Down Corbet’s Couloir At Jackson Hole
If You Over-Think This, It Won’t Happen.
From the folks at Jackson Hole and Teton Gravity Research, here’s what happened last spring on top of the famous Corbet’s Couloir.
Sierra Resorts Give Thanks
Forget the Turkey! Sierra Skiers And Snowboarders Are Getting To Carve Up The Slopes This Holiday Weekend.
First turns of a hopefully long season at Heavenly Valley with beautiful Lake Tahoe on the horizon.
Credit: Rachel Woods
Celebratory mood on the lift line at Northstar in the California Sierra as the 2015-16 season opens with lots of snow, boding well for a great year. Credit: Paul Plaza
California wintersports lovers have a lot to be happy about this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and they—and the industry—are hoping that this earlier-than-normal start to the ski season is a harbinger of things to come. Nearly every major resort in the Sierra has at least a few runs operating this holiday weekend (Squaw Valley opened for business on Thanksgiving Day andSugar Bowl the weekend before). Snowpacks this week grew to an average depth of two feet after the latest in a string of quick storms added several more inches to resorts’ bases. Two feet of snow on the ground is not all that impressive in a mountain range where up to eight feet of snow in a single storm has not been uncommon in years past, but, when coupled with cold temperatures allowing resorts to make snow, these little snow dumps have been enough to get the lifts rolling.
Several major areas in the Sierra opened way ahead of Turkey Day. Leading the pack was Boreal Mountain Resort, which opened even before Halloween, on October 28th. Next to open was Mt. Rose on November 4th. Mammoth Mountain’s opening day was November 11th, and Vail Resorts’ Tahoe triumvirate—Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood—followed suit a few days later, on November 14th. Sierra-at-Tahoe cranked up its lifts on November 20th. Says General Manager John Rice, “The last time we opened this early was 11 years ago. A November opening is giving us a great outlook for the rest of the season, as, in a similar year, we logged as much as a total of 499 inches of snowfall!”
The existence of actual skiable snowpacks in the Sierra has had a ripple effect in the flatlands, where some shops selling gear and clothing for skiers and boarders have seen sales double over the same time period last year.
Of course, the frequent mini-storms could become infrequent, and the temperatures could rise, obliterating this happy scene. But everyone connected to the California wintersports scene is counting on the growing prospect that the strong El Niño forming in the equatorial Pacific Ocean will bring normal precipitation to Northern California and above-normal precipitation to Southern California, starting around late December and early January. If the weather scientists at NOAA are right, who knows—skiing at Big Bear on Memorial Day?
Skiing In The Rain: Yes You Can
Don’t Stay Home: Precip Can Be Hip.
Rain comes with early season skiing. Lilly Venn braves the drops at Bretton Woods and gets to see the moody views towards the Presidential Range.
Credit: Tamsin Venn
For seniors who like to zig without the worry of another skier’s zag, one of the best times to hit uncrowded slopes is in the rain. Sometimes that is what these early season ski days bring us. It’s not exactly the bluebird day most of us hope for, but before you turn on the TV for a Netflix binge, consider these advantages.
- The temperature is above freezing and the snow is soft and pliable, even like spring corn skiing.
- Not only are the slopes close to empty, ditto the base lodge where you can find ample space and a good window view. Hang your wet stuff out to dry over several chairs.
- You have the dryers in the bathroom pretty much to yourself.
- It’s warm out, so although you may get damp, you don’t get cold.
- Ski outerwear is designed to combat the elements, rain included. However, if you have a GoreTex raincoat handy and possibly a sou’wester, not a bad idea. Bring a spare set of mittens or gloves, maybe two spares.
- Visibility sucks. Your goggles have huge droplets on them. But you’ve got few skiers to avoid, and your speed is curtailed by soft snow so clear vision is not critical. Bring a bandana to wipe off the goggles.
- Your bum gets wet sitting on the chairlift. Often the main information desk or cafeteria will give out garbage bags or plastic ponchos.
- Mountain weather is fickle. Wait five minutes and the rain may stop, allowing you a rain-free run. The views can be stunning with low level clouds and fog shrouds lifting off the mountains, like a moody Chinese water color.
- One item you should be aware of: Lift attendants may stay in their shacks so you may have to load yourself onto the chairlift, but at least there’s no waiting time.
