mikemaginn

Come On Over, Western Skiers: Eastern Snow Is Epic

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Boston Reports Over 100 Inches, 2 1/2 More Than Normal, With Three More Weeks Of Winter To Go.

If you are a senior skier from the West, you are probably wondering what’s going on with the snow.  Our correspondent in Utah report skiers taking two or three runs on ice-covered, snow-deprived slopes and calling it a day.  We’ve heard of areas closed in Montana due to “dirt”.  On the other hand, we Easterners are luxuriating in historically epic piles and piles of the stuff.  It’s fun to look back on NOAA’s prediction for the Winter of 2014-15.  Notice they had it kind of right in the West, major wrong in the East.

NOAA Winter 2014-15 Prediction shows warm in the West and the East. Credit: NOAA

NOAA Winter 2014-15 Prediction shows warm in the West and the East.
Credit: NOAA

To be sure, there is good snow everywhere in the Northeast, from the Poconos to Quebec.  Here’s an article by New York Times travel writer John O’Connor who reports on ecstatic conditions in New England.  Bottom Line:  It may be that if Western skiers want to do some decent skiing, they should plan coming East right now.

NYTimes_022515

mikemaginn

Le Massif de Charlevoix: Views, Trails, and Chic

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Where else can you ski into a major river (almost) and take a ski train to a charming village?

About an hour north of Quebec City, we find Le Massif de Charlevoix, a magnificent and major North American ski area that offers several exceptional features:

Skiing into the river? Looks that way at Le Massif de Charlevoix Credit: SkiZone

Skiing into the river? Looks that way at Le Massif de Charlevoix
Credit: SkiZone

  • Most people arrive and park at the top of the mountain, making their first run down without an inaugural lift up.
  • Runs are varied and long from very pleasant groomers (which we like best) to mogul fields, glades and double diamonds. There is even an off-trail sector of 99 acres for back-country adventurers. Le Massif de Charlevoix has the highest vertical drop (2,526 ft.) in Eastern Canada and east of the Rockies, so trails basically keep going and going. (The longest one is 3.2 miles.) But stopping to take in the view is worth it because…
  • …A couple of hundred yards from the bottom is the St. Lawrence River. The impression you get as you head down the piste is that you are heading straight into the water. It’s an illusion that is quite captivating and photogenic.
  • Not only does Le Massif de Charlevoix host a piste de luge—sled run—that is 7.5 km long, it also has the only TRIPLE black diamond trail we’ve ever seen. It’s called La Charlevoix, it’s “extremely steep”, and it’s designed as a downhill course for FIS approved races. We looked at it respectfully from afar.

 

  • Light rail train stops at Hotel le Ferme in Baie-Ste-Paul Credit: PhotoGT

    Light rail train stops at Hotel le Ferme in Baie-Ste-Paul
    Credit: PhotoGT

    You take your last run down, and, at the very bottom of the piste, you and your skis, gear and boots can take a transit gondola to a light rail station where a train will take you about 30 minutes along the shore of the St. Lawrence to the little town of Baie-Saint-Paul, the hometown of the world famous Cirque du Soleil. The beer on the little train was most welcome, served by une serveuse très charmant. Again, the views of the river were breathtaking; we were glued to the window until we arrived at…

  • …Hotel La Ferme in Baie-Saint-Paul, a new, very chic, stylish, design-winning hotel built as the first phase of a multi-phase project that will “responsibly” develop the area. With the hotel in town as a four-season destination for visitors, plans are also in process to develop ski-in, ski-out condos at the base of the Le Massif de Charlevoix within five years.
  • The quaint and historic village of Baie-Saint-Paul is an artist colony with galleries, shops and chef-owner gourmet restaurants that capitalize on fresh, local agriculture. Our discovery was Au P’tit Resto Suisse where the fondu and raclette brought us to a magical place.

