Rather than running away from winter, embrace it at these snow-covered, yet accessible destinations
Tackling the snow can seem daunting if you use a wheelchair, but these winter hot spots turn that feeling right around to exciting. Get out for a winter-themed vacation to try a new activity such as sit skiing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding or just for a relaxing time with these wheelchair-accessible trips.
Stardust Lodge + Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
An accessible room at the Stardust Lodge in South Lake Tahoe puts you close to the adaptive skiing action happening at nearby Heavenly Mountain Resort. Heavenly will suit you up with the right equipment (a mono or bi ski) to get you out on the mountain with a trained instructor to help you learn, develop or practice your skiing skills. For more information, visit stardust-tahoe.com and skiheavenly.com.
Winter Park Resort, Winter Park, Colo.
With the true feeling of a mountain lodge, this resort offers both a place to rest your head and seek out adventure all on one campus. The National Sports Center for the Disabled works from this resort, creating the perfect opportunity to get set up in a sit ski and slide down the slopes. Group and one-on-one lessons are available. For more information, visit winterparkresort.com and nscd.org.
Tenaya Lodge, Fish Camp, Calif.
If barreling down a mountain on a ski isn’t your idea of a vacation, you can still get the full winter experience in a more relaxed setting. This cottage-in-the-woods style lodge sits in the Sierra National Forest, ten minutes from Yosemite National Park. Cozy up to the fire on the back patio with a s’mores kit while relishing the winter wonderland around you or warm up in the steam and sauna rooms at the on-location spa. Get out of the hotel for a quick trip on the accessible Logger Steam Train into the Sierra Mountains. Don’t let the snow steer you away, the staff keeps paths clear for easy rolling and several accessible rooms/cottages are available. For more information, visit tenayalodge.com.
Arctic Aventure Snowmobiling Tour, Quebec, Canada
Pack all the winter adventures and scenery you can imagine into a 7-day, 6-night fully accessible snowmobiling tour. Arctic Aventure’s mission is to make snowmobiling accessible for all people. People who use wheelchairs can drive a snowmobile through Canada on their own. The trip includes four days of guided snowmobiling along with plenty of adventures throughout the week. Try ice fishing, dog sledding, snow tubing and skiing all of which will be adapted to your injury or disease. For more information, visit arcticaventure.com.
