2025
Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event
January 17-19, 2025
This waiver of liability contains important information about cross-country skiing and the 2025 Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event and their potential risks. If you wish to participate in the Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event, please read and agree to the waiver of liability release when registering. No one will be permitted to participate in the event, in any capacity, until this agreement is signed by checking the appropriate box when registering.
In consideration of being allowed to participate in the 2025 Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event, I, (your name as listed on the online registration form) hereby release Michigan Ski for Light, the “Organization”, which includes all volunteers, the MSFL Membership, the MSFL Board and Executive Directors, agents, and any person either officially or unofficially connected with the Organization’s activities including donors from any duty of care toward me associated with activities connected with the Michigan Ski for Light.
I knowingly accept full responsibility for the risk of damage to personal property, personal injury, or death arising from the Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event activities, including any transportation paid for or provided.
I understand that this release covers all aspects of the act of cross-country skiing, instruction, guiding, collision, condition of terrain, accommodations, board, transportation, and any and all other aspects of the Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event.
I have completely read and understand this “Waiver of Liability,” which includes health risks and dangers that may be associated with attending the Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event and all of its activities.
I choose to attend and participate in the Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event weekend while waiving all rights to bring any action against Michigan Ski for Light "Organization” for activities connected with the Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event.
I release my right to any compensation and permit Michigan Ski for Light to use pictures, videos, or likenesses of me, which may be captured during the Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event.
I have read the Waiver of Liability, 2025 Michigan Ski for Light Regional Event and I willfully sign the electronic release by selecting the checkbox on the registration form.
Cross-country, skiing is generally regarded as one of the best fitness activities in the world, because it involves the simultaneous use of most muscle groups, supported by the work of several different systems of the body. For those not familiar with skiing, cross-country skiing differs from downhill skiing in several important ways. In cross-country skiing, the skier’s boot is attached to the ski by only the toe, with the heel of the boot “free.” The unconstrained heel allows a cross-country skier to climb hills and traverse level terrain, as well as travel down hills, making the sport truly a “cross country” activity. In addition, the cross-country skier wears lighter clothing than the downhill skier, because of the body heat generated by the exercise.
At Michigan Ski for Light, each visually- or mobility-impaired skier is matched with an experienced sighted, able-bodied ski guide for the event. As a pair, they ski together throughout the event. The visually- or mobility-impaired person skis in pre-set tracks or grooves in the snow, while the guide skis in a similar set of tracks alongside. For the visually impaired skier, the guide informs the skier of changes in direction and level of tracks, offers instructional tips and suggestions, and tells the skier about the countryside; for the mobility-impaired skier, the guide provides physical assistance and stability as needed. Each guide/skier pair decides together how far, how long, and on what kind of terrain they will ski.
Depending on the skier’s approach to the sport, cross-country skiing can be as gentle as a stroll through a park, or as physically demanding as any aerobic workout. The sport, however, may not be right for every single person, any more than jogging, bicycling, or any other fitness activity is right for every single person. This will depend on the person’s general health and physical condition, lifestyle, heredity, and other factors.
Michigan Ski for Light believes that each person who is considering cross-country skiing at the Ski for Light Regional Event should make his/her own personal decision about participation in this activity. To best make this decision, it is advised that each prospective participant consult with a physician, who can best inform the applicant about the risks of participation, given the individual’s medical history and physical condition. This is especially important for any applicant with any underlying medical condition, as cross-country skiing might exacerbate the effects of any such condition. It is also advised that each prospective participant try to get into better physical condition in the months before the event. This is just common sense for anyone considering any physically demanding activity.
In addition to possible health-related risks, applicants should be aware that all active sports do have a number of other inherent risks. Taking part in cross-country skiing at the Ski for Light Regional Event obviously involves the risk of accident or injury as well as the risk of human error on the part of any guide or participant.
While attending Michigan Ski for Light, each participant is responsible for his/her own safety. This means, among other things, that if at any time a participant feels physical discomfort, or uncomfortable skiing at a given pace or on a specific terrain, he/she should immediately inform the skiing partner and stop.
If each participant understands the physical demands of the sport and the limitations of the body, sets and pursues reasonable goals, and exercises common sense, he/she should be able to enjoy the great sport and to learn why so many people love it. And once these basic safety and common sense guidelines are understood and under control, each participant can begin to recognize cross-country skiing as not only an enjoyable activity, but also as a vehicle for improving overall fitness, and for accomplishing things once thought impossible. That is what Michigan Ski for Light is all about.
