OPENING weekend at Falls Creek helped mark a significant step in Australian ski legend Steve Lee's ongoing recovery from a debilitating stroke, with the three–time Winter Olympian and World Cup alpine race winner back on the slopes, in a sit–ski.

With the assistance of Disabled Winter Sport (DWS) instructor Charlie Evans and resort co–ordinator Ken Payne, and in the company of family and friends, Steve had several runs down familiar terrain at his home resort, and remains determined to get more time on the snow this season.

“It’s a bit of a double–edged sword, it’s not what I thought I would be doing… but at least I’m in the mountains and with mates,” he said.

Steve’s sister Kerry Dodd said getting back to the mountain he loves and inspiring the next generation of ski enthusiasts has been a focus, but first he had a lot of work to do to even achieve this.

The stroke Steve suffered in September last year left him without movement down the left side of his body, a left neglect affecting his vision and significant cognitive function.

The up side is his speech is great and so is his sense of humour.

“He had (and still has) a lot of work to do and this initial period is seen as the most crucial in improvement and recovery,” Kerry said.

"Steve currently needs 24/7 care and that may be ongoing.

“The renovations to the house in Mt Beauty that the donations through the Australian Sports Federation (ASF) secured for him earlier this year are still some time away from completion, ready for him to move in.

“He is living in a supported unit in Albury and has multiple sessions Monday to Friday which have provided great gain, but fatigues him immensely.”

In the past couple of weeks, Steve’s physio has signed off on him being able to walk independently inside his unit, as long as he uses a foot brace and walking stick and does so when he is not too tired.

Kerry said how often and how long Steve can be in the sit–ski is a real balancing act.

“He loves being in the sit–ski but the nature of it tires him out and renders traditional therapies (physio, occupational and speech for example) useless until he’s feeling focused,” she said.

“It really is a double–edged sword.

“The joy he gets from being here, balanced with the fatigue.

"We are guided by his therapy team in Albury and the specialists from DWA (Disable Wintersport Australia) who monitor Steve’s fatigue on the hill and adjust what he can handle and how often, but at this stage we hope to have him out there every second weekend, and ideally if not this season into the future – upright.”

The ‘Steve Lee Fightback’ GoFundMe page currently sits at $110,000 and Kerry said that the love and support for Steve had been overwhelming.

“We are so lucky to live in Australia and have the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) and that Steve put out so much over the years and that is now being returned to him in his time of need," she said.

Donations will help with Steve’s ongoing additional therapy, exercise programs, an NDIS approved vehicle and daily expenses.

For those wanting to contribute, go to the Australian Sport Federation (http://bit.ly/SLFightback), or the GoFundMe page (GoFundMe.com/steveleefightback).