CHAPTER 10

SPECIALITY RESORTS

NATURE-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES

Typically, the goal of environmental activities is to learn about the

interdependence of living organisms or to learn how to behave in the environment.
Programs can include camping, environmental education, nature-oriented activities,
outdoor living skills, conservation skills, and bird watching.

Rapid growth in this area has meant that programs are increasingly taking on
more complex issues, covering economic as well as technological aspects and
their impact. Emphasis on biological characteristics and the environment as a
resource base has increased.

As noted in the Outdoor Recreation Participation Study for 2004, ‘‘The lure of
nature as a place to recreate is attracting more of all Americans:. . .Increasingly,
Americans are re-discovering that reality as experienced in places less trampled
provides a better antidote to noise, confusion, impersonal computers and machines
and the sameness of conventional lives and places to live.’”
Trails

Trails are an effective way of transporting people and their machines around
recreational areas while enhancing the natural experience. Parks Canada classifies
trails as follows:

Class 1: Primitive Trails—marked but unimproved except for clearing and some work
on dangerous areas.

Class 2: Minor Trails—signed and improved to accommodate foot or horse traffic, or

both.

Class 3: Major Trails—as for class 2 but, in addition, reaches many of the main visitor
attractions and serves as a terminus for minor and primitive trails.

Class 4: Walks—including boardwalks and bituminous trails that connect developed

areas or serve as short scenic walks.
Class 5: Special-Purpose Trails—including bicycle, cross-country ski, and accessible
trails for people with disabilities.
Design standards have been developed for each of these trail types.

Three elements are important in the development of a trail:

1. function of the trail

2. relation of the trail to others in the area
3. relation of the trail to other facilities
Figure 13.1 shows a tree diagram to assist in determining the appropriate trail function.
Note that the primary function of the trail can be single-purpose or multipurpose. A
single-purpose trail might be used for interpretation, hiking, motorized, or horseback
riding. Examples of multipurpose uses are hiking and biking, hiking and horseback,
fitness/ jogging, and hiking and skiing. Secondary uses include access, connection, and
circulation. The important point is that the primary function of the trail should be
identified and every subsequent design decision should be tied to that function. A trail
designed to serve too many or conflicting purposes will disappoint users.

Once the function is determined, the relation of this trail to others must be determined.
Some trails conflict with each other, while others complement their neighbors. Hiking
and interpretation do not mix, as do not horseback and off-highway vehicles. On the
other hand, dirt bike and four-wheel trails can be complementary. The final
consideration is the relationship of the trail to other facilities. Again, compatibility is the
issue. Motorized trails should be separated from such quiet venues as campsites.
FIGURE 13.1 Trail function tree diagram. Source: Hultsman, John, Richard L. Cottrell,
and Wendy Z. Hultsman. Planning Parks for People, 2nd ed. State College, PA: Venture
Publishing, 1998, 49.

Several important design considerations pertain to trails:

 A circular loop is preferable to a linear design. A loop eliminates backtracking

and seeing the same views twice. A linear trail means traffic moves two ways on
the trail. The result is more congestion.

 Use a single entry/ exit point. Administration and control is easier, and visitors
have less chance of being disoriented by exiting the trail and not knowing where
they are.

 The trail entrance is particularly important. The entrance should be designed to

funnel people into the trail in an inviting manner. The trail should be rather wide
initially and gradually get narrower. This allows participants to get used to the
trail.

 Trails that begin by going uphill represent an unfriendly barrier to many people.
Trails that go downhill at first are much more user-friendly. Preferably, the trail
should be designed so that, after the entrance, the first half of the trail has a
gradual upward incline (when participants are more energized) and the latter half
slopes downward (when people are more tired).

 The natural tendency for people is to move to the right. This tendency can be
reinforced through proper design. A barrier to the left discourages movement that
way, while a gentle curve to the right reinforces that natural movement (most
people are more comfortable moving to the right).

 The need for variety is particularly important if the primary function of the trail is
as a foot trail. Because people move rather slowly over such trails, a great deal
of visual variety is necessary to guard against boredom. The use of curves and
different kinds of scenery can enhance the experience.

 Consider orientation to sun, wind, etc.

The site can be defined in terms of its positives and negatives. A picnic area is
inappropriate where there are no trees for shelter; stable soil bases are necessary for
the construction of buildings; roads should not be constructed where snow loads are
heaviest. Additionally, use areas should be examined relative to their compatibility with
each other. For example, nature walks, canoeing, and areas for contemplation demand
a certain level of peace and quiet. Tennis courts, basketball courts, and other physically
active sports areas create noise as part of the enjoyment of the activity. The quiet
activities and the loud activities should each be clustered together and buffered from the
other. Similar activities usually require similar maintenance—another reason for the
clustering.

