Alpine Achievement: A Chronicle of the United States Disabled Ski Team [Paperback]

Lori J. Batcheller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

Alpine Achievement is the first and only book to fully cover the sport of disabled alpine skiing—a sport that offers people with disabilities an opportunity to gain mastery over their bodies and enjoy the thrill and excitement of skiing alongside their able-bodied counterparts.

The book chronicles the history of disabled skiing from its beginnings in post World War II Europe to its current status as both a recreational and elite competitive sport. The reader will learn how members of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team overcame their physical disabilities to become elite athletes on the number one disabled ski team in the world. The author also covers the evolution of adaptive equipment and the scoring and classification system used in disabled ski racing.

Combined with an extensive appendix listing ski areas offering adaptive skiing, equipment manufacturers, and resources, Alpine Achievement is a must read for ski enthusiasts, rehab professionals, people with disabilities, and anyone interested in supporting disabled skiing as a volunteer, spectator, or behind-the-scenes fan.

A portion of every sale directly supports a member of the USDST.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A must read for anyone interested in learning about the exciting and rewarding sport of disabled skiing." -- Hal O'Leary, Founder and Director, National Sports Center for the Disabled At Winter Park.

"An enjoyable read and comprehensive resource for anyone with an interest in disabled alpine skiing. This book covers it all." -- Christopher Reeve, Chairman of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation

"An important resource that chronicles the developing history of disabled skiing and adaptive ski equipment in the United States." -- Jeff Leich, Executive Director, New England Ski Museum

Ms. Batcheller brings us the inspiring stories of courage and spirit that make the US Disabled Ski Team #1. -- Kathy Kroll, Paramus New Jersey

About the Author

Lori Batcheller grew up skiing with her family in New England. After receiving her master's degree in physical therapy, she moved to Colorado where she served as a volunteer for the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Program. She later received her master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Colorado in Boulder. In addition to writing for newspapers, magazines, and trade journals, Batcheller is the author of Journey to Health: Writing Your Way to Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-being and teaches journal writing workshops to foster creativity and health.

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: 1st Book Library (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759684545
• ISBN-13: 978-0759684546
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,304,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lori Batcheller, MA, MPT, RMT, CYT, is a freelance writer, registered massage therapist, licensed physical therapist, and yoga instructor whose writing focuses on, but is not limited to, health and wellness, yoga, and disabilities. She has written hundreds of articles for magazines, trade journals, newspapers, and websites including Accent on Living Magazine, Advance for Occupational Therapy, Advance for Physical Therapy, Delicious! Magazine, FitYoga, In-Motion Magazine, New Mobility, www.Disaboom.com and www.Kripalu.org. As a faculty member at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, she teaches journal writing workshops to foster health and well-being, intentional collage, yoga nidra, meditation, and guest yoga classes. She holds a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Colorado, Boulder and in physical therapy from Hahnemann University (now Drexel). She lives in Boulder, CO and Lenox, MA and can be reached through her website at www.lbcreative.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars For anyone with an interest in skiing in general, May 10, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alpine Achievement: A Chronicle of the United States Disabled Ski Team (Paperback)

Alpine Achievement: A Chronicle Of The United States Disabled Ski Team by Lori Batcheller is the first book to thoroughly chronicle the history and sport of disabled alpine skiing. From the inception of this activity in Europe after World War II down to the present day, and with an especial focus on how the U.S. Disabled Ski Team triumphed over their disabilities to become high-caliber athletes, Alpine Achievement is as much a story of hope, success, and making the most of oneself as it is a story of sport on snowy slopes. Alpine Achievement is highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in skiing in general, and disability rehabilitation/athletic competition in particular.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Can Do book........ Yes!!!! 10 stars, December 9, 2002

By 

MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Alpine Achievement: A Chronicle of the United States Disabled Ski Team (Paperback)

Hope people don't assume this is a book ONLY for those who are disabled, because it isn't. And shy 200 pages it packs a lot of information into the pages. Everything from the history of disabled skiing, to the evolution of equipment that the skier uses.

Then there is the sections on skiing blind, above the knee amputees, arm amputees, those who ski mono and those who want to do so for pleasure as well as competition. It also talks about NASTAR , which is the acronym for the National Standard Race and is the largest public recreational grassroots ski race program in the world, developed in 1968.

This year over 100 ski area courses are scheduled to have meets.

On page 105 the author notes (and I agree) "Anyone who enjoys skiing knows the pleasure that comes from being out in fresh mountain air, viewing the surrounding landscape from ski lifts and mountaintops, and the feeling of wind brushing across your face as you glide across the snow covered hillside. Skiing also improves strength, endurance and balance, which is especially beneficial for people with disabilities."

There is a healthy size glossary of terms at the back of the book along with pages 141-178 dedicated to names, addresses and other contacts for ski areas in all ski states. As well as information on how to get involved.

This is a book I am getting my library since I want more people from my community to know that just because they or a family member or friend is in a wheel chair or otherwise disabled doesn't mean they cant take part in winter sports!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a book about heroes, November 14, 2002

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alpine Achievement: A Chronicle of the United States Disabled Ski Team (Hardcover)

First time author Lori J. Batcheller has worked up an eminently readable history book & catalogue of the who, why, what, when & how of Disabled Skiing.

From how Disabled Skiing got it start after WWII to the legends in the sport, athletes, coaches, sponsors & supporting staff, to classifications & training schedules, this book covers it all.

ALPINE ACHIEVEMENT is an exciting, exhilarating, informative edition to your sports library.