Adaptive Snowsport
…anything is possible.
ADAPTIVE CLUBS
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What are adaptive snowsports?
Adaptive snowsports use adaptive equipment and provide accessible support systems to allow people with a wide range of disabilities to take to the snow and experience the freedom of snow sports in the least restrictive manner possible.
Alpine
There are two types of Adaptive Skiing: sit-ski and standing ski. Both of these can be adapted to make it more suitable for your disability. Sit-ski's can be mono- or bi-ski and 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. Stand Up skiing can be with or without outriggers and if you are visually impaired you may need a guide. Stand Up skiing is available for people who can use skis but may need instructor support.
Snowboarding
Para Snowboarding is suitable for anyone who can stand unaided whether using prosthetics or otherwise. The equipment used in adaptive snowboard is the same for most disabilities: Boots, bindings and snowboard. Adaptions are sometimes made to prosthetics to improve their interaction with the board such as heel wedges and padding in the shin. Sometimes tethers may be used to aid with steering in the learning phase and for those with double leg amputations special bindings are used.
Nordic
Para Nordic has Paralympic classification categories for sit-skiers and those with leg, arm, combined and visual impairments. The discipline is comprised of two types of events: Cross Country Skiing, which ranges from 2.5km to 20km in classical and freestyle techniques and Biathlon, which combines shooting 5 targets from 10m between skiing laps. In the summer Para Nordic skiers can practise and train on rollerskis. There are currently 4 Nordic ski clubs in Scotland, SSS supports these clubs to provide opportunities for adaptive skiers.
Where to start?
The level of assistance you will need will be entirely disability related. Special adapted equipment is necessary for some people.
We would encourage you to contact your local centre to see what kind of adaptive snowsport lessons they offer or whether.
For more specialised needs Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) offer alpine skiing and snowboarding lessons. They have schools operating out of several slopes around the country. They are an organisation that works to make sure that anyone with a disability, may it be learning, sensory or physical, can ski or snowboard alongside other people. They cater for complete novices all the way to advanced participants.
There are other snowsport schools that work in specific areas of Scotland catering for disability and can support with lessons, as described below. You may also look to join a club, most snowsports clubs would welcome disabilities.
DISABILITY SNOWSPORTS UK
Disability Snowsport UK’s vision is of mountains and ski slopes free from barriers. They believe that all people have the right to access the unique physical, mental, and social benefits of snowsport, regardless of disability, injury, or experience.
They operate ski schools at various locations throughout Scotland as well as delivering opportunities to ski and snowboard in a mountain environment worldwide.
ADAPTIVE SNOWSPORT COLLECTIVE
Adaptive Snowsports Collective offer both one to one private adaptive lessons and inclusive group lessons where people with and without a disability can ski together. Any profits from their lessons go back into their work or into the disability snowsport community.
They can be based at Glenmore Lodge, The Lecht or Cairngorm Mountain Resort.
SPORT ABERDEEN
Developed in partnership with Special Olympics, Sport Aberdeen offer sessions which are suitable for individuals with additional support needs and provide a pathway of progression through the sport. Their programmes run on a 50 week coached programme cycle.
Their ‘Get active for Less’ discounted access scheme offers a range of pay and play and membership discounts to those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Para Snowsports Learn to Ride Summer Camp
The aim of the camps is to give young people between the ages 8-15 who might classify for the Paralympics the chance to try skiing and snowboarding for the first time. Skiing and snowboarding like other sports can have great benefits for people’s health and mental wellbeing as well as helping build personal skills like determination and perseverance and social skills. They can be done alone, or with family and friends and it allows young people to get into the great outdoors and enjoy nature.
Parallel Lines Race Series 2024
The Parallel Lines race series is a fun open race, for both skiers and snowboarders, aimed at riders with disabilities and assisted needs but open to everyone! The races are slalom races suitable for a wide range of abilities, taking pace in various indoor snow centres across the UK.
The Parallel Race Series has been announced, click the button below!
Para Snowboard Progression Sessions
The Progression Sessions are open to any snowboarders with a disability or additional support needs looking to develop their skills and push their riding to the next level. During the sessions we'll work on ensuring the fundamentals are honed so you have a good platform to work from as we explore how to ride different parts of the mountain.
Want to get competitive?
GB Snowsports manages British Parasnowsport and is recognised as the UK National Governing Body for disabled snowsports by the British Paralympic Association. For further information about Parasnowsports at a competitive level please visit our Parasnowsports page or contact one of our pathway coaches below.
Snowsport Scotland/GB Snowsports employs three adaptive/para coaches to support the progression of athletes through the pathway and into the GB Snowsports teams. This is done in partnership with Clubs and GB Snowsports.
Please check our Clubs page to get in touch with your local club to see if they can accomodate adaptive sessions, or contact one of our coaches to find out about our national programmes.
Para-Alpine Pathway Coach – Blake Williams
blake@snowsportscotland.org
Para-Nordic Pathway Coach – Fern Cates
fern@snowsportscotland.org
Para-Snowboard Pathway Coach - Alastair Nasmyth
alastair@snowsportscotland.org