Inclusive, accessible skiing and snowboarding

Why should I try skiing or snowboarding?

• Increasing your confidence through snowsport and trying something new can help improve your wellbeing in everyday life.
• There are social, recreational groups that are a great way to meet new people and new friends with shared interests. We even organise holidays too.
• Adaptive snowsport is something your family and friends can do together; everyone is on snow just using different types of equipment.
• Snowsport can help you build fitness and confidence, and it’s also a lot of fun! It can be a great way to improve your strength, coordination and balance too.

What is adaptive snowsport?

• If you have a visual impairment or difficulties with balance, specialist instruction will help you make the most of your skills and abilities.
• Or, if you or your child have a learning disability we can support you to learn in a way that is right for you and take pace, environment and any communication needs into account.
• Additional equipment can help skiers who have an amputation or difficulties with balance by providing extra contact with the snow.
• Adaptive snowsport is something your family and friends can do together; everyone is on snow just using different types of equipment.

Snowboarding: Adaptive snowboarding is available and uses specialist and adapted equipment as needed or tailored instruction for every snowboarder.
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Every skier and snowboarder is unique, and our instructors will work with you to find the best way to get you on the slopes and develop your skills and confidence, and simply have fun.

‘Adaptive snowsport’ is the name given to the types and skiing and snowboarding we offer and refers to the adaptations made to equipment or types of equipment that can make skiing and snowboarding inclusive for all.
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Sit skis enable people who might usually use a wheelchair or find it difficult to stand for long periods to enjoy skiing, both with and without assistance. 
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Stand Up skiing is available for people who can use skis but may need instructor support to control direction and speed, verbal instruction or additional equipment. For example:

"Learning to ski was way out of my comfort zone. From the beginning DSUK have provided me with the opportunity to overcome that fear and take part in something I really enjoy. The instructors have put me at ease and encouraged me to progress and enjoy skiing."

What to expect

Before your first lesson our booking team will talk to you about what you need, and we will match you with an experienced instructor who will get you started. As lessons progress, we will help you develop your confidence and skills, you may progress to using different adaptive skis and snowboards or skiing independently.
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When you come for your first lesson, please make sure you dress in warm, long sleeved layers, gloves and ski socks for stand up skiing. You are welcome to wear your own warm waterproof jacket and trousers, or they are often available for hire. Sit skiers may wish to bring a blanket or foot muff too. 
You will be asked to wear a helmet on the slope too.
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Information about disabled parking, toilet and changing facilities are available on each site’s page. 
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You can find out more about the different types of adaptive snowsport here https://www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk/adaptive-disciplines
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If you have any questions about access or would like to talk through what to expect before you arrive, please just call us on 01479 861272.

About us

Disability Snowsport UK is the UK’s leading adaptive snowsport charity. With more than 40 years of experience of teaching and supporting disabled skiers and snowboarders we can help to get anyone on the snow and enjoying the freedom and fun of snowsport. 
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With individual, group and family lessons as well as recreational skiing groups, feel free to get in touch today to find out how you can get started.

Email: bookings@disabiltysnowsport.org.uk 
Phone: 01479 861272