Melanie Schwartz - Racer

Melanie's love for alpine skiing started at a young age and has been growing ever since. Although she is relatively new to racing, she is competing at races across North America. As a congenital leg amputee, she skis on one leg and uses two outriggers (similar to poles with ski tips on the bottom). She is training to achieve her dream of representing Canada at the Paralympics and on the World Cup circuit

Melanie started skiing with the Ontario Track 3 Ski Association at the age of nine. At that time she skiied with two skis and two poles. She began skiing on one ski when she began skiing with the advanced program at Track 3. After eight years as a student of the Track 3 program, Melanie became an instructor. Her passion for teaching skiing prompted her to become a certified instructor with the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance (CSIA). She was the first adaptive skier to earn CSIA level 1 certification.

Melanie temporarily moved to Ottawa for the winter of 2007. While there, she decided to join a race team. She didn't plan to continue after that season, but she got hooked on racing and was offered a spot with the National Development team for the following season. She has been happily skiing with both ODART and the National Development team ever since.

Melanie also has a life outside of skiing. She graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Computer Science in 2008. Through university Melanie took many leadership roles for her sorority, frosh week, and residence. Melanie has worked in number of jobs related to her degree and likes to contribute to her community through volunteer work.

For more information on Melanie, check out her personal website: www.MelanieSchwartz.ca