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

Originally from the Central Coast of California, Valerie joined Alaska Public Media in July 2017. She creates original video content for the station's TV and digital platforms while also overseeing the Production Department. Before moving to Alaska, Valerie worked as an ENG Editor at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina. She also served in the U.S. Air Force as a TV and Radio Broadcast Journalist where she traveled around Europe, Africa, The Baltics, Australia, and the Southern United States reporting on military events, exercises, and missions. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, backcountry skiing, backpacking, yoga, and traveling.

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