TRENTINO FOR EVERYBODY - IN WINTER, TOO

The project “Trentino per tutti,” conceived by the Autonomous Province of Trento and winner of a call promoted by the Ministry for Disability, aims not only to create and promote accessible structures but also to introduce new experiences and increase the number of services in the area capable of responding to the needs of residents or guests with disabilities. Even in the winter, there is no shortage of experiences and initiatives to make snow accessible to all.

Too often, disabilities hinder the possibility of enjoying a holiday. Reducing these barriers is also the task of tourist operators. A mountain holiday - especially a winter one - is often seen as unattainable for many disabled people. It is no coincidence that today, only 9% of people with severe limitations practice sports. This decision was made reluctantly because 65% of disabled tourists prefer an active holiday that allows them to practice the typical activities of the area. However, not breaking down these barriers is also an economic loss for tourist areas: disabled people are a huge pool of potential customers and, moreover, have a very high loyalty rate (61% tend to return to places where they have found facilities suited to their needs).

Meeting the needs of disabled people who want to practice winter sports also has excellent social value: the benefits of physical activity are even more significant for disabled people. With sports, they learn to control their body, develop confidence in themselves and their abilities, and increase their self-esteem. Especially if the disability results from a severe accident, sports practice improves coordination skills and body awareness. In the case of disabled children, it has been shown that their mood improves after a sports activity, they become more sociable, they overcome fears, and they easily integrate into daily activities and social life.

Alpe Cimbra – “Scie di Passione” ski instructors in Folgaria

A team of dynamic and passionate mountain instructors and professionals are at your disposal for lessons and courses in skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, exciting snowshoeing, and adventurous outdoor activities. The uniqueness of this team is reflected in the constant desire to offer the same services to disabled people, allowing them to experience the mountains and sports/outdoor activities fully. Thanks to the attention and professionalism of the instructors, specific equipment, and excellent organization, “Scie di Passione” has become a place where everyone can experience the pleasure of sports and nature in an inclusive and stimulating context.

They organise alpine and cross-country skiing courses, snowboarding courses, snowshoeing and outdoor activities in the winter months.

Even in the "snowless" months, Scie organises various sports activities, from MTB/E-bike excursions to climbing, from canoe trips to trekking excursions, orienteering, and fun lessons with roller skates.

Information: sciedipassione.com

Val di Fiemme – SportAbili Association in Predazzo

SportAbili has been committed to offering sports activities for people with physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities for 23 years. They also welcome families on a journey of sharing all the moments that characterise the association's activities, particularly sports and recreation.

We are a bridge between the world of disabled people and that of "able" people, starting right from where the gap seems greatest: in the world of sports and recreational activities through which disabled people are demonstrating their potential, sometimes unexpressed due to the lack of the possibility of exercising it.

We work to allow people with disabilities to be active and autonomous in sports and free time, achieving their autonomy to exercise and express themselves in all the moments that characterise life in its daily routine.

 Val di Sole – Barrier-free mountains

This Trentino valley is already served by a barrier-free train – the Dolomiti Express – which serves many destinations in Val di Sole and, at the Daolasa station, allows you to board the cable car that, in just 12 minutes, takes you up to Alpe Daolasa at 2040 meters and from there to the Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta Val di Sole Val Rendena ski area.

Good news on the ski school front: all seven operating in the valley's three areas (Folgarida Marilleva, Pontedilegno-Tonale and Pejo3000) have instructors qualified to teach or accompany disabled skiers. To offer an additional service, Val di Sole has decided to purchase a monoski with two seats of size 2 and 4 – suitable for both beginners and experts, they allow easy access to chairlifts and, already today, to some cable cars – and two piloted dual skis that allow skiing led by ski instructors or independently even by people without the use of lower and upper limbs.

Info: https://www.visitvaldisole.it/it/sci-accessibile

More info about accessible Trentino: https://www.visittrentino.info/en-us/experience/trentino-open