- You can even sing along to your iPod in the rain, loudly, and few will hear you. No need to stay inside on those early season rainy days.
Does anyone have skiing-in-the-rain pictures or stories to share?
Editor Note: Skiers who are also sailors think rain is just another way to enjoy your sport. And remember the old expression, “There is no bad weather, just bad clothing.”
Senior-Friendly Cross Country Ski Resorts
X-C Resorts Offer Discounts, Amenities For Senior Skiers.
Special Thanks to Roger Lohr, Editor and Publisher of XCSkiResorts.com for pointing out these snow-country x-c resorts that are specially accommodating to seniors.
Martha Chandler, 84-year old mother of Bretton’s Nordic Center director Ellen Chandler, glides along.
Credit: Ellen Chandler
About a quarter of the cross country (XC) skiing population is older than 50 years old, and, as Baby Boomers continue to age, we are remaining active—many of us are looking for softer or easier forms of recreation and cross country skiing and snowshoeing fit that prescription.
It is important for older people to exercise because it can help fight both physical and psychological maladies. Everyone understands the need to stay physically active and there is a growing body of research indicating that physical activity is beneficial for the brain, particularly the hippocampus, which is that part of the brain where working memory partially resides and is most susceptible to problems associated with aging. There is extensive evidence that outdoor exercise has positive impacts on sleep, depression, and anxiety. No matter how old you are, it just makes you feel good, too.
The SeniorsSkiing.com 2015 Subscriber Survey showed that the priorities of the older skiers include: discounts; easy access to the area facility from the parking lot; newsletter or website pages dedicated to specific activities catering to older skiers; instruction or guide tailored to older skiers; and a meeting place or set-aside areas in the lodge for seniors.
There are XC ski resorts and lodging establishments that have those senior-friendly characteristics and the incentives almost always include discounts for older people. At Canmore Nordic Center in Canada, trail fee discounts begin at age 55, while most ski resorts set a higher age for lower-priced season or daily passes. At Bear Valley Nordic Center in CA, skiers aged 60-69 get a 28% discount on trail passes and those aged 70 and older get 60% off. At Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, MT there is a discount for skiers aged 60-69 while it is free for those aged 70 or older to access the ski trails. They also apply a senior discount for season passes. This is a popular way that most ski areas attract the older skier segment.
One of the age-old concepts is that many senior skiers are retired and as such, they have more flexibility in their weekly schedule. During the week, most cross country ski areas have few patrons, thus the development of group offers, activities, and programs such as at Lutsen Resort in MN where there is a Sunday-Thursday discount offer on lodging rates that includes free XC ski or snowshoe gear and a guide. The Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI (and other XC ski areas in MI) has the Silver Streak Week (Monday-Friday on January 11-15, 2016) with complimentary facility access, free hot cocoa, and free demos.
Jackson Ski Touring has easy-ski programs for seniors.
Credit: JSTF
Programs such as Jackson Ski Touring’s Friday Gliders & Easy Sliders and Tuesday Trekkers provide a group experience that’s taken advantage of by mostly older folks. Such programs coordinate a scheduled weekly outing for groups such as the Easy Sliders, which is a group of skiers who cross country ski on easier trails (and they get tips from a guide) or the Tuesday Trekkers snowshoe group. For these examples, the Jackson Ski Touring Center in NH is the starting point, and, after the tour, people meet back at the lodge for an après ski spread with wine and cheese, fruit, coffee. There’s even a masseuse on hand to offer massage for tips. Garnet Hill Lodge in North River, NY, hosts a weekly snowshoe club and Cross Country Ski Headquarters reports a similar group regularly drives two and half hours from Grand Rapids to visit and ski the area.
At Lapland Lake Vacation Center in Northville, NY there’s a Silver Strider discount trail pass and the weekly “Soup-er Seniors,” which includes a free bowl of soup on non-holiday Thursdays starting in January.
“Road Scholar” is a brand within the Elderhostel program intended for adults (many who are seniors) who want to travel, learn and stimulate discourse and friendship among other people for whom learning is the journey of a lifetime. The Craftsbury Outdoor Center hosts week-long Road Scholar XC ski programs during the winter months with programming inspired by the hostels and folk schools of Europe offering short term academic experiences to adults. This year, Craftsbury Outdoor combines XC skiing and snowshoeing with yoga programs, film programs, and dance programs.
