Adaptive snowsport program continues to grow at Whitehorse's Mount Sima
CBC
Tijana McCarthy moved gingerly on her snowboard.
She was nervous — and rightfully so. It was her first time trying out the sport.
McCarthy's day at Whitehorse's Mount Sima was possible thanks to the ski hill's adaptive snowsport program. Now in its third year, the program provides lessons to neurodiverse individuals or those living with a physical or visual impairment.
"It's been growing slowly every year," said Seth Brown, one of the programs's facilitators. "This is our biggest year yet."
That's thanks to some new equipment, and four new instructors for the program this year.
One of those instructors, Paul van Aanhout, relayed words of encouragement to McCarthy as she moved along on her snowboard.
McCarthy replied with a smile and giggle.
"This is my skateboard," she said.
Van Aanhout called it a "huge privilege to have a place like this for the community of Whitehorse."
"It's just something that I really, really enjoy," he said.
Levi Webb, another ski instructor in his first season with the adaptive program, says he was inspired to get involved after seeing how much enjoyment van Aanhout was getting from it.
"It's just fun and includes more members of the community," said Webb. "I love it here. It's actually just this tiny little non-profit and it's probably the best ski hill I've ever worked at.
"We have a lot of liberty to move forward with adaptive program coordination."
One of the groups taking advantage of the program is Teegatha'Oh Zheh. This is the first year they've come to Mount Sima to try it out.
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