Skiing is a truly incredible pastime. It’s an amazing workout, and it can be as leisurely or intense as you like. Pick the right resort, and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring scenery, as well as having a chance to indulge in some amazing apres-ski activities.
But what if you, or someone you know, is living with a disability? This can make skiing slightly more complicated – but not inaccessible. Let’s take a look at a few key tips for disabled people looking to go skiing.
Choosing the Right Resort
If you pick the wrong resort, you might find your holiday is a lot more irritating than it needs to be. The best resorts for disabled people tend to offer specialised ski schools, very few steps, and medical support. Fortunately, with more disabled people skiing than ever before, there’s a wealth of information available online about the strengths and weaknesses of the different resorts. What’s more, the general standard is much higher than it once was.
Booking Travel and Accommodation
Before you book your flights, transfers, and lodgings, you’ll want to be sure that each can cater to your specific needs. What this means in practice may depend on the nature of your disability. Some might require adapted bathrooms; others might need wheelchair-friendly, one-storey apartments. It’s worth picking up the phone and ensuring that every stage of the trip will be suitable for everyone in your group. In some cases, you might find that your specific needs can be accommodated – given sufficient notice.
Adaptive Equipment and Lessons
If your body doesn’t allow you to strap on a pair of traditional skis, then you might resort to one of several alternative options. These include mono-skis, which are a little bit like snowboards, except that both feet face forwards. There are also sit-skis, which are perfect for wheelchair users.
Of course, specialised equipment like this can sometimes be difficult to access. As such, it’s worth giving yourself some peace of mind by booking yours in advance. The same goes for any specialised instruction you might need.
Some countries and resorts are better at this than others. Ski holidays in Italy, for example, tend to offer a range of facilities, equipment, and expertise that will help a disabled person get the best from their holiday.
Financial Support and Insurance
When a disabled person goes skiing, they tend to face higher costs. After all, the laws of supply and demand mean that specialised equipment and instruction are more expensive. However, in many cases you might be able to offset these extra costs with the help of government support and insurance. Be sure that your holiday insurance covers skiing before you set out, too.
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I'm Alice and I live with a dizzying assortment of invisible disabilities, including ADHD and fibromyalgia. I write to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental and chronic illnesses of all kinds.
