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