MENDON, Vt. (WCAX) – Saturday was one busy day on the slopes.
That included for those with visual impairments or blindness tackling the trails at Pico mountain.
“I really thought when I lost my vision everything was going to be over for me, and Vermont Adaptive gave me a hope again that I could start going back out there, and go back to me old activities because I’ve been skiing since I was 5,” Willow Windoloski of Massachusetts said.
After an accident took her vision when she was 15, Willow Windoloski was one of the hundreds of skiers and riders that packed the lift lines at Pico Mountain Saturday.
She’s part of Vermont Adaptive’s 16th V-I/Blind Athlete Winter Festival, one of 20 skiers and riders hitting the slopes with visual impairments.
“I finally had people who knew what I was going through, and seeing them succeed and completely like moving on with their lives and doing so many amazing things,” Windoloski said.
The program is made for all level of skiers. Athletes wear earpieces and steer with the help of multiple guides to stay safe on the slopes. Athletes say the comradery gives them confidence on the slopes.
“It’s very intimidating as it is to be visually impaired-blind and doing outdoorsy things like this is just scary, but having people who are just very experienced skiers giving me a lot of feedback and pointers,” Melissa Blume of New Jersey said.
“The comradery that these folks experience its amazing its impactful and we see the same people come back year after year and we see new faces so it becomes quite a good group,” Erin Fernandez, Vermont Adaptive Executive Director said.
Executive Director Erin Fernandez says it takes a whole effort from over a hundred volunteers, guide and family members to create the perfect weekend.
But for the athletes, many always look forward to returning each year.,
“It just makes me want to come back, I only come I only ski once a year and this is the only opportunity I have, there’s not many programs that allow this to happen,” Blume said.
The VI-Blind Winter Festival continues Sunday with more skiing, riding and snowshoeing.