Volunteers needed to work with the disabled on the ski slopes

Each year, the Cannonsburg Challenged Ski Association (CCSA), provides lessons and the use of adaptive downhill ski equipment to people with disabilities in West Michigan. A chapter of “Disabled Sports USA”, CCSA is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers.

Volunteers are essential to the operation and success of CCSA, who provides volunteer training as well as ski instruction for individuals with disabilities at the Cannonsburg Ski Area. CCSA is currently in need of intermediate and advanced skiers and non skiers alike, to volunteer. The program is designed to offer those with disabilities growth in self confidence and independence. While volunteers would certainly see those benefits, too, it also offers them the unique opportunity to make a difference in another person’s life, to make new friends and to grow as an individual.

Established in the early 1980s, CCSA started with only ten students, one outrigger, a bamboo pole and one sit ski. Today, CCSA serves over 100 students with a wide range of physical and developmental disabilities. Its inventory of adaptive equipment, experience and expertise allows them to now offer lessons in all six adaptive disciplines: developmental disability, sensory impairment, mono-ski, bi-ski, three-track and four-track.

The CCSA regular season lasts seven weeks. Students are assigned volunteers specifically trained in their discipline. Services are open to all, regardless of type of disability or age.