February 2017
ÄKÄSLOPOLO / YLLÄS, FINLAND
Seven Skiers, ten Guides and five non-guiding friends stayed in the village of Äkäslompolo in the resort of Ylläs.
Impressions Of Our 2017 Holiday In Ylläs. From Our Newest Guide. What a week! Everything I hoped for, and more
When looking for something fun, different and exciting to do on my gap year guiding a visually impaired cross-country skier went to the top of my list. I was worried about meeting a group I had never met, daunted by the prospect of guiding someone with a visual impairment, excited for the possibility of meeting Father Christmas and honestly intrigued as to how a blind person went about skiing! Fortunately I can say this concoction of emotion was settled by the first day (minus meeting Santa, that happened on the fourth!).
The group was made up of 7 skiers, 10 guides and 4 non-guiding friends, all of who shared the same vitality for life and enthusiasm for winter sports. Despite halving the average age of the group, I was by no means joining a U3A/ Saga holiday as we often skied in excess of 20 kilometres a day at a strong pace. The spirit of the group was perhaps epitomised by Janet's suitcase carrier, which read "Adventure before Dementia", and what an adventure it was!
Having always been a downhill skier I felt very much out of place in the icy cross country tracks, to a certain extent it really was the blind leading the blind! But with the help of our calm, collected and talented instructor, Pam, the whole group progressed considerably. As the week went by the whole group jelled and became a formidable movement of fluorescent bibs, elegantly gliding around the challenging routes Ylläs offered. One felt very proud of their skier when someone passed and looked back to confirm what they were seeing, it drove home the achievement of the skier and reminded you of the responsibility of your role.
The skiers demonstrated how their 'disability', whilst being a hindrance, was by no means a debilitating factor in their lives. Their skiing was as good, and at times, outclassed the guides. Whether they would like to be thought of as inspiring or not, I am afraid they have no choice, as they were. Skiing can be dangerous and difficult at the best of times, and the courage to undertake it with limited or no sight is a feat that should not be undermined or overlooked.
I would encourage anyone to get involved, however they can, with this wonderful group.
Edward Wilson
Guide for Visually Impaired Skiers
March 2017
Impressions Of Our 2017 Holiday In Ylläs. From Our Newest Guide. What a week! Everything I hoped for, and more
When looking for something fun, different and exciting to do on my gap year guiding a visually impaired cross-country skier went to the top of my list. I was worried about meeting a group I had never met, daunted by the prospect of guiding someone with a visual impairment, excited for the possibility of meeting Father Christmas and honestly intrigued as to how a blind person went about skiing! Fortunately I can say this concoction of emotion was settled by the first day (minus meeting Santa, that happened on the fourth!).
The group was made up of 7 skiers, 10 guides and 4 non-guiding friends, all of who shared the same vitality for life and enthusiasm for winter sports. Despite halving the average age of the group, I was by no means joining a U3A/ Saga holiday as we often skied in excess of 20 kilometres a day at a strong pace. The spirit of the group was perhaps epitomised by Janet's suitcase carrier, which read "Adventure before Dementia", and what an adventure it was!
Having always been a downhill skier I felt very much out of place in the icy cross country tracks, to a certain extent it really was the blind leading the blind! But with the help of our calm, collected and talented instructor, Pam, the whole group progressed considerably. As the week went by the whole group jelled and became a formidable movement of fluorescent bibs, elegantly gliding around the challenging routes Ylläs offered. One felt very proud of their skier when someone passed and looked back to confirm what they were seeing, it drove home the achievement of the skier and reminded you of the responsibility of your role.
The skiers demonstrated how their 'disability', whilst being a hindrance, was by no means a debilitating factor in their lives. Their skiing was as good, and at times, outclassed the guides. Whether they would like to be thought of as inspiring or not, I am afraid they have no choice, as they were. Skiing can be dangerous and difficult at the best of times, and the courage to undertake it with limited or no sight is a feat that should not be undermined or overlooked.
I would encourage anyone to get involved, however they can, with this wonderful group.
Edward Wilson
Guide for Visually Impaired Skiers
March 2017