The Questionnaire

Sean McCallion works in the programme team for The Back-Up Trust, a national charity supporting people with spinal cord injury. Sean runs a peer-led wheelchair skills training programme and helps coordinate Back-Up’s annual ski trips to Winter Park and Are, which are designed to promote self-confidence, independence and motivation in those who have suffered a traumatic life-changing accident.

Sean broke 2 vertebrae in his neck and suffered a spinal cord injury whilst snowboarding in Scotland in 2000. He had been boarding and skiing for about 9 years prior to the accident but it hasn't stopped him enjoying the mountains. He is now a keen bobskier having learnt to ski again on a Back-Up trip to Winter Park in 2002.

1. What’s your favourite ski resort and why? Have had a couple of great trips to Chinaillon in France. Some nice runs and lovely restaurants and it is still quite French.

2. What one thing would improve your enjoyment of snowsports? Being better!

3. What’s your most embarrassing moment on snow? Skiing like a pro (in my mind anyway) and then falling over in front of a crowd at a ski lift - this has happened a few times!

4. What trait you most deplore in other mountain users? Pushing in at the lifts, though I quite like it when they have a special entrance at the front for bobskiers!

5. Who is your mountain hero? Tim Farr in the GB Paralympic Team... hopefully he won't see this!

6. What fancy dress costume do you wear? Most recently a gangster outfit at The Back-Up Trust fundraising ball.

7. How long do you ski/snowboard each season? Unfortunately only a week or two.

8. What’s your earliest mountain memory? Getting drunk illegally on my school ski trip in Austria.

9. What’s your top tip? Get up early and enjoy the best part of the day.

10. What iPod tune for a chairlift? Tom Petty, Freefallin'.

11. Best song for après ski? Sweet Home Alabama.

12. What après ski do you prefer – fabulous meal or night on the town? Nowadays, probably a great meal with friends.

13. What is your winter sport of choice? Was a snowboarder, now a bobskier.

14. What was your best day on the mountains? Chasing the GB Paralympics team down Ego Bowl when they were training in Whistler in 2009.

15. What was your worst day on the mountains? 27 April 2000 in Scotland - doing a jump on my snowboard that landed me in a wheelchair.

16. Who would you most like to spend a day on the slopes with? My girlfriend and a gang of other mates.

17. Latest you have stayed up in a ski resort? All night.

18. Where’s your favourite ski lift? Not sure I have one.

19. Are you a member of the pylon high club? Not yet but hopefully there is still time...

20. What’s your favourite bar? Had a few good nights in GLC at the base of Whistler this year - loved the live music from the Hairfarmers.

21. What’s your favourite restaurant? L'Entracte in Chinaillon - delicious.

22. Gluhwein or beer? Both.

23. What’s been your most dangerous moment? See worst day on the mountains above.

24. Favourite cheese? Something smelly and blue.

25. Do you wear a helmet? Yes.

26. Do you prefer park or piste? The piste.

27. Are you accident prone? On the slopes yes.

28. What’s your best bit of gossip? No gossip from me I’m afraid.

29. What’s your favourite piece of ski kit? My heated insoles.

30. When do you plan to stop skiing/snowboarding? I would hope I have another 30+ years in me.