Multiple Sclerosis

Ski Lessons

Your initial enquiry to the ski school should include as much background information on the skier as possible. If the skier has skied before, it can be incredibly useful to dig out old photographs or even video footage of them skiing previously to send to the ski school so that they can get a good idea of their level. Discussing in detail the skier’s specific needs and condition(s) is VITAL to ensure both the ski school and you know what is going to happen and to ensure you are matched with the right ski instructor and/or equipment. This may include a discussion about other associated health and social needs such as epilepsy, asthma, communication and social awareness skills and any recent medical developments. This is especially important in the case of MS as symptoms may vary hugely between two people with the same condition.

Perhaps you are new to skiing or were a skier or snowboarder before being diagnosed with MS. Then there are lots of possibilities and we are delighted to discuss the options with you, please contact us.

Equipment and Clothing

Many of the ski schools have a good idea of what is required especially when it comes to equipment and clothing, in particular the ski boots. Do ensure that you ask the ski school if they can recommend a ski hire shop for such items. Whether special ski equipment is required will depend on the degree of the disability (i.e. whether there are mobility/balance issues etc.), but fundamental to the experience will be a good knowledge and understanding of the skier’s needs so that a trusting relationship can be developed between instructor and pupil.

Where the action is: Ski Schools for Multiple Sclerosis

Many ski schools are able to work confidently with you and will soon get you back on skis, skiing with the family perhaps in a sit-ski or Kart-ski ....... we are here to help you!

The positive feedback and encouragement provided by some amazing people skiing with MS:

Tandemski ride with Loisirs Assis Evasion February 2012 - Passy, Mont Blanc region

"I returned from holiday with my sister last week and wanted to thank you for putting me in touch with Muriel at Loisirs Evasion.

My sister really enjoyed the tandem ski and she was so excited. She was taken on black runs and enjoyed the thrill of skiing which she could never have undertaken before. She was excited from the moment she sat in the tandem ski and really enjoyed the lift too! She is busy saving for the next trip - the only downfall being the price which was 75 euros for two hours but she wouldn't have missed it for a moment.

I can't thank you enough for making this sort of experience possible for her."

Chrissie Short 

www.loisirs-assis-evasion.com

Multiple Sclerosis - a personal view of skiing and the mountains in St Anton, Austria - February 2010

“What I did learn from my holiday was that being in the mountains, with beautiful views and being part of what is going on around is a fantastic feeling, worth putting yourself out for. I also learned that I could do it but I had to make the effort. I had allowed myself to feel down about not being able to ski with everybody else but in fact I realised from the sessions I had with Dominic Jonas (Active Therapy) that this was not necessary at all..." read more

Val Thorens skiing with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) April 2012 with Prosneige Ski School

“I have Multiple Sclerosis (Esclerose Multiple) and as a result have legs that are too weak to ski, I am able to walk about 500m with a stick.

Before this diagnosis I was a confident skier and having been confined to a wheel chair, I have regained enough strength and balance to walk with a stick, I think it is time I tried to learn how to ski from a seated position.

I was wondering if you could advise me of a good resort to visit where I could receive one on one tuition. I would particularly like to try between now and June, I was wondering if there was an appropriate resort with snow this late".

(contact date was 12 April and wanting to go 22 – 26 April 2012)

Ski 2 Freedom advised on Val Thorens as this would be one of the few resorts still open and the client was only going for 4 days. Prosneige was the ski school chosen.

"Just wanted to let you know what a fantastic time I had in Val Thorens. My instructor, Vincent from Prosneige, could not have been better giving a perfect balance of support and pushing me for independence. The Hotel Altpura was fabulous too and kindly gave us an upgrade to a suite! Many, many thanks for facilitating this. I have left with the intention of returning next year and with every expectation to be skiing with my daughter Flora within the next 5 years…..” Straker MS April 2012

Having MS still allows a mother to enjoy a family ski holiday in La Plagne - Plagne Villages

