volunteers
Bill Murphy - Senior Guide
Bill has been guiding blind and visually impaired skiers since 1982. At first with the Colorado Ski School for the Blind and now with Foresight Ski Guides. He has been in leadership roles with Foresight as a member of the Board of Directors, as President, and as a Sr. Guide and trainer of guides. He is constantly reminded of why he guides when rewarded with the smiles and enthusiasm shown by the Foresight clients. He has developed some life changing friendships and vows to not stop guiding until his legs are worn down to little nubs! |
Mark Masto - Senior Guide
Around 1983 I began guiding blind and visually impaired people (VIPs) with the Colorado School for the Deaf & Blind and Vail’s visually impaired ski program. I have been associated with Foresight Ski Guides (FSG) since its inception in 2001 as a Senior Guide and Trainer. Guiding gives me the opportunity to create relationships with our VIP community and their families, allowing me the ability to give back and share in a sport I love. I also think it’s important to reunite VIPs with family members, giving them the chance to ski as a family. Our participants, especially the kids, get so much out of this program. As one of our young skiers once said, “If I can do this, I can try anything” and I agree! |
Greg Brozovich - Senior Guide
As a Senior Guide for Foresight, Greg has 25 years of guiding visually impaired skiers which includes six years with the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) in Winter Park, CO. His first experience guiding was hands-on when he was asked by a friend to guide an attorney from Seattle who lost his vision on his high school graduation day. Guiding a blind person for the first time was a life changing experience for Greg and he was instantly hooked on assisting individuals with disabilities while giving back to the sport that has been a significant part of his life since the age of seven. Greg’s focus at Foresight includes volunteer coordination, VIP outreach, fundraising and guide training. |
Jan Masto - Board Member and Shadow
I have been a volunteer and a part of the Foresight Ski Guides (FSG) organization as a guide and shadow since its inception in 2001. I believe in giving back and that volunteering for FSG makes a difference in our community by helping our blind and visually impaired participants (VIPs) experience the joy, fun and challenge of snow sports. There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing the exhilaration and delight on a VIP’s face throughout the day on the snow. |
David Schadle – Board Member and Guide
David began working with the disabled community 27 years ago when he first volunteered to teach skiing at Eldora Ski Resort outside of Boulder, CO. This lead to working with the Eldora Special Recreation Program (ESRP) teaching blind and developmentally disabled students. David’s dedication and enthusiasm in the ESRP Program lead him to achieve PSIA Adaptive Level II instructor certification. He has also spent years working as a supervisor and trainer, as well as holding various board positions. David has served as Veteran’s Program Director working with the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Olympic Opportunity Fund administering grant reporting requirements. In this position, David was instrumental in developing, organizing, and recruiting disabled veteran participation throughout the Front Range. David has been volunteering as an instructor at the DSUSA Ski Spectacular, and Grand Junction VAMC Winter Sports Clinics since 2009, as well as at the NSCD Winter Park program for the past 4 seasons. He also has volunteered as a teacher at the Shining Stars week for children suffering from cancer since 2017. In 2015, David started guiding visually impaired guests at the Foresight program in Vail. David himself is a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Korea during the Vietnam War and believes strongly in volunteering in the programs for people with disabilities in Colorado. He has been married to Susan for 48 years and has 2 grown children and 6 grandchildren. |
Scott Beebe - Guide
Scott has served for the past ten years as the pastor of Mt. of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church which meets at the Vail and Beaver Creek Interfaith Chapel’s. Scott is also an active team member of the Vail Mountain Rescue Group and a volunteer back-country ranger with the White River National Forest. He has climbed all 54 14’ers in the State of Colorado as well as over 100 peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Gore Range and along the Front Range. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and avid outdoor enthusiast. Scott is married and has two daughters. He has been a ski guide with Foresight for eight years and enjoys showing our guests and their families the wonders and beauty of Vail Mountain. He especially enjoys sharing the history of Vail with “first timers” and helping them experience all that the valley has to offer. |
Kevin Rose - Board Member and Guide
Kevin is looking forward to another fun season with Foresight Ski Guides. He began guiding visually impaired skiers in 2002. Over the years Kevin has met some wonderful people that have helped build great experiences. “Let’s get out on the snow and have some fun.” Kevin is married, has two sons and lives in Colorado. Some of Kevin’s favorite activities include: being a volunteer ski guide for visually impaired skiers, hiking, fishing, weight lifting, working on his Jeep, spending time with his family and their Siberian husky. In the morning of September 13, 2014, Kevin stood on top of Uncompahgre Peak (14,309 feet) with his two teenage sons. It was our fifty fifth fourteener summit together. In Kevin’s free time, he is a Certified Financial Planner™ with Trilogy Financial in Denver. Coaching and support help my clients smoothly endure and make the most of the circumstances of their lives. |
