ski Program now proudly provides ski instruction and adaptive ski equipment
to athletes who are physically disabled, visually impaired, hearing impaired, cognitive and
developmentally disabled.

 Through our annual benefit golf tournament, small grants and donations GDSP now offers a snow
sport experience comparable with big mountain programs offering mono-skis, bi-skis, dual skis, snow
boards and snow bikes and snow sliders. Beginner and advanced skiers can enjoy the excitement
and challenge of snow sports right here at Hidden Valley.
 Who Does GDSP Serve
The Gateway Disabled Ski Program provides services to
physically disabled, visually and hearing impaired, mentally
challenged, developmentally disabled and behaviorally
challenged athletes. Disabilities include but are not limited
to: ADD, Amputation, Arthritis, Autism, Behavioral
Disorders, Bone Disorders, Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy,
Deafness, Developmental Disabilities, Diabetes, Down
Syndrome, Epilepsy, Fragile X, Hemophilia, Learning
Disabilities, Little People, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular
Disorder, Muscular Dystrophy, Nerve Disorders, QuickTimeª and a
Neurological Disorders, Paraplegia, Post-Polio, TIFF (Uncompressed) decomp
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Cord Injury, Stroke, Substance Abuse, Vision
Loss/Blindness.

Athletes regardless of their disability can learn to ski, board

and bike with their friends and family. The Gateway
Disabled Ski Program has expanded services throughout
the community and now offers a wide array of programs
designed to reach as many athletes as possible.
 Who are
GDSP Coaches and Athletes
GDSP Instructors are people from all walks of life, willing to make a time and

financial commitment to share their love of the sport of skiing.

GDSP Athletes are children and adults with a wide and diverse range of
disabilities and levels of expertise.
Our Purpose is:
 To have fun and make friends through the sport of skiing
 To make a difference through rewarding experiences.
 To promote personal growth, development and self-esteem.
 To increase physical and mental capabilities
 To encourage social interaction.
 To improve teaching, leadership and communication skills.
 To promote independence and participation in non-exclusive activities.
Gateway Disabled Ski Programs
 Physically Challenged Skiers
Athletes with any physically
disability can learn to enjoy
snow sports.
 Skiing is a sport that levels the
playing field. Whether you are
an able bodied or disabled each
skier begins at the same point,
learning to use the ski equipment
and the core ski concepts of
balance, edging, rotary movements
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 The Gateway Disabled Ski Program

offers a wide range of snow
sports activities for physically
challenged athletes including
stand-up and sit-down skiers.
 Adaptive snow sport equipment is
modified to insure success and to
fit each athletes specific needs.

 Adaptive ski equipment for

athletes includes outriggers, bi-
skis, mono-skis, snow sliders,
snow boards and snow bikes.
 Special Olympic Recreational Program
 The Gateway Disabled Ski
Program provides recreational
ski instruction and adaptive ski
equipment for athletes with
developmental and cognitive
disabilities including athletes
with social, emotional,
behavioral and learning issues. QuickTimeª and a
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 Volunteers become ski buddies

to our athletes building
confidence and self-esteem as
they teach skills needed to
become independent alpine
skiers boarders and bikers.
 SPECIAL OLYMPIC RACE TEAM
Special Olympic athletes train to compete in the Heartland Winter Games with skilled
athletes from all over the mid-west. Volunteering with this program provides the
opportunity to teach adaptive skiers skills and drills required to compete in Downhill,
Slalom and Giant Slalom competition. Volunteers assist in training, site preparation,
race course maintenance and course safety.
 Visually Impaired Athletes
Visually impaired skiers ski with a
Guide who stays in verbal or
physical contact with the skiers at all
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positions are agreed upon between
the guide and student.
Verbal commands, directional
commands and auditory cues are
used while instructing the student.
Ski bibs are worn on the slopes to
identify the visually impaired skier.
Adaptive ski equipment may include QuickTimeª and a
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Ski tips, Bamboo poles, Reins, and

two way radios.
 Hearing Impaired Skiers

 The principal obstacle for hearing

impaired athletes is communication.
Since they cannot hear, it is often
difficult to learn to speak.

 Hearing Impaired skiers are taught by

example and imitation with the use of
demonstrations, hand signals and the QuickTimeª and a
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 At GDSP we emphasize the fun of

skiing, but also teach control so the
athlete can feel safe.