Another consideration is the grouping of areas into zones by type of user.

Dayuse activities may be zoned together, away from overnight-use activities. Hultsman
et al., in their book Planning Parks for People, suggest the development of ‘‘neutral
zones,’’ where primary attractions such as shorelines, scenic vistas, and overlooks are
designed such that all visitors have equal access to them.6 Thus, for example,
individual-use areas such as picnic and camp units would be kept a minimum of 75 feet
away from such attractions.

ECOTOURISM

An enthusiastic form of nature-based tourism is ecotourism. The Ecotourism

Society, in its Definition and Ecotourism Statistical Fact Sheet, defines ecotourism as
‘‘purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the cultural and natural history of the
environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing
economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources financially
beneficial to local citizens.’’

 Ecotourism areas should be respected as the abode of local residents with their
own traditions and customs.

 Ecotourism use should minimize negative effects on the local and natural
environment as well as on local inhabitants.

 Ecotourism should contribute to the management of protected areas and improve

the links between local communities and managers of protected areas.

 Ecotourism should procure economic as well as other social benefits for local
inhabitants and maximize their participation in deciding what type of tourism and
how much tourism should develop.

 Ecotourism should promote genuine interaction between hosts and guests as

well as a real interest in the sustainable development and protection of natural
areas.

 Ecotourism should supplement and complement traditional activities of the area

without marginalizing them or attempting to replace them.
ECOLODGES

A specialized form of resort lodge is the ecolodge. An ecolodge or nature-based

lodge is defined as a ‘‘nature-dependent tourist lodge that meets the philosophy and
principles of ecotourism.’’

Traditional Lodges vs. Ecolodges

The following table illustrates some of the differences between traditional lodges and
ecolodges:

Ecolodges tend to be found in places such as Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru,
Brazil, Australia, Kenya, and South Africa. Ideally, they are designed using natural
sustainable materials that are collected on the site. The objective is for ecolodges to
generate their own energy from renewable sources and manage their own waste.
Ecolodges blend in with the natural surroundings and build on and accentuate the local
culture.

Ecotourism Design

Here are some ecotourism design practices:

 Use local construction techniques, materials, and cultural images.

 Provide building forms and images in harmony with the natural environment.

 Use canopies to cover high-use trails between structures to minimize erosion.

 Avoid energy-intensive products and hazardous materials.

 Use low-tech design solutions.

 Prominently post an environmental code of conduct for visitors and staff.

 Select interior furnishings and equipment to represent local resources.

 Design trail systems to respect travel patterns and wildlife habitats.

 Minimize trail crossing points at rivers and streams.

 Space buildings to allow for wildlife travel patterns and forest growth.

 Discreetly label plant/ tree types around the immediate lodging facilities to
acquaint visitors with species they may encounter.

 Limit and control site lighting to avoid disruption of wildlife diurnal cycles.
Operations

In one survey of 28 ecolodges in nine countries, management indicated the key

to success was being located in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Cultural
attractions, while important, took second stage to nature. Most ecolodges feature a
lodge and cottage facilities. A restaurant and bar are located in the lodge. In many
cases, a patio is featured as a key attraction. Cottages are private and designed so as
to encourage air flow in order to reduce the need for electricity and cooling. Ecolodges
are the equivalent of a one or two-star urban hotel. Typically, they are small, with a
capacity of around 24 guests. This provides for a 15-person group with a guide and a
few places left over for independent travelers. Meals, often included in the package
price, are home-style and reflective of the local culture. The atmosphere is friendly and
relaxed. Educational opportunities are often stressed, although, as one New Zealand
operator noted, ‘‘We still make more money out of beer sales than we do out of guided
walks.’’

Trends

Operators tend to specialize in order to remain distinctive. Some ecolodge

operators are improving their educational activities; others are emphasizing guest
activities that relate to the natural environment. While ownership has traditionally been
independent and small scale, corporate ownership is becoming more common.
The P&O line is getting involved in Australia and Hilton in Kenya.
ADVENTURE

An adventure can be thought of as consisting of some combination of the

following:

 freedom to choose
 rewards that are internal to the individual
 ingredient of uncertainty
 personal challenge
 controlled risk
 excitement

Market Profile

Who are Adventure Travelers? A 2004 study published in the Journal of Travel
Research found that adventure travelers can be classified into six groups:

 General Enthusiasts. These are usually men with some college education and
no children under the age of 12. The general enthusiast is the most likely to take
adventure trips, preferring hard adventure like sea kayaking or mountain climbing
to soft adventure like camping. He is also likely to want to arrange his own trip,
and to travel to non-American destinations like the South Pacific.

