Pat McCloskey

Skiing With Life-Long Pals: Annual Trips, Memories, Friendship

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Do You Have Skiing Buddies From Way-Back When?

SeniorsSkiing.com polls show that most seniors like to ski with their friends. Our ski group of seniors has banded together for decades, getting together in March each year for epic skiing in Tahoe or Utah depending on the conditions. The common denominator in our group is our fearless leader Eric Durfee, Incline Village, NV. In the group picture, Eric is seen as second from left flanked by Mark Hutchinson of Vermont and Proctor Reid formerly of Vermont and now D.C. These guys grew up together and raced together as juniors.

Pat McCloskey's gang of life-long ski buddies. This lucky bunch of seniors meets yearly for Big Skiing. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Pat McCloskey’s gang of life-long ski buddies. This lucky bunch of seniors meets yearly for Big Skiing out west.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

The balance of the group on the right is yours truly and Bart Smith, formerly of Seattle and now residing in Utah. Bart was a college racing pal of Eric’s, and Eric’s wife Helen is an old friend of mine from skiing as a kid. I met Eric at his wedding, and we have had a lifetime of adventures ever since. Missing is our friend John Ingwersen who rounds out the group as a former college racing friend of Eric’s from Cornell. That was a long time ago.

Aside from Eric being the glue to this fun loving group, what makes a group like this stick together for those many, many years? Hutch says it best when he states , “We love the fresh air, the scenery, the exercise, the chats on the lifts, and dinners together.” He goes on to say, “We are lucky to have a leader who affords us a nice place to stay in Nevada. He does the planning of where we are to go and does a

Skiing pals at the top of Northstar where you can see forever. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Skiing pals at the top of Northstar where you can see forever.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

fantastic job of organizing us. He has taken a few individual, devoted, ski loving guys and provided them with an ideal situation to enjoy what we enjoy most.” Bart provides an alternative landing spot in Utah if Tahoe conditions aren’t terrific. Finally, Hutch states, “We have a wonderful mix of his (Eric’s) friends who have become great friends to each other.”

Between hip replacements, torn rotator cuffs, bad backs, and various worn out parts, this group of old guys managed to break an iPhone app record a couple of years ago when we logged on and managed 57,000 vertical feet of skiing at Northstar in one day. The next day, we each logged 52,000 at Mt. Rose. The app developer contacted me and asked who we were since we had broken the individual day record, and I recounted to him that we were just a bunch of old guys in their 60s who love to ski together and enjoy each other’s company. He was astounded.

The saying goes, if you finish your life with a handful of friends, you are a lucky man. This is our handful.

[Editor Note: Pat McCloskey is lucky to be skiing with friends he met many, many years ago.  Do you have a group of stalwart skiing companions?  Let us know your group’s story.]

seniorsskiing

The Colors Of Passion

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An Artist Paints En Plein Air On Ski Slopes.

[Editor Note: We are pleased to present a painter-on-skis, Judy Calhoun, who regularly brings her artist kit to the ski slopes. Her biographical and contact information is below.]

Oil-on-canvas by Judy Calhoun captures the Wasatch.

Oil-on-canvas by Judy Calhoun captures the Wasatch.

I try to find a pleasant rhythm as my skis follow the feel of the mountain. With the weight of my cumbersome pack and the ten years I didn’t ski, I know I’ll need to learn to trust my legs again. I take my time making wide, cautious parallel turns. If I tip over, my imagination will turn my heavy pack into a make-believe shell and I’ll feel like a turtle on it’s back! Yikes, don’t want that! Right now, I am pleased in the knowledge the muscles in my ski legs are coming back. Hopefully, I’ll soon feel strong enough to telemark in more of the steeper areas.

Here's Judy Calhoun capturing a scene on canvas at the top of an Alta run. Credit: JCalhoun

Here’s Judy Calhoun capturing a scene on canvas at the top of an Alta run.
Credit: JCalhoun

The texture of the snow beneath my feet makes me feel like I’m flying. Up in the sky, an electric blue sparks my awe. Where shall I stop? Ahhhhh, here!! Perched on the ridgeline, I know that the wind will whip at my pochade box and canvas. I eagerly start setting up. My painting pack settles with a ‘plop!’ on the snow. I secure my tripod to the pack, knowing that its weight will prevent the wind gusts from playfully stealing anything from me. That was a lesson quickly learned from other times that I’ve dangled near the edge of these dramatic drop-offs. Ohhhhhhh, how I love to look out over everything!

Will I be able to capture the dazzling white of the distant peaks, the grayed, geometric patterns of color of the valley? What about the richness of the closer rocks? There seems to be one color family that my (totally cool!) goggles tend to change. I have to lift them up off my face to view with my naked eye, the colors of the evergreens.

