As you would expect of a legendary skier, it’s time for three-time Olympian Andrew Weibrecht to head back up the mountain.

Make that mountains. And it’s how he’s doing it — and how he is coming down — that makes it special. 

Last season, Weibrecht embarked on a wholly unique fundraiser: He is not just scaling all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks, but skiing down them. Here’s the thing: Not all of those peaks are designed for skiing. Then again, if anyone can do it, it’s this two-time Olympic medalist.

All this to raise funds to benefit the wish kids and families of Make-A-Wish Northeast New York.

The member of the Make-A-Wish Board of Trustees knocked out 21 High Peaks last season and hopes to complete the rest this season. Weibrecht has already raised more than $11,000 toward the $15,000 fundraising goal he seems destined to surpass.

“I’ve always loved the opportunity to work with Make-A-Wish, and since becoming a Board member I know firsthand the impact the fundraising dollars have,” he said. “Skiing in the Adirondack backcountry is a favorite pastime of mine, so naturally I was excited to figure out a way to merge those two passions.

“As soon as the snow flies this winter, I plan to be back on the trails. If you’re interested in following along, check out my fundraising page or Instagram."

When Weibrecht launched Ski For Wishes in 2019 at Whiteface Mountain, he envisioned an annual end-of-season fundraiser for the chapter that involved him skiing with donors.

The first year’s event proved to be a promising foundation. But the 2020 Ski For Wishes had to be canceled at the last moment in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. The same went for the slated third annual installment last March. (There will be no public 2022 event.)

So began this solo Ski For Wishes.

“No matter the circumstances, every child deserves a childhood,” Weibrecht says on his page. “Life-changing wishes wouldn't happen without the power of generous donors like you. Your support gives children much-needed hope for brighter days ahead.”

Sometimes the skiing is good, sometimes sketchy along the narrow trails made for hiking. And that one time his binding broke and he had to go miles downhill on one ski? That kind of slalom skiing is not fun.

“I’ve been hiking and spending time in the Adirondacks since I was a little kid and have a deep understanding of how raw and wild these mountains can be,” Weibrecht said. “Being out so often this past winter not only heightened my respect for this landscape, but brought my resolve to see this challenge through to a whole new level. Broken equipment, aborted summits and freezing temperatures seem like a nominal entry fee to help support a cause like Make-A-Wish.”

Weibrecht thanks Head and Stio, as well as his family’s business, the Mirror Lake Inn, as founding supporters of this effort. Weibrecht won his Olympic silver medal on Head skis, and has been an ambassador for Stio, an authentic outdoor brand based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for the past two years. In addition, his newest fundraising supporters include Alpin Haus, CDPHP and NBT Bank.