Thanks for writing! You’ve posed an interesting question and a challenge. Theoretically, there’s probably no reason why someone in a wheelchair couldn’t do a zipline. Your weight is supported entirely by the harness or sling. You don’t need mobility in your lower body, just some arm strength to hold yourself upright.. However, the problem becomes one of access. Typically, ziplines start and often end at the top of platforms accessed by stairs or ladders–not exactly wheelchair-friendly environments.

I’ve contacted many of the zipline operators in New England, and a number have already replied. So far, none of them are currently able to offer a zipline experience to people in wheelchairs, but at least two had already begun looking into options and one has said they hope to offer a handicapped-accessiblke experience as early as summer, 2012. Stay tuned!

Thanks for the comment. I think you’ll really like Saddleback. It’s always worth exploring a new area. If you like the Snowfields, you’ll enjoy Muleskinner. Write back and let me know how your exploration went.

Tim

Thanks for the comparison of these two great mountains. I have skied Sugarloaf since I was young and I have never made it to Saddleback. After reading your piece, I am going to try to make a trip to Saddleback. I usually ski during the week so it sounds like it will be nice and quiet at Saddleback.

Yeah I’m going to take a chance on them without a demo. I’ve read nothing but good things about them. One guy said in a review that all you have to do is think turn and they turn! Another guy gave them 6 stars out of 5! I got a little OT over the holidays and I can probably get them for a price that I can’t walk away from. It’s a good gamble!

Can’t WAIT to get out there this year. Looks like if mother nature won’t cooperate with snow at least she’s starting to cooperate with somewhat consistent lower temps.

Congratulations on the big discount…it’s nice to be able to play with new stuff! First, our general thoughts about ski width underfoot. Unless you’re going to be spending a LOT of time in the woods and virtually no time on groomed trails, we’d stick with the 88mm. We’re blown away by how well some of the wider skis work, but they also require better technique to make them carve, and as someone who is “pretty new to skiing”, better to have something a little more forgiving. We’ve skied deep powder enjoyably with skis as narrow as 76mm underfoot; it was harder work, but we could still float relatively well, and we did some skiing in Quebec’s Gaspe last year in waist-deep powder with skis that were 84mm underfoot and had a ball. The Rossignols, in particular, will float in virtually anything for you…they’re wider tip and tail than the Atomics (135-88-124 vs. 130-88-116), so have more surface area on the snow. when it’s deep, but still the same basic edge carve on harder stuff. We loved the Rossis in testing last year; even testers who generally don’t like the brand enjoyed them. So, we doubt you could go wrong with them; but, as always, individual tastes vary, so if you can, try before you buy!

Best,
David