    Au Ptit Resto Suisse serves gourmet racelette. Credit: Tourisme-Charlevoix

    Au Ptit Resto Suisse serves gourmet racelette.
    Credit: Tourisme-Charlevoix

So, senior snow enthusiasts, we’ve discovered something new for us in the north. The Charlevoix region is not only a winter destination for skiers, cross-country, snow-shoers and back-country explorers, but from what we’ve seen, there are many outdoor adventures for other times. A short drive from the northeast or the mid-west, this is an experience waiting to happen.

For more information on the development at Le Massif visit LeMassifVision2020.com

Steve Hines

The Get Started Basics Of Snowshoeing

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Here’s Another Way To Enjoy Winter That Seniors Can Easily Get Into

Snowshoeing, once a practical means of winter travel, is now a winter recreational activity. It provides many folks  an outdoor winter alternative to skiing or X-C. In fact, most ski areas now offer snowshoeing as an option.

If you like walking, you will enjoy getting out on snowshoes. Some tips and a little technique will increase your enjoyment of this growing sport.

Male (L) and female (R) snowshoes accommodate different sized people. Credit: Connie Phillips

Male (L) and female (R) snowshoes accommodate different sized people.
Credit: Connie Phillips

Dress: Use three layers to keep warm in cold, snowy weather. Wool socks will help keep your feet warm. Mittens are warmer than gloves.

Layer 1: Wicks away perspiration. The base layer, next to your skin, should be wool or synthetic. The most common synthetic is polypropylene.

Layer 2: Insulates you from the cold. Again, wool is very dependable. But the various types of synthetics (aka “fleece”) provide enough warmth. Personally, I’ve never been cold when snowshoeing because of the activity level (exertion) involved.

Layer 3: Protects you from wind, rain and snow and should be waterproof and breathable.

Preparation: Many new enthusiasts are surprised to find that snowshoeing is a very aerobic activity. Exercises like walking, running, cycling and/or swimming are good preparation. Start before winter arrives.  Remember to know your own capabilities before heading out; take your first outing slow and easy.

Equipment:  Snowshoes are your main piece of equipment. The longer and wider a snowshoe, the less you will sink into the snow. Most snowshoe dealers will ask you for your body weight plus your pack weight. Let your dealer help you select the right snowshoe and remember this acronym FACT.

F – Flotation: make sure the length supports both you and your pack weight.

Note toe lift technique when walking on the flat. Credit: Connie Phillips

Note toe lift technique when walking on the flat.
Credit: Connie Phillips

A – Articulation: the snowshoe front should tip up when you raise your foot using a hinge at the forefoot position (See  photo).

C – Comfort: the right snowshoe should not make you spread your legs too wide apart and should keep your hips in a near normal position. Also, the bindings should be easy to use. Most snowshoe brands now make “gender specific” snowshoes. (See photo)

T – Traction: spikes or “crampons” on the bottom of the snowshoe help with traction going up and down hills.

Boots are important too. Most snowshoers will need insulated boots. Boots that lace up (rather than zip up or pull on) are best. Many snowshoe boots have a lip or spur a few inches above the heel which help keep the snowshoe binding strap in place.

Poles are another useful piece of equipment. Many snowshoers prefer the telescoping trekking poles. Large baskets on the end of your poles prevent sinking too far into the snow and help with balance. Gaiters, those nylon tubes that extend from the boot to just below the knee, help keep snow out of your boots.

Technique: A little technique goes a long way. When moving on flat terrain or going uphill, walk by moving your back foot forward with your toe dropped. On the downhill, walk heel to toe like normal.

Start your snowshoeing on broken out trails and not in deep snow. As you gain strength and experience, head into deep snow. Start off by going for time and then go for distance.

hinesHeadshot_1

 

 

Steve Hines is a sales associate at REI, Inc. (Steve’ does not necessarily reflect REI’s views). He has been a wilderness guide, a Wilderness First Responder and a volunteer trip leader for the Appalachian Mountain Club.

