#HighFivesAthlete Tony Schmiesing, First Quadriplegic To Ever Heliski, takes on the opportunity to CAT Ski!
“Brian and I found ourselves Cat Skiing in Fernie…a young adaptive skier, Grace Brulotte and her ski partner, Scott Courtemanche from Fernie British Columbia, saw the film Edge of Impossible a year ago and were inspired to try to make Heli skiing a dream come true.” – #HighFivesAthlete Tony Schmiesing
“We skied some of the coolest steeps we’ve ever skied and we took a wipeout that was epic” – #HighFivesAthlete Tony Schmiesing
We are dropped on this ridge above what I’m told is a run called The Quarry. Polar Chutes…. You’ve met your match. Tony Schmiesing and Brian Sheckler drop in and make it look like the Meadow at Fernie Alpine. We head up for another go-round.
“Grace, can I do that run on my own?”…. Yes she says!
I ski one of the best lines of my life.
Then Tony and Brian drop in….. They ski hard, hit a wind lip or rock, launch 6-7 feet in the air do a 180, land switch, and tomahawk down the run. One of the most spectacular crashes I’ve EVER seen!
After composing themselves they ski it out. Tough as nails these guys are.
— Scott Courtemanche
Tony’s Journey //
A C4-5 quadriplegic as the result of the spinal cord injury suffered at a beach where he grew up, and currently battling Syringmyelia, Tony’s tenacious surf/skate/ski DNA has pushed him through all sorts of obstacles and has lead him into an endlessly surprising and beautiful life. Tony was bitten hard by the bi-ski bug when he hooked up with the folks over at Achieve Tahoe at Alpine Meadows and the stoke hasn’t subsided. With assistance from the Empowerment Fund, he looks to really push things forward in his skiing. You can follow Tony at www.fasterbarnacle.com where he writes about life, skiing, music and whatever else scratches his soul.
“It’s all happening right now, embrace it with a committed fearlessness.”
Aspen Seating, 3 rounds of lessons with Disabled Sports USA – Far West and the means to become the first quadriplegic skier to ride a superpipe.
