| Stephen Michael Kerr | | | | "They are there because they love cross-country |
| About three hours west of Denver lies Snow | | | | skiing and wish to share that love with someone like |
| Mountain Ranch, one of the top cross-country ski | | | | myself who otherwise might not have the |
| centers in the United States. Known as the "YMCA | | | | opportunity to experience the sport and the |
| of the Rockies", it boasts a large ski chalet and over | | | | exhilarating sense of freedom that it brings," Farrar |
| 90 kilometers of packed and groomed trails. | | | | explains. |
| From January 30 to February 6, 2005, the center will | | | | The highlight of the event is a 5-K rally and 10-K race, |
| host the 30th annual Ski for Light International event, | | | | complete with national anthems and Olympic-style |
| a week that brings blind and mobility-impaired adults | | | | finish line. Skiiers get the chance to showcase the |
| together with sighted ski instructors for | | | | skills they've learned during the week over a |
| cross-country skiing and fun social activities. | | | | measured distance, but don't have to be competitive |
| Participants come from the United States, Norway, | | | | or athletic. The only thing asked of them is to give |
| and several other countries to either learn skiing for | | | | skiing a try, and have fun. |
| the first time, or improve on previously developed | | | | Mary Kozy, a blind clinical social worker from Chicago, |
| skills. | | | | was a bit apprehensive when she attended her first |
| The first Ski for Light was held in Norway in 1964, | | | | Ski for Light in 1978. But it didn't take her long to |
| and was so successful that a nonprofit all-volunteer | | | | discover the joy of learning to ski, and meeting other |
| organization was formed. Chapters began spreading | | | | people with positive attitudes. |
| to other parts of the world, and the program was | | | | After attending Ski for Light, I caught the "if I can do |
| first introduced to the United States in 1975. The idea | | | | this, I can do anything" attitude, and went on to love |
| is to provide the blind and mobility-impaired a chance | | | | skiing," Kozy recalls. "It is a real high to go to SFL for |
| to experience the freedom and benefits of physical | | | | a week and be around so many enthusiastic people." |
| activity through cross-country skiing. | | | | While skiing is the big attraction, it is only part of the |
| At the beginning of the event, each skiier is paired | | | | total experience. After a day on the slopes, skiiers |
| with an instructor/guide, according to experience | | | | and guides return to their hotel for dinner, talent |
| level. Beginners are taught basic fundamentals of the | | | | shows, music and dancing, or just lounging in a |
| sport, while more advanced skiiers work on improving | | | | heated pool or hot-tub. Even poor snow conditions |
| their techniques and endurance. | | | | can't stop the event. In cases of extremely low |
| Skiiers navigate the slopes in pre-set tracks or | | | | temperatures or not enough snow, participants |
| grooves in the snow, while their instructors ski on a | | | | organize games, field trips, exercises, and other |
| parallel set of tracks. The guide advises when to | | | | activities. |
| change direction, speed up and slow down, and | | | | Many skiiers believe the most rewarding aspect of |
| describes any changes in the level and direction of | | | | Ski for Light is the memories and camaraderie they |
| the tracks. Skiiers with mobility impairments use | | | | share with each other and their guides. |
| sit-skis, while their guides give instructional tips and | | | | "The friendships I've made through SFL are deep, |
| offer physical assistance if needed. In addition to | | | | and those I will have all my life," Mary Kozy says. |
| cross-country skiing, mobility-impaired participants also | | | | "People come through town and visit, and we are |
| have the chance to learn the sport of sled-hockey | | | | now like a big family." |
| during the week. | | | | Deborah Kendrick, a freelance writer and devoted |
| The sighted instructors are volunteers from all over | | | | participant, agrees. "I believe there is no other |
| the United States who pay their own way to attend, | | | | environment in which participants suspend, so |
| just like the other participants. Duane Farrar, a blind | | | | completely, the sense of who is and who is not a |
| skiier and chairman of Ski for Light's Public Relations | | | | person with a disability," she says. "People of all walks |
| Committee, says their role is vital to the success of | | | | of life come together for that one week to share a |
| the program. | | | | love of skiing, the outdoors, learning, and loving life. |