What was once a rarity is nowadays becoming commonplace: we’re talking about offers and features in ski areas that can also be used by people with disabilities or physical restrictions. SnowTrex presents where barrier-free winter holidays are possible.
Ski Area Hintertux Glacier
In Tyrol in particular, barrier-free winter offers have become well established and are very popular. In addition to numerous accommodations that are geared towards wheelchair users or people with impaired vision, Tyrolean ski resorts offer many barrier-free excursion destinations and innovative leisure activities. At the Hintertux Glacier, for example, you can take the handicapped-accessible gondola up to 3,250 m and enjoy the mountain air on the easily-accessible panorama terrace.
However, it’s not just the local restaurants that offer facilities for the disabled – the slopes also allow for barrier-free skiing. Many successful disabled athletes use the Hintertux Glacier as a training area. In addition, guests with a disabled pass can expect greatly reduced prices. The Tyrolean Ski Instructors’ Association received an award for its objective to train the snow sports instructors in every Tyrolean ski school in the best possible way for disabled skiing.
Ski Area Kauner Valley Glacier
All lifts on the Kauner Valley Glacier are accessible at ground level. The Karlesjochbahn, which takes people with disabilities up to an altitude of 3,108 m, is particularly noteworthy. At the mountain station, not only is there a glacier restaurant with facilities for disabled guests, but also a great view of the surrounding mountains.
Ski Area Mayrhofen-Hippach
The Ahornbahn in Mayrhofen offers the best conditions for people with disabilities, especially for monoskiers. From the access to disabled parking spaces at the valley station, to the entrance to the gondolas, there is sufficient space everywhere. At the mountain station, there are ideal slopes for monoski beginners as well as correspondingly suitable lift facilities.
Ski Area Region Berchtesgaden
Barrier-free ski areas are also not uncommon in Germany. For example, disabled winter sports fans can choose from the three ski areas of Rossfeld, Obersalzberg and Götschen in the Berchtesgadener Land. The latter is even a Paralympic training base. In addition to the varied range of pistes, nature in the Berchtesgaden National Park can also be experienced barrier-free, and is also wheelchair-accessible. Paved hiking trails, wheelchair-accessible roads and viewing platforms – all true to the motto “A national park for all”.
Further barrier-free offers
There are also great ski areas for monoskiers in Kitzbühel, Reutte, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Ischgl, Alpbach, Hochoetz, Waidring and on the Stubai Glacier.
In addition to all the winter fun, many places also cater for alternative activities to a special degree. In Tyrol, for example, wheelchair hiking tours, handbike routes, parachuting and paragliding are offered. Many cultural and leisure facilities are also barrier-free or wheelchair-accessible. Special highlights are the Erlebnistherme Zillertal, the Alpine Coaster in Imst, the city tour through Innsbruck and the Kaunergrat Nature Park in Kauner Valley. Kauner Valley is also home to the first wheelchair hotel in the Alps.
Furthermore, there are also optimal conditions for cross-country sledding in Tyrol, for example. In Kauner Valley, Lechtal, Seefeld and at Lake Achensee in particular, there are extensive and well-maintained barrier-free track networks. In Kitzbühel, wheelchair users can even learn curling.
