The date of our dedicated sit ski instruction week is March 17-24, 2007.

BOOK your Lesson ONLINE

Please check your level with Steve before booking online

Steven Lightfoot can be contacted on :

(Work) 01244 651951

(Home) 01244 344216

(Mob) 07764 784240

Enter your arrival and departure dates then select mon ski course 17/3/07.

INTERMEDIATE INSTRUCTION FOR SITSKIERS IN AVORIAZ

For many years, we at the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School, of which I am the principal, have given instruction in sitskiing to organised groups of people skiing for the first time. We have seen how much pleasure and spice it adds to people’s lives when they realise that their disability is no restriction to taking part in an exhilarating sport like skiing.

However, we have become aware that even after a couple of introductory ski weeks, many skiers still find that the transition from skiing with an organised group to independent skiing with friends or family is a difficult step.

Most skiers need further experience to give them the confidence to ‘go for it’. Apart from simply needing more ‘on snow’ time to improve skiing ability, they can also need more experience at loading on and off lifts, setting up equipment, learning how to ski and communicate with less experienced buddies, and even improving the ability to handle the logistics of getting around a ski resort.

To become independent and confident, skiers need to learn how to manage without being part of a large, organised group. This development opportunity is now available. From our professional Avoriaz Alpine Ski School in the French Alps, we are offering development instruction to people who have tasted and enjoyed sitskiing with a group and now want to move on towards independence.

We are doing this in conjunction with Steven Lightfoot, an experienced monoskier who has been demonstrator to ski groups in Avoriaz for the last five years. Together we are offering a development week in Avoriaz with the objective of taking skiers on towards independence. Family and friends are encouraged to be part of this and the emphasis is on all learning and sharing the enjoyment of skiing together.

Lessons will be for no more than 4 sitskiers together at one time. We strongly encourage course participants to come with an able-bodied skiing friend who can also learn sitski techniques with you. If you have a problem arranging this, a volunteer ski buddy will be available to help family and friends develop their own buddying skills in tethering, bucketing and on lifts. "If you don't know any able bodied people who ski it's not a problem, we have many keen skiers ready to help."

The need for this transition stage from group to independent skiing has long been recognised but not always been available. The Avoriaz Alpine Ski School intends to meet this need with this course.

DETAILS

You book your instruction direct with us at the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School (details below).

When it comes to travel and accommodation, we encourage all participants to make their own arrangements. This is, we feel, part of the whole concept of encouraging sitskiers to develop their own independence.

However, we do not leave it at that. We have here details of accommodation that has been proven to be suitable for wheelchair users and the person to contact to make your booking. However you are free to other make arrangements if you prefer.

INSTRUCTION

Instruction is tailored for skiers of ‘intermediate’ standard who have had at least one week of sitski experience. You should be able to ski down a green or gentle blue run under control, executing simple turns and restricting speed by your own means.

Lessons consist of one 2hr session per day for five days and we put no more than four sitskiers together in a lesson. If you have a skiing partner to accompany you please let us know their level of experience at the time of booking.

Rates are as follows :

10 HOUR COURSE

2 hours per day over 5 days (Sun-Frid NOT Wed) based on a class of 4 skiers : £155.00 per person

If 3 skiers in class : £195.00 per person

ACCOMMODATION

You are free to stay where you wish in Avoriaz but, from experience, the most convenient location would be the Pierre et Vacances Douchka apartments in the ‘La Falaise’ area of Avoriaz. P&V also call these apartments 'Les Balcons du Soleil'. Ski lessons start outside the front door of the Douchka apartments ! The alternative Elinka and Malinka apartments are also convenient. The apartments are not extensively adapted but they provide sufficient space and door widths suitable for most wheelchairs.

Details of rates and availability of these self catering apartments can be obtained from Jon Lind of

Erna Low who has much experience at arranging accommodation for disabled skiers.

Contact Jon on 07785 396955 or email adaptive@ernalow.co.uk. A Studio 4 in Douchka costs £443 for the week, this being the price for the whole apartment (not per person). You can book an apartment on a ‘hold’ option for two days i.e. it is secure and held for you for two days while you make travel arrangements.

TRAVEL

Self Drive

Choose your preferred means of travel. If you want to drive Erna Low can give you an all-in price for your apartment which includes cross-Channel ferry. Or they can quote you for the apartment only.

Flights

If you prefer to fly to Geneva, Erna Low can quote you or you can make your own arrangements and make an internet booking with low-cost operators such as Easyjet and bmibaby.

TRANSFERS

Erna Low can arrange your transfer from Geneva to Avoriaz. You may find that people flying into Geneva on the same day can share the transfer with others. Let us know your plans and we may be able to help you contact others and coordinate your arrangements.

Jon Lind can also advise you on transfer options including car hire or minibus with driver.

Public bus service is also available, details on http:/www.sat-leman.com/index-us.htm. It departs from Geneva Airport Secteur International and goes to Avoriaz station right by the accommodation.

Talk to Jon Lind to choose your best transfer option.

SKI EQUIPMENT

Sitskiers who have their own equipment should bring it with them. It is only natural that you should check it thoroughly in advance to ensure you don’t lose any time due to any breakage. Your sitski should be set up to work on chair lifts. Although sitskiers cannot use drag lifts in Avoriaz, your ski should be fitted with a quick release drag lift mechanism just in case it is needed. You should also ensure an evacuation strap is fitted.

If you do not have equipment of your own, we may be able to help you. We have several sitskis for hire and you need to contact us to see if we have one that will suit you. Contact John Pitchforth (john@skillnet.org.uk or mobile 07973 425276) and he will tell you what is available. We emphasise the need for you to book equipment early and to have a fitting in the UK well in advance of your trip to ensure it is set up properly.

INSURANCE

If you have your own annual travel policy cover, check that they are aware of your disability and ensure cover for skiing is valid. Alternatively you can take out specific cover for the trip with Erna Low.

HOW TO COMMIT

Once you know that lessons, equipment, accommodation and flights are all available, confirm all your bookings. Make sure a place is available on the course for you before you make bookings

We hope you can join us. We are enthusiastic about this ‘stepping stone’ in sitskiing. This is the second year of our intermediate programme and last season (our first) saw skiers make progress beyond our expectations. This is an opportunity for you to develop your skiing and enjoy new levels of satisfaction from this very dynamic activity.

BOOK your Lesson ONLINE http://skischool.rapidhost.co.uk/layout.asp enter your arrival and departure dates then select sit ski course.

Best wishes from Ian & John.

Ian McKellar

Avoriaz Alpine Ski School

Email : ian@avoriazalpineskischool.com

Web : www.avoriazalpineskischool.com

Tel : until Dec 01237 451099 from Dec 0033 450 747 691

Steven Lightfoot can be contacted on :

(Work) 01244 651951

(Home) 01244 344216

(Mob) 07764 784240

Steve Lightfoot - coach

Ian McKellar - head instructor