 Budget Youngsters. These travelers are generally young (19 to 34) and single,
with a fairly low income. They prefer to organize their own trips, though they also
like to have partially inclusive trips to get professional expertise. The budget
youngster prefers to travel with friends to areas around America, perhaps
because travel in-country is cheap.

 Soft Moderates. This is a small group composed mostly of middle-aged women

who had been highly educated but nevertheless have a low income, because
there is only one wage earner in the house. The soft moderate is unlikely to have
children under the age of 12. She prefers soft adventure, like hiking and nature
trips in American destinations. The soft moderate would rather not arrange her
own trips, and she desires familiarity, not risk-taking.

 Upper High Naturalists. Members of this group are mostly middle-aged,

married, and earn high wages. They usually have a dual-income household, but
no children under 12. They prefer both soft and rugged adventures, like hiking or
backpacking, and they like to travel with family members and friends. The upper
high naturalist seeks novelty trips and exotic destinations like Africa, where she
generally spends more than a week and more than $1,000.

 Family Vacationers. These travelers, married males, are usually not very
excited about their vacations. Family vacationers have generally completed some
college and have two incomes in the household to support their children, at least
 one of which is under age 12. Favorite travel destinations for the family
vacationer include America and South America. This group likes to have some
help in planning their vacations.

 Active Soloists. This group is composed mostly of well-educated middle income

earners without children under 12. The active soloist distinctly prefers high-risk
high-adventure activities like hang gliding, and they prefer to travel alone or in an
organized group. Of all the groups, this group seems to rely on tourist
infrastructure the most when making travel arrangements.

ADVENTURE TRAVEL IN AMERICA

According to the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) one-half of U.S.

adults, 98 million people, took an adventure vacation during the last five years of the
twentieth century. Adventure travel can consist of either hard or soft activities.

Hard adventure includes such things as:

 Backpacking across rugged terrain

 Whitewater rafting or kayaking
 Hot air ballooning
 Rock climbing or mountain climbing
 Off-road biking or mountain biking
 Hang gliding, parasailing, or windsurfing
 Parachuting or sky diving
 Skateboarding or snowboarding
 Roller hockey, bungee jumping
 Spelunking or cave exploring
 Snorkeling or scuba diving
 Survival games (e.g. paintball)

Soft adventure encompasses such things as:

 Camping
 Biking
 ‘‘Gentle’’ hiking
 Bird watching
 Animal watching
 Sailing
 Horseback riding
 Snow skiing
 Water skiing
 Canoeing
 Visit to a cattle /dude ranch
  Photo safari

Wilderness Tours

Of the 98 million people who take adventure vacation trips, 67 million, two-thirds,
take soft adventure trips exclusively, 6 million take only hard adventure trips while the
remaining 25 million, one-quarter, take both soft and hard adventure vacations. One-
quarter of those who have not taken an adventure trip in recent years indicate that they
are very or somewhat likely to do so in the next five years.

The most popular soft adventure activities are camping, hiking on gradually
changing terrain, and biking while, for hard adventure trips, the most popular choices
are whitewater rafting /kayaking, snorkeling/scuba diving, and mountain biking.16 While
men and women are equally likely to participate in adventure travel, men are more likely
than women to participate in hard adventure. Participation is also related to age. Two-
thirds of 18 to 34 year olds), half of the 35 to 54 year old age group and a quarter of
those 55 or over have taken a recent adventure vacation. While the South, because of
the large population base, generates the largest number of adventure travelers, the
greatest proportion of residents who take such trips are to be found in the Western
states.17 Over two-thirds of adventure travelers enjoy it periodically while one in ten
describe themselves as a fanatic. Another 10 percent did not enjoy the experience.

Hard Adventurers

The average hard adventure traveler is 35 years old with some college education
who is employed full-time. They are more likely to be men, single, belong to Generation
X, and work in a professional or managerial job. Seventy percent of soft adventurers
have attended some college while two-thirds are married.