 

mikemaginn

The Ski Diva Focuses On Senior Skiers

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Women’s Ski Site Offers Advice To Seniors

SeniorsSkiing.com’s favorite online resource for women skiers is The Ski Diva, a one-stop shop for interesting ideas, information and a meet-up forum for like-minded women.  In this recent article, The Ski Diva explores how a senior woman approaches skiing at 72.  She also describes how the senior segment in snow sports is growing and quotes SeniorsSkiing.com’s co-founder on how the industry can be more accommodating to seniors returning to the sport after a hiatus.  Click to read the article, Age Is Just A Number, Right?

SkiDiva_2

 

 

Harriet Wallis

SuperSeniorSpotlight: George Jedenoff Shreds Alta At 97

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SeniorsSkiing Honors A Legend Who’s Skied Alta For 55 Years.

SeniorsSkiing.com is proud to spotlight George Jedenhoff, 97, who skis Alta every year. Credit: Ski Utah

SeniorsSkiing.com is proud to spotlight George Jedenoff, 97, who skis Alta every year.
Credit: Ski Utah

How’s the spring in your legs?  Here’s George Jedenoff, a 97-year old from Oakland, CA, who has been skiing Alta, UT, since 1960.  With a lifetime season pass and a healthy lifestyle, George shows us that skiing can be a part of any stage of life.

Here’s a short video of George has he sweeps down the slopes in February 2015.  Thanks, George, you are an inspiration to all of us.  And thanks to Ski Utah for documenting George’s return to the slopes for the past three years.  You can see additional videos of George from 2013 here and from 2014 here.

 

 

 

 

mikemaginn

Au Quebec Pays des Merveilles d’Hiver

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Au Quebec Pays des Merveilles d’Hiver

Messieurs et Mesdammes, nous aimons le Quebec en hiver! With apologies to Madame Haydu, my high school French teacher, our recent journée au Quebec was trés intéressant, and nous were heureuse to tell you toût de l’historie.

Eçoutez, Senior Skiers, if you are looking for a winter vacation in snow country that is different, even exotic, consider heading north to Quebec. There you will find some incredibly beautiful multi-snow sport resorts, world-class hotels and scenery that is honestly like nothing you’ve ever seen before. All so close, all so exotique. But before we tell you about our skiing adventures, we want to report on Quebec’s winter jewel: le Carnavale de Quebec.

Mascot Bonhomme makes us feel welcome at his Palais. Credit: Tourisme Quebec

Mascot Bonhomme makes us feel welcome at his Palais.
Credit: Tourisme Quebec

If you are reading this, you are most likely a friend of winter. Let us tell you straight up that les Quebecois are amants (lovers) of winter. Frankly, when you live up there, you have to be. Visiting Quebec City during Carnavale is a lesson in celebrating a glorious winter culture built on welcoming the magnificent cold and all it brings.

We met Bonhomme, the puffy white snowman mascot of Carnavale, at an evening parade which featured dramatically lit creatures of the North—narwhales and wolves—floats with scenes of Quebec history, musicians, clowns, acrobats, motorcycles, all in the brilliant cold air. It seemed the entire city lined the parade route with rosy-cheeked children riding on parents’ shoulders, many enthusiastic bleatings of plastic horns, and a warm feeling of camaraderie.

Musicians' hut at le Monde de Bonhomme at Quebec's Winter Carnavale. Credit: SeniorsSkiing

Musicians’ hut at le Monde de Bonhomme at Quebec’s Winter Carnavale.
Credit: SeniorsSkiing

Downtown, we also visited la Palais de Bonhomme, a really large, ornate, multi-room structure built of crystal clear blocks of ice, with themed rooms and ice furniture. We walked over to the Plains of Abraham where we found an extraordinary outdoor exhibition of snow slides, kid’s activities, sleigh rides, ice sculptures, musicians in heated booths, and squeaky snow underfoot.

