Blind Paralympic Skiing

1998 Winter Park, Colorado: The Columbia Cup, Blind Skiing

In 1998, ” we traveled to Winter Park, Colorado to cover athletes in their final tune up stages before leaving for the Games in Nagano, Japan. In past shows we had dedicated features on Mono or sit down and as well features on Amputee skiers. Often times we had a good idea of what to expect, but what we found was so much more than we anticipated when we learned of the complexities tied to Blind Skiing. It just seemed crazy to me that someone with no vision would consider hurtling themselves down a ski run at high rates of speed. As with so many of the disabled athletes we met over time, we once again found that there is just no status quo. While some of the blind skiers could see vague shadows, other compete completely in the dark. The overall trust factor between the lead skier or guide and the blind skier is naturally imperative. In any event, the two teams we had the fortune of covering will give you a really good idea as to just how much dedication and hard work goes into being the best.