Santiago “Santi” Vizhnay, 15, was one of three teens skiing with their Snow School instructor, Chris Song, on Jan. 28 when the 38-year-old was paralyzed after falling off a cliff on Blackcomb Mountain.
After witnessing such a harrowing, life-altering accident, Vizhnay knew he wanted to do something to give back to the instructor he’s skied and biked with for more than two years. But it wasn’t until he saw a photo of Song riding bikes with his two young daughters that Vizhnay was inspired to shoot a video urging people to support the Songs by donating to a GoFundMe that has, at press time, raised more than $126,000.
“I saw the two daughters on bikes, and [Chris] on another bike, and I was just thinking about how they won't be able to bike anymore with him. It's really sad to know that,” he said.
Launched Feb. 8 by Whistler Kids manager Donna Kerr, the fundraising target was originally set at $75,000, then $100,000, before being upped to $200,000, money that will help Song's family cover several major costs, including the purchase of a wheelchair and creating an accessible environment for when he returns home to Whistler.
In a statement shared with Pique, Song’s wife, Jieun, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and gave an update on her husband’s condition.
“I would like to thank everyone that has helped our family since Chris’s accident on Jan. 28. From ski patrol, first responders, the many doctors and nurses, Whistler Community Services Society, Whistler Blackcomb, and every single person that has contributed to the GoFundMe,” she wrote. “The support offered by the entire community has made what will be a very long road a little less daunting. Our family remains positive, and Chris has already been exceeding the expectations of his doctors as he continues healing. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you and I will forever remain grateful to be a part of the Whistler community.”
Song has a long recovery ahead of him. The Jan. 28 accident reportedly resulted in multiple broken ribs, a broken left shoulder and a serious back injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He is expected to be in hospital for approximately two months, before being transferred to Vancouver's G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre. Song's rehabilitation therapy could take upwards of a year. He is not expected to walk again.
‘Literally all the safety I know on the hill is all Chris’
Since arriving in Whistler at the age of 10 in 2019, Snow School has played a huge part in Vizhnay’s life. Leaving behind a challenging upbringing in his native Argentina, Vizhnay has taken to skiing like a duck to water, achieving his Level 1 instructor certification last year. (He is going for his Level 2 next month.)
Song has played an important role in Vizhnay’s development, especially when it comes to safety.
“Literally, all the safety that I know on the hill is all Chris. Some of it from other instructors, but mostly it's Chris,” Vizhnay said.
The day of the accident was the first time Vizhnay had skied Bushrat, and he said he initially felt comfortable skiing the run. Then he saw Song’s fall.
“I was really scared and surprised, shocked,” he said. “I don’t even know how to describe it.”
In Vizhnay’s video, he talks about an important lesson he’s learned in recent years.
“What I’ve learned over the last couple years is that we always need to turn something negative into something positive, so let’s make Chris’ negative into something positive,” he said.
Watching how the wider ski community came together to support Song, the tens of thousands of dollars in donations for his recovery, and even an offer from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center in New Jersey to provide Song with individualized support at no cost, there has already been several positives to emerge out of such a devastating incident.