The pièce de résistance, though, was the canoe racing on the St. Lawrence River, choked as you would imagine this time of year with jagged ice floes and big bergy bits, and with the occasional stretch of open water. Teams of fiveIceboat hardy athletes dressed in wet suits and spiked shoes push, pull, heave, lift and row bateaux about 20-25 feet long through, around and over all this. The idea was to head around three buoys, two placed on the Quebec side of the river and the third on the far side, at least two miles across. Amateur teams went around the buoys once; the pros had to make the circuit twice. Now that’s an extreme sport.

Quebec is an easy car ride from anywhere in the Northeast and even from the Midwest; major airlines fly into Jean Lesage International. It’s probably the most European city in North America. Restaurants and cafes line le Vieux Quebec, and there are many art boutiques and craft shops though out the city. Just being in Quebec in winter is exhilarating; the locals know how to live in winter, and they start by loving it.

Coming next: Skiing the Charlevoix Region.

Harriet Wallis

Adult Stem Cell Therapy For Skiers

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Is This Trendy Therapy Right For What Hurts?

Just a week ago, a skier friend underwent stem cell therapy for his painful knee. Ever since, he’s been sending me emails extolling the wonders of this cutting edge technology. We’re all skiers and our knees take a beating over time, so when he began singing praises about adult stem cell therapy, I took notice and became curious. Then I did some superficial homework on adult stem cell therapy. There’s good news and bad news.

Not exotic fruit, fellas. It's a blossoming stem cell that can be used in healing senior skier joint ailments.;

Not exotic fruit, fellas. It’s a blossoming stem cell that can be used in healing senior skier joint ailments.

The good news is that adult stem cell therapy has been going on for a long time with great success for many health conditions.

However, at this time it can’t cure everything, and I learned that some conditions can be aggravated by it. Patients must pay for the procedures out of their own pockets as insurance does not seem to cover it. And sometimes it takes more than one procedure to solve or make a dent in the health problem.

Stem cell therapy is trendy and clinics are apparently springing up like mushrooms after a rainstorm. The sites I checked have flashy websites with lots of glowing testimonials. But before you jump on the bandwagon of hope, find out if the bandwagon is going where you want to go or whether it might be a pricey ride to nowhere.

So here’s the bottom line: Is adult stem cell therapy the alternative, cutting edge miracle cure for what hurts — or might it be one size fits all hype? Look before you leap. Then decide.

If you’re interested in adult stem cell therapy, the International Society for Stem Cell Research website is a place to start.

Editor’s Note: SeniorsSkiing.com Correspondent Harriet Wallis has two artificial knees, loves life and skis four days a week. She wrote the 5-part series on knee replacement for SeniorsSkiing.

Claire Walter

Eldora’s Front Range Gang Is A Model Senior Skier Program

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Here’s An Another Area-Sponsored Program For Senior Skiers.

Eldora's Front Range Gang is another model senior-focused program. Other ski areas: Are you paying attention? Credit: Eldora Resort

Eldora’s Front Range Gang is another senior-focused program. Other ski areas: Are you paying attention?
Credit: Eldora Resort

Anyone who lives in or visits Boulder in winter has absolutely no excuse not to ski Eldora Mountain Resort, not really a resort with lodging but a simple ski area under the brow of the Continental Divide, is just 21 miles west of town. There’s no need to drive, since scheduled RTD buses depart from downtown station, stop at the park-and-ride lot in the heart of downtown Nederland and then drop passengers and their gear off right in front of the Main Lodge, with return service – of course. Fares are half-price for ages 65-plus.

Eldora’s Front Range Gang is a popular program for skiers aged 50 and over. It is offered from 9 a.m. to 12 noon every Monday and Thursday in February and March. Alpine, telemark and Alpine touring gear is welcome. And cross-county skiers are welcome at the Nordic area, which shares base facilities with Alpine skiers.

Each Front Range Gang day includes a three-hour guided group session on a choice of green, blue or black terrain,

City bus from downtown Boulder to Eldora is super convenient. Credit: Eldora Resort

City bus from downtown Boulder to Eldora is super convenient.
Credit: Eldora Resort

helpful tips and liftline priority access – though in truth, except when Boulder Valley schools are out, you’ll never find a line. Cost is $40 per day, $99 for a one-month package and $189 for two months – too late for 2015, but keep it in mind for next winter.