A couple of skiers suddenly swoop past on the traverse just below me. Most of the time I am invisible to them as they are busy gauging where they’ll create their next few turns. A snowboarder playfully pops up from a mogul-turned-spring, “Whooooo hooo!! Beautiful!!!” I understand his exuberance. Love the purple Mohawk on his helmet.

Ohhhhhhh, how I love our mountains!!! They lift me up, keeping me physically, spiritually, and emotionally healthy. As I repack all my paint supplies, I secure the finished paintings. I don’t want to accidentally get any fresh oil paint on anyone else riding the ski bus! I don’t mind the flecks of color on my dark blue jacket, but others may not be as enamored with them as I am.

As I hoist pack over shoulder, I smile at my thoughts. I never know what’s better. Is it the painting or the skiing down? I guess I’ll just have to do it again tomorrow and see if that answer will come.

If you happen to see an invisible skier/painter on the hill, please holler a “Hello!” If you’re not going too fast, you may hear me ask, “What are the colors of your passion?”

[Editor Note: Judy Calhoun’s dad introduced her to skiing when she was a child. Weekends were spent skiing at Buffalo Ski Club, a small ski area just south of Buffalo, New York. After high school, the west beckoned to her and Alta, Utah became her home. The dramatic beauty of Mount Superior is what got her into painting. With a pack full of paint supplies, her days were spent ski touring in the winter and hiking in the summer in order to paint the intimate treasures of the Wasatch Mountains. For twenty years, she’d ski with her dad in the mornings. Nothing could compare to the twinkle in his blue eyes after bounding down a few mogul runs or ‘flying’ in the powder together. She would then be at her art display in the Albion Grill most afternoons. This skier/artist finds that both Snowbird and Alta present unlimited beauty, challenging runs, incredible conditions, and fellow skiers/boarders that feel like family. To inquire about her artwork, contact JCalhounFineArt@gmail.com]

seniorsskiing

Way, Way Out West, There’s Another Jackson Hole. Know Where?

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Home, home on the range? Not really. This Jackson Hole is not where you think.

Home, home on the range? Not really. This Jackson Hole is not where you think.

A few miles north of Beijing, there’s a town that is named Jackson Hole.  No skiing, but…seriously?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRSenQu2GWw&feature=youtu.be

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Mar. 4)

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Tip Of The Pole To Ski Legend George Jedenoff On His 98th Birthday, Reviews of Resorts In Italy, East, and West, Toe Socks, And A Hilarious Rap Video About Aging And Skiing.

SeniorsSkiing.com salutes George Jedenoff on his 98th birthday. Credit: Ski Utah

SeniorsSkiing.com salutes George Jedenoff on his 98th birthday.
Credit: Ski Utah

This week, the ski community from coast to coast is saluting 98 year old George Jedenoff’s birthday and his 56 year skiing career.  He’s still at it at Snowbird and Alta, and he’s got an inspiring, upbeat and highly engaging Powder Philosophy that is really worth hearing.  Thanks, George, you are our ski hero.

Marmolada and its glaciers. Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

Marmolada and its glaciers in the Dolomites.
Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

We also have Resort Reviews from some very cool ski areas.  Our friend, Paolo Guardiano, recently traveled to the Dolomites in Italy to visit Dolomiti Superski, a mega network of ski resorts in a magnificent setting.  Tamsin Venn visited another big area, Sunday River, ME, where she finds a group of seniors who self-organize daily activities. Susie Winthrop took her grandchildren to Winter Park, CO, a resort close to Denver.  She found a variety of terrain and has suggestions for avoiding lift lines.  Seattle correspondent John Nelson went to nearby White Pass, WA, and found that seniors 73+ are treated to free skiing.  Thank you, White Pass.

We review Injinji Performance 2.0 toe socks and find them surprisingly comfortable.  Yes, toe socks.  Very fun.

Thanks to Lif' Ticket, whoever you are. We do put the foot rest down.

Thanks to Lif’ Ticket, whoever you are. We do put the foot rest down.

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Promotive

As a subscriber to SeniorsSkiing.com, you are eligible for significant discounts from t0p brands for clothing, footwear, gear and outdoor accessories of all kinds.  All you have to do is register with Promotive, the online provider of discounts to recognized brands.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY ANYTHING NOW, BUT YOU DO NEED TO REGISTER FOR FREE.

Another email with complete registration information and the access code that is required to identify you as a SeniorsSkiing.com subscriber follows this update.  Please take advantage of this discount opportunity; our reader surveys revealed that you are very interested in discounts. Well, here they are.

Thanks for subscribing to SeniorsSkiing.com.  Remember, there are more of us every day and we are not going away.

 

 

 

seniorsskiing

Product Review: Socks That Rock From Injinji

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New Performance Toe Socks Are Super Comfortable and Supportive.

