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Ski for Light Montana was started in 1980 in the image of the volunteer organization Ski For Light, Inc.

The mission of the organization is to teach and help visually impaired adults cross country ski. The program is run in an atmosphere that encourages participants to realize that the only limitation they face is in the disability that they place in themselves.

The event is three days of skiing. We stay at a hotel in West Yellowstone. The area where we ski is within walking distance from the hotel. There is always an ample amount of snow in West Yellowstone. The visual impaired skier is matched up with a guide that serves as the eyes of the skier. They each have a set track to ski in at about 3 feet apart. The guide will instruct the skier in what is coming up in the trail as well as what the area around them looks like.

There also is an event in the summer called Trekk For Light Montana. This event takes place somewhere in the mountain. It also is three days when the participants go hiking or backpacking.

The organization has been able to collect money to pay for all cost to the skiers, and it is hope that enough money will be collected in the future to pay for all participants.

If you are interested in the program and want to take part in it please contact some of the members involved. The president is Ed Durbin, 406-538-7151 or tedurbin@midrivers.com.

The skiing events have taken place in several locations in Montana, however the last several years it has taken place in West Yellowstone. There always is snow there and the hotel is within walking distance of the skiing area.

The hiking has mostly been in the Lewistown area. The last several years it has taken place in the Belt mountains and now we are renting a cabin on the Yogo creek. The eating and sleeping is in the cabin and there are many opportunities for hiking close by.

If this program is of any interest to you as a visual impaired or a sighted guide you are invited to come along.