Jon Hood – Guide
Originally from Indiana, I have been in Colorado 33 years. I am a long-time skier, hiker, and high school cross country coach now in retirement. In 2002 I answered an ad that led me on a journey with Foresight. My first on-mountain experience was with Senior Guide, Mark Masto and I was pretty sure guiding would be for me though I never thought I could do it as well as Mark does. A lot of satisfaction and pride comes with being accepted onto the guide team, which is a bunch of world class talent who keep on giving and live engaged, interesting and productive lives. Foresight Ski Guides has truly changed my life when I consider the 100+ great days I’ve had helping VIPs navigate Vail safely while still having a lot of fun. Mark Davis built a program that keeps giving, week after week, to countless VIPs each with a unique story but all with hero in their middle name. My wife, Destyn, and I live in Stapleton. We have two boys in their 20's, and we are all Colorado by now. My goal is to guide 10 or more days a year until my knees give out. |
Caron Newman - Guide Caron is a PSIA Level 2 Adaptive Instructor with 25+ years experience teaching and guiding students. Caron is a professional educator in the technology space and has two amazing sons who are also excellent skiers and boarders. Caron loves to relax to the sounds of Jazz and enjoys being creative by creating stained glass windows and hand made cards. |
Judi Whetstine – Guide
My life journey is now highlighted through volunteering with Foresight for the past 3 years. I retired as a trial attorney several years ago and then enjoyed several other challenging and rewarding legal activities. A friend then suggested a new route and I became an adaptive ski instructor for three years. My real passion, however, was wanting to work with visually challenged folks. My husband and sister have eye diseases and my father lived well with significant macular degeneration later in life. I learned about Foresight and that was it. Foresight’ leaders have created a strong professional guiding program. I am thankful for learning about resiliency and adaptation from our clients who are awe-inspiring. |
Kristi Beebe - Guide
Ever since third grade when our family started skiing together at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains, known for being "30 minutes from sea level to ski level," I’ve been enamored by the sport of skiing. The exercise, the great outdoors, the fact people of all abilities can participate; and the season doesn’t last all year leaving time for golf and mountain climbing. Yet one of the greatest draws for me to skiing is the absolute joy and feeling of being so in tune with my body, mind, and spirit while on the slopes that I'm able to get away from the distractions, stresses, and busyness of day to day life. Since those early days, skiing has not only been alone time for me but more often it’s an opportunity to spend time with friends and family enjoying laughter, conversation and good times. One of the reasons I enjoy being a part of Foresight is to share my love of skiing and the renewal of body and mind I experience with people who are blind and visually impaired. In addition, 20+ years ago I underwent surgery for a brain tumor which was crushing my optic chiasm. The risk of going blind in surgery was significant. Thankfully the surgery was successful but knowing that I was at risk inspired me to choose to guide those for whom blindness is a reality. I have been an ordained Lutheran Pastor since 1988 and I currently serve a congregation in Lakewood, Colorado. My husband Scott Beebe is a pastor in Vail/Beaver Creek. Scott and I adopted two stunningly beautiful (inside and out) daughters from China when they were 14 months old. They are currently high school students. Like skiing, my girls bring me great joy, make me laugh and frequently force me to look at life with new and creative eyes. |
John DiToro - Guide
After a 30-year career with IBM developing and manufacturing computer chips I retired to Eagle County (along with my wife, Donna) in December of 2010. The following year we began our training with Foresight. I have to admit that I had no idea what I was signing up for when I began this journey, but it has grown into a very significant part of my life. Ranging from the confidence building with the kids as they progress from the magic carpet up to the “big mountain” to the friendships we have developed with many adults who return to ski with us year-after-year, it is an amazing and rewarding “retirement hobby”. Some find it hard to believe, but there hasn’t been a single season since I started with Foresight where several of my guiding days each year among my best ski days of the season! |
Michel Voboril – Guide
Growing up on Long Island, New York, Michel Voboril was skiing by the age of 4, competing as a downhill skier until 12 then transitioning to ski jumping, a sport he continued for 35 years. He and his wife relocated to Avon, Colorado full time in 2018 from Atlanta, Georgia to enjoy an active lifestyle that includes road and mountain biking, hiking, skiing and being near their children and grandchildren. Michel still owns a steel distribution warehouse in Atlanta. Michel feels fortunate to have discovered Foresight Ski Guides 3 years ago because it gives him the opportunity to combine his passion for skiing with his desire to help the visually impaired fuel their same need to ski. He looks forward to another great season with the VIPs. |
Jamie Harris - Guide
Jamie Harris is a native to Colorado and has grown up skiing in the Vail Valley since 1966. Jamie was a competitive mogul skier and now spends much of his free time traveling and skiing in as many locations as he possibly can. Jamie lives and works in Denver with his wife of 26 years and their three children ages 22, 19 and 17. |
Mark Struss - Guide