Code of Conduct Policy
Michigan Ski For Light Inc. (MSFL)
MSFL, seeks to establish a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for all participants, including but not limited to skiers with disabilities, instructor/guides, other volunteers, and guests. The success of MSFL depends on trust—the trust between skiers and guides, as well as among our wider circle of friends and supporters. All individuals attending MSFL events have an obligation to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of ethics, respect, equity and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. This code of conduct policy is intended to encourage and enable any person involved with the MSFL organization and/or program to raise serious concerns internally so that MSFL can address and correct inappropriate conduct and actions.
Examples of conduct that is not acceptable to MSFL by or towards participants, instructor/guides, other volunteers or guests includes:
• bullying, intimidation, threats or other abusive language, or violence;
• inequitable or other adverse treatment based on someone’s race, national origin, gender/sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, disability or any other protected characteristic;
• unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature;
• dishonesty or fraud;
• illegal conduct;
• other behavior that MSFL finds detrimental to the best interest of the organization.
This includes failure to observe quiet time during event weekends formally known as the hours of 11:59pm through 6am.
Note: Safe bystander intervention can sometimes bring problematic behavior to an end. If you observe behavior that you believe is inconsistent with this Code or otherwise improper and you feel comfortable intervening, you might intervene by pointing out, respectfully, the conduct that is concerning and should stop.
Consequences for Violations
Any person found to have violated the expectations outlined in this Code may be subject to a range of consequences, up to and including assignment of a different skiing partner or roommate, removal from the event with no refund of event fees, termination of volunteer status, and/or exclusion from participation in MSFL events.
Reporting Concerns
MSFL strongly encourages anyone who suspects or knows of conduct in violation of this Code to come forward at the earliest possible point and report the incident to an MSFL Executive Committee member. The Executive Committee includes the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
MSFL’s Response to Concerns of Potential Violations
The principles and procedures outlined below will guide the MSFL leadership as we seek to keep our community healthy and safe, to treat everyone with equity and respect, and to uphold our integrity as an organization. While MSFL will typically follow the process set forth below when responding to concerns of improper conduct, it reserves flexibility to adjust its process based on an individualized assessment of each situation and as it deems appropriate.
- Upon receiving a complaint of potential misconduct, the Vice President or their designee will oversee a process of inquiry and assessment. If the reported incident involves the Vice President, the Executive Committee member who received the report/complaint of alleged improper conduct or their designee will oversee the process. MSFL will seek to conduct its inquiry and assessment as confidentially as possible, subject to its need to look into and respond to concerns, to keep the MSFL community safe, as applicable by law.
- If the incident being reported involves a potential violation of law, MSFL will strongly encourage the complainant to file a report with the appropriate law enforcement authorities and will cooperate with the appropriate authorities as needed. While working independently to ensure the safe continuance of MSFL activities, MSFL will take no action that may compromise a criminal investigation.
- The Vice President (or other designated MSFL Executive Committee member) will work with at least one (1) other Executive Committee member to assess the complaint and arrange, as determined appropriate, for an investigation to be conducted by internal MSFL volunteers or an outside resource. Following the assessment and investigation of the complaint, a summary report regarding the initial complaint and assessment process will be shared with the Executive Committee in executive session.
- Based on this summary, the Executive Committee will determine if this Code has been violated or other improper conduct has occurred and, if so, will determine the appropriate response and consequences. The Vice President (or other designated Executive Committee member in charge) will inform the complainant, the respondent (the accused), and any other relevant people involved in the incident of the conclusion of the process and the outcome. The Vice President (or other designated Executive Committee member) will inform the Executive Board and other members of the MSFL Weekend Event Planning Committee on a confidential, need-to-know basis.
Non-Retaliation
MSFL prohibits retaliation against someone for raising good faith concerns of a violation of this Code or for participating in MSFL’s assessment and resolution processes.
Policy awareness and Distribution:
a. Event Participant Applications
Beginning with the event applications for the 2026 MSFL Event, and continuing annually thereafter, all MSFL Weekend event participant applications will include an item containing a link to the entire text of this Code of Conduct Policy. All applicants will be required to check a box indicating their agreement to adhere to the expectations set forth in this policy.
B. Policy Awareness and Preparation
Effective immediately, and every year thereafter, the MSFL Vice President will ensure that MSFL leaders are made aware of and are prepared to implement this Code of Conduct Policy, as appropriate to their role.
Policy Review and Revision
This Policy will be reassessed for effectiveness and clarity no less than every three (3) years, or sooner if implementation results in either the imposition of serious corrective actions or involvement of law enforcement authorities. Any substantive changes to this Policy will be reviewed by legal counsel prior to final adoption by the MSFL Board of Directors.
This Policy also conforms to the Code of Conduct Policy as adopted by the International Ski For Light Inc. organization for their annual events with its members.
Date (adopted by MSFL Board: September 21, 2025)
Michigan Non-Profit Corporation #718678
Federal ID #38-3562887