Hi, I'm John Williams. This Accessible Adventure in the Pacific Northwest is all about Winter Fun!
Whether you enjoy the snow from inside a warm cozy Northwest ski lodge or you get
right out into the powder and I know you might be thinking really snow accessible? We'll
visit several accessible Northwest ski areas and we'll meet up with some accomplished skiers
and a well not so accomplished skier...me..when I take my first ski lesson. So if you're ready
let's go play in the snow.
From Portland we're off to the Mt Hood National Forest Teacup Snow Park, Timberline Lodge,
and Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area.
It's a perfect sunny winters day on Mt Hood as we join the Vancouver Wa School for the Blind
crosscountry skiing. Blind and vision impaired students spend the day skiing on the available
20 kilometers of groomed trails here at Teacup Snowpark just off highway 35 in the Mt Hood
National Forest.
About 15 miles up the road from Teacup Snow Park is Timberline Lodge. Here at the lodge
there's dining or you can find a warm beverage or better yet come stay a day or two and drink
in the history and ambience of this fantastic resort.
Next up a visit to Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Area and my first lesson on a dual ski as a matter
of fact it's my first lesson on any kind of ski and I'll be learning from one of the best
Ed Brondson executive director of Outdoors for All is here to give instruction and encouragement
and I'm not sure which I'm going to need more of! Outdoors for all partners with Northwest
ski areas including The Summit at Snoqualmie, Stevens Pass, and Mt Hood Meadows. Ed tell
us about the mission of Outdoors for All.
Outdoors for all is committed to making sure that everyone has a chance to access the outdoors
ski, hike, kayak.
Well, I'm very eager to learn so let the games begin.
This is a lot tougher than you might think I'm not a shredder yet but I'm learning!
From Mt Hood we head north to the Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest and Crystal Mountain
Ski Resort near Mt Rainier.
Here at Crystal Mountain a short ride in the enclosed gondola will give you a birds eye
view of this majestic place.
Another quick look at the view on the observation deck, pretty fantastic huh?
We're joined by Viet Nam Veteran and former paralympian ski champion Jim Martinson.
Modern technology has really helped expand the range of accessible opportunities.
This is the mono ski Jim balances with the aid of outriggers.
The mono ski adjusts to different heights to allow Jim to safely load on a moving ski lift.
Now it's obvious Jim is at the top of his game and it's taken practice and training to get to his level.
For information on ski areas located in our national forests check the US Forest Service Website,
and to learn more about Outdoors for All just log onto their website
There's a winter wonderland right in your own back yard! So put on some warm clothes
and head to the mountains! Just as soon as I finish my warm beverage Heidi and I are
headed back outside to play in the snow. I'm John Williams I'll see you next time on another
Accessible Adventure in the Pacific Northwest!
ready to go Heidi ah yeah good dog good dog