Disabled Skiers Conquer the Slopes in Winterberg’s Inclusive Trial Day
Hundreds of people with disabilities are hitting the slope in Winterberg thanks to the Summit Joy for All initiative. The project, backed by sports clubs, schools, and local volunteers, is making skiing accessible to those with physical, visual, or intellectual challenges. Participants like Louisa, who uses a wheelchair, are excited to glide down the slope once more.
The trial day in Winterberg has drawn in skiers with a wide range of disabilities. Lions Club members and trained volunteers are on hand to provide support, ensuring everyone can take part safely. Many participants, like Louisa, have previous skiing experience or come from families with a history of the sport.
Pascal Renneberg, one of the local volunteers, noted that some skiers had been on the slopes before but faced barriers returning. Funding for the event comes from Aktion Mensch and the State Action Plan for Inclusion, helping cover costs for equipment and instruction. Louisa’s father, Thorsten Peters, is also taking part—not as a skier yet, but as a trainee ski guide. He is learning the skills needed to accompany his daughter on future trips. Meanwhile, Louisa herself is making the most of the clear weather, eager to enjoy the freedom of skiing again.
The Summit Joy for All initiative aims to create lasting opportunities for disabled skiers in Winterberg and the wider Sauerland region. With ongoing support from charities, local volunteering groups, and volunteers, the project hopes to see more people with disabilities taking up skiing in the long term. The trial day has already shown how small adjustments can open up the sport to many who thought it was no longer possible.
