How an accident turned this skier into a force for good | INDIE ALASKA

Alaska Public Media | By Valerie Lake

Published February 24, 2023 at 2:18 PM AKST

A man stands in front of a pile of wood holding a chainsaw. — A young Ira Edwards smiles at the camera in front of his wood pile in Palmer, Alaska. (Courtesy of Ira Edwards)

As a lifelong skier, Ira Edwards had early access to some of the most world-class ski terrain in the world in his backyard in Palmer, Alaska. After a devastating fluke accident in 2010, Ira was eventually able to return to skiing but found his life purpose shifting to philanthropy and fundraising for others.

Production support provided by:
The Alaska Mental Health Trust
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

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Valerie Lake

Valerie Lake worked at Alaska Public Media from 2017 to 2025. She was the managing producer for Indie Alaska, director for Alaska Insight, and led the video production team. Valerie Lake has previously gone by the names, Valerie Lloyd and Valerie Kern.

See stories by Valerie Lake