Welcome to Braille Mountain Initiative

Our Story

In the fall of 2018, I was preparing for the upcoming guiding season and my work at Great Canadian Heliskiing. I had also recently entered a new role as a rookie instructor with the Canadian Ski Guide Association. While teaching my first course, I noticed I was struggling to read a map. Shortly after this, I lost nearly all my vision in my right eye.

I adjusted to using only my left eye and continued to guide full-time at Great Canadian Heliskiing. Shortly after the end of the ski season, I noticed the vision in my left eye was starting to change, and just four short weeks later, I would be legally blind.

I was diagnosed with a mitochondrial disease. The news was devastating, as I would not be able to continue my career as a ski guide. However this diagnosis would not prevent me from skiing in the backcountry.

Over the course of the next winter, I would learn to ski again. At first, it was a slow and exhausting experience. After months of relearning the basics, I was back to skiing fast in big terrain. With the help of a couple friends, I skied the 1700m descent from the summit of Mt. Jumbo to Commander Creek. It was truly a best day ever. I felt the best I had since losing my vision, and I knew I had to share this feeling with other blind skiers.

The following week Braille Mountain Initiative was founded. There are many adaptive sports organizations that do a great job teaching blind people how to ski, while providing a great resort-based experience. However, at this point in time, nobody was taking these people into the backcountry and providing a next level experience. That’s how we would be different—with untouched powder snow and no other people on the slope, we could give blind people the freeing experience of backcountry skiing.

Tyson Rettie,

Founder

Our Current Project

April 17–25 | Sorcerer Lodge, Selkirk Mountains

Braille Mountain Initiative’s Sorcerer Lodge trip is a week-long backcountry adventure designed to give blind and visually impaired skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to develop mountain skills, build confidence, and experience a remote backcountry environment alongside other members of the blind and visually impaired community. The trip combines world-class backcountry skiing, avalanche education, skill development, and the unique opportunity to build resilience through difficult mountain adventure.

Sorcerer Lodge is located in the Selkirk Mountains northwest of Golden, British Columbia. Surrounded by wide open glaciers and alpine terrain, the lodge provides an exceptional setting for participants to challenge themselves while travelling with experienced volunteers and professional ski guides.

During the week, participants can expect full days in the mountains, with daily ski objectives selected according to weather, snow, and avalanche conditions. Participants will develop backcountry travel skills and gain experience managing the challenges of skiing with limited or no vision in complex mountain environments.

The trip is about more than skiing. Living together at a remote lodge creates opportunities for participants to share experiences, develop independence, learn from one another, and build lasting connections. Participants are encouraged to take an active role in the week and to challenge themselves in a supportive environment. The goal is not simply to provide access to the mountains, but to help participants develop skills, confidence, resilience, and a greater sense of what is possible. These experiences help shape how future challenges are conquered.