Principal Sponsor

ASAA Concession Policy

The Australian Ski Area’s Association is a non for profit organisation which conducts activities that will benefit the Australian snow sports industry and its patrons. Current members of the association are – Perisher, Thredbo, Charlottes Pass Ski Resort, Selwyn Snowfields, Mt Buller, Falls Creek, Hotham Alpine Resort, Mt Baw Baw and Ben Lomond Snow Sports.

The ASAA Member organisations provide DWA passport holders with tremendous benefits at each of their resorts. The ASAA has recently released the ASAA Concession Policy which outlines the concessions provided to DWA passport holders at each of the resorts.

• ASAA Concession Policy

Passport Renewals

To renew your DWA Passport for the 2010 season please send your existing DWA Passport with the relevant renewal fee & return address to:

Disabled WinterSports Australia
PO Box 655
DICKSON ACT 2602

We have reduced the cost of passport renewals for 2010 for members who renew early. The renewal fees for 2010 are:

• Early Bird Passport renewals made prior to May 31, 2010 – $65.00
• Passport renewals after May 31, 2010 – $80.00
• Passport renewals after June long weekend, 2009 – $90.00

New DWA Members

All persons wishing to take advantage of the benefits offered by Disabled WinterSport Australia must first make application to become a member and be approved to receive a DWA Passport. This can be done by completing and submitting the authorised DWA Application Form along with the necessary membership fee. No other application form will be accepted.

Process for Applications

All persons wishing to become a Passport holder and member of DWA must:

1. Download and complete the authorised DWA Application Form (currently dated March 2010). It is important that ALL sections of the application form are completed.
2. Organise TWO passport size photographs of the applicant.
3. Return the completed application form (inlc. medical practitioner section), TWO passport size photos and the relevant membership payment to the Disabled WinterSport Office using registered post, express post or any other traceable method.

All DWA Membership prices and details for the return of the DWA Membership Application Form are contained within the form.

The application form seeks sufficiently detailed information regarding your disability, including from appropriate and relevant professionals and specialists if required, and detailed information of the effect your disability may have upon your ability to ski, the degree or nature of support you may require, your ability to use ski area lifting and to communicate effectively at all times with ski area personnel such as instructors, lift attendants and ski patrollers, especially in the event of an emergency or accident on the ski slopes.

Attached are key “Frequently Asked Questions,” or FAQ’s, together with answers that will further explain the new application and evaluation processes. If you have further questions do not hesitate to contact DWA.

Associate Memberships

Membership is also available as an Associate Member. There are two categories of an Associate Membership being:

1. Volunteer Ski Guides
2. A person or organisation providing financial or other support for DWA that wishes to be updated by receiving DWA’s member information and benefits.

If you wish to become an Associate Members please printout and complete the Associate Membership Application Form and send it to the address below.

Disabled WinterSport Australia
PO Box 655
DICKSON ACT 2602

Tel: (02) 6230 6631
Email: mattsebbens@bigpond.com

Rights and Responsibilities

• Disabled members of Disabled WinterSport Australia carrying a current DWA passport are entitled to concessions off the cost of tickets and lessons at all ski resorts in Australia. To be sure of what is available at a particular resort, contact the ski school or ticket office before your visit to the resorts.
• Lesson times at each resort will vary and is dependent on demand, particularly prior to midday. Please check with the ski school at the resort you intend visiting regarding availability. Resort details are available on the Links page.
• You must present your current DWA passport when purchasing a ticket so that resort personnel can easily identify you. Failure to show your passport will result in you having to pay full prices.
• All DWA passport holders must have their passport on their person at all times while skiing. The passport will have vital information such as; emergency contact details, current medications, allergies and any other important information that can assist medical personnel in case of an emergency on the slope. Please ensure that the passport is carried with you and kept safe and dry at all times while skiing.
• Any abuse of either the passport or escort/guide concession system will result in loss of concessions to the offender.
• Under no circumstances do concessions entitle members to lift line privileges. Members who find it difficult standing in the lift lines can ski to the head of the queue and wait until their partner comes through the line, or if skiing alone, wait for a single. If skiing with an escort, the escort is to go through the line. Please co-operate fully with the lift operator at all times.
• For those members who require the lifts to be stopped for on and off loading, please try to avoid the rush periods, usually on Saturdays and Sundays. This would be appreciated by your fellow skiers.
• Please advise the lift operator at the bottom station that you are disabled and what you require of them. All personnel are trained to handle these situations and are only too willing to help.
• Ensure your ticket is firmly attached to your clothing and in clear view. There is no replacement for lost or stolen tickets.
• Sit skiers, mono and bi- skiers and blind skiers, must be accompanied by a ski guide who is capable of assisting the lift operator with on and off loading procedures.
• It is recommended that any skier who may be subject to periods of unconsciousness, blackouts, or seizures, wear a restraint belt that can be attached to the chair lift to ensure safety whilst riding lifts as well as ski with a guide/carer at all times.
• We strongly recommend that all sit skis be fitted with proper evacuation straps to assist in chair lift evacuations should the need arise. If you have inquires on this matter please contact our DWA office.
• It is absolutely vital that as you are loaded onto a chairlift, that the safety bar is lowered immediately and that if using a sit ski the restraint straps are then fastened to the chair. Please be ready to remove restraint straps from the chair and raise the safety bar just prior to offloading the chairlift.
• Please adhere and respect all directives from mountain personnel and the Alpine Responsibility Code on the back of this page. These measures are in place for your safety.

SKIING IS A DANGEROUS SPORT