Blind Skiers...WTF?

Dottore · 03-07-2009, 03:58 PM

So I'm up on the mountain today, and as I'm taking the picture below, I hear this strange metallic bleating noise over and over again, and getting closer. I look and there's a guy with a kind of megaphone on his helmet, and behind him are skiing two people in bright orange ski gear with signs saying "CAUTION BLIND SKIER" on them.

As the leader skied ahead, the two blind folk followed the megaphone noise. Occasionally the leader would say things like "sharp drop to the left" or "trees at 10 o'clock" and these two tried to react accordingly.

Is it just me, or is this vaguely ridiculous? Do blind people really need to ski? I mean the thrill of the pull of gravity can be had in many less dangerous places, and for the thrill of cold air on your face you only need to open the freezer.

Perhaps I'm just politically incorrect on this, but I thought the whole thing ridiculous.

nynor · 03-07-2009, 04:03 PM

more power to 'em, is my take. that is some serious nerve on their part. i do agree that it seems a bit extreme. i am glad that i have good eyesight.

bell · bell's Garage

i personally love the blind drivers.......why else would drive up atm's have brail on the buttons

nynor · 03-07-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bell

i personally love the blind drivers.......why else would drive up atm's have brail on the buttons

LOL! that is so true!

HardDrive · 03-07-2009, 04:14 PM

So I'm at the gun range, and there is some guy in body armor down range with this strange metallic bleating coming from a helmet on his......

sammyg2 · 03-07-2009, 04:17 PM

Why don't they ski at night?

nynor · 03-07-2009, 04:18 PM

because they need someone that CAN see to guide them.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I remember running a 10k race in DC years ago and there were two guys in front of me holding a tether or lanyard together. One was blind and one was his guide. It was kind of weird.

ckissick · 03-07-2009, 09:41 PM

I've skied while blind drunk, and it was pretty fun.

Fritz Peyerl · 03-08-2009, 05:00 AM

I was instructing and guiding blind x-country skiers for years and those people are as normal as you and I, They just can;t see, but still have lot's of fun and have the right to enjoy live.
Blind fold your self one day and try a short ski with a guide. You wuill see it is more difficult than you think.

KFC911 · 03-08-2009, 05:05 AM

I don't think anyone is underestimating the difficulty of it

! I could certainly envision x-country, but downhill is a whole 'nuther matter. To be clear, I am not knocking them at all, it's fantastic that they attempt such endeavors imo.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Best part of skiing for me is to go to the top of the mountain on a sunny day and enjoy the warm sunshine on my face and the incredible views.

They may not be able to enjoy the views, but they can enjoy the warmth of the sunshine.

9dreizig · 03-08-2009, 06:29 AM

They should be commended!! and hell they are no worse than all the other idiots ( and by idiots I mean intermediate skiers) clogging up the slopes that they don't belong on ( sorry bit of a ski snob)...

speeder · speeder's Garage

I remember seeing them years ago when I used to ski. Nothing new. I think they get free lift tickets, which would make the sport a lot more affordable.

Where were you skiing? (And taking pictures).

TimT · 03-08-2009, 09:11 AM

My niece, who is blind and also has cerebral palsy. Is learning how to ski, she wants to learn to ski because the rest of the family skis, she participates in all the activities my other nieces do. i.e. soccer, swimming, etc..

I'm extremely proud that my niece has the courage to try..

Jim Sims · 03-08-2009, 09:33 AM

The ski hills we frequent serve handicapped skiers and their guides with special programs. Their courage and determination shames the poseurs. I'd rather be on the mountain with them than the skiers with shriveled souls.

Dottore · 03-08-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder

Where were you skiing? (And taking pictures).

Whistler.

I meant no disrespect to the blind. None. There's even some blind guy that flew across the English channel recently in a light aircraft.

I just can't help thinking "why?" Perhaps I've seen too many Clint ("a man's gotta know his limitations") Eastwood films.

artplumber · 09:37 AM

Imagine two blind kayakers. In a party of 4 total. In Greenland. Planned trip couple of thousand miles. Have to land from bobbing kayak on ice/rock occasionally, not to mention going to the bathroom on unfamiliar territory every day.

IIRC the local Coast Guard equivalent did have to get them, because of storms/end of summer and unable to proceed at projected pace.

Cdnone1 · 03-08-2009, 09:37 AM

I've been teaching handicapped kids and adults skiing for eleven years now. I got started when I wanted to go skiing with my own severely handicapped son.
Everyone has a right to the mountain.
You should stop and talk to someone with a disability some day and you just might find your WTF attitude might change

My son and I after some spring skiing

Steve

Cdnone1 · 03-08-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottore

Whistler.

I meant no disrespect to the blind. None. There's even some blind guy that flew across the English channel recently in a light aircraft.

I just can't help thinking "why?" Perhaps I've seen too many Clint ("a man's gotta know his limitations") Eastwood films.

It's funny that people who are about to disrespect someone always start with "I mean no disrespect"
As for the "why" maybe they ski for all the same reasons you do?! Maybe they enjoy everything about it, the challenge, the exercise, the social interaction with other skiers.
Maybe they don't want to sit home listening to Clint Eastwood movies.

I'm just glad they don't have to listen to people like you to telling them what their limitations are.

Again, instead of passing judgement why don't you ask one of them about their experience, though you appear to have it all figured out for them already

Steve