Mark has been teaching adaptive skiing since 2006. He has volunteered with several adaptive organizations at various resorts throughout the country. Mark has been deeply involved with New England Healing Sports in New Hampshire. He has been a volunteer with the Maine Adaptive for the New England Visually Impaired Festival as well as volunteering with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital’s Adaptive Sports Program. For the past few seasons Mark has found himself volunteering out West donating his time at the National Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled Veterans held at Snowmass, Colorado and with the Shining Stars Foundation in Aspen. Shining Stars hosts a group of 70 children living with pediatric cancer for one week of skiing and winter fun and games at Buttermilk Ski Resort. Mark’s favorite place to ski these days is right here in Vail with Foresight Ski Guides. |
Sue Struss - Guide
Sue is a proud member of Foresight Ski Guides! She is a PSIA certified adaptive ski instructor at the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sport Clinic in Snowmass, Colorado; New England Healing Sport In New Hampshire (NEHSA); NEVI (New England Visually Impaired) Fest in Maine; Shining Stars (pediatric cancer children) at Buttermilk, Aspen, Colorado; and Ignite Adaptive at Eldora, Colorado. Sue has served on a number of boards including The Blue Water Sailing Club, New England Healing Sports Association, and the Manchester Harbor Boat Club. Sue’s hobbies include yoga practice, enjoying the outdoors in all seasons, and crewing summers with sailing the Town Class in Marblehead, Ma. Sue loves to share her passion for skiing. She’s a volunteer, a friend, a mom, a wife, and a lover of life! Sue has been enjoying adaptive instructing for 14 years. |
Donna DiToro - Shadow
My ‘career’ with Foresight started 9 years ago when my husband (John) met someone outside a ski sale in Vail. When I asked what he signed up for he replied, “Some guy is looking for volunteers to ski guide blind people.” I asked him, “Did you sign me up, too?” I thought to myself, “There’s no way that’s going to happen!” Well little did I know that Foresight would become a huge part of my ski life. Meeting and skiing with both children and adults with eye issues has been one of the most rewarding parts of my ski season. Watching the kids blossom and become great skiers is phenomenal! And seeing everyone season after season warms my heart. Not only have we met wonderful VIPs but the other volunteers with Foresight have become great friends. We look forward to seeing and skiing with our VIP friends each and every ski season! |
James Ruh - Shadow
I grew up in Midland, Michigan where my father was a research director for Dow Chemical. After one year of attending Colby College and playing basketball there I transferred to the University of Michigan. I graduated from the University of Michigan in 1968 with a Bachelor in Business Administration and was then drafted into the US Army. I attended NCO School, became a Staff Sergeant and served in Vietnam as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant in 1969 and 1970. In June of 1970 I started the University of Michigan Law School where I met my wife of over 48 years and graduated in May of 1973. The next 35 years were spent practicing law as a commercial, corporate, real estate and securities litigator in Denver. I retired at the end of 2007, but for the last 11 years I have been a part time mediator and arbitrator. I have also been on the Board of the Vail Symposium for more than 12 years and am the former Chairman of that Board. My wife and I have had a vacation home in Santa Barbara, CA for 22 years and now divide our time between Santa Barbara and Edwards, CO. Our two daughters, two sons-in-law and three grandchildren all live in Santa Barbara. In addition to volunteering with Foresight this will be my 11th year as a part-time ski instructor working out of Lionshead. I look forward to another season with Foresight. |
Bobbie Ruh - Shadow
Bobbie was born and raised in Detroit, MI and is addicted to such Michigan specialties as Buddy’s Pizza and Sander’s Hot Fudge Sauce. She earned her BA at Michigan State University as a National Merit Scholar and attended the University of Michigan Law School, which transferred her allegiance from the Spartans to the Wolverines. She met and married Jim Ruh while a student at Michigan, and they “escaped” to Colorado after Jim’s graduation. Bobbie practiced law in Denver for almost 30 years as a tax and estate planning attorney. She also served as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Colorado and a visiting professor at the University of Colorado Law School. Bobbi worked with Ports of Call Travel Club for 10 years as a “hobby job” that afforded her family the privilege of traveling to numerous vacation destinations and to pursue their interest in scuba diving. She has been skiing since 1970 and served as a mountain host at Vail Mountain before volunteering with Foresight. She particularly enjoys working with elementary and secondary school students to introduce them to the joys of skiing. |
Holly Heise - Shadow
Holly started skiing as a child at Buck Hill in Minnesota then taught skiing after college at Afton Alps. She left Minnesota for graduate school and never went back but has always enjoyed skiing and raced with fellow Bell Labs skiers on the East Coast. Holly is a certified ski instructor and likes helping children and adults with health challenges enjoy skiing and the beauty of the mountains as she has had health challenges herself. She enjoys composing music and songwriting and has been developing an interactive children’s project entitled The Skallywaggle Tails. Holly finds that it is truly a blessing to be able to ski and share her love of the sport as a volunteer with Foresight! |
Additional guides and shadows: Heather Price, Peter Scharer and Brian Fredrickson.