Category: Sports Bar
Anyone else going to this:
http://www.sfl.org/
The 2013 Ski for Light International Week
The 38th annual Ski for Light International Week will take place from Sunday January 27th through Sunday February 3rd, 2013 in Northwest Lower Michigan on the grounds of Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire, Michigan. Located just 45 minutes from the Traverse City airport, Shanty Creek Resorts is a 4,500 acre complex containing three housing and entertainment villages, both cross-country and downhill ski trails, a tubing hill, several swimming pools and hot-tubs, a fitness center and spa, and much more. Shanty Creek Resorts is a true destination resort, with everything you might want right on the grounds.
We will be staying at the Lakeview Hotel and Conference Center in Summit Village, in the heart of the complex. Cross-country skiing will take place just ten minutes away on the well- groomed 30 kilometer trail system.
Frequently Asked Questions From Prospective First-Time Attendees
QuestionHow is cross-country skiing different from downhill skiing?
AnswerCross-country (or Nordic) skiing differs from downhill (or Alpine) 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 "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.
The equipment for cross-country skiing is much lighter in weight and more comfortable than downhill ski gear. A downhill skier wears insulated clothing to stay warm, while a cross-country skier wears lighter clothing because of the body heat generated by the activity.
QuestionI am visually- or mobility-impaired, but have never cross-country skied before. Is SFL for experienced skiers only, or is there room for beginners like me?
AnswerSFL was created back in 1975 to teach visually- and mobility-impaired people how to cross-country ski, and that focus has remained constant over the years. As a result, you will be right at home if you have never skied before. You will be taught the basics of the sport and given the chance to develop your skills. Many experienced and advanced skiers also attend each SFL event, but our priority and focus is on beginners, not on advanced skiers.
QuestionIs a physical exam necessary for me to attend Ski for Light?
AnswerNo physical exam is required to attend Ski for Light. Each applicant is expected to make his/her own informed decision about the advisability of participation, taking into account his/her individual overall health and the physical demands and risks of cross-country skiing and of the Ski for Light program.
QuestionI am interested in being a guide, but have never skied with visually or mobility impaired people before. Do I need prior experience? Will I receive any training?
AnswerYou do not need prior experience guiding a visually- or mobility- impaired person to be a guide at Ski for Light. You need to be an intermediate or advanced classic cross-country skier, with the desire to be a guide, that is all. We will give you the training necessary to safely guide a visually- or mobility-impaired skier on the Saturday evening and Sunday at the beginning of the week.
QuestionIf I don't have my own cross-country skis, will they be available for me to use at the event?
AnswerSki for Light provides poles, boots and classic cross-country skis free of charge to first-time visually impaired participants. Equipment will be available for rent by all guides and all other visually-impaired participants. All equipment for mobility-impaired participants will be provided free of charge.
QuestionWill I be able to skate ski and/or downhill ski during the week, as well as cross-country ski?
AnswerSki for Light is a classic only cross-country skiing program. This is the skill that Guides have, and this is what is taught to blind and visually-impaired participants. You may skate ski on your own during non-SFL hours, of course.
Downhill skiing is a totally separate activity and not part of the SFL program. Most Ski for Light events are held in proximity to good downhill skiing, however, and many attendees plan their trip to SFL to allow time for downhill skiing before or after the SFL event.
QuestionWhat kind of clothing will I need during the week?
AnswerFor cross-country skiing you will want to bring lightweight underwear and outer garments that can be layered to suit the conditions, and which allow moisture to wick away from the body. You will also need gloves, a hat or headband, and socks with the same properties.
If you have never cross-country skied before and do not know what any of this means, talk to your Application Coordinator for guidance, or to a cross-country or sporting goods store in your area. Make sure that the store knows that you will be cross-country skiing, not downhill skiing.
QuestionWhat type of clothes should I bring for the non-skiing parts of the week?
AnswerAttire for the non-skiing parts of the week is casual. However, many people dress up for Norway Night on Friday and the Banquet on Saturday, so you will want to bring one or two outfits that are a bit more dressy for these evenings.
You will also want to bring a bathing suit, as the heated pool is a favorite congregating place in late afternoons.
QuestionCan I bring my non-skiing spouse or partner with me to Ski for Light?