[Editor’s Note: What other ski area/resort sponsored programs do readers know about?  We’d love to create a directory for our readership.  Please let us know.]

 

Roger Lohr

The Art of Cross-Country Skiing: The Basics

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Cross country (XC) skiing is a terrific way to enjoy the great outdoors in winter. Is it great for older people that want to stay active? You betcha!

From Roger Lohr, founder and editor at XCSkiResorts.com and prolific writer on cross country skiing

The pleasures of XC skiing can be a wonderful change of pace for winter activities.  Whether you seek the solitude of solo skiing or are spending some quality time with family and friends, it’s relatively inexpensive, accessible and aesthetically pleasing. It’s also a great rhythmic, aerobic activity, enabling you to burn up hundreds of calories per hour without straining joints such as ankles and knees. You’ll get a low-impact workout while enjoying the outdoors, and the scenery sure beats the view at your local health club. Here are some tips:

Boundary Country Trekking x-c skiers in northern MN enjoy some hot chocolate. Credit: Roger Lohr

Boundary Country Trekking x-c skiers in northern MN enjoy some hot chocolate.
Credit: Roger Lohr

Where do you plan to ski? The terrain and location helps determine your equipment choices. XC skiing allows you to choose from a variety of locations. parks, golf courses, hiking trails, or XC ski areas are all good choices. Commercial XC ski areas charge a fee for access, but they offer maintained trails and tracks, signage, and you can get help if you run into trouble out on the trails.

You can rent equipment at your local ski shop or at the ski area. This is often recommended for first-time skiers, and some ski shops will apply the price of rentals toward purchasing new equipment.

Buying used equipment at a ski swap may be a mistake. Be aware that at garage sales and some swaps, you may wind up with gear that is outdated or inappropriate for you. Buy a package deal that offers a discount when you buy skis, boots, bindings, and poles together.

In-track XC skis are used with a traditional kick-and-glide motion on maintained track systems set by special grooming machines. They have minimal sidecut so the skis will stay in the tracks. Sidecut refers to the narrowness of the middle part of the skis in relation to the wider tip and tail.

Off-track XC skis are often used to navigate ungroomed trails and terrain in parks, open fields, and on golf courses. They are wider than in-track XC skis and provide more flotation and stability in fresh snow. Wider and metal-edged backcountry skis are for the more adventurous skier, who experience variable snow conditions.

Some XC skis have waxable bases, on which you put “kick wax” for grip. Other skis have waxless bases, where a pattern in the middle third of the ski base, such as small plastic ridges or scales, provides the grip. Waxless skis have been designed to run beautifully in just about any kind of snow. Your decision will center on whether you want optimal performance by waxing or optimal convenience with waxless skis.

Have the ski bindings professionally installed on the skis. Be aware that the bindings come in different integrated systems so they must be matched to the type

Quebec's Charlevoix region is a wonderful destination for cross-country skiing. Credit: Tourisme Quebec

Quebec’s Charlevoix region is a wonderful destination for cross-country skiing.
Credit: Tourisme Quebec

of boots that you select. Your boots should feel just like running shoes so try on the boots wearing the socks that you plan to wear when skiing. Consider foot beds or fitted insoles if you have problems with your feet. Because of these various sizing methods, it’s important to try on boots before buying them. The fit should be snug and your heel should remain in place. You should be able to wiggle your toes.

XC ski poles are used to help forward thrust. Skiers plant their poles behind on an angle. If this is your first set of XC gear, any reasonably light pole will be fine. Select poles that fit comfortably under your armpits when you stand on the ground.

