We'd like to take my 14 yr old daughter skiing in the Alps this year. She is disabled (with a condition that presents like cerebral palsy - hemiparesis). Can anyone suggest a resort with a good handiski (perhaps even a particular instructor)? She has skied before about 5 years ago with a kind of walker with skis on the bottom. It went well in the end but took a couple of days (this was in the US). We'd also like a demi-pension hotel near as possible to the lifts. Our other daughter is a competitive swimmer (13 y.o.) and can't be away from training without a pool.... so we need some kind of pool in town as well. I realize this is a complex request, but does anyone have any suggestions?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@michellep, Serre Chevalier has good disabled facilities. There's a specialist facility for them at the bottom of the lifts in Villeneuve with changing , loos, picnic room, and there is a new swimming pool there too. Not sure if is is suitable for training or not, but the one in Briancon about 8km away will be.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
I think the leaders in this field are Oxygène ski school in La plagne - They have a host of experience and really specialize in this area, they have several very highly trained instructors. They all speak great English - I have been lucky enough to ski with a few of their disabled customers and the experience has been amazing. They have a section in the website as follows:- https://oxygene-ski.com/en/la-plagne-sit-ski/
I don't tend to recommend much by these guys are amazing - to name one is hard instructor but if I had to single one out I would ask for Laurent that said they are all great! There is a pool in Plagne 1800 and lots of accommodation options.
Merci beaucoup... I will check these suggestions out.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Also a pool (partly outdoor) in Plagne Bellecote if you are heading to that area of the complex or to Belle Plagne (say). Cannot help on the other aspects of your post. Good luck in finding a suitable resort, tuition and decent weather for your trip.
Does anyone know of a ski school near Les Saisses (France) that offers ski equipment for the disabled that actually allows someone to stand up and ski while being tethered from behind (not taxiski)? My daughter is handicapped and has mobility issues but she can stand and I would like her to be able to do the type of skiing in France that she did in New England. She used as walker-type of contraption with skis on its legs. It had handles for others to support her on the sides and she was tethered by a handiski instructor from behind. I have pictures and a video of this, but I don't know how to upload it to the forum.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Tue 15-12-15 13:28; edited 1 time in total
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
This is a link to my daughter (age 8 at the time) skiing with the equipment that I would like to find in Europe: http://youtube.com/v/aYWk3O3W028
It takes a few seconds until you see her well.
After all it is free
After all it is free
You used to be able to search for adaptive instructors on the central ESF website, the largest number by far were in La Plagne.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@michellep, contact a member here called SaraJ as she specialises in Adaptive Skiing. She has links to plenty of resources and locations where equipment can be loaned/tried. You may have to send her a PM using the facility to send messages (top-right of the screen)
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Have you tried asking Catherine at Ski2Freedom? http://www.ski2freedom.com/en/index She might know somewhere. If you contact her, please mention my name (Sara, from Alpine Freedom).
Also, a picture popped up in my Facebook feed yesterday for Crowdfunding for Katies Ski Tracks https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/katies2016 with a picture of a skiing frame. Presumably, they use them. http://www.katiesskitracks.org/
We don't have one, unfortunately, because the terrain where we are isn't really suitable for them. You need big, wide open, fairly flat slopes - we have that for short sections interspersed with steeper, double fall-line pitches.
In the past 5 years, how much has your daughter's strength improved? Would it be possible for her to use stand up outriggers instead? These are like a forearm crutch with skis on the bottom. Obviously, they offer less support than a frame, but they can provide some stability. It is also possible to tether someone using stand up outriggers.
I hope you find what you need - if I can help at all please ask.
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads on Tue 15-12-15 13:51; edited 1 time in total
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@Samerberg Sue, Thanks Sue You wrote that while I was searching for the links
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Poster: A snowHead
You wrote that while I was searching for the links 
