These include snow skirts, roll bars, backrests, cushioning, safety straps and tethering ropes . The Buddy system employs a second skier or guide to assist a disabled skier in negotiating a ski slope or trail. Used initially with visually impaired or blind skiers, the concept has been extended to programs for the deaf and mentally impaired. This system involves a 50-50 relationship between guide and skier, with the guide assuming a great deal of responsibility for the safety of the disabled skier. Communication is key to navigating a skier who in many cases may have poor balance, rigid and uncoordinated movements, and a poor sense of speed.
Outriggers are an adapted version of a forearm crutch and a shortened ski or mini-ski.
Outriggers provide extra balance and steering maneuverability that a standard ski pole doesn't. They are height-adjustable and convert to walking crutches. Hemiplegics can also use an additional adaptive support for a weak leg. The purpose and use of the outrigger remains the same. A common problem for beginning skiers, both disabled and nondisabled, is keeping the two skis separate and straight, parallel to one another.