Cross-country skiing is generally regarded as one of the best fitness activities in the world, because it involves the simultaneous use of most major muscle groups, supported by the work of several different systems of the body. For those not familiar with skiing, cross-country skiing differs from downhill skiing in several important ways. In cross-country skiing, the skier's boot is attached to the ski by only the toe, with the heel of the boot left free. The unconstrained heel allows a cross-country skier to climb hills and traverse level terrain, as well as to travel down hills, making the sport a truly "cross country" activity. In downhill skiing, the entire boot is attached to the ski, which limits the skier to downhill terrain. In addition, the cross-country skier wears lighter clothing than the downhill skier, because of the body heat generated by the exercise.
At Ski for Light, each visually- or mobility-impaired skier is matched with an experienced sighted, able-bodied ski guide for the event. As a pair, they ski together throughout the event. The visually- or mobility-impaired person skis in pre-set tracks or grooves in the snow, while the guide skis in a similar set of tracks alongside. For the visually-impaired skier, the guide informs the skier of changes in the direction and level of the tracks, offers instructional tips and suggestions, and tells the skier about the countryside; for the mobility-impaired skier, the guide provides physical assistance and stability as needed. Each guide/skier pair decides together how far, how long, and on what kind of terrain they will ski.
Depending on the skier's approach to the sport, cross-country skiing can be as gentle as a stroll through a park, or as physically demanding as any aerobic workout. The sport, however, may not be right for every single person, any more than jogging, bicycling, or any other fitness activity is right for every single person. This will depend on the person's general health and physical condition, lifestyle, heredity, and other factors.
Michigan Ski for Light believes that each person who is considering cross-country skiing at the Ski for Light Regional Event should make his/her own personal decision about participation in this activity. To best make this decision, it is advised that each prospective participant consult with a physician, who can best inform the applicant about the risks of participation, given the individual's medical history and physical condition. This is especially important for any applicant with any underlying medical condition, as cross-country skiing might exacerbate the effects of any such condition. It is also advised that each prospective participant try to get into better physical condition in the months before the event. This is just common sense for anyone considering any physically demanding activity.
In addition to possible health-related risks, applicants should be aware that all active sports do have a number of other inherent risks. Taking part in cross-country skiing at the Ski for Light Regional Event obviously involves the risk of accident or injury as well as the risk of human error on the part of any guide or participant.
While attending Michigan Ski for Light, each participant is responsible for his/her own safety. This means, among other things, that if at any time a participant feels physical discomfort, or is uncomfortable skiing at a given pace or on specific terrain, he/she should immediately inform the skiing partner and stop.
If each participant understands the physical demands of the sport and the limitations of the body, sets and pursues reasonable goals, and exercises common sense, he/she should be able to enjoy this great sport, and to learn why so many people love it. Once these basic safety and common sense guidelines are understood and under control each participant can begin to recognize cross-country skiing as not only an enjoyable activity, but also as a vehicle for improving overall fitness, and for accomplishing things once thought impossible. That is what Michigan Ski for Light is all about.
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updated: 10/9/06