Courage Alpine Skier Meghan Erickson, a 10-year-old amputee from Somerset, WI, qualified for the NASTAR (National STAndard Race) Championships that were held March 23-26, 2006 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Erickson competed in the giant shalom as a 3-tracker, which is a single ski with hand-held outriggers.
 
NASTAR was developed by SKI Magazine in 1968 and is the largest recreational ski and snowboard race program in the world. The last day to qualify for the 2006 National Championships for able bodied and physically challenged skiers and snowboarders was Feb. 20, 2006.
 
Erickson, in fourth grade at Somerset Elementary, has been skiing with the Courage Alpine Ski program for three years. Her first two years she trained at Welch Village and during the 2006 season she has been skiing at Trollhaugen Ski Area in Dresser, Wisconsin. 
 
“Meghan’s potential is unlimited at this point,” said Scott Olson, who has been a volunteer coach with the Courage Alpine Ski program for 12 years and the Forest Lake High School ski coach for six years. “Meghan has the drive to do better and is not afraid to try out new techniques.”
 
Courage Alpine Skiers, the largest sports and recreation program offered through Courage Center, serves more than 200 skiers with disabilities with some 300 volunteers assisting with the program.  The program began in 1968 at Welch Village and united with Courage Center in 1980. In addition to Welch Village and Trollhaugen, the Courage Alpine Ski program is offered at Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area in Bloomington, Buena Vista Ski Area in Bemidji and at Spirit Mountain Ski Area in Duluth.
 
For more information, visit www.courage.org