 Poster: A snowHead
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We have been skiing as a family when Esprit was a thing as the childcare people were lovely with our son. He's since been diagnosed with every alphabet except not officially ASD (ADHD, DCD/dyspraxia, he's in a specialist school).
We go to our local disability snow sport and we went to Levi a couple of years ago at Feb half term where our other child skied and he sledged. He's managing more skiing now - the boots and helmet can be a sensory issue but he's doing better on that front lately.
Husband is fairly good at downhill (though he feels his age he says!) and I can do cross country or hiking or snowshoeing but had a bad injury a few years ago and think my downhill days are over.
We wanted to go with Skiing 4 All but they can't give us weeks we can manage (my work is not that flexible). We can take the kids out of school in the weeks when the English schools have a part week or possibly early Jan even if it's a full week.
We are wondering about a) Skiing 4 All nearer Easter or b) Levi again at half term if we can find a 1:1 teacher who would cope with our sonor c) somewhere else with 1:1 lessons for him. Our other child would manage group lessons if it was mainly in English.
Are there other ski schools recommended for children like our son? Ideally (moon on a stick I know) somewhere with reasonable cross country? I've searched a bit but might be missing something.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@drspouse, have you tried skiing in Italy? Both of my kids are neurodiverse with every possible diagnosis between them and we found that Italian ski instructors are a lot more patient and accommodating than in France and also tend to be cheaper… we have so far been in different resorts around Aosta Valley and always had friendly instructors that got on with our kids
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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?
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@drspouse, Serre Chevalier has decent cross-country. They have ski schools other than ESF withEnglish-speaking instructors, and are disabled friendly. I know others who have been there with neurodivergent children.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Wonderful! I will look at both of those.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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My youngest is ASD, Dyspraxic and Dyslexic however after put her into independent for a couple of years we went back in mainstream.
We struggled with lessons for a good while, in the end we switched to private lessons and when we have booked somewhere we have then come on her for advice on specific areas ski schools for booking good private instructors.
I then engaged with the ski school well in advance discussing her needs and they assigned a suitable instructor.
We have found this hardest to achieve at Feb half term due to how much demand there is for instructors then.
Easter and pre-Christmas when we can get to align with school holidays, has been much better.
Also some years via here (started when I did SFaB) we found someone jb similar position and we were able to share the private lessons. That made it both cheaper and more enjoyable for my daughter.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sun 28-09-25 5:33; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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https://alpinefreedom.co.uk/
It might be worth a conversation with @SaraJ. She's based out of Hochfügen, and is the head of adaptive skiing for IASI.
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You could try Freewhite out of Sestriere. I have taken a school group with a boy who had cerebral palsy, and they do accessible skiing with more hidden disabilities too. The boss is Olympic silver medalist, Gianfranco Martin and the hotel is Lago Losetta.
[url=]https://www.sestrieresportdisabili.com/FREEWHITE.htm[/url]
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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.
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Appreciate that this is more expensive than maybe what you'd consider but Whistler adaptive have a great program. My daughter works for them and the work they do is amazing
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That sounds lovely but a week on the North American West Coast just sounds completely exhausting!
I did try emailing @SaraJ but didn't get a reply.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@drspouse, if you haven't discounted Serre Chevalier, I can ask friends in the valley with ski instructor connections if they can recommend and instructor?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@drspouse, Welcome to Snowheads. I think Skiing4all in Zell-am-see is still your best bet. Mrs R&W has worked with them for the last 3 saesons. Kind of exactly what you're looking for I think. As to skiing nearer Easter, that shouldn't be a problem. Easter is early next year and conditions should still be good.
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@drspouse, I'm sorry... I haven't seen an email from you. Send me a PM here and I'll follow it up.
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You know it makes sense.
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So sorry for neglecting the thread - I got locked out.
When we originally got a reply saying Skiing4All didn't have the availability we wanted, we asked for other dates but they didn't reply. We worry they have just allocated all the dates now as they were so quick to book up the one we wanted. I will ask again though.
I will also message you @SaraJ - thanks.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@SaraJ, I have just worked out how to tag you in this. I think I have messaged you but again, I may not have worked that out correctly. I have used the internet before, honest!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@drspouse, Anna at Skiing4all is limited by the number of staff she has available. As you're well aware, many of their charges require one to one supervision and not all of her team work the full season. I'm sure she'll get back to you at some point.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@RedandWhiteFlachau, thanks! We fear we've basically lost our chance with the linked accommodation anyway hence looking elsewhere. I agree it sounds great.
Our son has been coming on well with willingness to try dry ski slope skiing with an understanding instructor so we are hopeful we might find another alternative.
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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?
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@drspouse, I've copied this response I've made to a similar thread question
"A friend's child has similar outlook whom we holiday with, with my understanding derived from this. There's other physical considerations for them, so not yet been skiing.
One place I've experienced and really like for a very good balance of the order you state is Praz D Lys in France. A quite unassuming village on a plateu set amongst its own piste, with direct access from most accommodation.
I've not visited in April but late March a few times, with good conditions. It's a particularly quiet and gentle place to visit, with decent facilities for learning and teaching. Plus a more adventurous piste scope for the more experienced. Its not a huge place, but packs alot of variety into its very local domain.
I feel it ideal to consider as it's also one of the closest drive routes in French Alps being not far past Geneva. We as a family have considerable affection for it."
While I can't give insight with regard to tuition etc, it's genuinely ideal in atmosphere and layout I feel.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@drspouse, Åre in Sweden has a very active disability skiing ethic, especially around Rödkullen, though travelling with your son may be difficult if you can't find direct flights ( there used to be some from Bristol to Östersund). Plenty of x-country, the Alpine is reds and cruisey blues mainly, nothing too difficult. Other things to do like dog sledding, skidoo outings, etc. Just chucking it in there if you want something "outside the box". Good luck.
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