Both soft and hard adventure travelers take an average of three adventure trips
every five years. The former are likely to participate in several different types of
activities while the latter are likely to engage in only one activity. Compared to hard
adventurers, soft adventurers are more likely to take a spouse, child, or grandchild and
less likely to take a friend with them on a trip. Hard adventure travelers tend to spend
more on trips than soft adventurers.

Soft Adventurers

As noted above, the most popular soft adventure activities are camping, hiking
on gradually changing terrain, and biking. Other popular pursuits are bird and animal
watching, horseback riding, canoeing, and water skiing. Boomers are more likely to go
hiking while mature adults are more likely to go bird and animal watching or on a photo
safari. This latter segment is less likely to go biking, canoeing, horseback riding, snow
skiing, and sailing. Generation Xers are most likely to go water skiing. Compared to
men, women are more likely to go horseback riding or sailing.19 Boomers are most
likely to bring along spouse and children on a trip while Generation Xers typically travel
with friends or parents/grandparents.
 The popularity of various activities is linked to regional geography. The Northeast
is popular for biking, sailing, and photo safaris, the South for horseback riding, and the
West for skiing. Westerners are most likely to list adventure as the primary motivator for
a trip. Participation in high cost activities such as sailing and skiing is proportional to
household income.

Activities

Camping - One in four of those who camp also participate in hard adventure activities.
The most popular of these are rafting, snorkeling/scuba, and off-road biking. Campers
tend to be married with children at home and have attended some college. Campers
have the lowest percentage that have attended college and are also the lowest income
group. About one-half also hikes while a third each also bike and canoe.

Hiking - About 30 percent of all hikers participate in hard adventure activities also. The
favorites are rafting, snorkeling/scuba, and backpacking. This group is the most likely
segment to be married. Three-quarters of them also take camping trips while 40 percent
each participate in biking and bird watching.

Biking - About 40 percent of those who take a biking vacation also participate in hard
adventure activities. The favored activities are off-road biking or mountain biking,
snorkeling or scuba diving, and whitewater rafting or hike kayaking. This segment of the
market is young and relatively prosperous. Approximately one-half are Generation Xers
while the same percentage are professionals or managers while one third, second only
to snow skiers, are single. Over 80 percent of bikers also camp, 70 percent also hike,
while almost 40 percent also canoe.

Watching Birds and Animals - One-quarter of those who watch birds or animals also
take hard adventure vacations. The top activities are whitewater rafting or kayaking,
snorkeling or scuba diving, and backpacking across rugged terrain. This segment of the
market has the highest proportion of all soft adventure vacationers aged 55 or older as
well as the highest percentage with postgraduate college education. They also
participate in soft adventure travel. Three-quarters of them also camp; 70 percent hike
while almost 40 percent also bike.

Horseback Riding - Thirty-three percent of those who horseback ride also take hard
adventure vacations. Preferred activities are rafting, snorkeling/scuba, and off-road
biking. This segment has the highest percentage of women—57 percent. This is a
young group that tends to have children at home. Equestrians also camp, hike, and
bike.

Canoeing - Those who canoe also participate in rafting, backpacking, and off-road
biking. Almost 40 percent of those who canoe also participate in other hard adventure
vacations. They tend to be young and have attended, though not necessarily graduated
from, college. Mostly, the segment consists of households with only one wage earner.
Canoeists also camp, hike, and bike.

Water Skiing - Water skiers have a high participation rate in other hard adventure
activities. They tend also to snorkel/scuba, raft, and off-road bike. They are young and
affluent. Fifty-six percent are male. They also camp, hike, and bike.

Snow Skiing - Snow skiers have the highest participation rate in other hard adventure
activities. Forty-five percent undertake other activities, notably rafting, off-road biking,
and snorkeling/scuba. They are young and affluent. Fifty-four percent are male while
over half have completed college, the best educated group of hard adventure
vacationers. As with the previous segment, they also camp, hike, and bike.

Adventure Education - The popularity of rock climbing is due, in part, to a recent boom
in indoor climbing walls. Although resorts are concerned about risk management,
research indicates that climbing on a traverse wall produces fewer injuries than playing
on the playground.

Adventure education, which encompasses backcountry travel, ropes courses,

initiative activities, team building, and rock climbing, is concerned with two types of
relationship: interpersonal and intrapersonal. The former refers to how people get along
in a group. Issues that are explored include communication, cooperation, trust, conflict
resolution, problem solving, and leadership. Intrapersonal relationships deal with how
an individual gets along with himself. The basic idea is that change can take place when
individuals and groups are exposed to challenge, high adventure, and new growth
experiences. Climbing activities help young people develop interpersonal skills
(cooperation and communication), personal strengths (self-esteem and self-confidence),
cognitive skills (decision making and problem solving), and physical abilities (fitness and
motor skill development).

