From the Ski for Light Bulletin - Spring 2006
Compiled by Vicki Post
>Imagine for a moment that it is still winter, that your skis are easily accessible, and that you are planning your day on the trail! Welcome to the spirit of Ski for Light's 31st annual event, held in Granby, Colorado.
Event chair, Marion Elmquist and her entire committee made sure that this year's event contained all the magic that is so typical of SFL weeks. We had plenty of snow, great trails (except for those moments when Mother Nature rearranged them), good camaraderie, fascinating special interest sessions and diverse evening programming. Many tasted some good California wine at one of the special interest sessions; still others tasted winter by enjoying an evening sleigh ride and bonfire on the snow!
What made this year stand out was a number of "firsts." As was mentioned in the President's report, we had more first-time skiers and guides this year than we've had in a long while; this provided an extra challenge to those matching guides and skiers, and it also brought some wonderful new energy to the program.
We also enjoyed our first poker game on the snow. Hats off to those who organized this event and set it up so that everyone could take part, regardless of skiing proficiency level. SFL also hosted the Rumpa-Rally, which seems to be turning into an annual event, a sure way to test some team coordination while laughing uncontrollably.
But the big first at this year's event was the wedding between first-year guide, Rick Linstrom and first-year skier, Terri Bowen. SFL's own Dick Casey officiated most graciously, and we wish the bride and groom well as they embark on their adventure together.
Every event takes a lot of planning and hard work; every event has its glitches and its highlights; in the end, every event is, in its own unique way, magical. This fact was underscored this year by the weather. We had a week of snow flurries and some wind, but on that final day, just in time for the race and rally, the sun appeared as if to say: "well done, Ski for Light!"
What might be a perennial guide's definition of heaven? Ski for Light!
I experienced some trepidation as I drove out to Granby from my hometown of Lakewood, CO, but I pushed it to the back of my mind, and then forgot all about it as I was warmly greeted immediately upon entering the hotel, first by Cara Barnes, and then by Judy and her dog Terri, who escorted me to my room. Thank goodness Judy knew her way around, because I was completely lost in that building-and I thought I was going to be a guide!
The first full day was guide training and it proved to be central to my whole experience at SFL International, not only providing important sensory info about what it's like to ski without sight and how to guide such a person, but also by providing me with a core group of guides with whom to hang out and compare foibles as new GIP's, and with two experienced guide trainers from whom to get help. Then, that evening, with my heart pounding, I listened sooo carefully to hear my name with that of my skier… (what if I don't hear my name? what if I can't find my skier? what if I don't like my skier? who's it going to be?????) I can't express the relief and joy I experienced upon hearing that I was matched with Cara Barnes, the very first person to greet me at SFL!!!
The week itself is a blur… Cara and I skied and skied and skied and chatted the whole time. Sometimes I actually remembered to guide her. And then there was the fabulous breakfasts (I loved that bread with cottage cheese!), the outstanding vegetarian dinners, the dancing, the socializing, the special presentations, the sleigh ride, the DANCING!!!! (Somewhere in there I forgot to sleep, but I made up for that at home afterwards.) The people I met at the event left me feeling so inspired, energized, and alive!!! I was hooked!!!!
Yep, Ski for Light, it's heaven to me!
I want to thank the entire SFL team for my first time experience at SFL. My guides Inger Moen and Susan Friedman were awesome at helping SFL's first MIP/VIP. As a totally blind skier and with a spinal cord injury at T-5, I must say it was quite an accomplishment just to move the sit ski to start with. Then there was the MIP mountain climb, let us not forget the fantastic efforts of all the team together on the journey into the enchanted forest, where several fairies or shall I say trolls tossed me ever so gently into many a snow bank. I felt so empowered and gained even more confidence as the week went on. So glad to have carved my name along the snow banks on the 5K race day. What fun. The dances were great. Never knew I could fill my dance card up so much. But Thanks most of all to all who worked behind the scenes to put this trip together. Look forward to meeting up next year with all of you again. As a reminder to all: "NEVER say NEVER!" With a little help (or a lot in my case) from your friends, we all can do it!!!!
Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from an article which appeared in the February 21st issue of the Norway Times.
For one week on the trail, guide spoke to skier and skier spoke to guide with clear instructions, clear questions, and no chitchat. As we skied together from Monday to Friday, we said less and less on the trail, for we had learned to ski smoothly in tandem. Side by side, we shot the downhill run with a tight curve to the left at the bottom, then double-poled down a long gentle descent. We herringboned side by side, our hearts thumping at the mountain altitude of 8750 feet. On some days we took off our sweaters, and on others we skied against a frigid wind sweeping snow into our faces. My skier, Graham Downie, was a journalist from Australia, so after a particularly good run, I would cheer, "Good run, mate!"
We made more friends, deeper friends, in one week with Ski for Light than we had during the whole rest of the year. We spent one magnificent week with People at Their Best, and it was wonderful. We reveled in the extraordinary spirit of that week. Even when we were exhausted, we were still patient, and helpful, and genuinely enthralled with the commotion around us.
Saturday, the final day of the week and the Great Race Day, was a day that beat most Christmases a hundred to one. We had skiers from about ten countries, and before the race began, we listened to the national anthem of each country. Then we set out pair by pair at half-minute intervals, some on a 5-kilometer course, some on 10 kilometers. Graham had rocket wax on his skis, made from the sparse fat in the haunches of a kangaroo. We cruised at our best pace, hit every turn, herringboned in high gear, and sprinted at the end. In all of my life, that may be the best ten kilometers I ever traverse on planet Earth.
Sunday was awful, for we had to return to the Nightly News and the clamoring emails. So many good friends, and suddenly they're gone. I treasure the pictures, and I am delighted when I hear the voice of a new friend on the phone.
For one week, our souls were reassured, for we saw how well we really can make it work. Thank you, Ski for Light.
It was with amazement, and some pride that I watched skiers and guides at Snow Mountain Ranch this year. People, who years before, were shaky and hesitant on their skis, were now skiing and guiding with grace and beauty. And some who skied with speed and grace years ago, were now going much slower as their bodies aged, while enjoying themselves immensely. I was proud of this organization for developing and maturing. Ski for Light's ability to be warm and nurturing while teaching skiing skills is something to be proud of.
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