World Snow Day was celebrated in the Soldeu sector of the Grandvalira ski area with free activities being provided for children from the ages of 3 to 12
The Andorran Association of Minority Diseases, the Andorran Association for the Visually and Hearing Impaired and the Andorran Association ‘Hi arribarem’ (‘Together we’ll get there’) were in attendance at the event with children suffering from some form of disability
. The Pla de Espiolets part of the Soldeu sector of the Grandvalira ski area was today transformed into an activity centre in the snow. It was made accessible for all children from the ages of 3 to 12 to mark World Snow Day, a day that is promoted annually by the International Ski Federation (FIS). A day in the snow tailored to children suffering varying forms of functional diversity was organised as part of the candidacy for the Alpine Skiing World Championships Andorra 2029. The project upholds the values of inclusion and accessibility, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle among very young children through skiing. Children and family members of the AMMA (Association of Minority Diseases), ADVAA (Association of Visually and Hearing Impaired), and ‘Hi arribarem Andorra’ (for people with functional diversity) Andorran associations were in attendance throughout the day.
Grandvalira – SETAP365’s Director of Mountain Services, Toni Rodriguez explained that the aim of the initiative was to “bring everyone closer to snow in an interactive way, and also to develop adapted skiing for those children and families who suffer varying forms of functional diversity”. The organization enjoyed the support of the team of volunteers, making it possible for the free activities in the snow to be done. These included a parallel slalom, a ski cross, snowboard riglet, snow hockey, tubing and adapted skiing which is thanks to the Soldeu El Tarter Ski and Snowboard School’s Adaptive Centre in Grandvalira.
World Snow Day was focused on the pillars of the candidacy
The bid to be awarded the World Alpine Skiing Championships in 2029 is based on a vision of the event that establishes two fundamental pillars. On the one hand, is inclusion, and a willingness to turn the ski station and the country into a source of inspiration for different groups, by improving inclusive and accessible products, services and infrastructures, allowing barriers to be eliminated and social inclusion and equal opportunities to be developed. And on the other hand, is skiing and health with the aim of promoting the healthy habits that taking part in sports brings from early childhood, and also encouraging continued training toward professional and elite level skiing.
It is the second time that, in celebrating World Snow Day, the project that aspires to host a World Cup shapes its ambitions in terms of inclusion and accessibility.