Injinji's Performance 2.0 Snow toe socks are fun to wear and feel terrific. Credit: SeniorsSkiing

Injinji’s Performance 2.0 Snow toe socks are fun to wear and feel terrific.
Credit: SeniorsSkiing

It’s March, and close to the end of the season for a lot of folks. If you think your gear is starting to look a little tattered, now is the time to contemplate a new way of thinking about your socks.

Injinji, the toe sock company, has introduced a new line of performance wear for snow sports. Toe socks, you say? Yes, we were quizzical, too, until we tried them on. The Performance 2.0 Snow socks are designed with graduated compression that does a fantastic job of supporting your muscles in your whole lower leg. These over-the-calf socks are also padded in strategic places for extra cushion. And they are made of NuWool, a combination of Merino wool, nylon and lyrca. And of course, there are the little toe “sleeping bags” that we found to be surprisingly comfortable.

Toe socks have been around for a while, and they are very popular with distance runners. The basic idea is to align your little piggies properly for better balance and blister prevention. When we tried a test pair, we were amazed at how different these socks felt from the usual. The toe feature was just—how to describe it—fun and remarkably different. Injini claims that proper “toe splay” distributes your weight evenly and allows better engagement for your feet. We can testify that the compression feature also gives you the feeling of significantly more support than regular socks.

We have two quibbles about the model we tested. Putting them on takes a bit of technique. Each toe has to be guided into its sleeve, so it does take a bit of concentration and a bit more time. No big deal. If you’re used to wearing an inner sock for extra warmth, you will need to get liners from Injinji that provide a base layer. You won’t be able to use your standard liners with these.

We continue to wear our Injinjis around the office as well as the gym and plan to take them to our next ski trip.

Injinji Performance 2.0 Snow medium weight socks come small, medium and large and in different colors. Suggested retail price is $30; shop around online.

Toe socks feel gooooodd! Credit: SeniorsSkiing

Toe socks feel gooooodd!
Credit: SeniorsSkiing

seniorsskiing

Inspiring “Powder Philosophy”: George Jedenoff, 98

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George Says Make The Most Of What You’ve Got.

SeniorsSkiing.com salutes George Jedenoff on his 98th birthday. Credit: Ski Utah

SeniorsSkiing.com salutes George Jedenoff on his 98th birthday.
Credit: Ski Utah

“It’s a pleasure by itself to be in the great, fresh cold air that seems to uncloud your brain…It’s a chance to reflect on your own life…[Skiing] is an opportunity to reflect on the wonderful things you can do…The plusses far outweigh the minuses…Take time to appreciate the positives.”

Thanks to Ski Utah for sending along this message from a ski legend, George Jedenoff, who has been skiing in the Wasatch for the past 56 years.

Paolo Gaudiano

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Italy’s Dolomiti Superski

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­Winter wonderland in one of the largest ski areas in the world.

Although I was born and raised in Italy, I did not do much skiing until I moved to Colorado for college. So I jumped at the occasion to join some old friends for a week of skiing in the Dolomites—a portion of the Italian Alps characterized by their stunning rocky outcrops, sufficiently beautiful to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A view of Sella Massif from the south. Credit: Paola Gaudiano

A view of Sella Massif from the south.
Credit: Paolo Gaudiano


Dolomiti Superski is a resort encompassing some 12 connected ski areas totaling 1,200 Km (750 miles) of trails served by 460 lifts. While a few of the areas require a bus for the connection, you can literally ski all day without ever doing the same trail twice, while experiencing a wide variety of terrains and stunning views.

Terrain

The area is accessible to all levels, but in general is aimed toward families, and as such there is a preponderance of easy and medium slopes. I was pleasantly surprised by the large number of older skiers—for once, I did not feel like a rarity because of my gray hair.

As with most European areas, the vast majority of the terrain is groomed, and if you like moguls or off-piste this place is not ideal. On the flip side, when the snow is abundant (which this year it was not), if you find places to go off-trail safely, you will likely find lots of untouched powder even a few days after the last snow.

The main attraction of this area is Sella Ronda, a 40 Km loop around the Sella massif, spanning four valleys and offering a variety of stunning views. The loop is great for intermediate skiers, and it’s possible to head off for side detours for more advanced skiing.

Marmolada and its glaciers. Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

Marmolada and its glaciers.
Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

Getting there

I flew into Munich, which gave me the best combination of price and relative convenience. Depending on which town you choose, it is somewhere between three and four hours from Munich, about two-three hours from Innsbruck, two-three hours from Verona and three-four hours from Milan. You can also take a train and bus combination if you want to avoid driving, but travel times will be longer.

Lodging

The entire area is dotted with small towns and hundreds of hotels. Most of them offer mezza pensione, which includes breakfast and dinner. Our group was based at Hotel Alpi, a three-star hotel in Campitello Di Fassa that cost €85/night for a single, or €130/night for two. The food, service and amenities were excellent. There are many stores nearby and a Ski Bus that connects all the towns, making it really easy to get around.

