Glossop boy discovers new sense of freedom though closed slope skiing

Eleven-year-old Jude Monton from Old Glossop first started skiing a year ago after being introduced to the sport by the coach of his local football team.  

Born at 27 weeks, Jude had two bad bleeds on his brain as a baby, meaning he has global developmental delay, autism and a sensory processing disorder; with a reading age of a six-year-old.  

In summer 2023, Jude took his first lesson with Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) at the Chill Factore in Manchester as part of their closed slope programme offering quiet sessions to slope users with additional sensory needs. This resulted in significant improvements to his balance, social skills and confidence.  

Jude’s dad, Richard Monton, explained: “At the start of last year, skiing was never something we’d have thought Jude would be able to do. He can get easily flustered in crowds and busy spaces, often wearing headphones to block out the noise. Anything new and busy can be very stressful and the thought of skiing was just too overwhelming. However, when we heard the slopes were closed for members with sensory needs, we thought we’d give it a try and Jude hasn’t looked back since!”  

John Lawson, Regional Snowsports Manager for the North of England at DSUK, said: “Our Monday night sessions are designed to provide a calm, welcoming environment to learn to ski or snowboard without the hustle and bustle of other slope users in the centre. It’s a terrific way to get more from your slope time for people who might feel a little more nervous and anxious amongst the crowds.”  

Richard added: “Skiing has made a big difference to Jude’s balance. Wearing all the gear helps to keep him centred and the tactile feedback of the snow, combined with gravity pulling him down the slope is something that really helps. He’s always much happier after skiing, and as his dad, I take great pride in watching him come down the slope – and ski well.

 “Our daughter Penny is Jude’s twin sister and was born with a chronic lung condition that requires oxygen, and she’s gotten the ski bug too. It’s a sport they can both enjoy doing together, in a safe and friendly space, and an experience they can share. In fact, their love of skiing has rubbed off on myself and my wife, and we’re now keen to make a trip to the mountains together as a family.”  

Supported by Berghaus, the next closed slope sessions with DSUK are being held on Monday, August 26, September 16 and October 14, where bookings can be made online in advance via the Disability Snowsport UK website: www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk