Taking part in snowsports and experiencing the thrill and excitement of downhill skiing is now a real possibility for virtually anyone, regardless of their disability. MountainPassions takes a look at some of the ‘Handiski’ accredited French ski resorts where disabled skiers can find suitable accommodation, quality instruction and a range of specialist equipment.

Getting Started

If you’ve never skied before then it would pay to travel to the slopes already knowing what equipment might suit your particular needs. Some resort ski schools have a wide choice of equipment for beginners to try but this is far from the norm. If possible, it is better to visit a ‘snow-dome’ (such as at Castleford, near Leeds) offering weekly adaptive ski lessons. Information about these and other instruction can be found on the Disability Snowsport UK website, which is packed with information.

If you would rather learn and ski with a group of people, there are charitable organisations who can help. Disability Snowsport UK is a good starting point. They run activity weeks both in the UK and abroad and raise funds to help disabled people have the opportunity to travel to the mountains and enjoy the freedom and sensation of skiing. Which organisation you approach depends largely on your disability. For example, the Back-Up Trust works with people with spinal injuries.

Once you are comfortable with your equipment and have mastered some basic techniques then you probably can't wait to hit the slopes. A non-beginner or intermediate skier who knows which ski equipment they need will find their choice of where to ski broadened considerably.
Here are a few pointers to help you decide where to ski :

Do you need adapted accommodation?
French ski resorts aren’t generally perceived as being too aware of the needs of those with limited mobility. However, we can recommend some destinations which are making great efforts to accommodate disabled skiers and where some apartments and hotels have adapted accommodation, such as Aime La Plagne.
See our To Stay... section for our selection.
Travel further afield to the USA and resorts such as Breckenridge or Winter Park, Colorado (home to the National Sports Center for the Disabled) will provide everything the disabled skier could desire.

Do you need a ‘Ski-Buddy’?
Why pay more for your lift pass — especially if you need a Ski-Buddy? Most French ski areas will offer 50% off ski passes for a disabled skier and their ski buddy ( buy1 get 1 free). This information is not always stated clearly on websites so it is best to contact the resort to check. Resorts such as Avoriaz offers a second lift pass free (Portes du Soleil ski area) and La Plagne (where you can get up to 50% off the second pass) clearly states their disabled skier discounts on their website. In the Hautes Pyrénées, Luz Ardiden offers 2 passes for the price of 1 for a disabled skier and a buddy. It’s also worth noting that if you are heading to North America, Winter Park in the NSCD offers group rates and consider two adaptive skiers to be a group.
Remember to carry proof of disability when you purchase the passes.

What equipment do you need?
If you’ve already skied and you know what equipment you require, reserve it when you book your travel — owning your own equipment will give you more independence and increase the choices of where to ski. See the guide by the French manufacturer Tessier, whose website is also a wonderful source of information about skiing in France and lists many ski schools, accommodation providers and organisations on its Links page.

Tailored Instruction

The French ski school ESF has instructors who are specially qualified to teach standing (uniski or dualski), seated (skichair and nordic sledge), partially-sighted and blind skiers (guiding), and more and more schools are acquiring equipment suitable for disabled skiers. All ski areas are dedicated to increasing the opportunities for disabled skiers — an example being the Rhône-Alpes Region, which is subsidising the provision of specially-designed skiing equipment for the disabled (dual-skis, ski-karts etc.) for local ski schools. This equipment is then lent free of charge to ESF customers for their lessons. The prices for teaching are exactly the same as for the able-bodied. The equipment supplied is approved for use on ski-lifts, and the charge for skiing is often subject to reductions for seated skiers and their companions other than the instructor. Visit the ESF website and click on the Handiski symbol on the front page. You will find a comprehensive guide on where you can find ESF instructors and equipment or look out for the Handiski symbol on individual resort websites. Independent ski schools often offer a more tailored service, a wider range of equipment and English speaking instructors.
See our resort recommendations for details.

Many British ski schools offer disabled ski instruction— See our Resort Recommendations or visit your chosen resort website for contact details.

MountainPassions Ski Holidays
Our new Ski Holidays website offers lots of information, photo galleries and advice to help you choose your perfect ski holiday. Whether you are looking to ski in Europe or North America, for a self-catering ski apartment or an hotel (or even just a short ski break), we have something to offer everyone — contact us to enquire about Adapted Accommodation.

Where to stay

Finding somewhere to stay on your first skiing holiday can be confusing and even more difficult if you need adapted accommodation. See the left column for our recommendations.

Meanwhile, here are a few more ideas:
Les Saisies: its gentle downhill slopes are well suited to disabled learners and its beautiful location in the heart of the Beaufortain region is an added bonus. The ESF ski school has a good range of equipment (reserve in advance). The Calgary, the three-star hotel owned by the French champion Franck Piccard, has three adapted rooms, one double, one sleeping 3, and another for 4 guests.

Les Houches: We skied Les Houches in January 2008 and noticed how many really good sit-skiers there were on the slopes. A pretty family resort, Les Houches is situated at the entrance to the Chamonix Valley and has a reputation as one of the easier resorts in the area (which is true), but don't be put off if you are a more advanced skier, as there is plenty to keep everyone happy including the famous Verte black run used in the Kandahar FIS World Cup race. Les Houches ESF ski school offers handiski instruction and a range of equipment for tandemski, upright or seated skiing, and guided seated skiing. They work in partnership with the Ski Assis Evasion Association which extends throughout the Pays du Mont-Blanc resorts and offers opportunities to experience other mountain sports.

Combloux: this village resort, close to the famous Megève, boasts a stunning panoramic view of Mont-Blanc and a charming village landscape. The ski station is highly rated for its accessibility and services for disabled skiers, including reserved parking places. Both the ESF ski school and the Ski Assis Evasion school offer a wide range of equipment and instruction. The Mowgly Résidence offers 4 apartments of 2 rooms, with facilities for wheelchairs and is close to the slopes. The 3* Hotel Le Feug has 2 adapted rooms.

MountainPassions would like to thank Jon Lind for his professional advice on accommodation and ski schools. He can be contacted on adaptive@ErnaLow.co.uk