Paige VanArsdale

I’m para-alpine ski racer Paige VanArsdale from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Para-alpine racers are like our peers except we have physical disabilities. I have cerebral palsy: hemiplegia on my right side causing my muscles to be spastic in my right leg. Hypertonic muscles remain contracted which makes it harder for me to perform fast muscle twitches needed for ski racing. 

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I began skiing at age 3 and I started ski racing in seventh grade following major surgery on my right leg (spring 2012). My femur was cut then rotated outward, my patella was rotated outward and lowered, my calf and hamstring were lengthened. Prior to surgery I walked on my toes, so I wore a leg brace to prevent this and for stability. My ski boots functioned as a leg brace. But I could not walk after skiing because of intense pain in my leg and lower back – my dad had to carry me to the car. Surgery made it possible for me to ski without pain. I began racing NASTAR 2012-13 season training with the STARS racing program. Then I competed in the 2014 NASTAR Nationals in Snowmass, Colorado in March. That’s where I met Ted Ligety, and he inspired me to continue racing. Next season I joined my high school team competing under the “Golden Rule.” It’s to encourage adaptive competitors to participate in sanctioned events by giving them a higher seeding – I was usually bib 16.

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During this time, I also began training with adaptive programs in Winter Park, Breckenridge, and Park City. I was invited to events: the Hartford Ski Spectacular, Empire State Games, and AIG Winter Summit. I medaled in many races at these events and I was awarded “Honorary Ski Racer” by Jonny Moseley. I also trained with able-bodied skiers on the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC). Things were improving for me. But then February 2017, junior year in high school, I had a seizure when competing at the Huntsman Cup in Park City and suffered a concussion. I was hospitalized for a month and missed three months of school. I had to relearn how to ski when I returned to the slopes in 2017-18. SSWSC coaches invited me back to train in 2018-19. And they encouraged me to participate in a SYNC race in Feb. 2019 – it was my first race since my accident. The following season I returned to Park City to race slalom in the Huntsman Cup. I hadn’t been there since my accident – I was very nervous. I medaled in both races. The National Ability Center (NAC) coaches asked if I wanted them to represent me at Nationals in March 2020. “YES!” Then all events were canceled because of COVID. I was excited when racing resumed in 2020-21. I trained with SSWSC, but NAC represented me at all International Paralympic Committee (IPC) events. I often medaled at these events and my IPC points (which are now governed by FIS) improved with each race.

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I moved to Salt Lake City January 2022 so I could train full-time on NAC’s High-Performance Team with other para-athletes. I medaled in all six events at the 2022 Para-alpine Nationals: 2 Slalom, 2 GS, and 2 Super-G races. Nationals was the first time I participated in Super-G. It’s now my new favorite: it used to be GS. Slalom is my least favorite (remember I don’t have good fast muscle twitches), but I almost always medal in slalom. I’ll take the wins! The 2023 Para-alpine Nationals was in Kimberley, Canada in March. I only medaled in one event: a bronze in slalom. But at least I was in the top five in all the races.

Erik Leirfallom was the head coach with NAC, but he accepted a job with US Ski and Snowboard as Paralympic Sports Director. My new coach at NAC is Rob Umstead. Rob is husband and guide for visually impaired Paralympian Danelle Umstead. They are also my teammates. Rob has raced D1, coached FIS, and has been a para-alpine competitor/guide with Danelle at Para World Cups and the Paralympics. I’m really looking forward to getting new tips from Rob to improve my racing. My goal is to compete at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy.

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“I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday.” -Misty Copeland

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sincerely,

Paige VanArsdale