Adventure education programs aimed at children and teens can be offered in one
or more of the following ways:

 cooperative games and sports

 self-challenging activities
 resident camps

When a sports unit is offered, the emphasis is on the team aspect of the activity.
Students learn the skills involved in the game or sport, but team building is the primary
objective.

During self-challenging activities, participants learn to compete against

themselves rather than others. Examples include scaling an indoor climbing wall and
outdoor rock climbing. For participants in grades four through six, an indoor wall has
blocks of different sizes and types that are bolted to a wall at heights ranging from a few
inches to 5 feet. The children climb the wall using a variety of hand and footholds, never
getting higher than the height of a balance beam. From this traverse wall, participants
graduate to a vertical climbing wall that reaches to 20 feet. At the top, they can sign
their names to demonstrate their mastery.

Another option is a five-day adventure camp. Camps tend to have central themes
such as ‘‘Knights, Castles, and Dragons’’ and ‘‘Pirates, Rafts, and Treasures.’’ In the
former, participants get involved in building a real castle with drawbridge, walls,
cardboard armor, shields, water balloon catapults, medieval feasts, and tournaments. In
the latter, participants build a homemade raft out of 100 milk jugs and PVC pipe and
float out of camp on the last day.

Extreme Sport - Participation in extreme sports has increased dramatically in recent

years. Snowboarding, mountain biking, skateboarding, and scuba diving are examples
of activities that have shown growth in recent years.

Travel and Tourism - Travel and tourism can range from trips, tours, and travelogues
to adventure tourism and field trips. The range of adventure tourism possibilities is
illustrated in Figure 13.2. Opportunities vary from soft to high adventure and involve low
to high risk. Market segments can be targeted depending on the degree of risk the
guest wants to undertake. Soft adventure activities involve the perception of risk and
excitement without actual danger. Theme park rides or floats down the Grand Canyon
on huge rafts fit this category. They are suitable for people with physical
restrictions or who are just beginning to explore adventure possibilities.
 Adventure activities offer more risk than soft adventure and include treks in the
Himalayas and two- to six-person raft trips in the western United States. High risk
activities involve real risks, so participants may have to master specialized skills before
being allowed to participate. Differences have been found between whitewater rafters
who have prior experience and those who do not. The former are more relaxed while
concentrating on the secondary benefits of the experience—being with friends; enjoying
the natural environment. The latter tend to concentrate on the action involved in the
adventure experience. There are obvious marketing implications in terms of the
message promoted to rafters. The adventure would be the primary message to those
with no prior experience while the enjoyment of sharing the experience with others in an
attractive environment would be the message for those who had rafted before.

Developers of orbital tourism see space travel as a possibility by 2025. Visitors

would arrive at their Hilton (currently being designed) having traveled through space at
30 times the speed of jetliners. Arthur Frommer, the travel book publisher, already has
issued The Moon: A Guide for First-Time Visitors.30 Civilians currently pay $15,000 for
a weeklong program at Moscow’s Star City Gagarin Cosmonaut

Training Center to experience weightlessness during a parabolic flight, a spin in a

giant centrifuge, and a scuba dive in a neutral buoyancy tank to simulate spacewalking.
Other forecasted opportunities include deep-sea safaris to 12,000 feet below the
surface. At the moment, guests at the two-room Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo,
Florida, must dive 21 feet to enter. A Honolulu architectural firm is designing an 80-room
underwater hotel and observatory, to be built at an as-yet undisclosed location.

Cybersafaris will satisfy those who hear the call of the wild but do not want to
undergo the hassles involved in actually traveling to the location. As remote areas
become tourist sites, rare animals become extinct, and isolated cultures are assimilated,
demand may emerge for nostalgia tours to world capitals and former wildlife zones to
re-create the days of gondolas, Galapagos turtles, rain forests, or reef life. History
enthusiasts might time-travel through virtual trips to California’s hippie days, Paris’ Cafe´
Society of the 1930s, or the Roaring Twenties in Manhattan.

Sports and Games - Sports and games encompass field and team sports, individual
and dual sports, recreational games, and fitness activities. While the tendency is to
concentrate on competition, many people are increasingly emphasizing developing a
lifetime sports orientation—that is, learning activities that they can participate in
throughout their lives.

