At Falls Creek this winter, a group of volunteers is helping more people carve turns, make memories, and feel part of something bigger.

Through Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA) camps, people living with physical or intellectual disabilities are given the opportunity to experience the snow, many for the very first time.

These weekend camps are about far more than skiing and snowboarding.

They’re about inclusion, community, and the kind of confidence that can carry over long after the snow melts.

Behind each one is a team of volunteer guides, instructors, coordinators and support staff who bring the program to life.

Among them is Zac Howard, who first joined Falls Creek’s instructor team in 2011 and has volunteered with DWA for the past two seasons.

With a background in adaptive instructing and outdoor education, Zac now coordinates the Falls Creek DWA camps and recently became a qualified trainer for DWA.

“Everyone at DWA is here for the same reason: to make it the best it can be,” he says.

“We’re all working together to give participants a great time on snow, in a way that’s safe, supportive and fun.”

Camps run over a full weekend, with adaptive equipment provided, professional instruction included, and every detail managed - from on-snow sessions to hearty meals and warm debriefs.

Based out of accessible accommodation at Howmans Gap and the DWA Hub at the base of Halley's Comet, the set-up allows participants to move from gentle terrain to more advanced runs as their confidence grows.

“We had one participant who used to snowboard before an acquired brain injury turned his life upside down,” Zac shares.

“With NDIS support, he made it to Falls, tried a sit ski, and eventually got back on snow with outriggers.

"The next year, he came back raving about it.

"You don’t realise how much the smallest thing can change someone’s life.”

That kind of transformation is made possible through volunteers, and that’s where the program is looking to grow.

In late June, DWA trained 12 new Level 1 guides at Falls Creek at their first Level 1 guide training for the season, a big step toward building the local volunteer base.

“Even if someone can only give one or two days a season, it makes a huge difference,” Zac says.

Support also comes from local businesses and the broader snow community.

Each Friday afternoon through to 22 August, DWA is running raffles at Powderkeg (next to the DWA Hub), with prizes from XTM Performance, Rad Gloves, Falls Creek Distillery, Slides Coffee, Foodworks and more.

Over $800 was raised on the first Friday alone.

The season will culminate in a major auction night on 30 August, with all proceeds supporting future camps.

With only five camps scheduled this season, the goal is to eventually return to weekly camps as seen in years past.

“We’re building something really strong here,” Zac says.

“There’s so much potential, and the more the community gets involved, the more lives we can positively impact.”

For those looking for a more flexible arrangement, DWA also offer a Resort Services option at Falls Creek.

It’s designed for participants who prefer to manage their own accommodation and logistics but still want access to guides, adaptive equipment and lessons.

While Zac leads the camps program, Resort Services is coordinated by Paul Lamb, and together, they ensure everyone has a way to experience the snow on their own terms.

To donate, volunteer or learn more, visit disabledwintersport.com.au or make a direct contribution at disabledwintersport.com.au/donate-to-dwa.