Volunteers may bring their own skis, boots, poles, or snowshoes, but it is not required.
For downhill skiing, SOLO recommends that volunteers use shorter skis than they typically use – that is, to let SOLO rent them for you. This will help you to ski more slowly, which is important when accompanying the student skier.
Move United requires all alpine participants, students and volunteers, to wear a ski helmet. SOLO is working with the trauma centers at Ascension Borgess Hospital and Bronson Children’s Hospital, both in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They have helmets in different sizes and colors ranging from $25 to $35. We will have more information on purchasing helmets at the orientation and training meeting in December. For questions and orders, contact SOLO board member Joe Dits at joedits@hotmail.com. Another source of helmets is the Play It Again Sports store at 3527 S. Main St., Elkhart, which has used ski helmets from about $10 to $30 and new helmets starting at $55.
In the cross-country program, SOLO has a collection of skis and snowshoes mostly for the students. If you have your own cross-country skis or snowshoes, we encourage you to bring them.