PRESS RELEASE Zig Zag Interntional Ski School and Ski 2 Freedom Foundation
ZigZag (Samoëns & Morillon) with Ski 2 Freedom Foundation help make some dream holidays come true and bring a smile to the faces of some very special clients……….
How did these dream holidays come about? Because, of a new partnership between several independent ski schools and Ski 2 Freedom Foundation (a non-profit organisation with charitable purpose). With the high standards, integrity and vision which form the essence of a group of individual ski schools under the umbrella of organisation, L’Ecole Ski de Internationale, it is not surprising that a number of them offer disabled skiing for everyone.
What made it a dream holiday for Amy Lowes (10) and her family? Mrs Lowes explains why she chose ZigZag “When I contacted Ski 2 Freedom after booking flights it was of great relief to me to know that they would help me to find the ideal instruction for our family. Having never skied before and with my eldest daughter Amy, who has disabilities, I was pleased to know help was at hand. Ski 2 freedom researched the ski schools for us and found which ski schools best suited our needs. Zig Zag Ski School was the school we chose as they could instruct us as a family group. I was worried because of Amy's difficulties that she would not be understood so it was important that I was with her also Amy likes to be as independent as possible and Zig Zag assured me they would do everything possible so that Amy could stand and ski.
Adrien, the Director of the school, supported Amy on a one to one basis and we found him exceptional both with his temperament and teaching methods. Amy got on very well with him and thoroughly enjoyed the skiing, it is a holiday that we would all love to do again and we would definitely return to the same resort and instructors.” Which they did in March 2009!
This time Catherine Cosby, the Director and Founder of Ski 2 Freedom, arrived to ski with Amy and Adrien. “Seeing Amy’s sheer determination to master the Poma, falling but still smiling and then the look of joy on her face when she reached the top unaided was magic! There has to be a chemistry between instructor and client and no more so than when that client has a disability so to see Amy making snow plough turns and generally looking like a champion was an incredibly experience for me. What I am thrilled about it that the Lowes are returning again in 2010!”
And what Amy (11) thought "I really enjoyed my skiing trip and thank you for finding Adrien as he was very strong which meant that he supported me to ski normally. I bet he had a very bad back after instructing me, I might see him next year!"
ZigZag is a small but vibrant ski school offering a wide range of handiski activities. Adrien’s enthusiasm for helping people overcome many difficulties has resulted in their purchasing a Tandemski and he will also have a dual-ski for next season.
a couple of days appeared to be the best solution for Graham Brierley, a good independent sit-skier, who was coming to La Plagne with friends. In the end he decided to try out a ski from Tessier with the idea of buying a similar one for next season. Although Graham did not take an instructor from Oxygène the ski school still showed how geared up they are for disabled skiers. As Graham wrote and told Ski 2 Freedom “Just a point about Oxygène. We were just finishing off skiing for the day and I was just getting out of the bob outside their shop, we had missed the last chair up to where we went to our chalet and so were going to get the bus back. Just as we were doing that one of the Oxygène people walked past and told us to be careful if we skied on the road as we could get a fine from the police (I never knew this!). He then asked where we were going and offered to take us back in 5 minutes. We of course accepted his very kind offer. I don’t actually know if he thought we had just finished a lesson with them or not, anyway we did not turn down an offer of a lift. So I would give a big thumbs up for them.”
Much of the work undertaken by Ski 2 Freedom to ensure that someone with a disability gets the right instruction and equipment involves an enormous amount of time speaking directly with the ski school. Disabled clients play quite a small part in the overall business of a ski school and it would be understandable, especially during peak periods, if staff were short of time or busy with the reservations of other clients. But, with ZigZag, no request for information goes unanswered nothing is too much trouble and there is always a way to try and accommodate the needs of a disabled snow-sport enthusiast.
Ski 2 Freedom is about choice, knowledge and information. Providing access to the mountains so that everyone, whatever their disability, can enjoy the thrill, exhilaration, speed, beauty and magic that is found on the snowy slopes of the French Alps. The Ski Schools actually facilitate these choices, which is why we think this new partnership is proving so successful.
“Ski 2 Freedom is an invaluable service. Catherine’s tireless efforts to make skiing an inclusive sport are humbling, and we thank her for inspiring us with her hard work and good humour.” ZigZag
France is rich in the number of places where people can enjoy the mountains and snow. With you, it is everybody who will be able to benefit. See you on the slopes next winter!
Catherine Cosby
Directrice et Fondatrice
Ski 2 Freedom Foundation
catherine.cosby@mountains4all.org