Disabled Skiing Holidays

Disabled skiing holidays offer the opportunity for skiers and snowboarders with special needs to experience the thrill of the slopes and the beauty of the mountains, and enjoy the freedom and sense of joy that the sport brings. With a disabled skiing holiday, or adaptive skiing as it is also known, skiers can gain both confidence and independence, and be empowered by reaching their full potential on the slopes, with the added benefit or enjoying the sport alongside friends and family.

 

There are a number of companies out there offering disabled skiing holidays, and all aim to provide an enjoyable and educational experience, with the help of specialist equipment and qualified instructors to assist. Advances in equipment mean that a disabled skiing holiday is more accessible than ever to a wider range of skiers. Different kinds of disabilities and learning difficulties need specific kinds of ski equipment and tuition, for example the visually impaired can learn in the traditional way, but with the one-on-one help and guidance of a private instructor, whereas those with limited or no lower mobility need specialist bi-skis, allow them to sit down. There is a growing number of resorts offering specialist ski schools and instruction for a disabled skiing holiday, including La Plagne, Avoriaz and Tignes in France, and Breckenridge and Winter Park in the US. The latter, in particular, offers exceptional facilities for a disabled skiing holiday, with Winter Park being home to the National Sports Centre for the Disabled, the largest of its kind in the world. These resorts in particular are renowned for their high level of tuition and instruction in disabled skiing holidays, and are home to ski schools with wide ranges of specialist equipment, such as dual skis, monoskis, GMS chairs and ski-karts - all essential for varying forms of disabled skiing holidays.

 

Accommodation on a disabled skiing holiday must be considered, with specialist adaptive hotels and apartments catering to the special needs of its guests, and generally needing to be booked up well in advance. As well as a fun and often exhilarating winter hobby with able-bodied friends and family, disabled skiing holidays can also be an excellent form of physical therapy, and are a great way to strengthen muscles and increase coordination.