What is Biski?

Biski is ski equipment designed for wheelchair users. On the very first day you try it, you can ski down from the summit at high speed.

There are two main types of skiing equipment for wheelchair users:
・Mono Ski
・Biski

The Mono Ski has one ski under the seat and is often used in the Paralympics.

The Biski, on the other hand, has two skis under the seat and is generally ridden together with a coach.

(At Wheelchair Ski Japan, we mainly use the Biski.)

Since the Mono Ski is designed for independent skiing, it requires a lot of practice time before one can ski alone. The Biski, however, is controlled together with a coach, so you can go up to the summit and enjoy speed skiing even from the very first day.

Additionally, the Biski secures the body with seven belts, making it suitable for:

・People with quadriplegia
・People who cannot maintain a seated position

The Biski has three styles of skiing, introduced below:

1. Bucketing

In bucketing, as shown in the picture, the coach skis together while steering the Biski from behind.

While skiing in bucketing style, the student leans their body right or left according to the coach’s voice cues.

For thrill-seekers, it can be enjoyed at high speed like a roller coaster.
For those who prefer a gentler pace, it can be done slowly and leisurely.

2. Hand Outriggers + Tether

Those who have grip strength can use short handheld skis called outriggers to control direction.

Since the Biski is not well-suited for sudden stops, the coach uses a tether (like reins) from behind to control speed, but the student steers left and right on their own.

Because you ski separated from the coach and make your own turns, it gives a sense of skiing independently.

3. Fixed Outriggers + Tether

Fixed outriggers act like training wheels on a bicycle.

With fixed outriggers, even people with quadriplegia can turn using body tilts.

As with the hand outriggers, the coach uses a tether from behind to control speed, so there’s no risk of crashing.

As the student improves, the coach uses a longer tether and skis further away, making it feel almost like skiing completely on your own.