Can anyone recommend ski resort for special needs children?

[Dunleth]

I would like to take my four boys skiing, they range from 13 - 8 yrs. Two have ASD. Can anyone recommend a ski resort that won't break the bank! Thanks.

We go to puy st vincent, and there was a couple there with a son with learning difficulties, and they had come back 8 years in a row because they liked it for their son. They said because it was small and well-contained he couldn't take a wrong turn and end up in another valley/country. Snowbizz are the tour operator who go there, and they are excellent. It is self catering, so works out cheaper, but there is no swimming pool, if that is important to you.

Also try peak retreats for self-drive self-catered appartments - they can recommend some cheap family resorts.

Canadian resorts seem good for special needs. my dc don't have special needs but have seen the teaching happening at both Sunshine and Big White.

The flights might fall into your break the bank catagory but once you are there I think is good value.

I know a reaaaaalllllly good Canadian place.

The adaptive winter sports at sunshine are run by a lovely lovely friend of mine who is actually a Brit, and my dd2 attends the downhill programme there. They offer whatever you want, completely tailored to individual abilities (it's a not for profit organisation). Very friendly, amazing, and staffed by great instructors and a whole host of volunteers for those who need more than 1-1 support. Also cross country skiing, and in the summer loads of activities too.

We actually moved here in no small part because of the opportunities they provide. we found them accidentally when we were looking for an instructor who could teach dd2, several years before we took the plunge and moved here ft.

Obviously, just getting to Canada racks up the prices enormously, (flights direct to Calgary, Alberta and book local accommodation) but if you ever manage to scrape the money together, you won't regret it.

The organisation is here

They do fab 'family and friends' lessons as well, which might be perfect for all of your boys. As an aside, the website is a bit clunky at the mo as it's being overhauled, but do give me a shout if you want to ask anything or can't find the info you need.

If you do make it, give me a shout. I can cover coffe, but not the cost of the flights, I'm afraid.

Hi Dunleth,

We've [inc DS with HF ASD] done Oberau in Austria [not so successful as stayed in hotel, routines all went wonky], then 2 years in Niederau [just next village over], self-catering apartment. Absolutely perfect, and the 'Blue Ski School' worked really really well with him.

This year he has agreed to change countries due to booking at Easter and needing a higher resort and we are driving down to the alps to a very similar sort of set up in La Joue de Loup, self catering apartment and short walk to the ESF school. Will let you know how it goes [and at £800 for apartment, channel crossing and 2 weeks full time ski school and hire, I'm feeling confident about the bank], now I just need to load up the car with a box of the 'right' food and I'm laughing.