The folks taking advantage of cross country ski offers are proof that you’re never too old to get out and enjoy nature in the winter. If you are an older skier or someone who would like to try cross country skiing or snowshoeing, check an XC ski resort near you for special programs.
An X-C AMC Lodge Deep In The Maine Woods
X-C Ski Six Miles To Gorman Chairback Camp Lodge and Guest Cabins.
If you’re an active cross country skier, you probably enjoy staying where you ski. Plus, if you’re an active senior xc skier you most likely enjoy comfortable surroundings, pleasant company and staff as much as you enjoy snow covered trails. A number of locations across the USA come to mind like
Gorman Chairback Lodge is a rustic winter retreat that appeals to your inner Thoreau.
Credit: Steve Hines
Royal Gorge, CA., Jackson Hole, WY., and Craftsbury Common, VT. But the State of Maine, LL Bean and the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) have collaborated to bring the inspired xc skier a wonderful resource—Gorman Chairback Camp and Lodge. The Camp is located near Greenville Maine at the southern tip of Moosehead Lake. Exact directions to the lodge are at www.amcoutdoors.org where you can also make your reservation.
All the cabins have wood stoves amply supplied by the camp staff. As one of our party quite succinctly put it, “cabin accommodations were very comfortable yet simple.” The camp sits on the shore of Long Pond (really a very large lake) with no discernable development in sight or nearby. The food in the lodge’s dining hall was exceptional using many vegetables right from the Camp’s own garden. All meals are included with each night’s stay – and (delicious) coffee is available from early morning to late in the evening.
What makes Chairback unique is that you must ski about six miles from a winter parking lot to the lodge. The staff will bring your other gear and luggage to the lodge for you on snowmobiles. While the staff grooms the trails, you should be at least an intermediate skier. I use a metal edge, back country ski, but others in our group make do on touring skis. Plan to also bring a pair of snowshoes to enjoy the many hiking trails that are not groomed but have scenic terrain and panoramic vistas.
Trail markers point the way to Long Pond. The last few miles of the Appalachian Trail run through the area.
Credit: Steve Hines
The lodging is what I call “rustic elegance”. The cabins are heated with wood stoves that can be tricky to adjust and often need to be refilled in the middle of the night. So there’s and element of “roughing it” in the winter too. Many guests bring sleeping bags, but I usually bring my own flannel sheets and use the blankets and comforters provided.
I’ve found that skiing in this area always has what xc skiers call dependable snow. There’s never a time in the winter when the snow is missing or the trails have bare spots.
I’d like to make recommendations for specific trails but all the ski terrain is equally excellent.
As a post- script, it is well to remember that the AMC is a club and Not For Profit company. This means all members and guests have a responsibility to keep the camp clean and to provide proper feedback.
Ski History Gala Awards Top Honors
And SeniorsSkiing.com Makes A Contribution.
Ski Archives glittering gala was held on Nov. 5 at the Grand America Hotel, Salt Lake City.
Credit: Harriet Wallis
The country’s largest ski history and research organization, Ski Archives, held its annual gala and fundraiser that helps support its mission. And SeniorSkiing.com contributed four gifts to the silent fund raising auction.
SeniorsSkiing.com contributed four gift bags to the Silent Auction.
Credit: Harriet Wallis
Each SeniorSkiing gift included ski socks by Darn Tough of Vermont, a GripPro hand strength trainer, and a Boot Horn that slides your foot easily into ski boots.
The Ski Archives gala event honors individuals and organizations that set the high mark for their influence on the ski industry.
This year, the late Dick Bass, the co-founder of Snowbird, unstoppable outdoor enthusiast, and the first person to climb the highest point on each of the seven continents, was posthumously awarded the S. J. Quinney Award for his contributions to the ski industry. Bass died in July.
“He had a life long love affair with Mother Nature,” said his son who accepted the award.
And Ski Utah earned the state’s top ski industry award—the J. Willard Marriott Library History-Maker Award—that’s presented for extraordinary accomplishments in winter sports.
