Sports 308: Who Says You Can't Ski When You're Blind?

Episode Summary Kim Wardlow sits down with Christine Holmberg, Executive Director of Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind, for a conversation about skiing, confidence, freedom, and what becomes possible when blind and low-vision individuals are given the right support on the mountain. Christine shares how Foresight grew from a ski-specific program into a broader adventure organization, while still staying deeply committed to guided skiing and snowboarding at Vail and Beaver Creek. The episode walks through how Foresight’s programs work for both adults and youth, including guided ski days, youth learn-to-ski trips, and the structure of having both a guide and a shadow on the mountain. Christine explains how trust is built, how guides communicate with skiers, and why the experience is often transformational for people who thought vision loss meant the end of activities they once loved. The conversation also highlights the broader impact of adaptive recreation. From kids building confidence through skiing to adults reclaiming pieces of life they thought were gone, this episode is full of practical information and real hope. Christine also shares details about other adaptive ski programs in Colorado, the affordability of Foresight’s services, and the upcoming AfterSight and Foresight fundraising walk at Cherry Creek State Park on May 30. Contact Info Guest / Organization Christine Holmberg Executive Director, Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind Website: foresightskiguides.org Alternate Website: foresightadventureguidesfortheblind.org Phone: 303-506-3859 Email: Christine@ForesightSkiGuides.org Aftersight Aftersight Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.orgProducer Credits Produced by Jonathan Price for AftersightShow Credits Host: Kim Wardlow Guest: Christine Holmberg Producer: Jonathan Price Organization: Aftersight (00:00) - — Welcome to the sports series and guest introduction (01:52) - — How Foresight began and why the organization expanded (05:58) - — How guided skiing works at Vail and Beaver Creek (09:17) - — Youth programs, school partnerships, and future skiers (11:29) - — Guide and shadow roles on the mountain (13:28) - — Headsets, verbal cues, and safety communication (15:13) - — Fear, confidence, and skiing after vision loss (19:39) - — Building trust and assessing a skier’s ability (21:15) - — Freedom, speed, and the confidence skiing can build (25:27) - — Other adaptive ski programs across Colorado (28:31) - — Cost, affordability, and financial assistance options (30:50) - — Travel access for out-of-state skiers (33:15) - — Family ski trips, long-term growth, and Paralympic dreams (35:17) - — AfterSight and Foresight’s May 30 fundraising walk (38:37) - — How to contact Foresight (39:34) - — Closing encouragement and series wrap-up