This September, the Whakapapa Adaptive Festival brought the mountain to life with energy, teamwork and pure joy. For Halberg, it was a powerful celebration of inclusion, partnership and possibility – where months of planning turned into meaningful action on the slopes. The journey began back in January, when Halberg and the Whakapapa Adaptive team started collaborating to build confidence and understanding of adaptive snow sports. Together, they connected local school and Parafed programmes, preparing young people with physical disabilities to take on the mountain.

Halberg Advisors also joined Whakapapa’s volunteer training earlier in the year, learning how to operate adaptive ski equipment – skills later put into practice at the Waikato Parafed Adaptive Ski Day in August. By the time September rolled around, that preperation had created a strong foundation for the festival’s success.

For Halberg Advisor Lawrence, the highlight of the weekend was seeing months of behind-the-scenes work come to life. “The best part was watching the planning that began in January come into action. Seeing the Whakapapa Adaptive team’s openness, the volunteers’ enthusiasm and the confidence of participants grow over the weekend was incredible. Personally, I loved skiing alongside everyone – from bucketing with sit-skiers and guiding out BLV skiers, to helping siblings learn and connecting with the amazing Whakapapa crew.”

Emma described the joy of simply being part of it all: “For me, the highlight was seeing the pure joy on everyone’s faces across the three days. Some were experiencing snow for the first time, while others were seasoned participants, and watching that mix come together was heartwarming.”

Inclusion and accessibility were evident in every detail of the event. The Whakapapa team worked tirelessly to make the experience welcoming and seamless for everyone – from the adaptive gear that allowed all participants to take part, to the rental staf, instructors, luft operators and volunteer who supported and encouraged them throughout the weekend. The festival hub featured accessible facilities and spaces designed for whānau connection, creating a true sense of belonging on the mountain.

There were countless memorable moments across the three days. For Emma, she recalled a special afternoon: “Lapping the Delta with Tamahau and Harrison on Sunday was a definite highlight. The boys were grinning from ear to ear, trying to ski backwards, building little jumps, and just having an absolute blast. Watching their confidence grow and seeing how much fun they were having really reminded me what these experiences are all about.”

The festival not only provided opportunities for young people to try adaptive snow sports but also showed them what’s possible when barriers are removed. As one Advisor shared, “It’s not just about skiing or snowboarding – it’s about proving to themselves that they can take on challenges, succeed, and that they do belong in these spaces.”

For both Lawrence and Emma, the experience reinforced the power of partnersip and purpose. “Being up on the mountain and seeing young people giving it a go, pushing themselves and achieving things they might not have thought possible was truly memorable. It connected my own love of snow sports with my work and reminded me why these events – and partnerships behind them – are so important.”

From first-time skiers to confident carvers, the Whakapapa Adaptive Festival was a celebration of courage, connection and community. Through collaboration, education and shared passion, the festival continues to create pathways for young people with physical disabilities to experience the magic of the mountain – and to show that with the right support, anything is possible.

Halberg would like to extend a huge thank you to the incredible Whakapapa Adaptive team, instructors, volunteers and everyon involved for their dedication and commitment to making the festival such a success. Your passion and open-minded approach have create lasting memories for so many young people and their whānau.

To learn more about Whakapapa’s Adaptive Programme and how you can get involved, visit – https://www.whakapapa.com/lessons-and-development/adaptive