Aleksei Retivykh was 11 when he lost his leg but that didn’t stop him from becoming a member of the ski patrol at the Kazakh ski resort Chimbulak, near Almaty. Makes you feel good to see all the support Alekesei is getting through social media in a bid to get him an artificial limb.

Francis Xavier is a seasoned writer for Unofficial Networks, bringing a lifetime of outdoor experience to his work. Having lived in a ski resort town for years he has a deep connection to mountain culture.... More by Francis Xavier