What happens when injury takes skiing away? And then brings skiing back!
Words by Program Services Director, Steve Wallace & photos/videos by Generikal
It was my first winter back skiing and didn’t know what to expect. Seeing everyone learning and progressing at the same time helped me push myself more than I could alone. The whole crew had great energy keeping the stoke high throughout whole trip on and off the mountain.#HighFivesAthlete Orion Owens
From January 2-7, 2019 the High Fives Foundation hosted it’s second annual Winter Park Ski Camp with the professional instructors at The National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) in Winter Park, Colo. The camp included first time sit-skiers, returning camp participants and some of the leading sit-skiers in North America.
Working off of the success of the inaugural 2018 Winter Park Ski Camp, the High Fives Foundation linked past participants up with new Athletes of the organization to create a fun, educational and communal atmosphere for the 2019 camp.
There were six High Fives Athletes who attended the Winter Park Ski Camp: Justin Pines, Allyson Mallory, Drew Stephens, Orion Owens, Tommy Michaels and Quinn Brett. Along with the instructors from NSCD, accomplished monoskiers Alana Nichols (decorated Paralympian) and Trevor Kennison (who recently participated in the Kings and Queens of Corbett’s Couloir event and stunned onlookers) were there to provide tips to the camp participants.
Amongst the current participants was Colorado native Allyson Mallory, who attended the 2018 ski camp at Winter Park. She was very eager to pass along the knowledge that she gained from the year prior.
Going into the second annual Winter Park & High Fives camp, I was excited to share this experience with the new High Fives athletes. The ability to share the love of the mountains with others and learn together is invaluable.High Fives Athlete Allyson Mallory
The camp saw amazing snow, blue skies and smiles were the theme of the event. Mallory was able to pass along her knowledge to fellow High Fives Athlete Quinn Brett, who sustained a spinal cord injury in a 2017 rock climbing accident in Yosemite, CA.
The Winter Park ski camp was incredible. It is a different style of skiing but I am making more turns as a mono sit skier then I ever did as before my injury!Exclaimed High Fives Athlete Quinn Brett
Introducing individuals to outdoor sports post-injury is exactly why the High Fives Foundation was formed by Roy Tuscany over a decade ago following his 2006 spinal cord injury.
Brands that support the mission of the organization allows High Fives to be able to give more back to our community of athletes that we support at adaptive camps. It gets each participant fired up to know that on top of the inclusion in sport, they also get the best gear possible for the camp.says Roy Tuscany, CEO and Founder of High Fives Foundation
Phunkshun Wear, Gogglesoc, Flylow, The National Sports Center for the Disabled, Armada Outerwear, Craig Hospital, Locale Outdoor, bigtruck Brand and Winter Park Resort all came together with the High Fives Foundation to make the 2019 Winter Park Ski Camp the best to date.
And High Fives Athlete Justin Pines can attest.
Year number two of the CO ski camp was next level. There were so many new and deepened friendships, so many fantastic new memories, and I made a major breakthrough in my skiing! Last year I was on the same lift all trip and falling constantly, this time around I skied all over the mountain and had a number of fall-less runs. So stoked to see the progression!gleamed Justin Pines
High Fives camps are all about progression and building community. The High Fives Foundation looks forward to expanding the Winter Park Ski Camp in 2020.
