Sit-skiing following a Spinal Cord Injury in Val d’Isere with ESF Val d’Isere

April 2011

Arnon is 22 and was injured two and half years ago with C6/C7 spinal cord injury and now uses a manual wheelchair but is very active. Before his accident he was a good skier and snowboarder. He has done one ski week since his accident in La Plagne but has expressed an interest in going to Val d’Isere and wonder if you can help with a suitable ski school and wheelchair accessible accommodation? We will be grateful for any recommendations you can give.

"Arnon stayed in Val d'Isere with a school friend at La Savoyarde www.la-savoyarde.com hotel (S2F recommendation) and had eight days of skiing which he fully enjoyed! He had lessons with both Xavier and Philippe from ESF Val d’Isere www.esfvaldisere.com (S2F recommendation).

He texted me that its : “going great... all hurts.. and we are ski beasts and my shoulders are in danger of falling off” Arnon is happiest when moving fast and on the edge. At the end of the trip he was doing blue and green slopes without assistance and red with the instructor helping at sticky turns. In the meantime his pal Daniel learned to snowboard for the 1st time.. hence the all hurting.. he was very happy with their equipment ... said the angle of the sit-ski and height was better than the one used in La Plagne the previous year.

In terms of instructors he found both Xavier and Philippe to be excellent and very focused on his needs.

Ski 2 Freedom you are quite amazing - thank you so much for your efforts and enthusiasm. Arnon will be more than happy to send photos and impressions from his holiday.” Bonnie, Arnon’s mother