Accessible Skiing and More!
Ski resorts, such as the one outside of Vancouver, often have difficulty meeting accessibility standards due to the reality of the cold, vertical environment. But Whistler Blackcomb Resort has made every effort to make each shop and restaurant accessible for the 2010 Paralympic Games (and beyond!) by providing a variety of access ramps to storefronts, even though the Whistler Stroll is on a consistent slope. And that’s saying nothing about skiing at the resort, which is wheelchair friendly for monoskiers and more. 

Handicap Accessible Playground
Adding to the friendly atmosphere is a completely handicap accessible playground recently installed at the bottom of the walk.   Those individuals who dare can even take the trail up into the tree house, descending with a slip down the roller slide to the rubberized accessible surface. 

This handicap accessible playground is especially important for parents like my spouse and I when one of us uses a wheelchair for mobility: we both can worry about chasing our 14 month old around!   The addition of an accessible playground to Whistler resort is making our decision to be repeat visitors to this mountain paradise even more enticing.

Wheelchair-Accessible Shopping
Muffy and I had the opportunity to spend some time at the Vancouver venues today.  I have to say it again: Olympic/Paralympic host cities go way beyond providing required access to truly be exemplary disability friendly communities. 

Every site of interest that we have seen thus far has been wonderfully accessible.  I am not only talking about the architecture; the welcoming spirit of the locals in Canada will make any individual with a disability think about permanent relocation.

Plan a trip to Vancouver or Whistler for the 2010 games or beyond and you will be pleased with your ability to spend money in every restaurant and shop of your choice.  The winters are great, but summers in British Columbia may even be better.

Photo courtesy Jeff Burley.