For 40 years Ski Utah, the state’s non-profit trade organization, has been promoting Utah’s fabulous snow that pumps $1.3 billion annually into the state’s economy. It markets come-to-Utah tourism worldwide, and it fosters winter recreation for in-staters.
The late and legendary Dick Bass, co-founder of Snowbird, was honored for his contributions to the ski industry.
Credit: Snowbird
In a nutshell, Ski Utah promotes the ski industry and the Ski Archives preserves the history of it.
The Ski Archives was founded about two decades ago by ski enthusiasts and visionaries who realized that historic ski photos and manuscripts should be collected to assure they wouldn’t be lost in dusty attics and that old albums wouldn’t be tossed out. The resulting collection is housed in Salt Lake City on the University of Utah campus in the J. Willard Marriott Library, and it’s called the Ski Archives. It has grown to be the largest cache of skiing and snow sports history in the country, it’s a prime research collection, and it’s open to the public. This year’s event was held November 5 at Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.
France, nous t’aimons
Mt. Blanc Credit: AndreaPerino
Special Edition: SeniorsSkiing.com Announces “Senior-Friendly” Resorts
Results of SeniorsSkiing.Com’s Recent Survey And Industry Research Reveals 16 Winners
Snowbird is one of 16 ski resorts designated as “Senior-Friendly” through SeniorsSkiing.com’s second annual ski area survey.
Sixteen resorts in the East. Midwest, West/Northwest, and Canada are recognized as “Senior Friendly” for their proactive efforts to meet the needs of older skiers.
The selection is based on input from SeniorsSkiing.com’s second annual survey of US and Canadian resorts, reader input, and industry sources. Factors taken into account include free or discounted lift tickets and a variety of features—such as resort-sponsored clubs, close-to-lodge parking, and other amenities—which readers of SeniorsSkiing.com have identified as important.
The resorts designated as friendliest to seniors are (*designated Senior-Friendly in 2014-15):
East
Attitash Mountain Resort, Bartlett, New Hampshire
Special ski school clinics, discounts, clubs, social activities; $50 season pass (80+), 30% discount (65-79).
Cannon Mountain Ski Area, Franconia, New Hampshire
Ski school clinics, discounts, curbside assistance, $50 season pass (80+). 14% discount (65-79).
Cataloochee, Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Free skiing (65+).
Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, Vermont
Reserved areas in lodge, discounts: ski shops, rentals, school; area sponsored clubs, social activities, $20 season pass (70+0.
Sugarbush Resort, Warren, Vermont
$199 mid-week season (65+); free skiing (90+).
Waterville Valley Resort*, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
Silver Streaks ski club: clinics, races, social events. 30% discount (65-79), $25 season pass (80+).
Midwest
Crystal Mountain, Traverse City, Michigan
“Retired Not Tired” program: provides local retirees opportunity to return to skiing; actively enjoy winter in the company of peers. 42% discounts for mid-week season passes (56+), $29 season pass (80+).
Mt Zion Ski Hill, Ironwood, Michigan
Ski school clinics, curbside assistance, close-to-lodge parking, restaurant discounts. Free skiing (70+), 20% discount (65-69).
West/Northwest
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Colorado
Close-to-lodge parking, clubs and activities. Single day tickets $25 (70+), season pass $75.
Hogadon Ski Area, Casper, Wyoming
School clinics, equipment carts for gear, clubs and activities. 25% discount (65+), free skiing (70+).
Mt Hood Skibowl*, Government Camp, Oregon
School clinics, mid-week parties, clubs/activities, mid-week motor coach transportation. Free skiing (75+), 30% discount (65-69).
Purgatory Resort, Durango, Colorado
School clinics, equipment carts for gear, mid-week parties, curbside assistance, valet parking, close-to-lodge parking. 30 percent off season pass (65 -79), $120season pass (80+).
Snowbird, Snowbird, Utah
Generous season passes discount; 10% food discount for seniors in all dining facilities (including new Summit at Snowbird). Ask the cashier.
Sundance Mountain Resort, Sundance, Utah
Sundance Senior Ski Group (free for 65+); lift ticket ($15), season pass ($125). Includes all skiing, x-c ski/snowshoe trail facilities, use of lift in summer months. Coaching available on select dates throughout season.
