Disabled Skiing UK
There are a number of ways in which everyone with a disability or special need can enjoy the thrills of skiing or snowboarding - yes, even in the UK.
If you are unable to reach the mountains of Scotland or want to ski year-round then take advantage of the excellent indoor and outdoor facilities - the Snowdomes are a good chance to experience the thrills of winter snow-sports!
Useful contacts and Information:
DSUK www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk
www.snowdome.co.uk
www.uk-active.co.uk/skiingsnowboarding/slopescentresuk.htm
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Ski Centres with facilities for disability and special needs
Ackers Adventure
www.ackers-adventure.co.uk
Based near Birmingham Ackers provides skiing instruction for all types of disability and special needs. They also provide a wide range of other sporting activities.
Bowles
www.bowles.ac/snowsports (Tunbridge Wells)
Email: admin@bowles.ac
01892 665665
Achievement through experience. Outside ski and snowboard slopes with specialist instruction available. Ski cart equipment available.
Calshot Activity Centre
0044 023 8089 2077
calshot.ac@hants.gov.uk
www.calshot.com
Calshot Activities Centre in Hampshire is one of the largest Outdoor Adventure Centres in Britain and is run by Hampshire County Council. We have a reputation for excellence and professionalism and operate to the highest standards. Calshot offers residential and non-residential courses in an unrivalled number of exciting water and landbased activities.
Ski slope in old aircraft hanger. Not suitable for those with little mobility as no lift to top of slope - just steps. Best suited for learning difficulties and behavioural problems. Will take blind or partially sighted. St Dunstan's use the facility. Best suited for groups. Will do private tuition but more expensive. Good for schools etc. to have group day out.
Dorset Ski Centre
0044 (0) 1305 853 245
enquiries@dorsetsnowsport.co.uk
www.dorsetsnowsportcentre.co.uk
This is an outdoor ski centre with Snowflex. They do not have any specialist equipment.
All disabilities and special needs can use the slope but not suitable for those with little or no mobility who would require using a sit-ski.
Hemel Hempstead - The Snow Centre
Through DSUK and The Snow Centre there are local groups developing to bring people with a love of snowsports together to meet, socialise and ski. A new local recreational adaptive skiing group meets once a month and is run by dedicated volunteers and will be based here at The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead.
Contact sophiewood@disabilitysnowsport.org.uk for full details.
Whether you have your heart set on being the next Paralympic champion or whether the idea of that extra freedom appeals, DSUK and The Snow Centre will be able to help you realise your snowsports dream.
For more information please get in touch, our adaptive ski instructors' who is fully qualified will answer all your questions.
Call now on 07792 320 583 or e-mail him at nicholas@disabilitysnowsport.org.uk.
Milton Keynes - indoor ski slope
www.xscape.co.uk/snow/milton-keynes
Solent Ski Club for the Disabled
www.solentskiclub@otsystems.co.uk
0044 (0) 23 8089 4545
Provides ski coaching for all people with a physical or learning difficulty. Juniors and adults per session. (Complete access for wheelchairs, including toilets). Qualified Ski Guides to coach disabled skiers.
Southampton Alpine Centre, The Sports Centre, Basset, Southampton.
1st. Saturday of each month. 2-4pm (excluding August).
For more information on Hampshire and Dorset ski venues:
HAMPSHIRE AND DORSET
ALDERSHOT SNOWSPORTS
0044 (0)1252325889
www.alpinesnowsports.co.uk
bookings@alpinesnowsport.co.uk
The centre is open to the public every day (apart from Christmas day and New years day) offering a number of different Snowsports and fun activities for all ages. Alpine Snowsports is located on the outskirts of Aldershot and is within easy access of the A331 and the M3 motorway. The centre has three slopes. Our main slope is 110 metres and the two nursery slopes are both 75 metres long. All slopes are fully floodlit and have their own mist system. We also have a fully licensed bar and a ski shop on site. There is ample free parking right outside the centre.
This website tells you about our programme of activities for 2008/09 including our “Guaranteed to ski and snowboard courses”. You will also find information on group and corporate bookings, birthday parties, donut sessions and practice use. If you can not find information on what you are looking for, please give our reception a call on 01252 - 325889 and we will do our best to help you. Don't forget to also visit our on site ski shop which stocks a fantastic range of adult and children’s ski clothing and accessories. The shop is open throughout our normal opening hours.
