Ukrainian Action Heroes Program Offers Adaptive Skiing for Veterans
21 Mar 2025
Ukrainian Action Heroes Program Expands to Offer Adaptive Skiing for Veterans
Ukrainian Action Heroes rehabilitation program launched in 2024 to teach injured Ukrainian veterans to ski while providing psychological support.
Ukrainian Action Heroes’ inaugural adaptive ski program welcomed 8 participants to the Bukovel ski area in the Carpathian Mountains during March 2025.
Adaptive skiing enables Ukrainian veterans with amputations to ski using special equipment, donated by programs in the US and Canada.
BUKOVEL – March 21, 2025 – Ukrainian Action (UA) has expanded its pioneering, proprietary rehabilitation program, Ukrainian Action Heroes, to offer adaptive skiing for Ukrainian veterans with amputations.
Ukrainian Action Heroes rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans and families was launched in 2024, teaching veterans to ski in the serenity of the Carpathian Mountains while providing psychological support. The pioneering program is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary initiative designed to provide holistic support to veterans and their families, integrating psychological, physical, social, somatic, and recreational components, all delivered in a secure environment with highly qualified professionals.
UA expanded the Heroes program from the original location of Dragobrat, Transcarpathia, the highest ski mountain in Ukraine, to the more accessible ski resort area of Bukovel, in neighbouring Ivano-Frankivsk region.
The program brought eight participants to the inaugural adaptive ski program including 6 veterans and two partners. Two participants skied on sit skis, while others skied on prosthetic legs or on one leg, “four-tracking” and “three-tracking”. The program includes ski instruction, travel, room and board, daily access to experienced and qualified psychologists, group therapy, wellness, and mindfulness activities.
All participants were civilians with no military experience prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Two participants, a husband and wife, were captured in the siege of Mariupol and were held in Russian captivity.
Engaging in new physical activities, especially by veterans with amputations or limited mobility, provided a significant boost to self-confidence, with one veteran commenting "I realized that I can, that I'm still capable of discovering new things.” Another remarked “The most interesting thing about skiing is that I feel the same as before; it's hard to explain, but it's incredibly cool."
Participants highlighted the positive impact of the atmosphere, "The location had the most significant impact—the mountains, nature, forests, and an incredible influence came from the other participants in the program, and their mood; it was also pleasant to see the organizers, their always positive attitude, sincere smiles, support, understanding, and satisfaction from what they do."
The program psychologist noted "Such retreats are incredibly valuable. They restore both psycho-emotional states and family relationships. And a strong family is the foundation for rebuilding the country."
UA’s adaptive rehabilitation program is a part of the broader veterans’ rehabilitation initiative launched in February 2024. It was designed to provide comprehensive support for veterans who have sustained psychological and physical trauma during combat, as well as for their family members. The American Department of Veteran Affairs has found that joint therapeutic and recreational activities have a proven positive impact on the pace of a veteran’s recovery, helping to reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and contribute to both individual and family-wide healing.
Adaptive skiing has a multidimensional impact, including psychological benefits. It helps overcome fear, provides veterans with safe access to adrenaline in a positive way, and more. Additionally, it sparks new interests, inspires personal growth, fosters a sense of accomplishment, improves self-esteem, and promotes social integration by encouraging participation in group activities—opening new horizons and opportunities.
This adaptive ski program was created with the support and experience of leading American and Canadian adaptive rehabilitation initiatives. Equipment was donated to the program by adaptive ski programs in Colorado and Utah, USA, and Whistler, Canada.
About Ukrainian Action
Ukrainian Action is a volunteer-run, US non-profit and UK charity dedicated to supporting the survival and recovery of Ukraine, through providing humanitarian aid, medical support, and veteran rehabilitation. Since 2022 the organization has delivered critical supplies and support to front-line and liberated regions, with a special focus on supporting the psychological and physical recovery of war veterans.
UA regularly drives and donates vehicles filled with humanitarian and medical supplies to Ukraine, and supports local reconstruction and healthcare projects.
Ukrainian Action Heroes is a pioneering rehabilitation program welcoming injured Ukrainian veterans to the Carpathian mountains to learn to ski, snowboard and participate in other outdoor mountain sports and activities, while receiving psychological support in the serenity of the mountains.
The goal of the program is to help Ukraine’s heroes recover from the trauma of active warfare, provide tools to deal with PTSD, and introduce new activities in a place of refuge and solace. In March 2025, the program was expanded to offer adaptive skiing for veterans with amputations. Our winter and summer programs have supported over 80 participants since February 2024.
Media Contact:
Jeffrey Hartman
