Ski lifts
Ski slopes
Lift Banderitsa: 9 AM - last ride 4:15 PM, Lift Plato: 9 AM - last ride 4 PM
Ten kids with disabilities skied on the slopes in Bansko. They used adapted ski equipment called Sitski or HOC. In Pirin mountain the children were accompanied by instructors specially trained for that purpose at Ulen Ski School and ParaKids Association.
"We want to assure equal access to the mountains and for winter sports for kids with disabilities. This way they can find new friends and also learn to be more independent and courageous in life. Sometimes even their parents are surprised by their children's capablilities", says Boyana Kotseva, a PhD student at NSA and ski instructor from ParaKids.
12-year-old Lyubo Mihaylov suffers from cerebral palsy. On the slope he was accompanied by Boyana Kotseva, ski instructor to ParaKids and Martin Karachorov, professional instructor at Ski School Ulen. Lubo's reaction after skiing was short "Very cool, let's do it again!"
The initiative is from Ulen Ski School and ParaKids Association in partnership with the Israeli Foundation EREZ. ParaKids provide adapted sports equipment and try to offer a variety in sports activities for children with various disabilities.
Ulen provide trained personnel and equipment for this purpose und Balkan Holidays offer preferential prices.