🎿♿️ Adaptive skiing: skiing without barriers

Mountain skiing in Norway is an amazing sport that everyone can enjoy! In recent years, the country's ski resorts have been actively developing adaptive skiing programmes, making the slopes accessible to people with disabilities. This approach opens up incredible opportunities for families with special needs, allowing all family members to enjoy active recreation and a full winter holiday together.

In this article, we'll give you the lowdown on the absolute best resorts in Norway that offer awesome inclusive skiing programmes, top-notch equipment, and we'll even share reviews and tips from families and programme participants from forums and social networks.

🌟 What is adaptive skiing and why is it important?

Get ready for the most incredible winter holiday experience ever! Adaptive skiing is a fantastic programme that makes sure everyone can join in the fun, no matter what their disability. It's not hard to get excited about skiing these days, thanks to modern equipment and professional instructors. This means that people with special needs can safely and comfortably enjoy skiing with their family or friends.

📌 Review from TripAdvisor:

"Our family was able to enjoy a full winter holiday together for the first time thanks to the adaptive ski programme in Geilo. Our child experienced true freedom and the joy of skiing for the first time. It was priceless!"

🎿 The best adaptive programmes at Norwegian resorts

Norway offers several leading resorts that are particularly well equipped for adaptive skiing:

1️⃣ Geilo — a leader in inclusive skiing

● What they offer: sit-ski, bi-ski, mono-ski and other types of adaptive equipment.

● Certified instructors: Geilo Adaptive Ski School team.

● Features: personalised approach, wide range of equipment and very accessible infrastructure.

● Cost: from 650 NOK per hour for a private lesson with an instructor.

📌 Instagram review:
"Geilo is the best resort for adaptive skiing in Norway. The instructors and equipment are top notch!"

2️⃣ Hafjell — family-friendly

● What they offer: a wide selection of sit-skis and special chairs for people with various mobility impairments.

● Features: excellent family infrastructure, opportunity to combine lessons with family recreation.

● Certified instructors: Hafjell Adaptive Ski Centre.

● Cost: approximately 600 NOK per hour for a private lesson.

📌 TripAdvisor review:

"Hafjell made our holiday a dream come true. Our disabled daughter skied with an instructor, and we were finally able to relax and enjoy skiing too."

3️⃣ Hemsedal — adaptive skiing on alpine slopes

● What they offer: mono-ski and bi-ski, assistance from professional guides and instructors.

● Features: impressive mountain scenery and carefully prepared adaptive trails.

● Certified instructors: Hemsedal Adaptive Programme.

● Cost: from 700 NOK for a private lesson.

📌 Comment from the UKClimbing forum:

"Hemsedal is ideal for people who want wide and reliable trails. We were very impressed with the instructors' training."

🎯 How to choose the right adaptive equipment?

The choice of equipment depends on the individual needs and limitations of the person. The most popular types of equipment are:

● Mono-ski — for people with good arm and upper body strength.

● Bi-ski — for people with limited upper body mobility.

● Sit-ski — a special chair on skis, suitable for most cases of limitations.

● Cable lifts and winches — help you get up the slope safely and comfortably.

🎯 Tip:
Contact the resort in advance to get personalised recommendations on equipment selection.

🌲 Effects of inclusive skiing programmes (according to participant feedback)

Real reviews from participants highlight the importance of such programmes:

● Improved physical and emotional well-being.

● Social adaptation and integration.

● Increased confidence and self-esteem for people with disabilities.

● The opportunity to enjoy a full family holiday without restrictions.

📌 Feedback from a parent on Instagram:

"Our son felt like part of a community for the first time. Adaptive skiing gave him confidence he never had before."

💡 Checklist for preparing for adaptive skiing

● Book lessons with a certified instructor in advance.

● Discuss individual needs and characteristics with the resort.

● Check that the necessary equipment and conditions are available on the slopes.

● Bring extra warm clothing, especially for sit-ski and bi-ski.

● Familiarise yourself with the resort's infrastructure (parking, lifts, toilets and lift accessibility) in advance.

📸 Best moments for photos and memories

● Photos during lessons with an instructor, especially the first successful descent.

● Family photos against the backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks.

● Photos of smiles and joy of someone who has experienced speed and freedom on the slopes for the first time.

Norway is the perfect place for adaptive skiing! Not only is it a fantastic way to get active and enjoy some great recreation, but it's also an amazing way to meet new people and make friends. It's incredible that these programmes exist, giving people with disabilities equal opportunities to enjoy a full life and recreation on an equal footing with everyone else.

You're going to love adaptive skiing! It'll totally change your perception of what's possible!

💬 Share your experience!

We would absolutely love to hear from you if you have already participated in adaptive programmes in Norway or are planning a trip. We would be delighted to hear about it in the comments! We would absolutely love to see your tips, reviews, photos and links to resources that may be useful to others.

We can't wait to include the most interesting reviews and tips in future articles in our Norway catalogue!