Winter & Wheelchairs: Oh the Fun You Can Have

While winter may not be the most user-friendly season of the year for wheelchair-users, the recreational possibilities are some of the best. From getting out on frozen lakes to ice fish to zooming like a banshee on an ice rink, winter and wheelchairs can be a truly entertaining mix.

There are things some of us would never think of attempting otherwise, like driving an adapted motorcycle down a wintry road, that have been attempted by brave wheelers in winter, and with success. Winter is definitely the time of year to get in touch with your inner bad-a#!.

If you’re looking for adventure, winter is the time to do it! Here are three videos showing exactly what we mean.

Video #1: All-terrain ice-fishing

For you brave souls who don’t mind wandering out on frozen lakes, the all-terrain Outbounder wheelchair from Outbound Mobility, a 6×6 wheel wheelchair, is just the thing to get you out on the ice safely and independently. The wheelchair allows for 360-degree handling.

With plenty of torque and a P&G programmable joystick, this all-terrain wheelchair traverses the ice like nobody’s business. It may not fit in an ice house that great (if at all! ha), but it’s perfect for open-air fishing on frozen lakes.

Watch: Wheelchair ice fishing

Video #2: Wintry wheelchair motorcycling

For you gearheads out there, wheelchair motorcycling is a wicked cool sport that can be done year-round. All you need is a stable motorcycle in all weather conditions and a little imagination.

In this video from a quadriplegic and father, he shows how he rides his motorcycle in the dead of winter, making it look easier than it is, and in the process, becoming one cool cat.

Watch: Wheelchair motorcycle in snow

Video #3: Wheelchair comedian hits the ice for his first time

For pure silliness, you can’t get any sillier than this clip from disabled comedian and actor Ryan LaChance, who while inbetween filming scenes for the movie Janitors: The Movie realized one of his lifelong dreams – to let loose and wheel around on an ice rink.

Watch as he pulls fellow actors behind him, zooming down the full length of the rink and crashing, with all three of them laughing hysterically in the process. The ice definitely lives up to its reputation in this clip.

Watch: Wheelchair “ice skating”

What we love most about these videos is how they show wheelers enjoying what is typically not a very fun situation – winter weather. We love their spirit, and even more than that we love the fun that can be had because of a little ice and snow. Who knew?!

What crazy things do you like doing in winter?

Watch the videos!

– Wheelchair ice fishing

– Wheelchair motorcycle in snow

– Wheelchair “ice skating”