 As always the goal is to enhance

positive self-esteem of your athlete as
they learn to ski while having fun.
Wounded Veterans and Recovering
Active Duty Soldiers
The Gateway Disabled Ski Program in partnership with Jefferson Barracks and John
Cochran Veterans Administration Medical Center is proud to offer the Gateway Disabled
Ski Program for Wounded Veterans and Recovering Active Duty Soldiers.

This program includes all service members who have received injuries or permanent
disabilities in service to our country and provides an opportunity for individuals with
physical and cognitive disabilities to regain confidence, physical ability and the promise of a
bright and active future through recreational snow sports.

Participants in our Wounded Veteran and

Recovering Active Duty Soldier Program
experience enhanced overall health,
increased self-confidence and improved self-
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Snow sports recreation provides a way to re-

discover abilities, rehabilitate body, mind
and soul, and gain the confidence necessary
to return to the work force, go back to school
and participate in life.
Adaptive Ski Camps

The Gateway Disabled Ski

Program offers ski camps for
organizations serving disabled
children such as the St. Louis
Variety Club and the Delta
Gamma Center fore Children
with Visual Impairments.
 Ski Camps offer disabled
children an opportunity to
experience the art of sport.
 The camps offer instruction, skill
development, the use of
adaptive ski equipment, the thrill
of skiing and great fun.
Hidden Valley School Field Trips

Gateway Disabled Ski Program is available

for disabled school children who can now
accompany their class during the Hidden
Valley School Field Trip Programs and
learn to ski with their class mates.

Skiing is a sport that levels the playing field.

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Whether you are an able bodied or
disabled each skier begins at the same
point, learning to use the ski equipment and
the core ski concepts of balance, edging,
rotary movements and pressure.

This special program offers disabled

children the ability to experience the thrill
of skiing and the success of achievement
along with their classmates.
 Community Service Programs
Ski Lessons and adaptive ski equipment
Is provided to many organizations
allowing athletes with disabilities the
opportunity to experience snow sports
along with their peer group.

– Scouts
– Church Groups
– Community Organizations
– Social Organizations
Children and adults of all ages and
disabilities enjoy the opportunity to
learn a variety of snow sports that
includes skiing, snow biking and
snow boarding.
 Skiing With A Disability
Skiing is a sport that can be enjoyed by people with disabilities. Equipment that people with
disabilities use may be different but individuals with a variety of disabilities go to the slopes each year
to enjoy the snow.

 Skiers with partial paralysis or skiers with visual or

hearing impairments may use conventional ski
equipment with special instruction or adaptations.

 If the disability is more severe instead of standard

ski poles outriggers, snow sliders or adaptive snow
boards may be used as an assistive device for
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 Stand up skiers needing additional stability may

use a snow slider, adaptive snowboard or snow
bike to provide stability.

 When paralysis, lack of muscle control or severe

spasticity makes it impractical to stand on skis, bi-
skis, mono-skis dual-skis and snow bikes allow the
skier to sit and use outriggers as balance aids.
 ADAPTIVE TWO TRACK SKIING

 Two-track skiing is for a skier that stands, skis

on two skis and does not use outriggers.

 Additional adaptive equipment such as ski bras

and/or tethers may be used to enhance leg
strength.

QuickTimeª and a  Two-track skiers may have various degrees of

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but are not limited to Muscular Dystrophy,
Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, hearing
Christine Gunn
impairments, visual impairments, acquired brain
at the Heartland Games injury/traumatic brain injury, Spina Bifida,
Development Disabilities and Down Syndrome.

 Two-track skiers follow typically ski progression.

 THREE TRACK SKIING

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 Three track skiing is skiing on one ski while using outriggers to maintain balance.
 Three track skiers generally have one sound leg and two sound arms and may have
amputations, post polio, hemiplegia, etc.
 Once basic skills are established development is comparable to what occurs in two-
track skiing.
 Adaptive equipment such as tethers and slant boards may be used as ski aids.
 FOUR TRACK SKIING
Outriggers $400.00
 Four track skiers may have a mobility
impairment that requires the use of
outriggers or a walker for stability while
skiing.
 Athletes who may experience balance
problems or general weakness in the
lower extremities benefit from four point
contact with the snow.
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– Outriggers
– Spacer Bar
– Walker
 Snow Sliders
$2,208.00
 The snow slider is a lightweight,
diverse, steerable, standup aid that
has a full range of steering and
speed control adjustments.
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 The snow slider is appropriate for
skiers requiring upper body or
whole body stabilization, visually
impaired and MRDD skiers.

