Contrary to what could be expected, a visual impairment or a total lack of vision does not constitute an impediment when it comes to skiing. In fact, this is a most beneficial sport for blind persons thanks to both its integrating and rehabilitating properties. It is an integrating activity insofar as it is practised in the same places, and at the same time, as by sighted persons, it is really beneficial for the development of psychomotor functions and significantly increases spatial perception and orientation. All these benefits have a highly positive influence on the everyday life of a blind person.

Skiing for the blind first appeared as an organised activity in the mid-sixties and, nowadays, is practised in many countries where there are ski resorts. The differencial factor is the figure of the guide. This person has to provide the blind person with all the information normally required for skiing. The guides is also responsible for describing the surroundings and choosing the line to be taken during the descent.

Once they are moving, the guide must give verbal indications to the blind skier as to what he/she has to do, in addition to the conditions on the slope to avoid nasty surprises due to sudden changes in the quality of the snow or in the terrain.

Two systems are used nowadays to guide blind skiers. In the first case, the guide remains behind the blind skier, orienting solely with oral instructions. This system requires specific special conditions - namely, wide slopes without obstacles - which are not easy to come across. In the other system, the guides goes in front and orientation is thus facilitated by the instructions plus the sounds originating from the guide´s movements, the blind skier attempting to follow as precisely as possible. This system proves much safer as fewer intructions are necessary to aid orientation. When the guide decides it is necesary to turn, he indicates the direction to be taken and then gives the order.

In the case of visually impaired skiers with sufficient residual vision to be able to follow the silhouette of the guide, the latter goes in front and can warm the skier of any unexpected situation verbally or by means of gestures. Generally, being able to discern the guide is sufficient for the skier to be able to follow. In both cases, it is essential that the distance between the skier and the guide be kept to a minimum.It is also necessary that both the skiers and their guides wear vests that identify them as blind skiers and guides respectively. In this way, safety is increased as it avoids other skiers trying, for example, to pass between the two of them.

Another element that may increase safety is the use of a loud-hailer by the guide of totally blind skiers or those with very little residual vision, as it ensures that they hear the instructions and know which direction they must take. In the case of skiers with a greater degree of residual vision, radio transmitters are also used.

Unlike other disabilty groups, skiing for the blind does not require any special adaptation of the skis or the slopes.

Competition skiing has its roots in the second Winter Paralympic Games held in Norway. On that ocassion it was felt that Alpine Skiing was not safe for the blind, with the result that they only competed in the nordic skiing events. It was in the following edition of the Paralympic Games (Innsbruck ´84 in Austria) that the blind finally had the chance to compete officially in alpine skiing events. When a joint venue was decided upon for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in 1992, skiing for the disabled received a great boost. The Winter Paralympic Games held in Lillehammer (Norway) in 1994 were highly succesful with the participation of 1,000 athletes between all the disability groups.