The adaptive school has had a good start to the season. All the new adaptive ski equipment has arrived in Verbier and has been constructed. As part of the ski instructors formation week prior to the start of the season the instructors have had a go at using the equipment. Feedback from the instructors was good with many wanting to get more involved in the adaptive services.
I spent Christmas with the Henley family. Sarah Henley took our brand new adult Mountain Man out for a spin and had a week of perfect weather.
Ben Burgess tried skiing for the first time using our new bi-unique over the new year week and made rapid progression to being able to make turns independently by the end of the week.
Robbie Swan returned to the adaptive school for the second year running and progressed from Les Esserts onto La Chaux by mid week meaning everyone could go for a family ski together.
Jacob Ridder, a Verbier resident discovered the adaptive ski school whilst coming to the aid of the Henley family. The family’s Citroen Berlingo got stuck on a hill, Jacob assisted with a tow and spotted all the adaptive equipment in the car. Being a mono skier he was happy to discover there are adaptive instructors in Verbier who can help him progress his skiing and help him ski with his family.
It has been a very promising start to the season but there is still a lot of work to be done. A fundraising programme needs to be finalised, the remaining mono skis need to be delivered and constructed and there is ongoing promotional work with local Swiss charity groups as well as British associations. Even with a long “to do” list I feel really optimistic about the continued development of the adaptive school.