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in varying snow conditions.

 Ski Bikes
$1,269.00
 Ski Bikes allow for
independent skiing and
instant success.
 Small skis or snow skates on
the athletes boots act as QuickTimeª and a
outriggers to stabilize the TIFF (Uncompressed) deco
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skier’s balance.
 Shaped skis allow for carved
turns and skids.
 Ski Bikes can be used on a
wide variety of terrains.
 Adaptive Snow Board
$1,293.00
 pipelines, shredding, jibbers,
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of the colorful world of
snowboarding.....Originally
embraced by preteen and
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off wildly and gained
acceptance to athletes of all
ages and abilities.
 Snowboarding is open QuickTimeª and a
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developmental delay and

physically disabled athletes.
 ALL ABOUT BI-SKIS
$2,570.00
 Bi-skiing is a downhill ski technique
whereby the athlete is seated in a
device attached to an articulating
undercarriage, which is mounted on two
uniquely designed skis.
 The design of the bi-ski and the ability of
the instructor and athlete enables the QuickTimeª and a

skier to ski most areas.

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 Bi-skis offers stability and

maneuverability.
 A typical candidate for the Bi-ski would
be an individual with a mid to high level
spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, spina
bifida or MS.
 Mono-skis
$4,099.50
 The mono-ski is a single unit, which includes
a seating system mounted on a suspension
absorption system.
 The mono-ski is the most difficult piece of sit-
down equipment to use because it requires
the greatest balance, strength and
coordination.
 The mono-ski allows the skier to perform at a QuickTimeª and a
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independent skiing.
 The perfect candidate for the mono-ski would
be an individual with T-4 or lower spinal cord
injury or any other type of mobility
impairment such as multiple sclerosis or
muscular dystrophy.
 Volunteer Training

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 Training is essential for the safety and enjoyment of our athletes and volunteers.
 The Gateway Disabled Ski Program provides professional training for all volunteers.
Training includes Dry Land instruction and On the Snow Training that is provided by
Professional Ski Instructors of America Certified Instructors.
 Training clinics are designed to be fun, informative and help volunteers become a better
instructors to adaptive athletes.
 Volunteers learn about the different types of adaptive snow sport equipment, ski techniques
and how to apply them in a teaching situation.
 New and returning volunteers are encouraged to take as many clinics as possible. All clinics
are free to volunteers and athletes.
Why Volunteer
 Volunteering is a Life Changing Event
 As stated by Mark Musso, Missouri President of the Special Olympic Program. “Volunteering to work
with adaptive athletes will change your life.”

 Disabled athletic programs such as the Gateway Disabled Ski Program empowers individuals with
mental and physical disabilities to become better physically fit through sports training and competition,
Snow sports are more than just sports. Skiing and other snow sports enrich the lives of athletes in
countless ways. That's because GDSP athletes find friends that last a lifetime, have achievements that
make them proud and find a community that embraces them.

 Succeeding in sports and finding a place to call their own enable our athletes to grow physically, socially
and emotionally.

 For volunteers and coaches within the GDSP, the lines of difference blur and commonalities shine
through, leading to a greater understanding and acceptance. Perception and respect extend beyond
people with disabilities and are critical in the diverse world in which we live.

 It can't be learned in the classroom or boardroom, only through personal interactions and long-lasting
friendships through the bonds that disabled sports participants form. At Gateway more than 150
athletes train for recreational skiing and compete in snow sports with the help of over 150 volunteers

 Lives changed through the richness of this experience. It's a sight worth seeing and an experience worth
living.
 How Can You Help?
Volunteer Now!
The heart and soul of the Gateway Disabled Ski Program
is its volunteers. GDSP depends on volunteers to teach,
tether and to be ski buddies to our athletes. GDSP is entirely a
volunteer organization, there are no paid employees. QuickTimeª and a
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During the 2008 ski season over 150 volunteers have given
their time, skills and effort to have fun and teach our athletes.
The average volunteer returns year after year. Volunteers
attend training clinics to learn about adaptive skiing techniques and teaching individuals with disabilities.

