Sit Skiing and the Spirit of the Invictus Games



I Am sign whistler blackcomb
Photo by Will Robson

Perched in a sit ski at the top of the bunny hill at Whistler Blackcomb, I felt vulnerable. But then again, I have been feeling vulnerable on a ski hill for quite a while. I have been a stand-up skier for more than 40 years and in that time, I have ridden the “toboggan of shame” pulled by a member of the ski patrol on four different occasions. It’s always my right knee—which I’ve had multiple surgeries on. I hike, cycle and participate in other outdoor activities without concern, but when I stand at the top of a ski hill, I can’t help but wonder if the journey down will include a painful injury and another toboggan ride.

invictus games vancouver whistler
Photo by Jeremy Allen

On a recent visit to Whistler to explore the preparations for the upcoming Invictus Games on February 8 to 16 this year, I decided to try one of the newest sports in the Games: adaptive alpine skiing. The 2025 games will feature 11 different sports in all—alpine skiing, snowboarding, indoor rowing, biathlon, Nordic skiing, sitting volleyball, skeleton, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair curling and wheelchair rugby. There are multiple events within each sport and competitors are categorized by their injuries, illnesses and impairments for each sport they compete in to allow all participants to compete fairly, regardless of the severity of their impairment.  

Adaptive Biathlon
Photo by Debbie Olsen

The 2025 Vancouver Whistler Invictus Games will be the first in history to include adaptive winter sports, and employees and volunteers with the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program are gearing up to welcome hundreds of competitors—including some who will be trying the sports for the first time.

invictus games ceremony
Photo by PRP Productions

More than 500 wounded, injured and sick military service personnel and veterans from 23 nations will participate in the 2025 Invictus Games. Unlike the Olympic Games, participants aren’t selected based on their ability to win medals. In fact, the Invictus Games aren’t just about winning medals at all. It’s a shared journey of recovery through sport where participants compete not only against each other, but against themselves—working to conquer their own fears and challenges.

compete competitions invictus games
Photo by Tim Richter

The word “invictus” means “unconquered” and the idea for the games began when the Duke of Sussex Prince Harry attended the Warrior Games in the United States in 2013. There, he witnessed the power of sport to help wounded servicemen and women in their recovery—physically, psychologically and socially. He decided to create an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and the first Invictus Games were held in London in 2014. 

prince harry canada team
Photo by MCpl Will Gosse

I have a son currently serving in the Canadian military, so the purpose of these games holds special meaning for me—as it undoubtedly does for the friends and family members of the Invictus Games participants.  

So, as I sat at the top of the bunny hill fearing that I might be on the verge of discovering a new way to hurt myself on a ski hill, I grasped courage thinking about the Invictus Games’ athletes. A bright yellow “I AM” sculpture at the bottom of the hill was another reminder of the meaning behind these games. The sculpture was inspired by the last two lines of the poem Invictus by English poet William Ernest Henley: “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.”

i am sign whistler blackcomb
Photo by Jeremy Allen

My two adaptive ski coaches Brian Rode and Nell Chaston offered encouraging words of advice to build my confidence as I started down the hill. “Focus on moving your hips to make the turn,” advised Rode who has been a coach with the Whistler Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program for 35 years. “You have to lean your whole body into the turn—not just your head and shoulders.”

skiing whistler blackcomb
Photo by Nell Chasto

Admittedly, I didn’t get it at first. My coaches took turns being tethered to the back of the sit ski and at first, they held on tightly and steered while I adapted to this new way of skiing. The more I practiced, the better I got and the less work they did. After several times down the hill, I was picking up speed and turns were coming naturally. I was having fun, and the best part was that I didn’t worry about my knee at all.

sit skiing practice coach
Photo by Nell Chaston

The Winter Adaptive Sports Program at Whistler is impressive. As I rode the magic carpet to the top of the hill, I watched adaptive coaches being trained to work with visually impaired skiers. I can’t imagine how much courage and trust it must take to ski with a visual impairment.

I asked Rode about memorable moments in his long career as an adaptive ski coach and he mentioned that he had the pleasure of teaching Rick Hansen how to sit ski. Born and raised in British Columbia, Hansen is a champion wheelchair marathoner and paralympic medalist who is revered and beloved in Canada. In 1985, Hansen embarked on his “Man in Motion” tour, a 26-month, 34 country, 40,000 kilometre wheelchair journey to raise awareness and funds to build a more inclusive world for people with disabilities.

volunteers games invictus
Photo by Jeremy Allen

“They asked me if I was available on Wednesday, and I said yes—even though they wouldn’t tell me who I would be coaching,” Rode explained. “When I showed up that day, I found out I was working with Rick Hansen. He is such a phenomenal athlete, and he caught on quickly.”  Rode also taught the Japanese Paralympic coaches how to sit ski for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games that were held in Whistler. He was cheering for the Canadian team, but he felt great satisfaction when the Japanese team did well.

ski invictus games winter
Photo by Jeremy Allen

With two amazing coaches helping me, I was ready to tackle a bigger hill by lunchtime. We caught the gondola up and I skied down with Rode following behind. Near the bottom, the trail merged onto the bunny hill I had been practicing on all morning and I let loose—the crisp air burning my cheeks and the snow flying around me. When I reached the bottom, Rode said he thought I was ready to ride untethered.

Adaptive cross country skiing is harder than downhill
Photo by Debbie Olsen

As I maneuvered the sit ski in front of the I AM sculpture for a picture, I felt an incredible sense of satisfaction for overcoming my fears and pushing myself. I raised my ski pole high in the air and I thought about my son who is currently preparing for a potential military deployment. No matter what he faces in service to our country, I hope that he has an unconquerable soul. And no matter what happens during and after his service, I will be there to support him. Being unconquerable only happens with deep support from others.

When is the Right Time to Try Sit Skiing?

whistler sports winter
Photo by Tourism WhistlerMike Crane

Don’t wait until you’ve completely lost the use of your legs to start sit skiing. Rode told me about others like me with knee issues who have taken up the sport and are loving it. Starting when you’re more mobile also makes it easier to learn and increases your longevity with the sport.

The Indigenous Connection to the 2025 Invictus Games—A First

Indigenous leaders were involved in the bid process and in the planning of the 2025 Vancouver Whistler Invictus Games—a first in the history of the games. The games will be held on the traditional territories of the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. The branding for the games includes a signature artwork created by members of each of the four nations. “The art is a reflection of all our people and it’s our way of capturing history,” said Ray Natraoro, the artist from the Squamish Nation who helped to create the artwork for the games. “My great grandfather was a World War I veteran. The commitment of our veterans is the same commitment of the warriors of the past.”

Ray Natraoro Indigenous artist
Photo by Debbie Olsen

How to Watch the 2025 Vancouver Whistler Invictus Games

Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies and live sporting events can be purchased on Ticketmaster. The ceremonies will also be broadcasted live on Bell Media’s CTV and TSN channels where some of the sporting events will also be broadcast. The opening ceremonies will feature incredible musicians like Katy Perry, Noah Kahan, Nelly Furtado and Roxane Bruneau. You can watch the sports competitions for free at the Whistler Invictus Village, which will have multiple viewing locations as well as live entertainment. Learn more about the Invictus Games here.

Where to Stay for the 2025 Vancouver Whistler Invictus Games

four seasons resort whistler winter
Photo by Four Seasons Resort Whistler

I stayed at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler and at the the DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection in Vancouver. Both properties are within walking distance of many of the Invictus Games venues.

Disclaimer: the author was hosted as media.

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