My first impression of the ski lodge was how well-designed it was. Granted, people with physical disabilities usually require special equipment, but I'll come back to that in a minute. It's a simple building that made it easy for my friends and I to get our equipment and lift ticket without hassle. The mountain consists of a range from slight slopes for learning basic skills to a Black Diamond for advanced skiers. It's primarily a teaching mountain, but is still aesthetically pleasing and easy to get around.
As far as Universal Design goes, the lifts are simple, slow enough to minimize falls and fast enough to to be timely. The stairs and inside of the lodge have textured floors and a few drainage areas to minimize falling and tripping. And for beginning skiers like me, there was plenty of instruction before lettings us roam freely on the slopes.
For someone like my sister who can't walk, there are ski teams and special equipment that accommodate a sitting person, with room for legs and shorter poles for balance, like this:
Although there wasn't anyone on the mountain who used these, it's a creative and accessible way for everyone to learn how to ski. Although I would recommend that you layer up - I fell more than expected, and even though it's been a mild winter and the snow wasn't real, it was cold. So wear protective ski pants, gloves, and a hat for sure. But even my friends who were taking snowboarding agreed that it was a fun environment, and the music playing helped to boost our moods, even when we hit the snow. Without a double, I would highly recommend Appalachian as a good location, no matter how little you know about skiing.
(Individual, Winter Activity)
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