TETRASKI
The world’s only independent alpine ski for athletes with complex physical injury or illness.
A ski built to expand opportunities.
The mountain is calling you.
Technology that empowers
Speed, precision and thrills are not usually associated with someone’s life after a catastrophic injury or illness. Until now.
A skier with limited strength and dexterity due to complex physical injury or illness can smoothly operate the TetraSki safely with a high degree of performance and independence. This is possible because of electric actuators on the TetraSki that provide independent turning and speed variability through the skier’s use of a joystick or sip and puff breath control. The TetraSki does not operate like a motor to push the ski forward or increase speed. The skier’s skills and choices alone determine how fast the ski goes.
The TetraSki was designed at the University of Utah, built by Tetradapt, and operated by TRAILS Adaptive with early and continued support by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation.
See the history of the development of the TetraSki.
Skiers who use the TetraSki
The TetraSki was built for people with high level spinal cord injury, significant upper extremity impairments, or limited strength and dexterity, such as:
✔ Spinal cord injury/disease
✔ Multiple Sclerosis
✔ Guillain-Barre Syndrome
✔ Muscular Dystrophy
✔ Stroke
✔ Multiple limb amputation
✔ ALS
TECH FEATURES
The TetraSki offers beginner and advanced features for intuitive learning and to unlock higher performance when the athlete is ready to progress.
Subtle breath control through sips and puffs in the device allows a skier to turn and adjust speed.
The joystick has a similar feel to a power wheelchair joystick. There are infinite joystick placement options to accommodate skiers with unique situations. Image 3 shows the joystick placed at the feet for skiers who may use their toes for control.
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The TetraSki accommodates different body shapes, sizes and impairments. The ski includes a head and torso support system for increased safety and stability. The system can accommodate complex seating requirements or needs of the skier.
The coach/instructor is equipped with a remote control that may be used to override a skier for safety and as a teaching tool.
A tether to the coach/instructor serves as an additional backup for safety. Under most circumstances the tether has no tension and does not control speed or turning.
TetraSki technology does not propel or directly increase the speed of the ski. The skier’s skill and choices alone determine how fast the ski goes by controlling turns through the use of the joystick or sip and puff interface.
The TetraSki is compatible with loading and unloading on most chairlifts and other ski lifts.
Existing chairlift safety bars and retention straps may be used as able and as required by local programs and resorts.
The TetraSki performs well on runs up to upper-intermediate difficulty and in all types of snow from powder to corduroy.
A wide platform adds to the TetraSki’s stability without sacrificing agility. Powerful actuators allow for aggressive and linked turning that is responsive and controlled.
Precise joystick and sip-and-puff control allows the user to pinpoint and execute the exact intended route down the hill.
The TetraSki support systems allow skiers to easily and comfortably experience the speed and G-forces of downhill skiing.
Skiers can test out the TetraSki technology through a computer simulator, which we provide for home and adaptive program use. A short amount of time with the simulator will help athletes learn more about the TetraSki controls in a stress-free environment. Skiers can hit the slopes faster and with much greater control and confidence.
TetraSki Benefits
Physical
Athletes love physical and technical challenges that help them get to the next level. The more time the skier trains with the TetraSki, the better skier they will become.
Social
Skiers with complex physical injury or illness find themselves in a new social context through recreation and/or competition, defining themselves as athletes.
Psychological
TetraSki enables athletes with complex disabilities to set and achieve recreational and competitive goals.
A Global TetraSki Initiative
Working to accelerate the adoption of technology that expands opportunities for people with any complex physical injury or disease so they can ski recreationally or competitively with a high degree of
✔ INDEPENDENCE
✔ PERFORMANCE
✔ PRECISION
DUSTIN GODNICK
“The TetraSki is the one thing I feel that it takes a real skill to do and I can do it well. Even with my amount of physical disability, I am able to take control and that feels great.”
