Daniel's Wish to Ski the Slopes of Lake Tahoe

When he was only six years old, Daniel could be found fearlessly skiing the slopes of New England.  Developing a passion for the sport at such a young age, Daniel has spent many winters advancing his alpine skiing skills.  By the time he reached high school, Daniel was named captain of his school’s ski team and earned a part-time job as a ski instructor.

The day before entering his junior year in high school, Daniel’s skiing days were suddenly put on hold.  Daniel was diagnosed with testicular cancer.  Daniel spent the next 18 months undergoing exhausting treatments.  During one of his hospital visits, Daniel learned about the possibility of having a wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Massachusetts.  Daniel knew exactly what he would wish for – a ski trip to Lake Tahoe, California.  Having never skied out West, Daniel wanted to feel the light, powdery snow beneath his skis and breathe in the invigorating, fresh air on top of a high mountain range.

Daniel soon found himself 3,000 miles away from home – and a world away from his illness – experiencing picturesque Lake Tahoe with its breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the sunlight shimmering upon the expansive Lake.  This young skiing champion enjoyed all that the Lake Tahoe Ski Resort had to offer, taking private ski lessons with his family and exploring the challenging terrain of the mountain.  This exhilarating wish experience provided Daniel and his family with a happy, much-needed vacation together.

Photo above:  Daniel smiles while enjoying the view from the summit at Lake Tahoe Ski Resort.