Accessibility slopes enable disabled children to ski

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 31, 2026

The European Snowsport Adaptive ski program in Verbier is providing specialized lessons and equipment to help children with disabilities, like 14-year-old Eddie who has multiple conditions including dyspraxia, experience downhill skiing. By offering tailored support and accessible terrain, the initiative promotes inclusion and enables participants to overcome physical and emotional challenges in winter sports environments.

In the Swiss resort of Verbier, an adaptive ski program is enabling children with disabilities to experience downhill skiing. The European Snowsport (ES) Adaptive ski initiative, in partnership with Disability Snowsport UK, offers tailored instruction and specialized equipment to accommodate individuals with a range of physical and developmental challenges.

Among the participants is 14-year-old Eddie, who was diagnosed with autism, sensory processing disorder, visual impairment, and dyspraxia in 2019. Dyspraxia affects his coordination and balance, limiting his ability to perform activities such as cycling. Despite these challenges, Eddie and his family traveled to Verbier to participate in the program over four days, with two private lessons arranged to introduce him to skiing.

The adaptive program uses various assistive devices, including tethers, fixed and handheld outriggers, and adapted ski seats, designed to support balance and control on the slopes. Eddie’s instructor, Camille Mars, began by assessing his anxiety and specific needs related to dyspraxia, attaching tethers to his skis to help guide his movements.

Preparation for the trip included sessions at an indoor ski center in Luton, equipped with a SkyTechSport Simulator that replicates downhill skiing to familiarize Eddie with the experience before arriving in Verbier. His ski equipment was specially selected to accommodate his sensitivities, with recommendations from local rental providers to ensure comfort.

Lessons took place on the resort’s beginner-friendly slopes, such as Les Esserts, featuring gentle terrain and beginner lifts, including “magic carpets” and chairlifts. Instruction emphasized fundamental ski techniques such as the snowplough position, a method used to control speed and direction. Over the course of the program, Eddie gained confidence, eventually tackling intermediate trails and overcoming apprehension about chairlift usage with assistance.

Throughout the experience, Eddie’s family noted both the physical demands and emotional breakthroughs as he confronted fears and adapted to new physical challenges. After skiing sessions, recovery treatments such as sports massages were utilized to address muscle soreness.

On their final day, the family visited Mont Fort, a high-altitude viewing point at 3,330 meters, where Eddie described the trip as one of his best experiences. The program illustrates how adaptive sports initiatives can make recreational pursuits accessible to children with disabilities, fostering inclusion and personal achievement in environments often regarded as exclusive or challenging.

Travel options to Verbier include flights to Geneva and onward train connections, with accommodations and full-day adaptive instruction services available locally. The project highlights ongoing efforts to broaden opportunities for people with diverse needs within winter sports.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.