Program Helps Disabled Skiers to Enjoy the Slopes

What started as a single gesture of kindness to include a handful of handicapped skiers on recreational trips has blossomed into a 1,000-member outdoors club for people with disabilities.

The rapid growth of the United States Adaptive Recreation Center in Big Bear Lake, whose roots date to 1988 when Arcadia resident Sallie Pritchard invited some friends along for a ski getaway in the San Bernardino National Forest, is explained in the thrilling adventures that club members are afforded.

Starting this week, the center begins its winter program of skiing and snowboarding at Bear Mountain. Members are given low-cost or free access to most of the challenging, well-groomed slopes, and some even dare to attempt the most demanding, or “black diamond,” runs.

“Quite honestly, risk management is a challenge for us,” center director KelLe Malkewitz said. “They love those runs.”

The center’s popularity has overshot its inventory of adventure equipment, however.

So the Los Angeles Times Holiday Campaign, which raises money for nonprofit agencies in Southern California communities, provided $10,000 that the center used to purchase two new mono-skis and one new bi-ski. The devices are seat buckets attached atop one or two skis, allowing participants to barrel down slopes.

The new equipment will be used by juveniles, who make up an estimated 50% of the center’s membership.

“We have some of the skis, but they’re made for adults, and we’ve had to add extra padding on them so the kids can ride them comfortably,” Malkewitz said. “Now we’re able to expand our fleet of equipment, which can be quite pricey.”

Developmentally disabled members of the United States Adaptive Recreation Center are amputees or survivors of spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Others are visually or hearing impaired.

Malkewitz said The Times’ donation allows the center to expand its adaptive skiing services to children.

The winter program allows children to receive six hours of ski/snowboarding lessons from Professional Ski Instructors of America-sanctioned instructors at Bear Mountain, a lift ticket and ski rental -- nearly $400 worth of services -- for $45. Those who can’t afford the $45 can rely on scholarship money to ski for free.

“We see the children’s success on the slopes carry into other areas of their life,” Malkewitz said.

“They figure if they can tackle skiing, which can be very difficult, why can’t they work through their schoolwork and make it to college?

“Plus, skiing is the perfect sport for those with disabilities.

“It puts them on equal footing with persons who are able-bodied. Gravity shows no favoritism.”

When the winter season concludes, members participate in Big Bear Lake’s other major vacation draws: fishing, kayaking, camping and mountain bike riding.

Given off-road wheelchairs, the most daring members tackle some of the same rugged courses professionals navigate.

“It’s something to see,” Malkewitz said.

HOW TO GIVE

The annual Holiday Campaign is part of the Los Angeles Times Family Fund, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, which this year will match the first $800,000 raised at 50 cents on the dollar.

Donations (checks or money orders) supporting the Holiday Campaign should be sent to: L.A. Times Holiday Campaign, File 56986, Los Angeles, CA 90074-6986.

Do not send cash.

Credit card donations can be made on the Web site: latimes.com/holiday

campaign.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Contributions of $50 or more may be published in The Times unless a donor requests otherwise; acknowledgment cannot be guaranteed. For more information, call (800) LATIMES, Ext. 75771.