The 2027 Ski for Light International Event

The 2027 Ski for Light International week will take place from Sunday evening January 17 through Sunday morning January 24, 2027, in West Yellowstone, Montana. First- and second-year guides will need to arrive one day early, by Saturday evening January 16, for guide orientation and training.

The Town of West Yellowstone

West Yellowstone, in southwest Montana, serves as the western gateway to Yellowstone National Park. It is about 90 miles south of Bozeman, Montana, and is Surrounded by the Gallatin National Forest on three sides and the park on the fourth. At an elevation of 6,666 feet, it is a small town with a land area of only 360 acres, and only 1,200 year-round residents.

During summer months West Yellowstone welcomes thousands of visitors looking to explore the nearby park with its geysers and wildlife, to fly-fish or raft on the Madison River, or to hike the many miles of wilderness trails in the area.

When winter arrives, West Yellowstone pivots seamlessly into a premier snowmobiling and cross-country skiing destination. For the snowmobilers, the area has hundreds of miles of groomed trails, while the Rendezvous Cross-Country Ski Trails, on the edge of town in the national forest, offer many kilometers of world-class cross-country skiing.

The downtown area has a charmingly rustic, Old West aesthetic, lined with souvenir shops, local diners, and historic lodges. It is also home to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, a popular wildlife park where visitors can observe rescued bears and wolves in naturalistic settings.

Yellowstone National Park

Established in 1872 as the world’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park is the largest of the national parks in the continental U.S., covering 2.2 million acres. Stretching 63 miles north-to-south and 54 miles east-to-west, it is larger than the combined sizes of the states of Delaware and Rhode Island.

Yellowstone is basically a wilderness area atop a volcanic hotspot. Mostly in Wyoming, it holds half of the planet’s geothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful geyser and the vibrant, rainbow-ringed Grand Prismatic Spring.

Beyond its steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots, Yellowstone features dramatic canyons, rushing waterfalls, and vast subalpine forests. It acts as a massive sanctuary for native wildlife, providing crucial habitat for free-roaming bison herds, grizzly bears, wolves, and elk. It remains a starkly beautiful, living testament to the raw, untamed power of nature.

During winter months the roads in Yellowstone are closed to regular vehicles because of the heavy snowpack. Visitors who wish to enter the park to visit Old Faithful and other features of the park during winter must do so on a snowmobile, cross-country skis, or by booking one of the many snow-coaches that offer half- and full-day trips into the interior of the park. Some SFL attendees may want to come early or stay late to take advantage of this bucket-list adventure while already in the area.

Getting To and From West Yellowstone

Unless you are driving to West Yellowstone you will want to fly into the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) for your trip to Ski for Light. The airport is about 90 miles from West Yellowstone, a trip that will normally take a bit less than two hours. On the drive to West Yellowstone from Bozeman you will pass the Big sky Downhill Ski Resort a popular playground for advanced skiers and families alike.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is Montana’s busiest airport, serving more than 2,000,000 passengers each year. The airport is served by Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Jetblue, Southwest, Sun Country and United Airlines, with non-stop service to more than 20 cities in the United States with connections all over the world.

You may make your own plans for getting to West Yellowstone or meet the SFL contingent at the Bozeman Airport from where free charter bus transportation will be provided, on designated days and at designated times. In making your plans, please be aware that check-in time at the Holiday Inn and Gray Wolf Inn is 4:00 pm.

SFL transportation from the Bozeman airport to West Yellowstone will be provided only on Thursday January 14, Friday January 15, Saturday January 16 and Sunday January 17. The SFL bus from the Bozeman airport to West Yellowstone on each of these days will depart promptly at 3:00 pm. If there is sufficient demand to warrant a second bus on Sunday January 17, it will leave at 1:00 pm. Be careful to schedule your flight into Bozeman to arrive at no later than 1:30 pm, to allow sufficient time for you to retrieve your luggage and make your way to the meeting area in time to make the SFL bus. Please note that if your incoming flight is scheduled to land at or before 1:30 pm, the SFL bus will wait for you if your flight arrives late, or SFL personnel will make alternate plans for getting you to West Yellowstone.

SFL transportation back to the Bozeman airport will be provided only on Sunday Morning January 24. The earliest bus will not arrive at the airport before 8:30 am, so do not schedule a departing flight for earlier than 10:00 am.