AnswerAs long as there is space available in the hotel, you may bring a non-skiing companion with you to Ski for Light. Your companion will need to pay the same event fee that you pay, whether he/she is a skier or not. A few non-skiing companions attend every year as "worker bees," helping out in the SFL Information Room or store. Most people who come to SFL do not bring a companion, since they find that they are busy almost all of the time with the various activities of the SFL week. If you do bring a companion, he/she needs to submit the separate application that is available on the SFL website.
QuestionIs financial assistance available to anyone who is not a resident of the United States?
AnswerNo. Because nearly all financial and volunteer support of Ski for Light comes from foundations, organizations and individuals located in the United States, we cannot offer financial assistance to anyone who is not a resident of the United States.
Details About the 2013 Ski for Light International Week
The Dates
The 2013 Ski for Light International Week will be held from Sunday evening, January 27th through Sunday morning, February 3rd, 2013. First- and second-year guides will need to arrive one day early, by Saturday afternoon January 26th, for guide orientation and training.
The Location
The 2013 Ski for Light event will be held on the grounds of Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire, Michigan. Bellaire is located in Northwest Lower Michigan, 250 miles north of Detroit, 100 miles south of the Upper Peninsula, and 40 miles from Traverse City. View or download a map showing the location of Shanty Creek Resorts
The annual SFL event has been held twice before in Traverse City, and 14 times before in the Upper Midwest, but this will be our first event in Bellaire, and our first event in the Upper Midwest since 2004. We've waited to return until we could find a location with great cross-country skiing, out-the-door skiing or close to it, great facilities and food, and a high probability of good snow. In Shanty Creek Resorts we have finally found the right location for Ski for light.
Getting to Bellaire
Unless you are driving to Bellaire, you will want to fly into and out of the Traverse City airport if at all possible for your trip to Ski for Light. Located about 40 miles or 45 minutes from Shanty Creek Resorts, the airport is served by American, Delta and United airlines, with about 34 inbound or outbound flights per day.
If you are unable to obtain a reasonable flight schedule for flights to/from the Traverse City airport, an alternative is to fly into and out of the Grand Rapids airport This airport is served by seven airlines, with about 120 inbound or outbound flights per day. The drawback to arriving at or departing from Grand Rapids is that it is 160 miles from Shanty Creek Resorts, a trip that will take three hours or more.
Plans are still being developed for shuttle bus service from both airports. Do not book your flights until you have consulted with your Applications Coordinator about final shuttle plans.
Shanty Creek Resorts
Shanty Creek Resorts is a 4,500 acre complex containing three separate housing and entertainment villages, a 30 kilometer cross-country trail system, two downhill ski mountains, a terrain park, a tubing hill, snowshoe trails (rentals available), an outdoor ice-skating rink (no rentals), four golf courses, outdoor and indoor swimming pools and hot-tubs, a fitness center, steam room, sauna and full-service spa, and much more. Shanty Creek Resorts is rated as the best outdoor family recreation resort in the Midwest. View or download a map of Shanty Creek Resorts grounds and facilities
Our hotel for the week will be the Lakeview Hotel and Conference Center in Summit Village. With 200 spacious and well-appointed guest rooms, the Lakeview Restaurant and Lounge, Arnie's Grill, The Spa at Shanty Creek Resorts and over 16,000 square feet of meeting space including the renovated Grand Ballroom, Bellaire Ballroom and Fireside Parlor, Summit Village is the heart of Shanty Creek Resorts. Here is a slide show of the Lakeview Hotel, several guest rooms, and skiers on the cross-country trails.
The two other villages, Cedar River and Schuss, each contain additional restaurants, lounges, and recreational facilities. There is, for example, a heated outdoor swimming pool and hot-tub at Schuss Village. Both villages are less than three miles from Summit Village, and easily accessible via the free shuttle van service, including a lift-equipped van, that runs throughout the property. The shuttle runs daily from 8:00 am until 30 minutes after the last restaurant or bar on the property has closed for the night. In addition, if conditions permit the adventuresome can cross-country ski from one village to the next on the (hilly) trail system that winds throughout the property.
Cross-country skiing will take place on the 30 kilometer trail system that starts in Schuss Village. Shuttle vans will run regularly between the Lakeview Hotel and the trail system, a distance of three miles that will take less than 10 minutes.
