Initially, we group athletes based on whether they have a physical or sensory disability, so we will refer to the physical group and the sensory group.
The first group is the one that most requires specific equipment for skiing practice. It is further divided into two categories: standing category and seated category.
Standing Category
This group includes people with disabilities in the upper limbs, lower limbs, or both, regardless of the cause: amputation, paralysis, polio, etc.
When the limitations are in the upper limbs, the most challenging aspect is adapting to the new balance situation. It will be necessary to compensate for the lack of a limb or its mobility and find the balance point or necessary assistance for turns, as there is no possibility of using ski poles.
When the injury affects the lower limbs, we may encounter tibial or femoral amputations. In the first case, conventional skiing equipment is usually placed on the prosthesis—i.e., ski boots and bindings—but with the addition of crutches that function as stabilisers, ending in a small ski technically called stabilisers (outriggers).
In cases of mixed injuries, such as a femoral amputation in one leg and a tibial amputation in the other, the skier will use conventional equipment on only one leg. This is the same scenario as having a single amputated limb, with the added difficulty, of course, of lacking the flexibility, rigidity, and torsion of an uninjured leg and relying instead on a prosthesis.
There are also those who, without missing a limb, suffer from muscle deficiency that makes it difficult to manoeuvre the skis' opening and closing or prevents them from avoiding the skis crossing. For these cases, there are devices called sleders, which are placed on the tips of the skis and connected by couplings that allow the skis to open and close without crossing.
This enables an easy wedge opening to facilitate turns. If equipped with a sliding system that allows the tips to move up and down, it is also possible to lift the ski. In any case, the skier always uses outriggers in their hands.
Seated Category
This category includes people with severe mobility issues caused by injuries such as paraplegia, tetraplegia, double femoral amputation, or cerebral palsy. Depending on the severity of the injury, they can practice mono-skiing or bi-skiing.
Mono-ski
This is the option typically chosen by paraplegics or those with double femoral amputation. It also applies to skiers with injuries causing a lack of strength in the lower limbs but retaining some trunk control and arm strength.
It is based on a custom-made anatomical seat, resting on a structure with a tilting mechanism and a state-of-the-art suspension system that, as much as possible, absorbs and simulates the leg flexion-extension manoeuvre. The skier must also use a pair of outriggers, which during the learning phase will be the primary support for balance. Later, the outriggers will act as stabilisers during turns and play a key role in executing controlled turns.
As the name suggests, the mono-ski rests on a single conventional ski, which may have standard bindings or a special mounting system to support it.
Bi-ski
The bi-ski is designed for those severely affected, lacking trunk control and, in some cases, having limited arm mobility.
The construction is similar to the mono-ski, but with a lower centre of gravity, a much higher seat for greater support, and enhanced safety harnesses. The key difference is that it rests on two parabolic skis, resembling a snowboard split in two, with balancing systems allowing edge control during turns.
Skiers in this category will also use outriggers, often strapped to their hands. In extreme cases, the bi-ski includes lateral skis that act as supports for balance, significantly reducing the risk of tipping over.
