Have you ever heard of Ski-For-Light?  Please take a moment to learn about this fantastic program which has been in existence in the United States since 1975.

What is Ski-For Light?
  • It is a program that uses cross-country or nordic skiing as a means to introduce people with visual and physical impairments to sport, exercise and health.
  • It is modeled after a sports / health program started in Norway in 1964 called the Ridderrennet or Knights Race.
  • It brings together people with and without disabilities to share in the enjoyment of exercise and the outdoors.
  • It is a not-for-profit organization:

    • Ski For Light, Inc.

    run by volunteers, with both national and state level programs, that is open to all people willing to donate their time, talent and financial support.

    Wisconsin Ski-For-Light, Inc.

    -began in 1984 as a regional program serving the Madison / Milwaukee area. Since then the program has grown to include all of Wisconsin as well as drawing participants from Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota.

    How does the program work?

    Each participant is matched with a sighted Guide / Instructor, who volunteers his or her talents and love of skiing.  This Guide / Skier team then works at their own pace to master the skills of skiing.

    Who can participate?

    Skiers:

    Any person, adult or child who is blind or visually impaired who is interested in learning to enjoy outdoor winter activities.

    Guides:

    Any person, 18 years or over, who has basic skills in Nordic skiing, is willing to participate in Guide Training, and can volunteer one weekend a winter to the program.

    Helper Bees:

    Any person, group or organization willing to assist with transportation, logistics, fund raising or donating to the program.

    About Cross-Country Skiing and Ski for Light Regional Event

    Cross-country skiing is generally regarded as one of the best fitness activities in the world, because it involves the simultaneous use of most major muscle groups, supported by the work of several different systems of the body.  For those not familiar with skiing, cross-country skiing differs from downhill skiing in several important ways.  In cross-country skiing, the skier’s boot is attached to the ski by only one toe, with the heel of the boot “free”.  The unconstrained heel allows a cross-country skier to climb hills and traverse level terrain, as well as to travel down hills, making the sport a truly “cross-country” activity.  In downhill skiing, the entire boot is attached to the ski, which limits the skier to downhill terrain. In addition, the cross-country skier wears lighter clothing than the downhill skier, because of the body heat generated by the exercise.

    At Ski for Light, each visually or mobility-impaired skier is matched with an experienced sighted, able-bodied ski guide for the event.  As a pair, they ski together throughout the event.  The visually or mobility-impaired person skis in the pre-set tracks or grooves in the snow, while the guide skis in a similar set of tracks alongside. For visually-impaired skiers, the guide informs the skier of changes in the direction and level of the tracks, offers instructional tips and suggestions, and tells the skier about the countryside; for mobility-impaired skiers, the guide provides physical assistance and stability as needed.  Each guide/skier pair decides together how far, how long and on what kind of terrain they will ski.

    Depending on the skier’s approach to the sport, cross-country skiing can be as gentle as a stroll through the park, or as physically demanding as any aerobic workout.  The sport, however, may not be right for every single person, any more than jogging, bicycling, or any other fitness activity is right for every single person. This will depend on the person’s general health and physical condition, lifestyle, heredity, and other factors.

    The sponsoring Organization believes that each person who is considering cross-country skiing at the Ski for Light Regional Event should make his/her own personal decision about participation in this activity.  To best make this decision, it is advised that each prospective participant consult with a physician, who can best inform the applicant about the risks of participation, given the individual’s medical history and physical condition.  This is especially important for any applicant with any underlying medical condition, as cross-country skiing might exacerbate the effects of any such condition.  it is also advised that each prospective participant try to get into better physical condition in the months before the event.  This is just common sense for anyone considering any physically demanding activity.

    In addition to possible health-related risks, applicants should be aware that all active sports do have a number of other inherent risks. Taking part in cross-country skiing at the Ski for Light Regional Event obviously involves the risk of accident or injury as well as the risk of human error on the part of any guide or participant.

    While attending Ski for Light, each participant is responsible for his/her own safety. This means, among other things, that if at any time a participant feels physical discomfort, or is uncomfortable skiing at a given pace or on specific terrain, he/she should immediately inform the skiing partner and stop.

    If each participant understands and remembers the physical demands of the sport and the limitations of the body, sets and pursues reasonable goals, and exercises common sense, he/she should be able to enjoy this great sport, and to learn why so many people love it.  And one these basic safety and common sense guidelines are understood and under control, each participant can begin to recognize cross-country skiing as not only an enjoyable activity, but also as a vehicle for improving overall fitness, and for accomplishing things once thought impossible.  That is what Ski for Light is all about.