In general we ask people to let us know the week before if they want to come to the monthly session and then we can match up the skiers with instructors and/or helpers with the skills required. The only people we will book further ahead are new skiers, who need an assessment with an instructor, and anyone we have had to turn down for the previous session (we are now getting quite busy and unfortunately this does happen sometimes).
In July we normally have a barbecue and social after the ski session and this year we are sharing this with the Special Olympics Surrey group, who will be having races in the afternoon.
Calshot Activity Centre
0044 023 8089 2077
calshot.ac@hants.gov.uk
www.calshot.com
ACTIVITIES
Calshot Activities Centre in Hampshire is one of the largest Outdoor Adventure Centres in Britain and is run by Hampshire County Council. We have a reputation for excellence and professionalism and operate to the highest standards. Calshot offers residential and non-residential courses in an unrivalled number of exciting water and landbased activities.
Situated in a unique position on the shores of the Solent, its magnificent setting gives immediate access to the country’s most popular Watersports location. Ashore, historic Hangars accommodate a state of the art climbing complex, the only indoor Velodrome in Southern England and a dry Ski Slope.
- Ski slope in old aircraft hanger.
- Not suitable for those with little mobility as no lift to top of slope - just steps
- Best suited for learning difficulties and behavioural problems
- Will take blind or partially sighted
- St Dunstan's use the facility
- Best suited for groups
- Will do private tuition but more expensive.
- Good for schools etc. to have group day out
Dorset Ski Centre
0044 (0) 1305 853 245
enquiries@dorsetsnowsport.co.uk
www.dorsetsnowsportcentre.co.uk
This is an outdoor ski centre with Snowflex. They do not have any specialist equipment.
All disabilities and special needs can use the slope but not suitable for those with little or no mobility who would require using a sit-ski.
Solent Ski Club for the Disabled
www.solentskiclub@otsystems.co.uk
0044 (0) 23 8089 4545
Provides ski coaching for all people with a physical or learning difficulty. Juniors and adults per session. (Complete access for wheelchairs, including toilets). Qualified Ski Guides to coach disabled skiers.
Southampton Alpine Centre, The Sports Centre, Basset, Southampton.
1st. Saturday of each month. 2-4pm (excluding August).
Dear ................................................
Many thanks for your enquiry about Adaptive Skiing with Southern Ski Club for the Disabled (SSCD - Solent) - we meet on the first Saturday of every month (except Aug) at the Alpine Centre, Southampton, from 12:00 midday to 2:00pm. Visit www.southampton-alpine-centre.co.uk/ for info. and directions - please also visit www.sscd.org.uk for further information about SSCD.
You are most welcome to join us at any session, the next Solent SSCD session is on the ................................ 2009.
Your first visit can be a 'taster' session* - it costs 50p per person and you will get the chance to try skiing sometime during our 2 hour session - probably for around 30 - 45 mins. All ski equipment is provided. Don't forget your ski socks and gloves! Weatherproof clothing might also be required as we ski in all weathers! (*As we rely totally on volunteers to act as Guides and Helpers we cannot guarantee that a 'taster' will be possible at any session)
After this initial 'taster' session you will have to become a full member of SSCD to continue skiing with us.(see below for details)
Alternatively, you can join SSCD now, at a cost of £20 (individual), £30 (family) per year, plus £2 per 2 hour session or part session - this will give you up to 2 hours skiing on your first visit.
It's best to arrive around 11:45am to allow time to register and get kitted up.
If you require direct access to the foot of the slope because of a disability you will have to meet at the automatic barrier, by the main entrance, at about 11:30am where someone from SSCD will let you through'.
If you are travelling any distance it's best to check with the Alpine Centre that we will be running a SSCD session - very occasionally we have to postpone or re-arrange a session.
I've copied this email to Lis Canton (Solent Centre Administrator) for her information - it's best if you can let one of us know that you will be skiing with us so that we can expect you - about a day or two before the session is best.
I hope to meet you at one of our ski sessions soon.
Best regards
Chris Babbs - Solent Centre Organiser SSCD.