Please be sure to read the 2027 Arrival and Departure Information page for additional important information that you will need to know before making your travel plans.

Lodging For The Week

Because no single hotel in West Yellowstone is large enough to house all SFL attendees under a single roof, in 2027 we will be using two event hotels: the Holiday Inn and the Gray Wolf Inn and Suites. The two are quite comparable in quality and amenities, have the same pricing structure, and are both part of the same parent company. SFL is contractually committed to filling up to 90 rooms in the Holiday Inn and up to 60 rooms in the Gray wolf Inn and Suites. Applicants will not be assigned to one property versus the other until after most applications have been received. Those accepted applicants who applied earliest will in most cases be assigned to the Holiday Inn, although if the applicant has a preference for the Gray wolf he/she will be able to so indicate on the event application. Accordingly, an applicant’s room for the week could be in either hotel, however if the applicant is assigned to a room in the Gray wolf he/she will be notified of this assignment by e mail on or about December 15.

The Holiday Inn has 123 rooms, and features a heated indoor swimming pool, hot tub, lounge/bar, game room, and fitness center. It offers free WiFi and parking.

Most rooms in the Holiday Inn have either two queen beds or one king bed and a sofa sleeper. A few rooms (8) have three queen beds, and these will be used for triple-occupancy. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker and safe. The bathrooms have either a shower or tub/shower combination, and a hair dryer.

The Gray Wolf Inn and Suites has 102 rooms, and offers a heated indoor pool featuring “Dive-In Movies,” a hot tub, a dry sauna, and a fitness center. The hotel provides free WiFi, free heated underground parking, and electric vehicle charging stations.

Rooms contain either two queen or one King Bed, a flat-screen TV, microwave, mini-fridge, and a coffee maker. Bathrooms contain a shower/tub combination and a hair dryer.

The hotel is fresh from a comprehensive renovation completed in May 2026, the property boasts updated comfort with a redesigned lobby, a new guest market, and a coffee bar.

A unique feature of the Gray Wolf is that it has an inviting outdoor patio with a gas fire pit, a perfect spot to unwind and relax.

Another feature of the hotel is that it is adjacent to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, which is one of West Yellowstone’s principal attractions.

The Holiday Inn will be the location of all SFL meals during the week, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and all meetings and evening activities. The two hotels are only about a ten-minute walk apart during good weather, but in winter the amount of snow typically covering the sidewalks and boardwalks between the two properties would make walking challenging. Therefore, SFL will provide free shuttle busses running between the two properties at frequent intervals, from before breakfast and into the late evening each day.

The Ski Area

During the 2027 Ski for Light event participants will ski on the Rendezvous Cross-Country Trail System, just a five minute walk from the Holiday Inn. Throughout the day, shuttles will run between the two hotels and the ski area.

The Rendezvous system offers an extensive network of over 35 kilometers of beautifully groomed cross-country trails. These gently rolling paths wind through majestic lodgepole pine forests and open meadows, providing a serene winter escape just steps from West Yellowstone. Snowmobiles, snowshoes and dogs are not allowed on the trails, assuring the quiet serenity of the forest.

The trail system is located in Gallatin National Forest on the edge of town and is jointly managed by the National Forest service, the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce and the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation.

The primary trails that we will be using are ideally suited for a Ski for Light event. The five kilometer trail has a long, almost flat, approach to gently rolling hills. The ten K trail includes more rolling terrain with a few hills to challenge and thrill more advanced skiers.

Meals During The Week

All Ski for Light meals during International Week will be served at the Holiday Inn, apart from other hotel guests. Descriptions of each meal type follow below.

Breakfast each day, from Monday through Saturday, will be a “distributed buffet,” with several items available at specific serving stations or on each dining table as space permits, such as hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, granola and fresh fruit. There will also be a buffet-style line with items such as scrambled eggs, pancakes, breakfast meats and oatmeal, which will vary from day to day. Breakfast on the final Sunday will be a continental, bus-ready breakfast.
Lunch each day will be a buffet offering sandwiches, soup, fruit and similar items. A buffet is necessary at lunch because SFL participants typically straggle in after a morning of skiing for lunch at various times; lunch is usually available from 11:30 to 1:30.
Dinner each evening will be a served, plated meal. There will be three meal plans available, as described below, and gluten-free dinner entrees and bread and desserts will be available, as requested on applications.

