Martina Huntington: Back (Monoskiing) on the Slopes

There’s no greater feeling than breathing in the fresh winter air and flying freely down the mountains again. It brought back the freedom and exhilaration I’ve missed for so long.

I know we’re months into summer, and I’m excited for all the fun stuff to do with our little family, but a little part of me has really missed winter and the beautiful snow. Let’s be real though, I’ve missed mono skiing, immensely. This season, I got into adaptive snow sports through Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS), and my life has become exponentially more thrilling! It’s been so much fun to reflect on this past season.

I remember driving up to Snowbird to monoski for the first time. It was honestly a bittersweet feeling for me to get up on a snowy mountain again and not strap on my boots, but get strapped into a monoski. I was afraid because snow is hard enough to navigate with use of your legs, so a crash seemed eminent for someone who had absolutely no use of their legs like me…and how would I get back up then? However, my instructors put me at ease and patiently taught me the basics of the monoski, amidst picking me up as I fell each time I didn’t start my turns quick enough. They were super fun and so encouraging. From that lesson, I was hooked and went back every Friday, sometimes even Saturdays, too, so I could learn to spend more time skiing than falling. There’s no greater feeling than breathing in the fresh winter air and flying freely down the mountains again. It brought back the freedom and exhilaration I’ve missed for so long. I love skiing so very much.

The A-Team. My instructor turned ski bud, Alex.

Skiing aside, one of my favorite things about going up is getting to know the instructors and volunteers, and getting to share a part of me with them. What a wonderful crowd to get to work with. I can’t think of more positive and encouraging people. I’m so grateful for all they teach me and how they help me overcome my fears. And each time I fall, they’re there to help me get right up and get going again. They were the key to helping me love skiing as much as I do now.

My husband and I are incredibly grateful we have had this opportunity to do sports with our number one supporters, WAS, at no cost, especially as we are struggling to get through graduate school and care for our little family. We hope one day, we’ll be able to share our love of winter with our children and build wonderful memories together. I foresee many slopes to shred down in our future. I mean, since there are SO MANY beautiful mountains in Utah calling our names, we might as well enjoy them all right?

With a rigorous and stressful schedule, having a healthy outlet through WAS has been the greatest blessing for me. I feel physically and mentally stronger and more prepared to take on the responsibilities I hold. Being active makes me so much happier and excited about life. Life is more complete as I challenge myself and thrive. I look forward to pushing myself and having fun with awesome people every week. Because of WAS, I love winter again. I’m so grateful for this wonderful program that enriches so many lives by boosting up confidence and independence. I try to share this joy every chance I get (so I’m doing it here!). I love helping people enjoy adaptive sports, and realize that despite the challenges life throws at us, the possibilities are endless. Now matter who you are and what circumstances you are in, this life is to be enjoyed, so we must get back up [on the slopes] and live! Check out some footage on my Insta @martina_huntington