For many people, sliding down snow, standing on what essentially equates to slippery planks, is one of the best activities a human can do.
It also comes with risk. Serious injuries, while statistically rare for the majority of skiers, do happen. And then what? Athletes, pros, and ardent winter sports lovers will rarely give up their passion for the mountains easily, and it’s this determination to continue riding, sliding, and enjoying the pistes, no matter what, that’s driven the recent rise in adaptive skiing.
A cynic might ask why a multimilli on pound travel industry wouldn’t want to maximize its market. And, in recent years it’s started to do just that. In terms of technology, accessibility, and specialist tour operator packages, adaptive skiing has progressed hugely since its beginnings as a form of rehabilitation for injured soldiers. Today, it has grown into something that can mean any form of skiing or snowboarding that uses adaptations to make the sport accessible for people who are disabled, injured or are lacking in balance or mobility, or simply struggle with any aspect of downhill skiing/snowboarding.
The concept was first explored to rehabilitate injured German and Austrian soldiers in the 1940s. Franz Wendel — an amputee — pioneered the concept when he attached small skis to the end of his crutches, enabling him to enter a competition alongside able-bodied skiers. Wendel’s rudimentary crutches were an early version of ‘outriggers’, and while the design and technology has improved in 80 years, the concept remains largely the same: a cross between crutches and ski poles with a small ski at the bottom. This allows anyone who needs the added support — for whatever reason — to enjoy the sport.
Denne historien er fra Winter Sports 2020-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
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Denne historien er fra Winter Sports 2020-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Dianne Whelan
THOUGH NOT A SEASONED HIKER TO BEGIN WITH, THE FILMMAKER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO COMPLETE THE WORLD'S LONGEST TRAIL NETWORK
NIGERIA
The country's many communities come together over hearty meals with plenty of heat
Katie Hale
A VOYAGE TO THE GREAT WHITE CONTINENT IS BOTH A DREAM COME TRUE AND A CALL TO ARMS, TO PROTECT OUR ICY POLES AND, IN TURN, OUR PLANET
WILTSHIRE
BEYOND THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE HAS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE ANCIENT SITES, GIANT CHALK HORSES AND COSY PUBS IN HISTORIC VILLAGES
BATH
Thermal baths and Regency heritage have put this Somerset city firmly on the travel map - and this year the spotlight will be on former resident and literary great Jane Austen, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth
GRANADA
In this Andalucian city, flamenco is an art form as well as a way of life not just for traditional dancers and singers but also for hip-hop stars, classical guitar legends and street artists
India's Golden Triangle
LINKING DELHI, THE TAJ MAHAL AND THE PINK CITY OF JAIPUR, WITH DETOURS FOR TEMPLES AND TIGERS, THIS IS THE PERFECT ROUTE FOR FIRST-TIMERS. WORDS: POOJA NAIK
FORGED BY FIRE
A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC, MADEIRA HAS RUGGED VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS THAT RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS DOWN AT SEA LEVEL AND MORE THAN 1,900 MILES OF HISTORIC AQUEDUCTS TRACING THE LANDSCAPES IN BETWEEN
ADRIFT IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
A KAYAKING EXPEDITION THROUGH NORWAY'S LOFOTEN ISLANDS OFFERS WHITE-SAND BEACHES, ROYAL ENCOUNTERS AND THE CHANCE TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER VIKING
the RETURN
ON A PRIVATE GAME RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA'S KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, AN UNLIKELY CREATURE IS MAKING A TENTATIVE COMEBACK - AND VISITORS ARE OFFERED A GLIMPSE INTO THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE IT AND OTHER NATIVE WILDLIFE
