It has started snowing and ski fans look forward to another exciting year on the slopes. Feel the thrill at those Spanish Resorts that provide accessible facilities.

Sierra Nevada Ski Resort is in Granada, Andalucía. Their commitment to provide accessible facilities has been rewarded with several prizes and that's why most of Adaptive Ski Programs organized by disabled associations take place there: Fundación Deporte y Desafío (www.deporteydesafio.com) and Fundación También (www.tambien.org) have designed their programs to teach in six areas: blind or low vision, three track (disability of one leg), four track (disability of both legs, but can stand with assistance), Bi-ski (disability of legs and arms) and Mono-ski (disability of legs but strong upper body). They offer a wide range of equipment for specific disabilities which is included in their course rates as well as the Lift ticket/pass and lessons are given by professional, certified instructors with plenty of adaptive teaching experience. Private lessons with experienced adaptive ski instructors are available through the Escuela Española de Esqui (Spanish Ski School) and equipment is available for rental, too: www.cetursa.es is the official website of Sierra Nevada.

The trails of Sierra Nevada are wide and well trodden every night. But some specific places should be avoided, or at least checked their condition: La Zahareña, when descending from Loma Dilar towards the telesilla Stadium and below the low station of the telesilla Montebajo, has a flat zone in which the seated skiers, like the "snowboarders", can remain stopped and they must be stimulated to advance. or the lift El Aguila, in the zone of the Veleta to the exit of the Barranco San Juan and depending on the quantity of fallen snow, narrows and one should make his/her way quickly in order to avoid stopping or getting stuck in the exit (Foso de los Leones). Anyway, the staff at this Ski Resort is most helpful and ready to provide any information you may require.

Adapted toilets are located in Borreguiles area (Bocadillería Campanario) on the left hand side when leaving the Telecabina Al-Andalus and in Pradollano area: levels -2,-3 and -4 in the underground parking lot, main offices building of CETURSA-Sierra Nevada and at the Hotel Telecabina. There are wide accessible lifts from the car park to the Plaza Andalucía, and ramps from there to the Telecabina Al-Andalus. The Telecabina is fully accessible and premises are barrier-free.

There are other Ski Resorts along the Pyrenees offering some accessible facilities for persons with reduced mobility and/or wheelchair users:

Port del Comte (Lleida) T. (+34) 973 492 301, where the Escuela Española de Esquí has especially trained in adaptive ski lessons and facilities in the beginners area. www.portdelcomte.net

La Molina (Girona) T. (+34) 972 892 031 www.lamolina.com. One of the trails is equipped with an adapted conveyor belt, there are adapted toilets, reserved parking bays and ramps at some points.

Cerler (Huesca) T. (+34) 974 55 10 12 www.cerler.com
Facilities provided at this Ski Resort are adapted/accessible for wheelchair users both in Molino and Ampriu areas. Whealchairs can be loaned at Cota 2000 and in Ampriu area, so that sit-skiers might access the coffee-shops and adapted toilets with no need to have their own wheelchairs there. All trail lifts can be used by people with mobility impairments and the whole of the staff is trained to effectively assist these customers.
Adaptive equipment and trained instructors is available at Handix, www.telefonica.net/web2/handixtreme located in Benasque, a short drive (ten minutes) from Cerler: e-mail handix@telefonica.net

Estación de Sierra Nevada - Cetursa
Plaza de Andalucía s/n
18196 Sierra Nevada. Monachil- Granada
www.cetursa.es
E-mail sierranevada@cetursa.es

Estación Cerler
Cerler, Grupo Aramón
Telesilla B1 -
22449, Cerler (Huesca)
T: (+34) 974 55 10 12
E-mail info@cerler.com

Fundación Deporte y Desafío
Avda. de los Pirineos, 27, nave 4.
28709. S. Sebastián de los Reyes. Madrid.
Tel. (+34) 91 659 36 00
www.deporteydesafio.com
E-mail: info@deporteydesafio.com

Rebecca Arce

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