Highlights, Reflections and Remembrances of the 2005 Ski for Light Event

From the Ski for Light Bulletin - Spring 2005

For those of you who attended this year's Ski for Light Event in Granby, Colorado, this will be a sweet reminder of just how good it was. For those of you who could not attend, this will give you the flavor of the event, and will hopefully entice you to come join us next year.

As is often the case in Colorado, we had superb weather, great snow, great trails and lots of great camaraderie. As always, the hotel staff was great, and everyone there was made to feel more than welcome. In addition to nearly 300 attendees, SFL welcomed a record number of guide dogs, some 36 in all.

Every event features lots of fun, good humor, encouragement, and all the things that comprise the SFL spirit, and yet, each event is unique. Because this was the 30th anniversary, we were treated to daily doses of SFL history and inspiration, a concert by long-time friend of Ski for Light, Jim Salestrom, and many special tributes to some of the people who were instrumental in the founding and development of Ski for Light. The snow games returned, including the orange toss, the herringbone race, the distance glide, and the thrilling rump-a-rrally, in which a team of eight persons, each sitting on a saucer, tried to make it down a hill while all chained together. This last game led to such awards as male and female rump, and yes, even rump of the year; an honor, to be sure.

Every event seems to feature some amazing feat; this year, as the flu made its way through much of the group, guide/skier matches were changing hourly; the final pairing for the race/rally was accomplished with incredible graciousness, patience and flexibility.

First-time skier, John Hollenbach offered this reflection

"I had one of the greatest times of my life. My wife, Judy, also had a great time being a dog-walker. I can't thank the guides enough for giving up their time and money, just to share what they love with VIPs and MIPs. What a wonderful gift! I just hope they also received something from me. Thanks again!"

Chiffon Gray

Mobility-Impaired Program

SFL's program for mobility impaired skiers continues to flourish and add to the magic of the week. Program co-ordinator, Jeff Pagels offers a couple of highlights, excerpted here from a recent email to program participants.

"The thing that jumped out at me is the teamwork all displayed. I can remember in the early years, me alone in the wax room, late in the night, waxing and scraping skis. Then Marie helped me for many years, which was NOT a bad thing! But this year, when everybody pitched in, Wow! Did we get the job done quickly!"

"The first-time skier that stands out in my mind is “Quiet Princess” who you might know as Laura. Behind the speech difficulty, (or is it my disability in understanding?) is a very smart and dear lady. Her ability to take really nasty spills and come up smiling and laughing, and her expression when she flew across the finish line on race day are priceless memories.

So, thank you and hats off to all those who helped keep things running smoothly, and who helped make this event one of the best ever, even for those who couldn't escape the crud!