The standard menu plan, which includes red meat, poultry and seafood, as well as other foods.
The pescatarian menu plan, which includes eggs, dairy products and seafood as well as other sources of protein (legumes and soy/tofu) but no red meat or poultry. This meal plan may occasionally include vegan entrees.
The vegan menu plan, which is plant based and includes vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, soy/tofu, grains, nuts, and seeds, but no red meat, poultry, seafood, eggs or dairy products.

When completing their application, applicants will be asked to select one of these three meal plans for the entire week, and to indicate whether or not gluten free bread and desserts will be needed. Ski for Light will issue each attendee a color-coded name badge indicating which type of meal the wait staff should serve.

Communicable Diseases and SFL

Ski for Light takes place during the winter, which is of course the time of year when upper body respiratory viruses, such as COVID, influenza, RSV and the common cold are most prevalent. Each of these is highly contagious, and any of them may at least make you miserable for a few days or even longer. There are a few things you can and should do to reduce the chances that you will become ill with one of them before or during the SFL event, and to reduce the chances that you will bring one of them with you to SFL, and to thereby put the other attendees at risk.

First, your individual risk of getting sick is significantly lower if you are fully vaccinated with the latest COVID booster and flu vaccines, and if you wear a mask when traveling to SFL, especially when in the airport and when boarding and exiting the plane.

Second, if you or someone in your household is ill don’t come to SFL, stay home and rest.

Third, during SFL if you start to feel sick immediately tell someone and stop attending the crowded activities. We will help care for you but would like to not infect the rest of the attendees.

The bottom line on illness and SFL 2027 is everyone needs to be fully vaccinated, to take every precaution when traveling to the event, and to act responsibly during the week. If everyone does this, it should be a great week for all.

The Application Process and Acceptance to the Event

In order to attend the Ski for Light International Week in 2027 you must first complete and submit an online event application, which is LINKED BELOW. The application asks for:

your personal and contact information
your desired meal and housing options for the week
Your skiing ability and experience
Your skiing goals and expectations for the week
Your confirmation that if accepted to attend the 2027 event you agree to accept and abide by the terms of:

Ski for Light will review your application and determine whether or not you can be sent an invitation to attend the event. The most important considerations in making this determination will be:

Your classic cross-country skiing experience and ability, if you are applying to be an Instructor/Guide
The number of Instructor/Guides who have applied, if you are applying to be a visually- or mobility-impaired participant
Your probable ability to fully participate in the skiing portion of the week, if you are applying to be a first-time visually- or mobility- impaired participant
Your level of involvement and participation with the Ski for Light organization and/or the Ski for Light Event, your level of participation in the skiing portion of your previous events attended, and how much you have benefited from your participation at previous events, if you are applying to be a repeat visually- or mobility-impaired participant
The amount of available space in the event hotel, if applying to be a Worker-Bee, Companion or Guest

The application deadline for visually- or mobility-impaired participants is September 15, 2026. Acceptances to the event will be issued to as many applicants as possible beginning soon after this date. The number of visually- and mobility-impaired participants who can be admitted to attend is dependent on the number of guides who have applied. Approximately 25% of those admitted will be first-time participants, while alumni participants will represent the remaining 75%. After the initial wave of acceptances is issued, additional acceptances will be issued when made possible by the receipt of additional guide applications. Applications received after the application deadline of September 15 will be considered only on a space available basis.

If you are applying to be a guide you will be notified of your acceptance to the week quickly. While there is no application deadline for guides, you are urged to apply by September 15 so that as many visually- and mobility-impaired applicants as possible may be admitted in late September.

The application deadline for worker-bees, companions and guests is also September 15, 2026. Acceptances to the event will be issued shortly after the application deadline to as many of these applicants as possible. The number of such applicants to be accepted will depend on how much space is still available in the event hotel. The acceptance of companions will also be linked to the acceptance status of their companion, if that companion is a guide or disabled skier. Additional applications will be accepted and acted upon on a space available basis.

Ski for Light will endeavor to insure that the number of guides is approximately equal to the number of visually- and mobility-impaired participants. Last minute cancellations, or illnesses, of either guides or disabled participants, may result in the final numbers being slightly out of balance. If this occurs, SFL will work with all attendees to ensure that everyone has the experience that they want for the week.

