Guiding is a lot of work, not the least of which are the unpredictable roundtrip car rides to Vail leaving Denver at 5:30am in a snowstorm, hoping the road remains open and that our VIP can ski that day. But is it worth it to me? Absolutely. Does one ache a little for a powder day with 8” of new snow sitting outside the Golden Peak door on a guiding day? Maybe a little. But those missed powder days don’t bother me because of the enjoyment I get from being on the slopes until the final download of the day with amazing, courageous VIPs. When VIPs like Bill or Larry tell me that the day we just finished was among their favorite days of the year, that drive up I-70 becomes a distant memory.
My first thought when Anne asked me to guide Peter was,
“Wow. How could I gracefully decline her request without getting into an uncomfortable predicament, especially while providing warm Colorado hospitality during Thanksgiving dinner?”
Despite being apprehensive and nervous, having no previous experience, and no clue how to make this a rewarding outing and safe for both Peter and me I decided to buck up and accept the challenge. Besides, Anne was confident in my abilities and I didn’t want to let her down.
Day one at Steamboat was trial by fire. Peter provided tips and pointers while we loaded the gondola and headed up the mountain. As we approached the mid-way point on Mount Werner, and our exit location, I knew there was no turning back now. There we were standing at 9,000 feet at the top of Valley View, a groomed, steep, expert run at the top of the gondola. Peter offered some last-minute advice. “Whatever you do, don’t fall! Ready, set, go!” And off he went. Quickly, and surprisingly, I witnessed how a blind person adapts to their environment, the variations in the terrain and the impact of the wind. I learned how to adapt my communication style to be most effective. After a few runs and some fine tuning of my turn calling, I was beginning to feel more comfortable about continuing to be his guide that weekend. I was hooked.
Not many programs or commitments that a person makes truly change your life. Foresight has changed mine with getting to know dozens and dozens of gritty, intrepid, determined VIPs and getting their gracious feedback.
One year I got to know Tina, a VIP who was totally blind from birth. She asked if I would guide her in a half marathon the next summer. She said my only job was to make sure she didn’t fall down. On race day we attached our wrists together with a band then took off running. About 50 people gave Tina shouts of encouragement during the race, some were even emotional at the sight of a blind woman running at fast pace. I, too, felt like a hero because no one hit the pavement.
If a prospective ski guide is interested in joining Foresight, by all means talk to some guides, look at the expected commitment and if you say yes and commit, you will be proud of that decision YOUR 17 years later.