Shanty Creek prides itself on its pristine Nordic ski trails that wind through snow-blanketed northern Michigan hardwoods and pines on gently rolling terrain. All 30km of dedicated trails are wide, and groomed daily with double tracks. They are designed for cross-country enthusiasts of all ability levels. The average annual snow-fall is nearly 200 inches, so the probability of good skiing conditions is quite high.
While cross-country skiing will be the only official organized activity during the week, downhill skiers will want to take advantage of the great downhill skiing during their free time, or arrive early or stay late at Shanty Creek Resorts. Consistently voted to have the best alpine skiing in the midwest, Shanty Creek Resorts has slopes for all abilities. Schuss Mountain, located in Schuss village offers 37 trails and 8 lifts, and is lighted for nightime skiing five nights per week. Summit Mountain in Summit Village offers 12 trails and 3 lifts, and is lighted for nightime skiing on Friday and Saturday. The maximum altitude is only 1,225 feet, so altitude will not be a problem for those skiing at Shanty Creek.
In the unlikely event that you run out of things to do at Shanty Creek Resorts, the town of Bellaire contains several restaurants and the lively and popular Short's brew pub The resort shuttle will take you, on an on-call basis, the four miles into town and then pick you up later in the evening.
Cost For The Week
The total cost of the week is $850 for double-occupancy or $1,175 for single-occupancy. This amount includes room and all meals from Sunday evening January 27th through Sunday morning February 3rd, round-trip transportation between the airport and hotel (at designated times on specific days), and all trail fees. All meals are group meals. Cross-country skis, boots, and poles will be provided free of charge to first-time blind/visually-impaired participants. The cost of transportation from home to and from Traverse City or Grand Rapids is the responsibility of the participant. Partial stipends based on financial need are available for guides and first-time visually- or mobility-impaired participants.
New for 2013 - Early Bird Special for Guides
In recent years most guides have applied fairly late for the event, while most visually- and mobility-impaired participants have applied early. Since the number of skiers that we can accept at any point in time is based on the number of guides we expect to attend the event, this timing problem has resulted in significant delays and uncertainty for many disabled applicants for long periods of time.
In an effort to encourage guides to apply earlier, SFL is offering an Early Bird Special for guides this year. If you apply before September 1st and pay your entire event fee by the due date of December 15th, you can deduct $50 from the amount you owe.
Application Deadline and Acceptance to the Week
Guides are admitted to the event on a rolling basis, usually within two to three weeks of their application. Because the number of visually- and mobility-impaired applicants that can be admitted is based on the number of guides who have applied, they are generally admitted later and more slowly. See Early Admission information below. All applicants will be informed of their status no later than mid-November.
Applications received after November 1, 2012 will be considered on a space available basis.
Full payment is due by December 15, 2012.
New for 2013 - Early Admission for Visually- and Mobility-Impaired Applicants
While our biggest problem with guides has been that they apply late, our biggest problem with visually- and mobility-impaired applicants is that too many of them cancel after being admitted to the event. This has often been caused by the lengthy time period between the date when the application is submitted, and the date several months later when the acceptance is received.
In an effort to improve this situation, this year SFL is offering the option of early admission to the 2013 event to up to 100 visually-impaired and 10 mobility-impaired applicants. If this option is requested on the event application, the applicant will be notified about acceptance to the event within two weeks of the request. If admitted early, the applicant will be guaranteed a spot at the event, and be able to start shopping for airline flights and arranging vacation time. The only requirement on the part of the applicant, to hold his/her spot, is that he/she pay a $100 non-refundable deposit within two weeks of being admitted
wow. this brings back memories. I went to this event in Canada when I was 8. I had a blast, and won a silver metal to boot. I'd been downhill skiing for two years before that, and still prefer it over cross-country, but it was great fun. If you were thinking of going but were on the fence, I highly recommend trying it at least once. I honestly didn't know this was happening outside of Canada. You learn something new every day.
That's cool. Well I'm a beginner at skiing so I don't think I will be winning any metals but it does seem like a lot of fun.
I was a beginner at cross-country at the time as well, and it's quite a bit different from downhill. I'd say you have a great chance of winning a metal. Also, remember the event is really for beginners. Good luck.
I went to the SFL International week when it was in Granby Colorado in 2006. It was a great time, and I'd go again, if I had the money to do it. Like Ocean, I highly recommend this.