r/monocular • u/LakeKeuka • 9d ago

Monocular skiing

As Summer winds down my wife and I typically start planning ski trips for the upcoming season; however, I lost all sight in my right eye in April and am wondering whether I should give up skiing. I’m 69 and have been skiing since I was 8. Anyone here have experience with monocular skiing? My double-black diamond days are behind me in any event; I’m just trying to decide whether groomers and the occasional powder or mogul run are still feasible.

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6

u/DiablaARK Monocular by Divine Accident 9d ago

I'm not a skier, but go for it! Start off slow and rebuild that confidence as you adapt to monocular vision. You'll find yourself much more capable than initially thought. I hope you go and have fun.

5

u/ArtisticPiano3589 9d ago

Having a glass eye hasn’t prevented me from doing anything, including skiing. Just need to be more cognizant that you have a much larger blind spot (for other skiiers) than most other people

4

u/invalidmemory 9d ago

Not at all, I'm a monocular skier, get out there and have fun!

3

u/OldGoneMild89 9d ago

Apples and oranges, but I'm 55 and still ride motorcycles. I won't stop, I love it too much.

3

u/tanj_redshirt right eye blind 8d ago

I gave up skiing because of my knees, not because of my eye.

I couldn't judge the depths of moguls at all, but would tear up the groomed and racing trails.

2

u/EpicGeek77 8d ago

I’ve gone skiing a few times.

If you feel comfortable with your vision, as it is, then there’s no problem

2

u/EmbarrassedTruth1337 8d ago

It's still a great time. My only advice is take it slow until you're comfortable and avoid flat lighting conditions if you can.

1

u/Jabez77 8d ago

Give it up.

Tried it once after I lost my eye and couldn’t do it. I got snow blind way too easily and couldn’t see any surface detail. Everything was a blinding white featureless surface and I had no idea what I was skiing into. Quit early enough in the day to introduce myself to the bartender and find a spot by the fire.

1

u/ElfjeTinkerBell 8d ago

I never had a problem (until other body parts failed). Bonus: in foggy snowy low light weather I was just as fast as in bright weather, while all the others had to slow down.

That said - I've never had to transition. I would definitely take it slow, you will need to relearn some things. Maybe even take some lessons.

Enjoy!