Sun and snow. Fun times. Memories made. More than 200 head to Cardrona for Snow Sports NZ Adaptive Festival 2026.

Fifty-three participants, 47 volunteers and dozens of friends, family and helpers joined forces to help make the 2026 Snow Sports NZ Adaptive Festival a success this year.

With the mountain closed day one due to bad weather, there was still fun and games to be had as participants turned instead to other experiences on offer in Wānaka. The day included Puzzling World, Wanaka Recreation Centre, Clip and Climb and a meal at the Wānaka District Club. Participants also had the opportunity to try out the Motom - an all-terrain off-road wheelchair provided by Vehicle Adaptions.

As good weather re-emerged, festival goers headed to the slopes days two and three to enjoy blue skies, fresh snow and some fantastic mentoring by some of the country’s top adaptive coaches and athletes. The annual event attracts a range of participants from 3 to 65 years old and is designed to be inclusive of all disabilities. This year, festival attendees hailing from both New Zealand and Australia tried different disciplines across the two days with progression the name of the game – it was all about testing your skills and pushing boundaries.

Snow Sports NZ Adaptive Festival Organiser and Competitive Pathway Manager Scott Palmer says snow sports is for everyone and the festival is all about getting more people with disabilities onto the mountains. “The interesting thing this year that came from having a closed day was the ability to sit down and have a chat in advance about goals,” he says. “We encouraged people to extend themselves. The mindset was about giving different types of disciplines a go. Those who historically used biskis tried a mono ski. Those who started on learner slopes progressed to runs. It was great to see everyone try new things they’d thought not previously possible.”

Palmer says the event is something repeat participants look forward to. With accommodation, transport and equipment packages on offer, it’s an easy way to experience and enjoy the slopes. “A lot of people have come in previous years and then bring friends along as well. What’s special is the opportunity to ski with other like-minded individuals, share knowledge and be inspired. The sense of community is huge.”

Hall and Peters inspire at learn to race camp. The Adaptive Festival was followed by a Learn to Race Camp and the New Zealand Adaptive Nationals. “The camp is designed for everyone, from those who just want to give racing a go, to those thinking of pursuing a paralympic pathway,” Palmer says. “One outcome of the camp might be a healthy pathway of athletes wanting to succeed in competition, but at the end of the day, it’s about just having a go and social connection.”

During the camp, athletes of all ages learned about the basics of the para-alpine pathway and competing at the NZ Adaptive Nationals. “Each day we did warm-ups together, went out on the snow in training environments, learned tactics and techniques on the race course and broke away into individual athlete training.” Camp athletes were supported and inspired by Paralympians Adam Hall and Corey Peters. “They were able to watch Corey ski and take notes,” Palmer says.