February 2018
ÄKÄSLOPOLO / YLLÄS, FINLAND
We had a great holiday in Ylläs, it was rather cold but we had plenty of sun and some good skiing.
Memories of our 2018 holiday written by a visually impaired Skier ...
Night was short and sweet, up at silly o’clock, 25 February at my overnight accommodation, made way down to the lobby, jumped onto the hotel shuttle bus for the airport terminals, jumped out at terminal 1 at around 04:15 am headed for Jet2 check in area, three of our party already waiting, 6 more of us turned up in drifts, time was getting on, flight was due to leave 6:45, checked in for flight to Kittila, it was a dash to the gate. On board and seats located, who should be seated in the row, no other than Lawrence and Hilde. Lawrence guided me several years ago on one of many visually impaired cross country skiing holidays, so a lot to catch up on in a short space of time.
Of our group we 10 + 2 who’d flown in from Bristol jumped onto the transfer bus for 45 min journey to Yllas, Akaslompolo, en-route Inghams rep gave a welcoming talk and information about the area, arriving at Akas Hotel soon after 2pm. Not too far behind was the rest of our group flying in from Gatwick, arriving an hour or so later. Our industrious leader Pam already waiting in reception welcomed us, had had the previous week skiing and reported that it was extremely cold, in the -30⁰ thereabouts, that it was likely to be so the following day. With this information on board, we’d decided to kick off the week with the group meeting in the morning. Established pairings and groups for the day's skiing during the meeting. In the end turned out to be such a lovely mildish day, great skiing with sun blazing. Reflected on our first day at the evening get together.
Fun day; brilliant sunny weather and still mildish, just two of us out of the group and guiding friends plus our leader, what did we get up to? Played ski football and working on improving snowplough, herringbone technique, great fun. During evening get together many us showed interest for night skiing along floodlight tracks one evening in the week.
Another day; talk of night skiing was planned for this evening, took the local bus up to Yllas downhill ski centre, snowing quite heavily for our long ski back to Akaslompolo, a challenging one at that having to really work at those techniques with lots of ascents, rewarded with long descents though. Tiring day, debated on doing some night skiing, as the evening progressed somehow found some energy, so pleased I did, thrilling experience a different world altogether even the moon was out.
One other evening, a trip to a Snow Hotel, that too was amazing, structurally and decoratively.
So pleased that I have pluck up courage to get back into cross country skiing after such a long gap.
Rachel Murton
... and thoughts from a Guide
When I counted up it was hard to believe that 17 years had passed since I last joined in as a Guide on cross country ski holidays for visually impaired Skiers...
Past holidays with the group were all memorable. Why did I stop? ... personal circumstances. Why did I return in 2018? ... the experience of enabling someone who simply needs to borrow your eyes to also enjoy skiing, something I love, never left me. I don't think the experience is possible to express in words except to say that it is a joy. Also, a privilege. After Äkäslompolo 2018 it remains so.
Because of the passage of time many faces were missing, but in their place were many new faces. Gathering and greeting each other at Manchester airport (for the northerners!) at 4am (!!) sparked off the holiday team spirit of mutual support, friendship and laughter I remembered.
When out skiing the responsibility of keeping "your" Skier for the day safe through your guiding, and therefore helping to make the day for the Skier all that they would wish for, goes with guiding. It is challenging to live up to this and I felt anxious about how well I would, especially after my long absence. I was soon to be reminded though of how for the Skiers the trust needed, and that they give, in their Guide's guiding is truly amazing, as is their courage and spirit - thank you. Rachel comments here that a Guide also needs to trust the Skier to listen and respond immediately when needed. I know how she's thinking ... mutual trust ... though I must admit that I have never personally felt that I have been doing that !
I could write more, but you could also find out more yourself by joining this wonderful group of friends, a mix of skiers, friends, potential guides, guides and Pam our intrepid leader, in 2019.
Chris Shields
Here are some pictures and links to videos taken on the holiday.
Setting off for another day's skiing
https://youtu.be/yROBIcU-T0c
Out on the tracks
https://youtu.be/CqtC0KtqzNo
How to get down hills
https://youtu.be/MD6ub095DK0
Practising downhill skills
https://youtu.be/yI-t76C0Fc8
Trying out a new idea for guiding using pole holding
https://youtu.be/Muo3_LG1ig8
Ying was there too, he had a guide from the local ski school and skied with friends. He was getting some training in for the annual international skiing event for people with disabilities at Beitostølen in Norway. It certainly paid off - he got a gold in the biathlon, a silver in the 10km race and 2nd place in the 20km race at the end of the week.
https://youtu.be/W0nz55Iv6yw
Memories of our 2018 holiday written by a visually impaired Skier ...
