Alyeska Resort, Girdwood Alaska (My Ski Town)

I just thought that I would share with you photos of what has been for the past 8 years of my life "My Ski Town". Alyeska Resort is located in the small mountain town of Girdwood, Alaska. Girdwood is about a 30 min. drive South of Anchorae along a breathtaking streatch of water called the "Turnagain Arm". (Captain Cook kept having to turn his boat around when tryin to sail it because it's so shallow). You can often see Baluga Whales breaching as you drive and (like just what I saw today) Dall sheep clinging to the cliffs above the road. Anyway, these pictures were taken Dec. 16th at 2:30PM, during what is considered the "darkest time in Alaska"..One week before solstice..Suprised anyone? Yea, I don't know how I endure the long cold dark winters either..always bumping into things, have to wear night vision goggles all day.."Smile". Tiz a tough one, I must be crazy to live here.."smile" by the way it was 23 degrees this day.

Challenge Alaska-My "Feel Good" Winter Home

Challenge Alaska is a non profit organization located on the slopes of beautiful Alyeska Ski Resort. Challenge's slogan is "Creating Possibilities For Those With Dissabilities". I have been a Challenge volunteer for the past 4 years and have to say I LOVE EVERYDAY THAT I'M THERE! It is my Alaskan family. I have never met so many good hearted, uplifting, fun loving people in my life (in one place) and that includes "everyone" that walks/rolls/limps through that door. I'm totally stoked to be closer to Challenge this year so that I can be more involved. Challenge has helped support the Bush Ski Program for the past 4 years (couldn't do it without them) and is also where my wonderful (never to be forgotten) friendship with Tom started and developed thoughout the years. He was the assistant director (he did it all) for the 7 years prior to his Homer move last year and is dearly missed by everyone who knew him (still such a huge part of the spirit at Challenge).

This weekend I took a BI Ski Clinic with my good friend Jeremy (a great friend of mine and Tom's who took over Tom's position when he moved to Homer). In awe of what Tom could do with a BI Ski (and the happiness he could bring using it) I've always wanted to learn..Well, Tom would be proud, because this weekend I was able to get a potato sack safely down the mountain....Mr. Potato had a smile on his face that made me feel all "warmly mashed" inside "smile". Next step is to start shadowing other BI Ski lessons with actual people and assist when I can...more practice with potatoes, and then when Jeremy and Challenge thinks I'm ready.."The Real Thing"..YIKES

Myself and Challenge friends giving Greg bunny ears after a "salmon pot luck" apre' bi ski clinic.



Greg getting into his mono ski for an afternoon ski clinic (he ripped the upper mountain that morning, kid is awesome!)

A Challenge client on a bi ski that I was assisting..she was really stoked about hitting the slopes "look at that smile!"

My prodagee', Josh is a new volunteer that I recruited from on top of Crow Pass this fall. He fits right in!

Tom tethering a bi ski at Challenge.

Tom and Greg at a US Paraolympic training camp in Vail, CO (same time I was there) in late Feb. I was lucky to be able to be there with them. It was Tom's passion to support Greg in his paraolympic dreams which has now become our (Challenge family) passion as well.

Greg on his way to Paralympic Gold