Children with additional needs enjoy the thrill of skiing, with National Lottery support

Building an accessible skiing experience

As a physiotherapist, Julie knew skiing could offer children with additional needs a range of benefits, such as:

• Improved flexibility
• Better balance
• Increased coordination
• Stronger core
• More confidence

Meeting once a month, skiers use a range of specialist equipment, including sit skis, ambulant devices and frames.

It’s a full family experience - siblings are welcome to join in while parents play a central role, too.  Many mums and dads volunteer as coaches, sit ski guides, committee members or fundraisers – demonstrating the warm, inclusive community that Chris and Julie have built. 

How National Lottery funding helped

The equipment was first bought when the club was founded almost two decades ago, and it was in serious need of replacement.

That’s when the National Lottery and Sport Wales stepped in with a grant of £17,560. The club bought brand new sit skis,special snow chairs mountedon two skis, allowing children to enjoy the speed and excitement of skiing.

The impact of Ice Cool Kids

Jac's story: discovering a joy his dad never thought possible

Alex never dreamed that his son Jac would be able to ski, just as he had done as a young boyon family ski holidays. Jac has an extremely rare condition called Schinzel-Giedion Syndrome - only four people in the UK are known to have it - so the idea of him flying down a slope felt firmly out of reach. 

That all changed the moment Jac tried a sit ski at Ice Cool Kids. With a guide steering the way, Jac soon arrived at the bottom of the slope. And he was beaming.

Two years on, Jac, now eight, lights up on every visit to the slope at Pembrey. Even better, Alex has trained as a ski guide himself, so he can ski alongside his son. 

Catrin's story: finding confidence on the dry slopes

Sixteen-year-old Catrin was diagnosed with autism before her third birthday. Although she loves sport, especially athletics and boxing, Catrin finds social situations challenging. 

But when she started skiing, her confidence started to grow. Her mum, Kelly, noticed that her daughter was less anxious and became comfortable chatting with the other children. 

Catrin turned out to be a total natural. By her second session, she skied right from the top of the slope. And just like the many children and young people who enjoy the Ice Cool Kids sessions, she loves the speed, the adrenaline rush and the fun.  

Want to make your club more accessible?

Stories like Jac’s and Catrin’s sit at the very heart of what Ice Cool Kids is all about - helping children build confidence and independence, while creating a community where families cheer each other on and celebrate every small victory together. 

Want to make a difference to disabled children at your sports club? The National Lottery can help your club become more accessible. Find out more about the Be Active Wales Fund.