Ski and Snowboard Program
Register to be a visually impaired participant (VIP)
Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind works with individuals experiencing low vision or total blindness, but all are declared legally blind. They are as diverse in their age as they are in their vision loss. Some have skied for decades while others are new to the sport. We have participants who crush the black diamonds and those who prefer groomers. As long as you’re able to put together turns, start and stop on your own, you’re able to ski with Foresight Ski Guides.
Foresight promotes fitness and athletic skills for the blind and low vision community but we also provide opportunities for personal achievement and to build self-confidence and self-esteem – skills our VIPs will take with them and use their entire lives.
The structure of Foresight’s program provides recreation and athletics but for many of our VIPs, especially our younger participants, it also provides a platform to learn skills such as:
- Socialization
- Orientation and Mobility
- Career Education
- Independent Living Skills
- Self-Determination
- Resiliency
Come see for yourself how Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind impacts the lives of people who are experiencing low vision or are blind.
Gracie’s Story
Getting Started as a Visually Impaired Person (VIP)
It’s easy to get started as a Visually Impaired Participant or VIP as we call them. Foresight works with individuals experiencing low vision or total blindness, but all are declared legally blind. You must be at least a Level 4 skier or snowboarder or above – that means you can put together a series of turns and stop on your own. If you’ve never skied before, haven’t skied in several years or haven’t skied since losing your sight we recommend booking an instructor with Vail’s Adaptive Ski School. Once you have mastered the basic skills and reached a Level 4, Foresight will step in to provide guiding services at Vail or Beaver Creek Resorts.
Foresight charges a $150 daily participation fee for our services. VIPs receive a complimentary lift ticket, equipment rental if needed, shuttle transportation from either Denver International Airport or Vail/Eagle Airport, a guide, a shadow, and trip coordination and management.
Contact us by phone at 303-506-3859 or info@foresightskiguides.org with your desired dates of travel and specific needs. The next step is to complete a Participant Questionnaire (available in September) and sign the required liability waivers. We also need a letter from your doctor stating your degree of vision loss and clearing you for skiing or snowboarding.
The questionnaire will help us:
- Learn about your visual impairment
- Learn about any other medical needs
- Identify your skiing/snowboarding experience
- Match you with an appropriate guide and shadow
- Know what dates you are interested in skiing or snowboarding
Once we receive your questionnaire, we will be able to confirm availability so you can book your trip. Please follow up with us if you haven’t heard anything one week after submitting your registration form.
Sample Day*
- 8:30am – Meet Foresight host and guides at Golden Peak base area.
- 8:30am – 9:00am – Obtain ski/snowboard equipment if necessary, review grooming report, discuss goals for the day, get ready to head out
- 9:00am – 9:30am Foresight guide will do an informal vision assessment and work with VIP to determine the most effective method for guiding
- 9:30am – Ski or snowboard!
- 12:30pm – Lunch break
- 1:15pm – More skiing or snowboarding
- 3:30pm – 4:00pm – Return to Golden Peak base area. Wrap up
*All times are approximate and will be customized to meet the individualized needs of each VIP.
Foresight Ski Guides, Inc. is a tax-exempt non-profit organization as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code but contact your tax adviser to be sure your specific donation is tax deductible.
