Remembering Ed Lucks

The late Ed Lucks, a former Snowmass Ski instructor and local pharmacist, pioneered many of the adaptive teaching techniques and equipment used today. To properly understand some of the alterations needed, he would ski blindfolded, on one leg and inside the sit-skis then go home and refine the equipment. He is credited with designing the crutch-like outriggers called the Ed Lucks Bend. Ed convinced the Aspen Ski Co. to sponsor an adaptive program, a program that led the way to the U.S. Disabled Ski team and Snowmass based Challenge Aspen, one of the largest adaptive sports programs in the state. He was inducted in the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame in 2005.