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Adaptive Winter Sports

Ski with internationally recognised instructors and ski guides to experience the thrill of skiing in the magical snowy mountains of Falls Creek. Falls Creek Snowsports School and Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA) offer one of the most advanced adaptive skier programs in the world with both private lessons and ski camp programs on offer.

EPIC AUSTRALIA ADAPTIVE PASS 

The Epic Australia Adaptive Pass provides unlimited, unrestricted access to Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham for the 2023 Australian snow season. As well as access to the best resorts in North America for the 2023/24 Northern Hemisphere season.  

All Disabled Wintersport Australia members and Companion Card holders are eligible for the Epic Australia Adaptive pass and will be automatically verified. All other requests will be assessed on an individual basis.

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FALLS CREEK ADAPTIVE LIFT TICKETS

We offer Epic Australia Pass holders, Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA) members and Companion Card holders with a 50% discount on regular full day lift tickets (adult & child).  

The discount will apply to Epic Australia Pass holders, full and current DWA members and Companion Card holders, and a support person providing on-snow help if required.  

Please follow these steps to purchase your discounted lift tickets online 

  • Create or sign in to My Account 

  • Contact us with a copy of your current DWA membership card or companion card 

  • We will confirm when your discount is linked to your account via the email address provided 

  • Sign in to the online shop, and purchase your discounted tickets. The discount will be applied once you have added lift tickets to your cart and assigned these lift tickets to your name. 

Please note: To purchase a lift ticket for a support person, please contact us by clicking here, or speak with us when you arrive in resort. 

FALLS CREEK SNOWSPORTS SCHOOL ADAPTIVE LESSONS 

Falls Creek and Disabled Wintersport Australia have come together to offer adaptive snowsport lessons with highly trained and internationally recognised instructors who aim to meet the needs of the skiers and riders of all abilities. 

At Falls Creek we offer 50% off private lessons for guests who are Epic Australia Adaptive Pass holders, DWA members, or Companion Card holders. 

Falls Creek offers both private lessons and ski camp programs, taught with the use of specialized equipment, and includes sit-skiing, alpine and snowboarding activities. With these resources we can offer adaptive activities for a wide range of disability groups.  

To book an adaptative private lesson please contact us in advance so that we can discuss your specific requirements and capabilities with our Ski & Ride Schools.  

DISABLED WINTERSPORT AUSTRALIA MEMBERSHIP

DWA is a member-based organisation. Membership is essential for a participant or volunteer to access DWA member benefits including access to adaptive equipment, concession rates and programs and camps run by DWA.  

Becoming a DWA member provides you with access to the below services:  

  • Adaptive Equipment Hire: Access to DWA's modern, state of the art adaptive equipment including sit-ski's, outriggers, and additional equipment at very modest prices. 

  • Discounted Lift Tickets: access to DWA discounts on single and multi-day lift tickets. 

  • Adaptive Snowsport Guides: DWA's Volunteer Adaptive Snowsport Guides help facilitate the on-snow experience for members, from getting safely around the mountain and using equipment, to loading and unloading the lifts and communicating with mountain staff. 

For more information about DWA please contact DWA directly at www.disabledwintersport.com.au or call 1300 265 730.  
 


 

TYPES OF ADAPTIVE SNOWSPORTS  

Adaptive Skiing 

2 track skiing 

2 track skiing involves skiing in a standing position. The skier wears regular ski-boots, two downhill skis, and may also use ski-poles if required. Additional equipment can also be used to assist the skier with stability and steering: 

  • Ski-bras fix the ski tips together to help beginners learn how to snowplough, control their speed and direction 
  • Tethers can allow a ski guide to provide additional control if required 
  • A snow wing can position the skier within a rubber frame so the guides can offer steering and support 

3 track and 4 track skiing 

3 track and 4 track skiing involves skiing in a standing position, with the use of outriggers (these are crutches with a small ski tip fixed to the end that offer balance and steering). Additional equipment can also be used to assist the skier with stability and steering: 

  • Ski-bras fix the ski tips together to help beginners learn how to snowplough, control their speed and direction

Sit skiing 

Sit skiing involves skiing in a seated position within a modified, padded seat (a 'bucket') that is fixed to either one or two skis. A number of straps will secure the skier into the bucket at the feet, knees, upper thighs and waist.  

Further strapping needs depend on the person and can be adjusted for everyone ranging from high to limited mobility in the upper body and shoulders. The skier uses two shortened outriggers to assist with balance and to help initiate turns.  

All sit skis are designed so that the ski and skier to be easily loaded onto chairlifts, pomas & T-bar tows with quick-release type attachments. 

The ski guide can help control the speed and direction of the sit ski by holding onto the bucket. As the skier progresses, equipment such as tethers can be used that allow the guide to ski behind and offer more refined support to the skier as needed. Sit Skiing is divided into two main areas: 

Bi-ski 

The bi skis are stable with a low centre of gravity and designed so that the skier is positioned close to the snow. 

The bi ski is commonly used by people with high end spinal cord injuries, first time sit skiers, or as a progression point towards the mono ski. 

Mono-ski 

The mono-ski provides for more advanced skiing, with less stability, a higher centre of gravity and a thinner, longer ski shaped for speed and agility. 

The design incorporates a shock absorber and suspension system to absorb bumps, much like knee joints offer for upright skiers. 

Adaptive snowboarding 

Adaptive snowboarding involves boarding in a standing position on a snowboard. The rider wears regular snowboarding boots and uses a regular snowboard. Additional equipment can be used to assist the rider with stability and steering: 

  • A snow wing is a rubber frame which positions the ruder within it so that the guides can hold it to offer steering and support 
  • Short tethers can also be attached to the snow wing for more refined control by the guide 
  • A slider is a frame that attaches to the snowboard under the bindings so that the guides can support to the rider 
  • A handle at the rear of the frame can assist in maneuvering the snowboard 
  • A support belt can also be worn by the rider to allow the guide to assist in maneuvering them 

 Vision impaired skiing & snowboarding 

Skiing and riding for people who have vision impairment can involve various pieces of equipment including plastic poles.  

The most important thing for a VI skier or rider is to have a Guide or Instructor who uses various communication techniques to support them in their skiing/riding.  

For reasons of safety, skiers and riders with vision impairment and their guide are required to wear a high vis bib to identify them to fellow guest while on the slopes.