Blind cross-country skiers hit the trails for the first time in 2017

Warm weather over the weekend meant it was time for the first ski of 2017 for a group of five blind and vision-impaired Manitobans.

Starting at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, the group hit the trails at Winnipeg's Windsor Park Nordic Centre for the event organized by the Manitoba Blind Sports Association.

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Each blind skierwas paired with a guide and worked up a sweat in the chilly air for nearly two hours.

Among the group was Ross Eadie, the city councillor for Mynarski,who is blind. He was teamed up with Robert Page, aguide whom he's been skiing with for the past two years.

"I feel totally confident," Eadie said."Rob and I have known each other for two years.

"I am not afraid when I go down a slope, because I hear the voice of my guide."

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Eadiesaid he likes skiing for the workout.

"It's good training quite difficult on the lungs," he said.

The Manitoba Blind Sports Association helps facilitate a variety of sports for blind and vision-impaired Manitobans, including yoga, archery and curling.