Colorado Regional Ski For Light

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Colorado Regional Ski For Light

What is Colorado Regional Ski Fo

Skiing, backpacking and many other outdoor physical activities are exhilerating for all of those who participate. This holds true for wilderness enthusiasts with visual and mobility impairments just the same as for able-bodied people.

The aim Colorado Regional Ski For Light strives for is to enhance access to mountain sporting endeavors by bringing together both blind and/or mobility-impaired and sighted and able-bodied people who enjoy skiing and backpacking in the Rocky Mountains.

Each year Colorado Regional Ski For Light hosts a fun-filled weekend of cross country skiing and fellowship. Sighted Nordic skiers share their love for the sport with VIPs (Visually-impaired participants) and MIPs (Mobility-impaired participants). Guides learn how to use verbal descriptions and directions to help their VIP or MIP traverse the groomed trails safely and at times with a little grace.

The Trekk for Light offers wilderness enthusiasts the opportunity to share their love of the great Colorado High Country with blind and visually-impaired peoplewith similar interests. The Trekk is a week-long backpacking and camping trip where, like Ski For Light, guides team with a VIP. But a third member of the team is integral to the unforgettable experience of this expedition - a llama! Llamas are hard-working, friendly pack animals who gladly carry up to 80 lbs of gear in exchange for the grazing they do as they gracefully traverse the trails and the much deserved handful of cornmeal they get at the end of each day.

Colorado Ski For Light is proud to sponsor each of these two events. We are equally proud to have maintained our commitment to welcoming beginners - guides and participants - each year. Are you interested in learning more about skiing or backpacking with llamas? If so, please continue reading through this website. We look forward to meeting you!

How did it all get started?

The 2002 Ski For Light Internati

''IF I CAN DO THIS, I CAN DO ANYTHING'' SPIRIT TO SUMMIT NEW CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING HEIGHTS AT SKI FOR LIGHT'S 27TH ANNUAL EVENT IN GRANBY, CO, JAN. 27 - FEB. 3, 2002.

(Granby, CO, 07/01/2001) Watching the Winter Olympics on TV, Bob Buchanan was fascinated by the cross-country skiing events, admiring the sport's grace and beauty. Legally blind since birth and a South Carolina native, Bob had never been on skis. He remarked to his wife Nancy that going skiing would be ''a challenge.'' So, at age 57, Bob ventured out to Colorado to attend the 1995 Ski for Light. From his first moment on skis, he was hooked.

Bob is only one of about 250 active adults from across the U.S. and around the world who will be celebrating the 27th annual Ski for Light (SFL). An international, week-long, cross-country skiing event, SFL pairs visually- and mobility-impaired Skiers, like Bob, with nondisabled Guides. Held at a different U.S. location early each year, SFL brings its ''If I can do this, I can do anything'' spirit to Granby, CO, January 27 - February 3, 2002.

While primarily a recreational event, SFL attracts Skiers at all proficiency levels, from beginners to competitors, and has even launched Olympic careers. Skiers and Guides come from every age group (18+) and occupation.

''Ski for Light inspired me to improve my quality of life,'' says Bob. ''After retiring as South Carolina's Director of Children's Rehabilitative Services, I kept busy by hiking, camping and traveling. But, I found myself doing less and less and gaining weight.'' Returning home from his first event, Bob took the SFL motto to heart, lost the weight and has remained in shape. ''Now I'm 64 and I've added several quality years to my life span.'' Will Bob return with SFL to Colorado in 2002? ''You bet.''

''What makes Ski for Light so special for me are the feelings of support and community,'' says 2002 Event Chair Larry Showalter, a retired General Foods marketing executive. ''It's an event where people with disabilities can spread their wings in a non-threatening environment. At SFL, because the emphasis is on ability, not disability, I have seen people grow in so many ways. They gain self-confidence from what they accomplish while skiing and that carries over to their daily lives.''

At SFL, the Skiers set the pace, asking their Guides to assist with skills, technique, endurance or simply enjoying the outdoors. The week ends in a Race/Rally and for many Skiers the goal is completing the 5K or 10K course, while others compete against the clock for gender and age-group ranking.

SFL's multicultural flavor grew out of its close ties with the Ridderrenn, an annual international event held in Beitost?¸len, Norway. Founded in 1963, the Ridderrenn served as the model for Ski for Light. Every year a delegation of Norwegian Skiers and Guides attends SFL and SFL sends two Skiers and two Guides to the Ridderrenn.

In addition to Norway and every corner of the U.S., SFL participants hail from countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. While priority is given to new registrants, it's also common to find both Skiers and Guides who have participated for five, 10 or 20 years.

SFL is always seeking new Skiers and Guides and those interested in attending SFL may contact the appropriate coordinator. Visually-impaired individuals may contact Donna Permar at 919-302-2319 or donna@sfl.org. Mobility-impaired individuals may contact Jeff Pagels at 920-494-5572 or jeff@sfl.org. The application deadline for Skiers is November 1, 2001.

To be a Guide, no experience with visually- or mobility-impaired people is necessary. For those who are confident on skis, SFL holds an intensive one-day training session with seasoned Skiers and Guides. Contact Brenda Seeger at 507-274-5502 or brenda@sfl.org. The application deadline for Guides is December 15, 2001.