For sports lovers the cold winter weather is never a reason to slow down. With the advances made in technology winter sports are every bit as accessible as summer sports.

Disability Snowsport UK is an organisation whose raison d’être is to ensure “that anyone regardless of their disability can take part in and enjoy the thrill of snowsports”. Lessons are available at various sports centres across the UK for both members and non-members, skiers and snowboarders. But if you’re not after lessons as such, and just fancy going down the slopes with fellow enthusiasts who aren’t held back by their disability, there are local groups who meet regularly. They are extremely keen to get more people involved and cater to all levels; from breaking in novices, to managing the British Disabled Ski Team. Adapted skiing has long existed for wheelchair users, and visually impaired skiing is perfectly doable with the assistance of a guide.  See for yourself.

To find out more about DSUK, go straight to their home page by clicking here.

And skiing and snowboarding are not the only winter sports available to people with disabilities. Curling has made great strides, and looking at Scotland alone, the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (RCCC) has managed to make wheelchair curling available in a number of centres across Scotland. Furthermore, their efforts seem to suggest that no disability is a barrier to curling. They have worked hard to promote visually impaired curling (which has been established in Canada for decades, according to their website) and deaf curling.

What’s your favourite winter sport? What have I left out? What winter sports would you like to see adapted? 

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Like what you just read? Check out the links below for more articles on bespoken.

An accessible winter wonderland

The Rolling Rambler: Exploring the country on 4 wheels

The Rubik's Cube for the visually impaired