"How we got on in La Plagne! We had a great time though Eve came out in spots (chickenpox!) on the plane! Luckily she didn't get too upset. We were in Plagne Villages and we much preferred the location to Plagne Centre which was where we stayed last year. The chalet was catered and great but not great for folks less mobile than I am - there were about 20steps up to the road (half with a little wall for balance, half with nothing) and meant we had to carry the pushchairs up to the road. Once we were up though, it was easy. We were about 50m from the telecabine to Plagne Centre so took 2 pushchairs down most days. At the top it is unmanned, and there is a turnstile which was a nightmare to get prams over (would be impossible in a wheelchair; too narrow) but we were told we could go through the exit barrier (no turnstile!)and get on through the exit door. After that we did this and it was much easier. The bottom end is fine as the platforms for getting on and off are linked (you can't get between them at the top end). We used our pushchair (an iCandy cherry) and one of the others (a Bugaboo chaemeleon) which ran pretty well on snow and ice (the Bugaboo was better) and a MacPac back carrier for 1 baby. Challenging but fun!

We took Eve up on the cable car to Grand Rochette for the view and it was great-babies went free, Andy's ski pass covered him and I got a return trip for €8.You have to buy a ticket in the main shopping centre before you go; we tried to go a second time but the office shuts at 1530 and we were 10 minutes too late. They do discounts on lift passes for disabled skiers and I think also for helpers.

Lastly pushchairs! We found ours were as good as we thought we could find so didn't hire them but on the second last day I saw a French women with one of the sledges like a pushchair and a very comfy looking baby! She said she hired it from the ship across the road from our chalet-typical! I went in for details.. It's called Pierre Leroux Sports in Plagne Villages and they hire them (luges) for €5/day. The woman, though, was very insistent that they were only to be used on snow-great for ski-in ski-out chalets I would think, but not so good where we were needing to walk down the road. Thanks for all the help, an happy skiing!" Williams March 2012

Skiing with Multiple Sclerosis in Alberta Canada

Bobby has secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis and took up skiing again with the help of the Rocky Mountain Adaptive Sports Centre (RMASC) which is based in Canmore, Alberta which enables children and adults with any physical, intellectual, cognitive, or developmental impairment to participate in all the fantastic sports and adventure activities that are available in the stunningly beautiful Bow Valley, including Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and its surrounding areas.

Having heard great things about RMASC, Ski 2 Freedom asked for independent feedback from the skiers themselves and Bobby very kindly sent us his story:

“Wow..Where to start! I am 58 years old and thought that because I had secondary progressive MS that Ski-ing was a closed sport to me (I have skied when I was young with family holidays at St. Moritz, Celerina and Riederalp and various excursions into Austria in search of snow) So when my daughter , Katie who was working the season in Banff, told me about RMASC and said that they were totally equipped to help less abled people onto the mountains, I jumped at the chance!

Appointments and days were booked and we set of to Canada.

The great day arrived and with some trepidation, We arrived at the base of the Gondola, to be met by a smiling Jamie with a welcoming "All-righte!", a big smile and loads of infectious confidence, on the ride up we discussed my limitations and I was put at ease. The Sit Ski was explained to me and within minutes I was in it, (only to wipe out before I had even moved!!!) That started the first laugh of the day. Straight onto the magic carpet and the nursery slopes to get the feel of the chair then the big moment arrived and it was up the lift,( passed some strangely decorated trees) and out onto the slopes proper!

A few gentle turns and then it was freedom (on the reins) and my whole life changed and I was hooked. With instructions from Jamie "Turn gently right....NO ..the Other right" followed by a spectacular wipeout!! all my fault but no bruises and then it was off again down the hill, practicing different turns and skills, all the time confidently under the control of Jamie.

On the second day the conditions were faster and we enjoyed all the runs, so much so that on a 'rest break' I asked Jamie what the maximum speed of the Sit-ski at Banff was to be informed that it stood at 79 KPH... Never being one to miss out on a challenge, Jamie downloaded the app and the next day we had a trial run, 79 KPH = the record, I decided that was not good enough so we went for it again 2nd Run 84 KPH, good but not Heineken. On the third run we made a speed of 89 KPH setting a new downhill record in a sit-ski at Banff. All the time I felt completely safe and professionally supervised. Jamie's team made my holiday experience one that I will never forget and they have opened up a whole new world to me , I am now saving hard for next season!”  - Bobby Gales