As the director of outreach for Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation — formerly Maine Handicapped Skiing — he gets to indulge all three.

And he loves it.

Name: Eric Topper

Age: 40

Town: I live in Portland, but my work takes me all over the state.

Married/single/relationship: Married with two kids, ages 2-and-a-half years old and 3 months old.

Job: Director of Outreach for Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation.

How did you get involved with Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation? I have spent my entire career working in outdoor education, beginning with a 10-year stint with Outward Bound, an organization and mission I still care for deeply. Skiing, paddling, cycling and golf have been big parts of my personal life, too. That background helps me understand the value of our work, and I’m blessed with an above average gift of gab. For me, sharing activities and sports that I love with others has always been extremely fulfilling, but being able to do so with people whose bodies may be a little different than mine raises it to an even more rewarding level. Especially after so many years trying to sell reluctant kids on climbing and paddling, it’s nice to be in a place where everyone wants to be there and most of whom have had to overcome enormous obstacles to do so.

What’s the best part about being part of Maine Adaptive? Between the participants who overcome enormous barriers associated with their disabilities and the volunteers who so generously share their time and talent, I am literally surrounded by heroes every day. I take particular pleasure in watching people from those two groups argue over who gets more out of being involved in Maine Adaptive. “Thanks for helping me ski today, I really got a ton out of it.”

“Are you kidding me? I’m the one who benefited from today, you’re an inspiration.”

“No really, thank you.”

“No, I insist, stop, thank you.”

And on and on. . . .  It’s really fun to watch, and it literally happens dozens of times every single day.

What’s the most challenging part? Even with the incredible generosity of our sponsors and donors, resources are often scarcer than you’d like them to be. There is never a shortage of great ideas and opportunities in our work, but sometimes we have to be disciplined enough to say “not now” when spreading our resources too thinly could compromise the quality of what we do.

Do you ski? I have been alpine skiing since I was 10 or 12 years old and started dabbling with telemark skiing about 10 years ago. I have since switched over completely and haven’t been on alpine gear in about six or seven years.

Your worst wipe-out happened when . . . : Like most skiers who transition from alpine to telemark gear, I spent a ton of time getting slammed on my face with forces I hadn’t even considered possible at those initial speeds. I remember thinking how unforgiving the New England hardpack was and that I probably should’ve started thinking about this transition while I was still in Colorado. There are still places on my chin where hair won’t grow.

Thing you’re looking most forward to in 2012: First off, SNOW! And now that Maine Handicapped Skiing has become Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation, I am personally really excited and hopeful that our year-round programs will start to get more of the attention they have deserved for so long.