Ski for Light is an all-volunteer non-profit that teaches visually and mobility-impaired adults to cross-country and downhill ski. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Ski for Light, with programs is several states, in Canada and even Japan; this was my first year in attendance, at the Terry Peak Ski Resort near Deadwood, SD, but it definitely won't be my last. It truly was a life-changing event for me.

I have known about Ski for Light for awhile and I have no idea why it took this long for me to get out there and enjoy this wonderful week long adventure. Part of it was the cold factor and part was my extreme bad luck with planned trips out to the Black Hills. More details about that in my next blog.

The long drive across the entire state of South Dakota is both boring and extremely beautiful at the same time. I'm a city girl through and through so it is breathtaking to see the beautiful wildlife: bald eagles, numerous flocks of pheasants and herds of deer. Then there is the gorgeous scenery. Most people think of South Dakota as “the plains” and being flat, but that is not the case as you head west. The landscape on the way to Terry Peak is stunning.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather for skiing. It ranged from 40-50 degrees the two days I skied. When I got into the ski lodge I met Tracy Purdue. She and her husband Richard sponsored me to come to Ski for Light. I gave Tracy a big hug and thanked her. She asked me how I wanted to ski so she could pair me up with the right guide. I said, “I just want to go fast. That’s all.” Famous last words.



Tracy paired me with Mike Gould, a volunteer and guide for Ski for Light for 29 years. I got all my ski gear on and was feeling pumped to go. I was worried about transferring in and out of the ski and on and off the ski lift but there were no worries after the first time out. The volunteers at Ski for Light have this down to a very quick science. They have big linemen-size guys helping you in and out of your chair and into the ski and back out when you are done. The process is like a NASCAR pit crew. You are in and out of the ski within seconds. I used a bi-ski (two skis) since I am a beginner and do not have the best upper body strength, but many use a mono-ski (one ski) and outriggers and go down the mountain on their own with guides behind them. I hope to one day to maybe work up to a mono-ski. I would need a lot more practice, but which ever way you ski it’s a blast.

I told Mike I wanted to go big or go home. To get you on the chairlift two guides lift and strap you to the chair. I’d say it takes 10 minutes to get to the top of the hill; it is so peaceful and quiet up there. When you get near the top of one guide is supposed to release the pin so the bi-ski goes releases when you hit the snow and the lift operator is supposed to slow/stop the lift for you to get off. Neither happened my first time up. My guides did everything they could to keep me upright, but next thing I know I am diving off the lift headfirst into a snow bank. It was classic. But I was fine, safely strapped in the bi-ski to the point where you can barely move. Plus you wear a helmet and goggles so I didn’t damage anything. We got all our skis untangled and got me upright. One of my philosophies is to get the bad things out of the way first and it can’t get much worse then taking a nosedive off the lift.

Mike asked how I wanted to go down and I said super fast! It was I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E! I can’t remember the last time I felt a rush like that. When you turn the skis you are practically on your side, whipping through turns and poles. I handled my first run awesomely and I wasn’t afraid to try anything, nor were my guides. It was so awesome!

After Wednesday’s sking we met up for a bonfire, food, and drinks. I had my first Vern Special: hot chocolate, peppermint schnapps, and at least a couple of other alcohol shots in there. It is so very yummy and warms the body up. Vern won my heart when he had butterscotch schnapps on his table of tricks and I got my favorite winter drink, hot chocolate and butterscotch schnapps. After a few Vern Specials and hot chocolate and butterscotch schnapps I asked Vern if we could name a drink after me. He agreed, so from now on at Ski for Light, a hot chocolate and butterscotch schnapps is now called a Kissing Kristi. How awesome is that? To make it official I sealed it with a kiss with our handy dandy bar tender. Thanks Vern!

Thursday is race day, except you aren’t racing against anyone. They judge you by how close your two times are down the mountain, and everyone is awarded a Ski for Light medal. I was asked by President of Ski for Light George Lee and Vern to give a little speech at the evening’s banquet. I was not prepared for this at all, but I thanked as many people as I could, told the crowd I would be back, and then introduced Alexandra McArthur, Ms. Wheelchair America.

I want to really gush about all the amazing people associated with Ski for Light, from the board members who raise funds to put on this amazing event to the countless volunteers, donors, drivers, guides, lifters, servers, the workers at Terry Peak and the city of Deadwood.

Ski for Light is very special because when you are screaming down the mountain you forget that you have a disability. Each one of us is unique in our own special way and each of us has an amazing story to go home to share with our friends and family. I didn’t see anyone without smiles on their faces that extremely fun filled week and that gift is truly priceless.

I hate to end this blog on a bad note, but I did end up breaking my upper femur/hip during my few days in Deadwood. I’ll explain that in my next blog. I did not break it skiing and this will not stop me from going back.

I hope this blog encourages you to check out Ski for Light whether in South Dakota (not that I am biased, but it is the best place to go) or the other places it is offered around the United States. I kid you not, it will be the time of your life and I think life is too short to waste exciting opportunities like this.

Check out the Ski for Light website and my photos from my adventure in Deadwood. I really hope to see some of you at Ski for Light next year.

© 2011 Kristina Allen