Adaptive skiing in Italy: accessible resorts and services

The mountains are for everyone. In recent years more and more Italian resorts have invested in accessibility and in services for people with physical and sensory disabilities. With specialist equipment and trained instructors, adaptive skiing lets anyone feel the thrill of a descent.

What adaptive skiing is and how it works

Adaptive skiing (also called para-skiing) covers several disciplines that allow people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities to ski.

Sit-ski (mono-ski)

A seat mounted on a single ski, with shock absorbers and stabilisers:

For people with lower-limb disabilities
Two short crutches fitted with mini-skis (outriggers) provide balance
After proper training you can ski independently

Bi-ski (tandem ski)

A seat mounted on two parallel skis, steered by a trained companion:

For severe disabilities or for people who cannot ski on their own
The companion steers from behind using a handlebar
The passenger needs no skiing skills at all
The feeling is exactly the same as conventional skiing

The skier follows a guide who gives directions by radio
Dedicated routes with audio signals
It takes a lot of trust and coordination

Skiing with prostheses and stabilisers

For amputees or skiers with balance problems:

Skis with side stabilisers
Ski-specific prostheses
Outriggers (crutches with a small ski) for balance

The best-equipped resorts in Italy

1. Sestriere (Piedmont), Via Lattea

Sestriere is Italy’s benchmark for adaptive skiing, a legacy of the Turin 2006 Paralympics:

Centro Sportivo Disabili: the most important adaptive sports centre in Italy
Instructors qualified for every type of disability
Sit-skis and bi-skis for hire
Lifts with step-free access
Reduced ski pass for disabled skiers, with companions riding free

2. Cortina d’Ampezzo (Veneto)

Cortina stepped up accessibility for the 2026 Olympics:

Adaptive skiing programme run with the association ‘Sci Senza Barriere’
Upgraded lifts with access ramps
Bi-skis and sit-skis available
Companions ride the lifts free

3. Pila (Aosta Valley)

Pila is one of the most inclusive resorts in Italy:

The gondola up from Aosta is wheelchair accessible
‘Sci per Tutti’ programme with specialist instructors
Wide, gentle slopes in the Baby area

4. Madonna di Campiglio (Trentino)

Madonna di Campiglio offers:

The ‘TrentinAbile’ association, with its own instructors
Adaptive equipment available
Signposted step-free routes

5. Bardonecchia (Piedmont)

Bardonecchia has a long record of inclusion:

‘Bardonecchia Accessible Snow’, a structured programme
Dedicated routes on the slopes
Discounted ski pass for disabled skiers

6. Bormio (Lombardy)

Bormio offers:

An adaptive skiing programme run with the CIP (Italian Paralympic Committee)
Lifts with step-free access
Accessible thermal baths (QC Terme Bagni) for après-ski

Discounts and prices

Most Italian resorts offer concessions:

Concession	Details
Reduced ski pass	20-50% off with proof of disability
Companion	Free at most resorts
Adaptive equipment hire	€30-60 a day (where available)
Lesson with a specialist instructor	€50-80 an hour

How to get the discounts

Always carry your disability certificate (in Italy, the certificato di invalidità issued by the local health authority, ASL)
Tell the ticket office what you need before you buy
Book adaptive ski lessons early: demand is high and specialist instructors are few

Organisations and resources

Key organisations

FISIP (Italian Paralympic Winter Sports Federation): coordinates competitive adaptive skiing
CIP (Italian Paralympic Committee): promotes sport for everyone
FISI Sci Adattato: the adaptive skiing section of the Italian Winter Sports Federation

Training as an instructor

You can train as an adaptive ski instructor:

The Collegio Nazionale dei Maestri di Sci (the national ski instructors’ body) runs specialist courses
Training covers teaching techniques for each type of disability
Italy needs more specialist instructors: it is a rewarding career

Practical tips

Call the resort first: check which services are available and book ahead
Allow plenty of time: getting kitted out and ready takes longer
Pick quiet times: late morning and weekdays are ideal
Take the first lessons seriously: even experienced skiers need time to adapt
Enjoy the moment: adaptive skiing brings intense, unforgettable emotions

The mountains have no barriers when there is the will to remove them. To explore every resort, browse our resort pages.