Skiing and non-skiing volunteers are welcome. Volunteers are needed on Mondays to assist physically disabled
skiers on and off the lift, tether and out-ski on the hill, and for special events such as ski camps. Thursday
Volunteers become ski buddies and champion their athletes to new skills and success.

Non skiers can volunteer to assist with recruiting, maintaining equipment, coordinating paperwork, organizing
the volunteers and athletes for the Heartland Games and organizing social function .

The GDSP Equipment Room is a high volume fitting and modification area located in Hidden Valley’s Ski Shed.
Volunteers are needed to fit and modify adaptive ski equipment to athletes, help with transfers when needed and
maintain adaptive ski equipment.
Community Service Hours
 Helping others inspires
understanding and kindness
and gives volunteers the skills
and opportunity to change the
world for the better one
person at a time.
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 High school and college
volunteers can earn
community service credits
 Scouts can earn badges as
they learn leadership skills
and have fun.
 Ways to Give
The Gateway Disabled Ski Program is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered in the State of
Missouri, your gift is tax deductible to the full extent to those who give generously in the following ways:

 Volunteer your time. Volunteering enhances your life and the life of those you touch.

 Annual Gifts. The GDSP relies on strong annual support from our many friends to help us with day-to-
day operating costs. Gifts help us develop new services purchase up-to-date adaptive ski equipment, train
our volunteers and scholarship athletes in need.

 Matching GiftsYour gift can be doubled, or even tripled, if you or your spouse work for a company with
a matching gift program. All you need to do is obtain a matching gift form from your human resources
department, fill it out, and mail it to the GDSP at 5924 Flint Ridge Road, Pacific, Missouri 63069-4043.
In-Kind

 Donationsof Products or services, which have the effect of reducing our operating costs, are greatly
appreciated.

 Stocks or SecuritiesGifts of appreciated stock enable you to maximize your philanthropic impact while
avoiding capital gains taxes.

 Charitable BequestsA charitable bequest can be tailored to almost any set of circumstances, and it provides an
unlimited deduction for estate tax purposes. Today, bequests can take many forms. In a last will and testament,
you may stipulate a specific cash donation, or state a percentage of your gross assets.

 Life InsuranceA gift of a life insurance policy allows you to make a major gift for a modest cost. Many donors
like to use insurance gifts to receive a current tax deduction while disposing of an old policy that is no longer
needed.
 Corporate
Donations and Sponsors
Skiing down a mountain is an enjoyable experiences for many people. But for an individual with a disability
snow sports can lead to a fuller life. Each year, whether a young athlete with Cerebral Palsy just getting to
understand his abilities or an adult in recovery, re-discovering abilities thought lost forever after suffering a
stroke injury or disease, more than 150 individuals with disabilities gain the reward of achievement through the
challenge of snow sports at the Gateway Disabled Ski Program.

 Gateway Disabled Ski Program produces and develops its own programs, all donations stay in the program and
go directly to purchase adaptive ski equipment, scholarship underprivileged athletes and train volunteers. Your
contribution makes a direct impact and helps to improve lives.

 We are the only organization of our kind in the eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. The Gateway Disabled
Ski Program provides a ski and snow sport experience comparable with large adapted sports programs on big
mountains in the west. Your funds allow us to provide a comprehensive choice of equipment to our athletes
and bring the finest professional training available to our volunteers.

The GDSP provides a structured way for employees to volunteer and better the lives of individuals with
disabilities. Their involvement enhances employee pride, providing you with a more productive, loyal
workforce.

 We want your BUSINESS TO SUCCEED Becoming involved with the not-for-profit, Gateway Disabled Ski
Program offers you and your employees an opportunity to become involved in something unique and
meaningful to St. Louis.

 Interested in becoming a corporate sponsor? Send an email to [email protected] or call 636-938-

6478 now!
 Our Vision

 Gateway will empower

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athletes with physical
and mental challenges
to increase their
independence and their
physical, mental and
emotional abilities
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through snow sports
recreation and
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competition with the

help of dedicated
volunteers, modern
adaptive snow sport
 Join the Fun Sponsor our Athletes
and Volunteer Now

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