Supported holidays

These assisted ski holidays are guided by Mark and Karen and are designed to help adaptive skiers build confidence and progress in their skiing. During the winter season, members can develop their skills from skiing on the dry slope in Wales to experiencing the incredible mountains of Europe.

The programme currently organises group holidays to European resorts such as Soldeu in Andorra. The holidays are specifically designed to welcome adaptive skiers and snowboarders, while also providing opportunities for family members, carers and beginners to take part.

Holiday packages typically include flights, airport and resort transfers, accommodation, lift passes, equipment and between six half-days and seven days of skiing, depending on the trip.

Each skier receives support from qualified adaptive ski instructors who tailor the experience to their individual needs and abilities. Specialist equipment, including sit-skis, is available where required.

Resorts such as Soldeu also offer a range of accessibility features, including accessible accommodation and adapted lift facilities, helping to make the experience as enjoyable and accessible as possible for everyone.

We give people the opportunity to go on holiday with of independence difficulties while having the support assistance available when needed.

Rather than being a conventional group holiday where everything is organised around everyone, the emphasis is on:

  • choosing activities that the individual actually wants to do;

  • supporting the person to make their own choices;

  • having assistance available with practical aspects of the holiday;

  • encouraging independence and confidence;

  • enabling people to enjoy a holiday abroad alongside other people;

  • adapting activities where necessary rather than excluding someone because of their disability.

That fits closely with Arctic Squads wider approach, where they assess each person's individual needs and can adapt skiing through specialist equipment, one-to-one support, communication support and involvement of family or people who know the skier well.

Lanzarote

Is a good example because it is a warm-weather, non-skiing holiday destination, so the emphasis can be on having an accessible holiday experience rather than on snow sports.

The wider model of tailored independent holidays for disabled people is already being used by organisations offering Lanzarote trips, with activities and excursions around individual abilities and interests.

  • Papagayo mini cruise.

  • Usually around 1.5–3 hours. You sail along the coast, stop near the beaches, swim/snorkel and relax on the boat. Current listings show trips from around £30–£40.

  • The Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park holiday excursion, it’s a family-oriented day out in Puerto del Carmen combining a Western-themed animal park with water-park attractions.

    • Western/American theme: The park is designed around a Wild West/Texas ranch atmosphere, with features such as a gold mine, tipi, Indian Lagoon and Western-style surroundings.

    • Animals and shows: You can see dolphins, sea lions, birds of prey, parrots and cockatoos, as well as animals including white tigers, pumas, reptiles and penguins. Several educational animal presentations are included with admission.

    • Water activities: There is a swimming-pool area with slides and splash facilities, making it possible to combine the animal park with a few hours of relaxing or swimming.

      Most excursions start with a coach transfer to Playa Blanca in southern Lanzarote. From there, you board a ferry to Corralejo in northern Fuerteventura. The sea crossing is only around 35 minutes, so it’s a very easy island-hopping trip.

      Once you arrive, there are a couple of different styles of excursion:

      • Relaxed/free-time trip: Explore Corralejo, visit the beautiful beaches and Corralejo Natural Park, or walk among the enormous sand dunes at your own pace.

      • Organised island tour: A coach and guide take you around some of Fuerteventura's highlights, potentially including La Oliva, Betancuria, a local cheese farm and the Corralejo dunes.

      • Boat & catamaran option: Some excursions combine the ferry with a catamaran trip around Lobos Island, with opportunities to see the volcanic scenery and turquoise waters and, depending on the excursion, stop for swimming

      The contrast with Lanzarote is one of the attractions. Fuerteventura is famous for its long golden beaches, turquoise water and huge rolling sand dunes. Corralejo itself has a lively holiday-town atmosphere with shops, cafés and restaurants.

      The whole excursion is generally around 8 hours, making it a straightforward day trip before returning to Lanzarote.

      Yes, especially if you've never been to Fuerteventura. I'd particularly recommend it if you want a change from Lanzarote's volcanic scenery and fancy a day of beaches, dunes, boat travel and another island.

      If you're looking at a particular “Fuerteventura Boat Trip” excursion advertised by your hotel or holiday company, send me a photo/screenshot of the excursion, and I can explain exactly what that trip includes, what the day will be like, and whether it's good value.

      Hotel HL Paradise Island is a 4-star, family-oriented apartment hotel in Playa Blanca, in the south of Lanzarote. It is particularly geared towards families, with plenty of activities and facilities on site rather than being a hotel aimed primarily at couples seeking a quiet luxury break. The hotel has 290 apartments, set in landscaped gardens, and is a little inland/elevated rather than directly on the beach.

      What All-Inclusive includes

      The All-Inclusive package generally covers:

      • Breakfast, lunch and dinner, normally buffet style.

      • A selection of local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

      • Snacks, ice cream and afternoon tea at designated times.

      • The main buffet restaurant offers national and international food.

      • There is also an Italian restaurant and an Asian food option/corner.

        Pools and Dino Park

        One of the hotel's biggest attractions is its Dino Park water park, located within the resort.

        • Three swimming pools are available within the complex, including a pool heated during winter and areas for children.

        • Dino Park water park has water slides and is aimed at both children and adults.

        • For HL Paradise Island guests, daily admission to Dino Park is included.

        • There is a pool bar serving drinks and refreshments.

        • Sun terraces have sun loungers and parasols.

        • Pool towels are available subject to the hotel's terms/deposit arrangements.

        For a family holiday, the water park is probably the hotel's standout feature.

        The apartments

        Rather than conventional hotel rooms, HL Paradise Island is an apartment-style resort. The 290 apartments have living areas and balconies/terraces; facilities include air conditioning, satellite/international TV, a mini-fridge and tea/coffee-making facilities.

        This makes it quite practical for families, particularly if you want more space than you would normally get from a standard hotel bedrooms.