The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) surveys people currently taking part
in various sports, asking how many anticipate increasing their participation.

Sports showing high positive change in terms of future participation include:

 exercise walking
 fishing
  exercising with equipment
 bicycling
 camping

Fitness/Wellness Activities - Interest in fitness and wellness continues to increase.

Guest interests include fitness activities, nutrition education, aerobic activities, and even
weight lifting. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), we will see growth
in the following:

 Individualized exercise programs coached by a human or electronic personal

trainer. Internet-based personal training sites will allow individuals to work directly
with a personal trainer to design programs, track progress, and learn online.

 A sharp increase in mindful exercises like tai chi and yoga. Yoga is popular, in
part, because of its acceptance by such public figures as Madonna, Courtney
Love, and Ricky Martin. Some brand-name clothing companies have come out
with a trendy line of yoga outfits.

 An increase in exercise programs geared to older adults (the graying baby

boomers). A prime example is yoga, which appeals to the need to do something
about stiffening joints.

 Goal-oriented exercise training.

 Smart fitness machines designed to accept a computer disk or palm-size scanner

containing a personalized exercise program.

 Adventure workouts that enhance body and spirit, such as rock climbing, hiking,
and mountain biking.

 More people seeking fitness for health reasons instead of solely for appearance.

 Sport-specific personal training for such activities as golf and tennis. For
example, people are doing the Salute to the Setting Sun yoga position to improve
their golf game.

 Lifestyle exercises, incorporating fitness into everyday life.

Many observers of leisure trends believe that exercise will become a way of life for
increasing numbers of Americans and that this trend will become even more
pronounced with each succeeding generation. Sports programs that build skills in
soccer, softball, and basketball are aimed at kids who start playing at an earlier age. As
children grow older, they need more diversified options, such as mountain biking and
whitewater rafting, that are part of a high-adventure program.
 Options exist to contract out a fitness program. Jazzercise is a successful example
of this in the public sector. This dance-exercise program offers over 2,000 classes
weekly at 430 parks and recreation facilities across the United States. The operator
pays either a percentage of the gross or an hourly rate for use of the facilities during a
specific time.
A special category of fitness and wellness involves rehabilitation programs for
people with disabilities. While most rehabilitation programs focus on assisting
participants in regaining physical strength and range of motion, sports programs seek to
rehabilitate a person both physically and emotionally. When people with physical
disabilities learn to ski, for example, it increases their self-confidence while gaining the
respect of others.

A forerunner in the field of sports programs for the handicapped is the National
Sports Center for the Disabled at Winter Park, Colorado. Begun in 1970, it is the largest
and best-known skiing program for people with disabilities. Summer activities have been
added over the years and include rafting on the Colorado river, hiking, backpacking,
overnight camping, nature walks, chairlift rides, dance movement, adaptive swimming,
rock climbing (for the visually impaired), and tennis. Teaching methods are adapted
from the American Teaching System (ATS).

The four fundamental skills taught are:

 Balancing movements, required to keep the body in equilibrium when acted upon
by external forces.

 Rotary movements, of the body as a whole or parts of it. It is desirable to use the
lower body for rotary movements.

 Edge-control movements, that affect the way the edges of the skis come into
contact with the snow surface.

 Pressure-control movements, used to control the pressure the skis exert on the
snow as they move.

 Maneuvers that are taught seek to provide building blocks for one or more of
these skills.

It is possible to teach individuals with a variety of disabilities. The three track method
is used for teaching people who have one good leg and two arms. The adaptive
equipment required consists of one ski and two outriggers. With the addition of a
prosthesis, the method can also be used with a double amputee.

The four track method uses four separate ski sources to maneuver down the slope.
Two outriggers complement the two skis. This method is used for skiers with such
things as an aneurism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy,
or multiple sclerosis. Reins or a bungee cord can be added to help control speed.
 Monoboards or snowboards can be substituted for those individuals who cannot
risk independent leg action such as those with severe hip problems or with full leg
braces. For those with severe disabilities sit skiing gives the experience of speed and
motion. Students sit in a sled-type device controlled by the upper body and short
handheld pole. An able-bodied skier skis behind the sled holding an attached rope. The
sit ski is gradually being replaced with bi skis. The shell of the sit ski is replaced by a
sled that consists of a ‘‘bucket’’ that rests on two skis. The equipment for the future for
most paraplegics is the mono ski which allows students to ski in a three track fashion. It
is similar to the bi ski expect for the fact that it has one rather than two skis under the
bucket.