TULLY, N.Y. -- There was a time when Marni Jo McIntosh wasn't crazy about the idea of learning to ski. When she finally hit the slopes three years ago, she faced her share of challenges.
"Standing up in these boots, my gosh! Not scary, but there are some other things,” said McIntosh.
One thing she doesn't count among her difficulties: the fact that she's deaf.
"It's the same as everyone, just it's all visual. You look at how the body works. You don't have to hear anything. Just it's physical, how the balance is. That's it. Not a problem," she explained, through interpreter and Fair Access for the Deaf owner Jim Skvorak.
Skvorak said he got involved with the program a few years after it began in 1975 as a class for elementary school-aged students.
"To me, skiing's kind of a visual way to learn, and deaf people learn that way. This is how American Sign Language works. It's a very visual use of space and signs," said Skvorak.
The program grew to include older students and adults and is among the only of its kind in the northeast. They meet for six weeks each winter to learn the basics. Skvorak said that teaching using ASL has its benefits.
"Even if somebody isn't really next to you and you're talking to them, if they're 10 or 15 feet away, you can still easily explain something. You don't have to shout or hope to be heard," he said.
The classes have also become a social event and an activity families can enjoy together.
"There's many varieties of people here. I think it's pretty cool. To be honest with you, I think anyone can ski," said McIntosh.
Like McIntosh, there's the chance of going from reluctant to slope regular.
The end of this season will be marked with Deaf Ski Day on Feb. 15. It will include a pizza lunch and the chance for community members to learn more about the program.
