Photo by Robin Alberti
Guides snowboard with a visually impared athlete at Pico during the annual Winter Ski Festival this past weekend.
KILLINGTON — On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8, The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) in partnership with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports hosted athletes who were blind and visually impaired at its Eighth Annual Winter Ski Festival in Killington at Pico Mountain.
Over 20 athletes with visual impairments were given the opportunity to learn to ski or race in the sports of Alpine and Nordic skiing, while spending a weekend in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Athletes attended from New England states, and as far west as California. Athletes included veterans and a Paralympic hopeful.
The event was open to all ages, all abilities and all ski levels. Trained guides and instructors were provided by Vermont Adaptive, the largest year-round disabled sports non-profit organization in Vermont, which is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities.
Since its founding in 1976, USABA, a community-based organization of the United States Olympic Committee, has reached more than 100,000 blind individuals. The organization has emerged as more than just a world-class trainer of blind athletes, it has become a champion of the abilities of Americans who are legally blind. For more information, visit www.usaba.org.
