| About three hours west of Denver lies Snow | | | | and chairman of Ski for Light's Public |
| Mountain Ranch, one of the top cross-country | | | | Relations Committee, says their role is vital |
| ski centers in the United States. Known as | | | | to the success of the program. |
| the "YMCA of the Rockies", it boasts a large | | | | |
| ski chalet and over 90 kilometers of packed | | | | "They are there because they love |
| and groomed trails. | | | | cross-country skiing and wish to share that |
| | | | love with someone like myself who otherwise |
| From January 30 to February 6, 2005, the | | | | might not have the opportunity to experience |
| center will host the 30th annual Ski for | | | | the sport and the exhilarating sense of |
| Light International event, a week that brings | | | | freedom that it brings," Farrar explains. |
| blind and mobility-impaired adults together | | | | |
| with sighted ski instructors for | | | | The highlight of the event is a 5-K rally and |
| cross-country skiing and fun social | | | | 10-K race, complete with national anthems and |
| activities. Participants come from the | | | | Olympic-style finish line. Skiiers get the |
| United States, Norway, and several other | | | | chance to showcase the skills they've learned |
| countries to either learn skiing for the | | | | during the week over a measured distance, but |
| first time, or improve on previously | | | | don't have to be competitive or athletic. |
| developed skills. | | | | The only thing asked of them is to give |
| | | | skiing a try, and have fun. |
| The first Ski for Light was held in Norway in | | | | |
| 1964, and was so successful that a nonprofit | | | | Mary Kozy, a blind clinical social worker |
| all-volunteer organization was formed. | | | | from Chicago, was a bit apprehensive when she |
| Chapters began spreading to other parts of | | | | attended her first Ski for Light in 1978. |
| the world, and the program was first | | | | But it didn't take her long to discover the |
| introduced to the United States in 1975. The | | | | joy of learning to ski, and meeting other |
| idea is to provide the blind and | | | | people with positive attitudes. |
| mobility-impaired a chance to experience the | | | | |
| freedom and benefits of physical activity | | | | After attending Ski for Light, I caught the |
| through cross-country skiing. | | | | "if I can do this, I can do anything" |
| | | | attitude, and went on to love skiing," Kozy |
| At the beginning of the event, each skiier is | | | | recalls. "It is a real high to go to SFL for |
| paired with an instructor/guide, according to | | | | a week and be around so many enthusiastic |
| experience level. Beginners are taught basic | | | | people." |
| fundamentals of the sport, while more | | | | |
| advanced skiiers work on improving their | | | | While skiing is the big attraction, it is |
| techniques and endurance. | | | | only part of the total experience. After a |
| | | | day on the slopes, skiiers and guides return |
| Skiiers navigate the slopes in pre-set tracks | | | | to their hotel for dinner, talent shows, |
| or grooves in the snow, while their | | | | music and dancing, or just lounging in a |
| instructors ski on a parallel set of tracks. | | | | heated pool or hot-tub. Even poor snow |
| The guide advises when to change direction, | | | | conditions can't stop the event. In cases of |
| speed up and slow down, and describes any | | | | extremely low temperatures or not enough |
| changes in the level and direction of the | | | | snow, participants organize games, field |
| tracks. Skiiers with mobility impairments | | | | trips, exercises, and other activities. |
| use sit-skis, while their guides give | | | | |
| instructional tips and offer physical | | | | Many skiiers believe the most rewarding |
| assistance if needed. In addition to | | | | aspect of Ski for Light is the memories and |
| cross-country skiing, mobility-impaired | | | | camaraderie they share with each other and |
| participants also have the chance to learn | | | | their guides. |
| the sport of sled-hockey during the week. | | | | |
| | | | "The friendships I've made through SFL are |
| The sighted instructors are volunteers from | | | | deep, and those I will have all my life," |
| all over the United States who pay their own | | | | Mary Kozy says. "People come through town |
| way to attend, just like the other | | | | and visit, and we are now like a big family. |
| participants. Duane Farrar, a blind skiier | | | | |