Now get going – XC skiing is relatively easy to learn, but first-timers should take a lesson from a qualified instructor at a commercial XC ski area to greatly enhance the experience. As your confidence on the skinny skis grows, you’ll have a life time of nature outdoors, fitness and fun.

mikemaginn

Quebec Winter Carnival: Canoe Racing On The Frozen St. Lawrence

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A New Extreme Sport Emerges For Those Who Really Love The Cold

Hearty, are we?  Well, these lads surely are.  These garcons are one of a dozen or so teams, some of them professionals, who are canoe racing on the St. Lawrence during Quebec’s Winter Carnival.  The amateurs included a women’s team, mixed men and women teams and a few folks who just wanted to have some fun.  You might wonder why this is a good idea for a sport.  Don’t bother.  It’s about The Extreme.  And learning to love the magnificent cold.  This was taken on Feb 8, 2015 when the temps were -20 C and the wind was blowing at least 25 knots.  What’s the wind chill? Anyone?  Anyone?

Quebec’s Winter Carnavale was the site of the North American Snowsports Journalist Association Annual Meeting.  More to come on Ice Hotels, ski trains and memorable “versants” (ski areas) just outside Quebec.

seniorsskiing

Huff Post: Skiing With Senior Eyes

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Huffington Post Features SeniorsSkiing.com’s co-founder Jon Weisberg On Light, Goggles and Lenses

We’ve all been there.  Flat light conditions, slow down, stop.  Take your goggles off and put them on.  Peer down the slope.  Proceed slowly, cautiously down, perhaps calling it a day. In his latest Huff Post Post-50 article, SeniorsSkiing.com’s co-founder Jon Weisberg explores the impact of aging eyes on seeing and skiing.

BlindedByLight

seniorsskiing

Managing Fear, Building Confidence

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Ski Instructor: “Encouragement Is The First Lesson For Returning Skiers”

It makes no difference whether a skier has just recovered from joint replacement, traumatic accident, ski injury or is returning to skiing from a long hiatus. There is going to be some level of anxiety.

Walt Lattrell, ski instructor at Smugglers Notch (VT), teaches a clinic on managing fear for other instructors. “We see people coming back to skiing who are harboring apprehension, negative thoughts and low expectations for performance. The good news is that they take a class from a professional instructor. That’s an indicator they want and need help.”

Thinkin' about it. Revelstoke, BC, cornice has some folks wondering. Credit: Walter Latterell

Thinkin’ about it. Revelstoke, BC, cornice has some folks wondering.
Credit: Walter Latterell

The goal of ski instructors is to help their students to acknowledge their fears. “Our first challenge is to help returning students believe they are capable of higher performance. Self-limiting beliefs lead to self-defeating behavior. The instructor has to inspire their students, provide a vision of success and lots and lots of positive reinforcement,” says Lattrell.

Lattrell tells students not to expect perfection, to pay attention to their thoughts, and to visualize success. He provides clear goals for each lesson, and explains how the student is going to get there through a series of small steps.

There are some stages that Mermer Blakeslee, in her book ,“In The Yike! Zone” sees some students going through as they gain confidence. It seems it is key for the instructor to positively reinforce the student at each step:

  • At first, the student doesn’t want to try. Small attempts are guided and reinforced by the instructor.
  • Then, the student will try a skill, but only on “safe” terrain. Success will bring the student confidence to try again at a higher level.
  • Next, the student will try a more ambitious skill, but bails out. Now, the instructor demonstrates, guides, and encourages again.
  • Finally the student tries again and follows through with sense of relief, joy and accomplishment. The instructor points out what the student did right and acknowledges the progress.

“The goal of any lesson needs to be a progression from simple skills to more challenging ones. Each step is built upon with growing confidence,” says Lattrell, a PSIA Level 2 instructor.

As we have learned from Harriet Wallis’ series on Knee Rehabilitation, some returning skiers need a run or two by themselves to adjust to the slopes after illness, injury or rehab. Others could benefit from a supportive lesson or two. Lattrell, himself, had bilateral knee replacements.

To paraphrase the great Yankee Hall of Famer Yogi Berra: “Half this game is 90 percent mental.”