{"id":601,"date":"2014-11-15T15:37:25","date_gmt":"2014-11-15T14:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mountainpassions.com\/wordpress\/?p=601"},"modified":"2019-12-30T11:27:41","modified_gmt":"2019-12-30T10:27:41","slug":"skiing-with-a-disability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mountainpassions.com\/winter\/ski-features\/skiing-with-a-disability\/","title":{"rendered":"Skiing with a Disability"},"content":{"rendered":"
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P<\/span>eople with disabilities now have plenty of choice about where to ski. Resorts are upgrading lifts and ski school staff are undertaking specialist adaptive skiing<\/strong> (Handiski) training. We aim to help you make the right decisions to get on the slopes and give you a few ideas about where to go.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\nTaking part in snowsports and experiencing the thrill and excitement of downhill skiing is now a real possibility for virtually anyone, regardless of their disability.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\"Tandem\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Handiskier\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Getting Started<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve 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<\/strong> have a wide choice of equipment for beginners<\/strong> to try. If possible, visit a \u2018snow-dome<\/strong>\u2019 (such as at Castleford<\/strong>, near Leeds) offering weekly adaptive ski lessons. Information about these and other instruction can be found on the Disability Snowsport UK<\/a> website, which is packed with information. Ski2Freedom<\/a> also have a comprehensive amount of information on their website including a directory of where to ski, ideas for other activities in winter and summer, and the help that only people with direct personal experience can give.<\/p>\n

If you would rather learn and ski with a group of people, there are charitable organisations who can help.<\/p>\n

Disability Snowsport UK<\/strong> is a good starting point. They run activity weeks<\/strong> both in the UK and abroad and raise funds<\/strong> to help disabled people have the opportunity to travel to the mountains and enjoy the freedom and sensation of skiing.<\/p>\n

Which organisation you approach depends largely on your disability. For example, the Back-Up Trust<\/a> helps people with spinal injuries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Book equipment in advance<\/h2>\n

Once you have booked your lessons or have already tried out some equipment in a snow-dome then you probably can’t wait to hit the slopes. Most areas now have qualified instructors and you should enquire in advance whether they will be able to provide the instruction and equipment you need. <\/p>\n

Always book your lessons and equipment in advance<\/strong>. A non-beginner or intermediate skier who knows which ski equipment they need will find their choice of where to ski<\/strong> broadened considerably but this is beginning to change. Even the smaller family resorts such as Combloux are finding they can welcome disabled skiers. This is largely due to the constant upgrades in lift infrasructure enabling sitskiers to ride the lifts and access more terrain.<\/p>\n

If you have your own equipment investigate bag transfer services which deliver to your destination as long as you have someone there who is prepared to receive it and store it until your arrival. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Deciding Where to Ski<\/h2>\n

Do you need adapted accommodation?<\/h3>\n

French ski resorts aren\u2019t 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. The Savoie Mont Blanc<\/a> region has a comprehensive list of Handiski resorts<\/strong> on its website which would act as a good starting point to research places to stay.<\/p>\n

Has your chosen resort got adapted facilities?<\/h3>\n

Check with someone who knows the resort, perhaps the Tourist Office, accommodation provider or your ski instructor, and find out if there are accessible toilets and restaurants<\/strong> in the village or on-mountain. Note where they are and inform your ski-buddy or instructor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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