Britain’s 2002 Paralympic skiers, Steve Napier and Russell Docker, took time out of their busy training schedules on Saturday 15 September to launch the Snozone Adaptive Ski School at Snozone, Xscape Milton Keynes.

Snozone was thrilled with the launch of this exciting project. They hope as many disabled people as possible will experience the freedom and independence of the snow slopes – maybe not all with as much panache as Steve and Russell, but certainly with as much enjoyment.

Steve and Russell are heading for the Paralympics in Utah in March 2002. Steve trains at Snozone when he is in England and is very supportive of the Snozone launch. Steve said, “This is just what we need. Adaptive skiing is not as popular a sport in England as it should be. Snozone have provided us with the opportunity, we just need the public to use it! Judging by the response we have had today I feel sure it will be a tremendous success.”

Snozone has been working hard with The Back-Up Trust, the national spinal injury charity, to make the launch a true success. The trust helped to provide specialist ski instructors along with ski “buddies” for the launch day, the instructors used their expert tuition to teach those with a multitude of disabilities. The Back-Up Trust uses sport to help rehabilitate those paralysed through spinal injury; it was through this charity that Steve Napier learnt adaptive skiing. Specially adapted ski-bobs and ski-karts are used to provide the opportunity for those with paralysis to have a go on the snow.

Snozone will have a weekly Adaptive Ski School lesson schedule available from Monday 8 October 2001. Snozone at present has one Adaptive Ski Instructor, Sarah Jones. Robb Seber from Snozone who co-ordinates Snozone’s Adaptive Ski School was delighted with the response and success of Saturday’s launch, he said, “To say the launch was a success is an understatement. To see local girl, Anna, who has Multiple Sclerosis, smiling and laughing as she skied down the Snozone Slope on a bi-ski was tear jerking, what a feeling.”

For more information about the Snozone Adaptive Ski School, and lesson availability please contact Robb Seber 01908 680819. For general information on Snozone please call 01908 230260 or visit www.snozonemk.co.uk

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