Marc Romero had never been on skis before he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 1979, but after discovering the sport, he went on to race on the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.

The Colorado resident had also never tried his hand at filmmaking, but was so inspired by the skiers he met on the adaptive race circuit that he was motivated to write, produce and narrate a documentary telling their stories.

Romero has been working for the past several months to organize a screening of his 2008 film, Heroes of the Slopes, in Whistler during the 2010 Paralympics. The hour-long film will be shown at the Village 8 Cinemas on Sunday and Wednesday (March 14 and 17).

“I think it’s a great complement (to the Paralympics),” Romero said of the film. “I’m just (screening it) to entertain and educate anyone who’s up there.”

The film is a compilation of 14 short segments that each tells the story of an adaptive skier, he said. While there are no Canadian athletes featured in the documentary, Romero said the film includes some of the world’s top adaptive skiers and some current and former Paralympians.

“There’s something in it for everybody,” he said. “I just want people to get the inspiration, education and entertainment that’s in there.”

Romero said the film appeals to people of all ages, especially children, and even people who don’t ski will enjoy it. In addition to the personal stories of the athletes, Heroes of the Slopes also outlines the development of the sit-ski and other adaptive equipment, and encourages helmet use on the mountains.

“It makes you want to get out there and ski,” Romero said.

A passion for skiing, and its ability to diminish the disabilities of adaptive participants, is evident in the film. Romero said skiing offers freedom to people with disabilities. He said he would love to help more people experience adaptive skiing.

Romero, who won two bronze medals at the U.S. Disabled Nationals in 1994, was a ski racer for almost a decade. He also founded free skiing programs at the National Sports Centre for the Disabled and the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Centre in the late 1990s.

Romero worked as a volunteer adaptive ski instructor for several years before starting work on Heroes of the Slopes. Now, he presents the film to school audiences and discusses its concepts with students.

Romero is travelling to West Vancouver to present Heroes on the Slopes on March 18. He said he’s coming to Whistler the following day to enjoy the last few days of Paralympic competition.

Though he won’t be in attendance at the Whistler screenings, Romero said the film and its characters tell the story he wants to convey.

Catch Heroes of the Slopes at Village 8 Cinemas on Sunday and Wednesday (March 14 and 17). Show times were not available by press deadline. Visit www.village8.ca for updates.