Anyone watching the recent Paralympic Games in Paris would have noted the ingenuity and enthusiasm with which those carrying a disability can, and do, engage in sport. As the wintersports season approaches, it is time to wise up on the range of opportunities for disabled travellers looking to head to the slopes.
Adapted for action…
Adaptive skiing is nothing new. The first ski outriggers (supportive forearm crutches with ski tips attached to the point of contact with the snow) appeared in the 1970s and were followed by other game-changing devices such as tip clamps (to prevent ski tips from crossing), sit-ski rigs and mono skiing in the 1980s. Options are described as one-, two-, three- or four-track skiing defined by the amount of physical support the skier requires to navigate the slopes. Start by understanding the challenges your disabled client has then look for the resorts that can match their needs with suitable facilities and equipment hire. Be sure to fully research the off-slope resort and hotel accessibility too.
Hit the slopes in the U.S.
Across North America many resorts provide accessibility programmes with qualified instructors and guides. Resorts such as Jackson Hole, Wyoming, run full- or half-day lessons as well as adaptive camps, with all the necessary equipment provided. On the east coast, Vermont puts the spotlight on skiing with a visual impairment by hosting the United States Association of Blind Athletes Winter Festival every year (Pico Mountain in 2024), but also offers many adaptive sports for those with physical, cognitive, developmental and emotional disabilities. Skiing lessons and camps are run at Killington, Sugarbush and Pico Mountain.
In Aspen, Colorado, Challenge Aspen includes mono and bi-ski, two- three- and four-track equipment and tuition, plus visually-impaired skiing instruction.
Also in Colorado, Winter Park has a wheelchair accessible village and relatively simple slope access. The resort is home to The National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) which has the equipment and experience to cater for a range of disabilities.
Canada calls..
Adaptive equipment can be found in many key Canadian resorts, to support skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, snowshoeing and skating. Dedicated programmes include specialist training instructors, support volunteers and programmes for newer challenges such as skate skiing, curling, winter frisbee and winter camping too.
Whistler, British Columbia, has done much to position itself as a leading centre and next February the Vancouver Whistler Invictus Games 2025 will offer a global platform to expand the range and profile of winter adaptive sports. Other ski resorts in the province with adaptive facilities include Revelstoke, Fernie and Silver Star.
There are also skiing, sit-skiing and snowboarding programmes at Grouse, Seymour and Cypress Mountains.
The Rocky Mountain Adaptive Sports Center at Sunshine Village, Alberta, is among leaders for learn-to-ski programmes, while in Ontario, Blue Mountain Resort, Snow Valley Resort and Mount St. Louis Moonstone Ski Resort all have adaptive facilities.
Trained volunteers guide visually impaired skiers and snowboarders
“holidays should be inclusive and accessible for everyone, yet the holistic benefits the mountains can deliver, and the freedom to rehabilitation, respite and rejuvenation is often denied due to a Lack of knowledge and information”
Catherine Cosby
Founder, Ski 2 Freedom Foundation
Accessibility in action
Canada-bound: Canadian Adaptive Snowsports is on a mission to eliminate barriers for those with visual, physical and cognitive impairments or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). cads.ski
Accessible adventure: Arctic Adventure offers adaptive snowmobile tours, ice-fishing and dog sledding in Québec via wheelchairtraveling.com; arcticaventure.com
Let’s Move: Non-profit Move United partners with over 100 adaptive snow sports programmes around the U.S. moveunitedsport.org
Para bounce: Vancouver, Toronto and Salt Lake City have all hosted the Paralympic Games, which has helped boost accessible facilities.