Night was short and sweet, up at silly o’clock, 25 February at my overnight accommodation, made way down to the lobby, jumped onto the hotel shuttle bus for the airport terminals, jumped out at terminal 1 at around 04:15 am headed for Jet2 check in area, three of our party already waiting, 6 more of us turned up in drifts, time was getting on, flight was due to leave 6:45, checked in for flight to Kittila, it was a dash to the gate. On board and seats located, who should be seated in the row, no other than Lawrence and Hilde. Lawrence guided me several years ago on one of many visually impaired cross country skiing holidays, so a lot to catch up on in a short space of time.
Of our group we 10 + 2 who’d flown in from Bristol jumped onto the transfer bus for 45 min journey to Yllas, Akaslompolo, en-route Inghams rep gave a welcoming talk and information about the area, arriving at Akas Hotel soon after 2pm. Not too far behind was the rest of our group flying in from Gatwick, arriving an hour or so later. Our industrious leader Pam already waiting in reception welcomed us, had had the previous week skiing and reported that it was extremely cold, in the -30⁰ thereabouts, that it was likely to be so the following day. With this information on board, we’d decided to kick off the week with the group meeting in the morning. Established pairings and groups for the day's skiing during the meeting. In the end turned out to be such a lovely mildish day, great skiing with sun blazing. Reflected on our first day at the evening get together.
Fun day; brilliant sunny weather and still mildish, just two of us out of the group and guiding friends plus our leader, what did we get up to? Played ski football and working on improving snowplough, herringbone technique, great fun. During evening get together many us showed interest for night skiing along floodlight tracks one evening in the week.
Another day; talk of night skiing was planned for this evening, took the local bus up to Yllas downhill ski centre, snowing quite heavily for our long ski back to Akaslompolo, a challenging one at that having to really work at those techniques with lots of ascents, rewarded with long descents though. Tiring day, debated on doing some night skiing, as the evening progressed somehow found some energy, so pleased I did, thrilling experience a different world altogether even the moon was out.
One other evening, a trip to a Snow Hotel, that too was amazing, structurally and decoratively.
So pleased that I have pluck up courage to get back into cross country skiing after such a long gap.
Rachel Murton
... and thoughts from a Guide
When I counted up it was hard to believe that 17 years had passed since I last joined in as a Guide on cross country ski holidays for visually impaired Skiers...
Past holidays with the group were all memorable. Why did I stop? ... personal circumstances. Why did I return in 2018? ... the experience of enabling someone who simply needs to borrow your eyes to also enjoy skiing, something I love, never left me. I don't think the experience is possible to express in words except to say that it is a joy. Also, a privilege. After Äkäslompolo 2018 it remains so.
Because of the passage of time many faces were missing, but in their place were many new faces. Gathering and greeting each other at Manchester airport (for the northerners!) at 4am (!!) sparked off the holiday team spirit of mutual support, friendship and laughter I remembered.
When out skiing the responsibility of keeping "your" Skier for the day safe through your guiding, and therefore helping to make the day for the Skier all that they would wish for, goes with guiding. It is challenging to live up to this and I felt anxious about how well I would, especially after my long absence. I was soon to be reminded though of how for the Skiers the trust needed, and that they give, in their Guide's guiding is truly amazing, as is their courage and spirit - thank you. Rachel comments here that a Guide also needs to trust the Skier to listen and respond immediately when needed. I know how she's thinking ... mutual trust ... though I must admit that I have never personally felt that I have been doing that !
I could write more, but you could also find out more yourself by joining this wonderful group of friends, a mix of skiers, friends, potential guides, guides and Pam our intrepid leader, in 2019.
Chris Shields
Here are some pictures and links to videos taken on the holiday.
Setting off for another day's skiing
https://youtu.be/yROBIcU-T0c
Out on the tracks
https://youtu.be/CqtC0KtqzNo
How to get down hills
https://youtu.be/MD6ub095DK0
Practising downhill skills
https://youtu.be/yI-t76C0Fc8
Trying out a new idea for guiding using pole holding
https://youtu.be/Muo3_LG1ig8
Ying was there too, he had a guide from the local ski school and skied with friends. He was getting some training in for the annual international skiing event for people with disabilities at Beitostølen in Norway. It certainly paid off - he got a gold in the biathlon, a silver in the 10km race and 2nd place in the 20km race at the end of the week.
https://youtu.be/W0nz55Iv6yw