ADAPTIVE ski instructor Charlie Evans grew up an hour from the Scottish Highlands, where his parents threw him into ski race club, school skiing and many ski trips on family holidays across Europe.

When his mother moved to Queensland, he visited her often and she would always ask him if he’d like to visit the snow in Australia.

Eventually, he thought he’d try out Falls Creek, which has now become his second home after thinking he would only come for one season – he’s now into his 16th season.

“I started as a junior ski instructor but found myself doing more private lessons over the years, which is how I moved into adaptive ski instructing,” said Charlie.

“I started doing more adaptive classes and found I had an affinity with the people I was teaching and liked being part of their wider ski experience with their carers or families on the mountain.”

Charlie became known as a specialist in the field within the Australia ski industry and the Australian Professional Snowsports Instructors Association asked him to become a trainer.

He now takes the training at Falls Creek, as well as travelling to other resorts to preside over the examinations.

Some of his guests have been with him for many years, including one boy on the high end of the autism spectrum who he has taught for the past 12 years.

“He’s 20 now and he can outski most people on the hill, so that’s kind of cool and very rewarding,” said Charlie.

“He’s very visual, when I explain something, he will take it quite literally.”

The lessons for adaptive students are very individualised but Charlie admits that sometimes plans don’t go the way they would in a standard ski lesson.

“Some days are great and others you need to be a bit more flexible and tune into the guest’s needs, which could be stopping and having some time inside for a break,” said Charlie.

However, his autistic clients need pre-warning around what the day will be like so plans can’t change dramatically.

“You get to know your students so well after a while and know what each other will want,” said Charlie.

“For me, an adaptive ski lesson will make me think and actively develop with a few more curveballs and I find that very rewarding.”

Charlie says that by taking an adaptive lesson you’re not just becoming part of your guest’s experience but also their whole family or caring group.

“Over the years, I’ve made some really good friends with the families of adaptive kids,” he said.

“It’s so nice to think you’re able to take people to the snow to experience the sport who may not otherwise have been able to come on their own.”

Charlie says his adaptive clients are so grateful, excited and enthused to be on the snow, however there’s also a time pressure involved in an adaptive lesson because the progression could be slower.

“One guest I have worked with for the past 10 years and he has just recently been able to turn independently, which could happen in a two-hour lesson for some guests,” he said.

“It’s nice to be part of the longer process but can be challenging.”

Ideally, an adaptive lesson will use as little as possible in terms of extra equipment so that the guest is skiing independently, however there may be more use of cuddly toys or diggers or other props that might spark a child’s interest outside of skiing.

For physical limitations there may be a bit more equipment such as a snow slider frame for a guest to rest their arms on, as well as outriggers with longer ski poles that might work better for guests with amputations.

There’s also sit skis for guests who are not able to stand up.

“We try to get everyone as independent as possible,” said Charlie.

“One of my quadriplegic guests has done a lot of rehabilitation work and had lots of aids.

"Now he’s no longer connected to me on a tether rope and is skiing independently – that’s pretty awesome to see.”

A new Disabled Winter Sports Association base at Slalom Plaza near Halley’s Chairlift has been launched at Falls Creek, ideally located to assist adaptive guests.

Charlie said his clients see a definite crossover between their time on the snow and confidence in other areas of life back home.

“They really look forward to a trip to Falls Creek and it can be used as an incentive,” he said.

“Being in a different environment out of everyday life is hugely enjoyable and can definitely help in lots of ways.”

In the Australian summer, Charlie heads to Myoko Ski Resort in Japan where he’s out of his ski boots as its operations manager.

“Many of my adaptive guests have made the trip over to Myoko to catch up with me there,” said Charlie.

“It’s fantastic to share our experiences overseas and it means I’m always in the snow.”

Find out more about adaptive ski lessons at www.skifalls.com.au.