Tahoe Donner, Truckee, California
School clinics and discounts, mid-week parties, close-to-lodge parking, clubs, awards banquets, equipment rental discounts. Free skiing (70+), 45% discount (65-69).
Canada
Lake Louise Ski Resort*, Lake Louise, Alberta
School, equipment discounts. Free skiing (80+), 20% discount (65-79)
All Senior-Friendly resorts will be receiving an award plaque from SeniorsSkiing.com. Many of these resorts report that up to 40 percent of mid-week skiers are seniors taking advantage of fast lift lines, space in the lodge to spread out, as well as other low-cost, or no-cost amenities.
SeniorsSkiing.com salutes these resorts and thanks them for setting an example for the ski industry and for making seniors feel welcome.
Huff Post: 98 Resorts Where Seniors Ski Free
SeniorsSkiing.Com’s Co-Publisher Reports On Where You Can Get Free Skiing
Huff Post’s Post 50 Blog features our own Jon Weisberg reporting on the 98 resorts in North American where seniors can ski for free. The list of resorts both large and small were compiled by the National Ski Area Association and also published in Ski History magazine.
Regular subscribers to SeniorsSkiing.com will be emailed a copy of this listing. New subscribers will receive a copy as well as an ebook of historic ski posters.
My Fitness Journey Continues: Part Seven
Don’t be old-fashioned about getting fit. Rose Marie Cleese finds high-quality sites to check out.
Wading Through the Web For The Best, Most Reliable Health and Fitness Info.
You can find anything on the internet: the good, the rad…and the untruthful! So how do you know that what you’re reading on any given website is solid, current information? When you’re embarking on a fitness journey and decide to do some internet research, you’ll find a lot of contradictory information. And you can’t just google something and assume that the top five listings that come up are the latest and greatest. Ever heard of SEO? It stands for “search engine optimization” and there’s a whole army of specialists companies can hire who know the ever-changing ins and outs of getting one’s website to or near the top of a google list.
So what’s a web surfer to do? During my ongoing fitness journey that started six months ago, I developed a short list of criteria in deciding which sites could be trusted and would be genuinely useful:
- they are well-established and highly respected in their area of expertise,
- the contributors are proven experts in their field, and
- the sites are up to speed on the latest findings and trends.
Here are my “Top 10”—websites I think you’ll find helpful for getting your fitness journey off on the right foot. (And of course we’d like to hear from you about your favorite tried-and-true senior fitness websites!)
The U.S government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) is an excellent place to start for general health information; the link above provides a lot of information about exercise for seniors.
This site has been around for a long time and is one of the most popular “go to” sites whenever one has a general medical question and wants answers fast. The exercise information you’ll find at the link above is for adults of all ages.
Over the years, I’ve gotten many free samples of newsletters from some of the most-esteemed medical schools in the country. Hands down, the one that provides issue after issue of articles on health, nutrition, fitness, and the day’s hottest health topics that I actually want to read and are relevant to me is the UC-Berkeley Wellness Letter. Its website gives you a taste of what’s in the monthly newsletters, but I highly recommend you subscribe to the actual hard copy newsletter. You won’t be disappointed!
Although this website is geared toward getting visitors to the site to sign up for AARP, there are usually several articles posted that are chock full of good advice for seniors wanting to get or stay fit.
This site has a wealth of exercises, exercise videos, and lots of other fitness advice specifically for seniors.
National Institute for Fitness and Sport/Balance Training
The National Institute for Fitness and Sport develops wellness programs for companies and individuals, but there are also posts that visitors to the site can access; the article at the link above focuses on developing better balance, a key fitness issue with seniors and especially important in skiing and snowboarding!
American Heart Association/Cardio, Strength Training For Seniors
The American Heart Association’s website has a lot of solid, up-to-the-minute information and advice about being heart-healthy, an essential when embarking on a fitness program. The site has many useful articles, such as the one at the link above.
The U.S. government has a site, nutrition.gov, that provides a compendium of articles on the latest news and most reliable information on senior nutrition.
You already know about this great site!!
…and since Thanksgiving and the holidays are just around the corner, what better site to end my list with than my favorite “healthy recipes” site that was started by a freelance photographer who wanted to offer weight watchers the tastiest healthy dishes possible. She more than delivers…happy, healthy eating!
Healthy Recipes From Skinny Taste