Cost for the Week

The total cost for the week will depend on which of the three available housing options you select, as shown below. Remember that your room could be in either the Holiday Inn or the Gray Wolf Inn and Suites, unless you select a triple-occupancy room which will only be available in the Holiday Inn.

Triple-occupancy, Holiday Inn, if available (only 8 available), $775 per person
Double-occupancy, in either the Holiday Inn or the Gray Wolf Inn and Suites, $975 per person
Single-occupancy, in either the Holiday Inn or the Gray Wolf Inn and Suites, if available (only 40 available), $1,650

The cost shown includes: room and all meals from Sunday evening January 17 through Sunday morning January 24; round-trip transportation between the Bozeman airport and West Yellowstone (on designated days and at designated times); all cross-country trail and other resort fees; and all afternoon and evening programs and activities. There is no extra charge for first- and second-time guides arriving early for guide training, on a double-occupancy basis. Cross-country skis, boots and poles will be provided free of charge to first-time visually-impaired participants and first-time guides. The cost of transportation from home to and from Bozeman is the responsibility of the participant.

Full payment is due from all accepted applicants by November 1, 2026.

Please be aware that for the 2027 event each participant is paying only about 60% of the actual cost of their participation. The remainder of the event fee, amounting to about $700 per each person in a double-occupancy room, is being provided by funds donated to SFL by individuals, foundations and Sons of Norway lodges, and by the investment earnings of the SFL Endowment Fund. If you are financially able, we encourage you to become one of our financial supporters by going to the online donation form and making a tax-deductible contribution to SFL.

Financial Assistance

Ski for Light recognizes that some prospective participants will not be able to attend the event without financial assistance. Accordingly, all guides, all visually impaired participants and all mobility impaired participants with a financial need who reside in the United States are eligible to apply for a stipend to partially defray the cost of attending the annual SFL event. Applicants requesting a single room or arriving early at the event hotel, other than people arriving early on SFL business, are not eligible for stipends.

The dollar amount of individual stipend awards will be based on the funds that SFL has available for this purpose and the applicant’s expressed financial need.

Getting in Shape for Cross-Country Skiing

If you have never cross- country skied before, have minimal experience, or just want to make sure you are in good shape to get the most out of the experience, there are two things that you need to know before applying to attend the Ski for Light International Week, or before actually attending the event.

First, cross-country skiing is an aerobic activity that may not be physically appropriate for every prospective attendee. This is especially true when the event location is at a high altitude, as it often is for SFL events. If you have concerns about participation, consult with a physician who can discuss with you the risks of participation in vigorous physical activity, given your medical history and physical condition. For more information on this subject please read About Cross- Country Skiing and the Ski for Light International Week
Second, once you have determined that cross-country skiing is for you, we recommend that you begin some basic physical conditioning so you can get the most enjoyment from the week. This is just common sense for anyone planning to participate in a week of physically demanding aerobic activity. We have developed some resources that will help you get ready for the week. First, Ten Easy Steps to Increase Fitness helps you find easy ways to incorporate exercise and stretching into your daily activities. If you are ready for more rigorous exercise, including a training calendar, see Physical Conditioning for Ski for Light Skiers which provides suggestions for aerobic, core and upper and lower body exercises, which will help you get the most out of your ski week. The final section of this document contains exercise resources geared for people with visual impairments and some high intensity fitness programs. Additionally, here is a recording describing how one SFL veteran prepared for a recent event.

Application Forms

To apply to attend the Ski for Light International Week in 2027, please complete and submit the appropriate application form below. Before you apply, please be sure to read the frequently asked questions about the 2027 week as it includes much information that you will want to know before submitting your application.

Forms for Accepted Applicants

If you have received a notification of acceptance to the 2027 Ski for Light event, please follow the links below to let SFL know how and when you will be travelling to and from the event, to learn about the Special-Interest sessions that will be held during the week and to volunteer to lead such a session, and to make your event payment.

Guide Handbook

The Ski for Light Guide Handbook contains a wealth of general skiing tips, SFL-specific terminology, a standard progression of instruction for beginners, and other information to help new guides approach their first event with confidence, and to help everyone ski together more safely and enjoyably.

The Narrated Video Accompaniment to the Guide Handbook brings the concepts presented in the PDF Guide Handbook to life. (MP4 format, 8 minutes, 38 seconds)