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.

Mark Bentz’s journey with BMI reflects his resilience and passion for outdoor exploration. Diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease at age nine, Mark’s vision loss presented challenges he transformed into opportunities for growth. He embraced the outdoors as a source of strength, honing his skills in skiing, hiking, and mountaineering while finding clarity and purpose in the backcountry. As a competitive alpine skier, Mark achieved international acclaim, winning two gold medals for Canada at the 1984 Winter Paralympic Games. This accomplishment underscores his determination and deep connection to athletic pursuits.

Mark’s dedication to BMI is both personal and professional. Drawing on his entrepreneurial expertise, he strengthens the organization’s systems, drives growth, and implements fundraising strategies to expand access to transformative wilderness experiences. Beyond this, Mark amplifies BMI’s mission as a national keynote speaker. Sharing his story of resilience and the transformative power of the outdoors, he inspires audiences across Canada and donates all speaking fees to the charity, helping expand its reach and impact. Through BMI, Mark continues to inspire others to discover the freedom, connection, and resilience found in nature’s wildest spaces.

I first met Tyson in 2015 while guiding at a cat-skiing operation in Rossland. After his vision loss, we worked together to get him back on skis and traveling safely in the backcountry. Recognizing a lack of similar programs, we created Braille Mountain Initiative. I participated in the organization’s first trips in 2021 and have since been involved in backcountry lodge trips in 2022 and the Sorcerer Lodge trip in 2024.

With over a decade of experience as a ski guide, I’ve worked in snowcat and helicopter skiing and instructed Avalanche Skills Training (AST) courses. I also contribute to local search and rescue teams, including Revelstoke Search and Rescue. Backcountry recreation has shaped my life, offering life-changing experiences and connections with incredible people worldwide.

The backcountry provides me with freedom, adventure, and mental wellness. Beyond guiding, I serve as Treasurer of Braille Mountain Initiative, handling fundraising, trip planning, permitting, and logistics to support the organization’s mission and transformative experiences for others.

Lisa is an outdoor enthusiast and advocate for accessibility who proudly serves as a Board Member for Braille Mountain Initiative. She began volunteering with the organization as a sighted guide on a backcountry hiking trip in 2022. Inspired by her love of mountain adventures and extensive experience working with individuals who are blind or partially sighted, she then  joined the board of directors in May 2023 to further her commitment to creating inclusive outdoor experiences. With a professional background as a Program Coordinator for Blind Beginnings and head coach for Vancouver Goalball Club, Lisa has facilitated programs for children and youth with vision loss, coached blind Paralympic athletes, and developed skills in fundraising and community leadership.

Currently a Registered Occupational Therapist, Lisa supports adults with various health conditions or injuries to improve their ability to engage in meaningful activities. Her deepest passion lies in the backcountry, where she cherishes memories of skiing, hiking, camping, and swimming in alpine lakes. This connection to the outdoors fuels her dedication to making backcountry adventures more accessible; enabling more people to be able to experience the unparalleled feeling of being immersed in the mountains. 

I joined the Braille Mountain Initiative (BMI) team in 2022 during the inaugural trip to Sorcerer Lodge. My involvement began earlier that year while working with a visually impaired skier through the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program. He shared his experience with BMI and mentioned they were seeking volunteers with backcountry skiing and adaptive sports expertise. The chance to merge my love for adaptive sports and the backcountry drew me in immediately.

Backcountry recreation has been central to my life since moving to British Columbia in 2014. With over eight years of ski touring, splitboarding, and guiding experience, I’ve completed iconic traverses like the Spearhead, Wapta, and Bonnington. As a CSGA Level 1 ski guide and avalanche educator, I’ve worked as a mechanized tail guide and taught AST 1 courses. Summers are spent exploring remote landscapes through hiking and canoeing, deepening my connection with nature.

With a background in adaptive ski, snowboard, and bike instruction, I’m passionate about making outdoor recreation inclusive. Through BMI, I aim to share the challenge and beauty of the backcountry while fostering accessibility. I’m proud to help create life-changing experiences for visually impaired individuals in wild and inspiring places.

Kate Johnson has been an integral part of BMI since its inception and holds the distinction of being the only individual who has participated in every BMI trip to date. Her invaluable contributions to the organization reflect her deep commitment to our mission. Kate is a highly respected volunteer with an impressive background in the ski industry, making her an great asset to the BMI team.

Residing in Fernie, British Columbia, Kate works as a ski patroller at Fernie Alpine Resort, a ski/hiking guide, and avalanche educator. Over the past decade, she has honed her skills through a diverse range of guiding and educational roles across four continents. Kate continues to play a pivotal role in the organization, ensuring that BMI’s programs are inclusive, effective, and empowering for all participants.