Blind and visually impaired skiers gather in Kananaskis for Ski for Light Canada event

Dozens of blind and visually impaired skiers from around the world are gathering in Kananaskis this week to take part in an annual event.

More than 80 blind and visually impaired athletes from Canada and abroad are in Kananaskis Country for a cross-country skiing event focused on accessibility, inclusion and community.

The participants are attending Ski for Light Canada’s 48th annual gathering from Jan 27 to 31 at William Watson Lodge, where visually impaired skiers are paired with sighted volunteer guides for a week of Nordic skiing, social activities and races.

Attendees have travelled from Nova Scotia, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, along with visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Japan.

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“In my mind, cross-country skiing is really the most accessible winter sport for people with sight loss,” said Peter Quaiattini, president of Ski for Light Canada, who is also a blind skier.

Once in the groomed lanes, Quaiattini says participants really gain a sense of independence.

“It’s just like a train,” he said. “You just go.”

“Guides, of course, need to be with us, but we’re skiing independently through space, through the trees, through the snow, without a whole lot of intervention.”

Quaiattini adds that the event also gives participants a chance to connect with others who understand their experiences.

The week wraps up with races ranging from 2.5 to 10 kilometres, followed by medal presentations and a closing banquet.

Finding freedom on the trails

Calgarian Matt Janz, who was born with retinitis pigmentosa, says adapting to sight loss has been a life-long process.

“I’m 36 now, losing vision kind of regularly, but still I have central vision,” he said.

An avid outdoors enthusiast, Janz says continuing activities he loves has taken creativity and support.

“For me in my life, it’s always just been a constant puzzle of ‘how do I keep doing this stuff?’ but I always find a way,” he said.

“Between my own determination and the massive supportive community that I have, I’ve just been able to keep doing the thing that I love, with adaptations.”

This week, Janz signed up for the 10-kilometre race.

“I very foolishly sign up for that distance,” he said, laughing.

“But the guides completely take such good care of us.

“They’ve been teaching me on-course etiquette, how to pass people, how to conduct yourself on the course,” he added. “We don’t have to worry about our sight loss because we’re so well taken care of.”

Janz added that Ski for Light creates immediate connection.

“I haven’t had to advocate for myself one time this whole week,” he said.

“Everyone understands what I’m going through, and then we just are instantly bonded.”

From Denmark, Sven Mogensen says Ski for Light helped him rediscover skiing after losing his sight at age 20.

“From that period when I was 20 and until I was 46, I didn’t ski,” he said.

“I just didn’t realize that it’s possible for visually impaired people to ski.”

Now in his 70s, Mogensen has attended the Canadian gathering five years in a row.

“The main thing is that I get out in the open air. I feel free,” he said.

“I have the liberty to move without having physical contact with somebody else.”

With guidance from his partner calling out turns and terrain, Mogensen said the experience mirrors skiing with vision.

“All these instructions make it possible for me to ski basically in the same way as I skied when I had my sight,” he said.

Beyond the sport, he emphasized the social impact.

“One of the most important things here for me is to meet other blind people as well, and build up a network,” Mogensen said.

“It really makes a huge difference for us to get out and do the things we would do had we been able to see.”

‘We build community here’

Tracy Mousseau of Ontario is both blind and an above-knee amputee who participates as a sit skier.

She says she initially believed skiing was no longer possible.

“I thought skiing was done, and somebody told me I could still do it,” she said.

Using upper body strength and support from her guide — who is also her husband — Mousseau has been skiing with Ski for Light since 2010.

“If you really enjoy skiing, there’s always a way to get around it,” she said.

“It’s work, but you get outside and enjoy the weather and the nature.”

Calgarian Jennifer Abbott, who also has retinitis pigmentosa, says being surrounded by others with similar challenges is reassuring.

“To be here with other people in the same community with similar challenges in a sighted world is really what amazes me the most,” she said.

For volunteer guides, the experience is equally meaningful.

“My job is to be their eyes on the trail,” said Calgary guide Jen Tweddell.

“I’ll let him know if the trail is going uphill, downhill, turning to the left or right so he can shift his weight and balance.”

“Communication is critical,” she said. “But one of the nice things for the skiers as well is that they can do a sporting activity in an independent way, moving through space.”

Guide Ruri Takeuchi travelled from Japan after learning about the program through a blind friend.

“My friend told me about this event, and it inspired me to learn more, because I want to know how to help people and start my own business supporting those with special needs.”

Back on the trails, Quaiattini hopes others living with sight loss feel encouraged to try.

“Winter is not friendly to people who don’t see,” he said. “But we make it happen here. We make it easy for you, so don’t give up and give it a try.”

“We’re here to ski, but more importantly, we build community here.”