Food and Culture

As with most of Italy, part of the experience is the food. One of my favorite things about skiing in Italy is that there are lots of restaurants on the slopes that serve great food and are relatively inexpensive. On the downside, most of these places do not allow bringing and eating your own food. I brought sandwiches every day, and sometimes I just had to find a bench somewhere to eat.

Bottom Line

Skiing in Italy is much cheaper than most of the US. I paid €240 for a 5-day pass giving access to all the areas. Coupled with the inexpensive food and lodging, you’ll pay the same if not less than flying to Utah from the East coast.

Discounts are offered for skiers over 65 (roughly 10 percent off).

Trail Map Click Here

A view from Paolo's hotel room, showing the dolomite rock the region is named for. Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

A view from Paolo’s hotel room, showing the dolomite rock the region is named for.
Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

seniorsskiing

Nowadays, We Like To Put The Foot Rest Down

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Funny, Funny Rap About Senior Skiing.

Thanks to Lif' Ticket, whoever you are. We do put the foot rest down.

Thanks to Lif’ Ticket, whoever you are. We do put the foot rest down.

A SeniorsSkiing.com’s Correspondent steered this our way.  A highly hysterical and insightful ode to what happens to senior skiers.  We aren’t sure who these dudes are, but, man, you have it nailed.

John Nelson

SeniorsSkiing Guide: White Pass, WA, Free For 73+!

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Kudos To Senior-Friendly Ski Resort Three Hours From Seattle.

A skier heads off the top of Great White Express at White Pass. Credit: John Nelson

A skier heads off the top of Great White Express at White Pass.
Credit: John Nelson

As I got ready for a day of skiing at White Pass, I ran into a gregarious septuagenarian with a big smile on his face.

“It should be a great day,” he said to me happily as we crossed paths.

Fresh snow had fallen on the empty weekday slopes. And if you happen to be of a certain age like my lodge acquaintance (73 and older), your day at White Pass just got better: You ski for free.

West Ridge at the top of Paradise Basin leads skiers into gladed off-piste powder runs. Credit: John Nelson

West Ridge at the top of Paradise Basin leads skiers into gladed off-piste powder runs.
Credit: John Nelson

Besides that benefit, White Pass has many other great qualities: Beautiful scenery, vast terrain, reasonable pricing and ample lodging options nearby.

During my visit, two inches new had fallen on top of meticulously groomed slopes, yielding buttery smooth turns and fresh tracks all day long.

Snow, terrain and more

  • Location: The ski area is on the White Pass Scenic Byway section of U.S. Highway 12, one of the major east-west routes in Washington state. The byway has fantastic views of 14,410-foot Mount Rainier to the north and is a jumping off point to explore the volcanoes Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams to the south. It takes about three hours to drive to White Pass from Seattle.
  • Snowfall: More than 350 inches fall annually, and snowmaking keeps the mountain covered when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
  • Terrain: White Pass feels like two mountains on its 1,500 acres. The “frontside” has the area’s only steeps and also has a variety of intermediate runs. The “backside,” known as Paradise Basin, offers intermediate skiing on its higher-elevation slopes. About 20 percent is rated advanced; 80 percent is beginner and intermediate.
  • Vertical: 2,000 feet from base (4,500”) to the top of Paradise Basin (6,500”).
  • Lifts: Two high-speed quads (Great White Express on the frontside) and (Couloir Express in Paradise Basin) do most of the people-moving at White Pass; the ski area has four additional chairlifts.
  • Views: On clear days, Mount Rainier is the big dog on the skyline to the north; the Goat Rocks Wilderness and Mount Adams to the south are also visible.
  • Olympics connection: Medal-winners Phil and Steve Mahre grew up skiing at White Pass and still drop in now and again.

Lot to lift access

  • Weekends and holidays can be busy, but for the most part, parking is easy. A passenger unloading zone is available next to the day lodge and regular shuttles ferry skiers from distant parking. On weekdays, parking is a breeze; I pulled in 10 minutes before opening and parked right next to the lodge.
  • Accommodations: Options are plentiful along U.S. 12, including the on-mountain White Pass Village Inn. The tourist-friendly towns of Packwood and Naches are short drives from the ski area, and Yakima, a center for many of Washington’s wineries, is about an hour’s drive to the east.

Culture

  • The vibe: Everyone seems to know everyone at White Pass, and visitors are welcomed. I met some friendly retirees who treated me like an old friend as the day progressed.
  • Dining: The best option is the cozy High Camp Lodge in Paradise Basin, with a variety of menu options, exceptional craft brews and wine. The day lodge has cafeteria food and the Sitzmark Lounge.

Bottom line

  • If you’re 73 and older, it’s $5 for your initial ticket; after that, reloads are free. Adult tickets (ages 16-72) are $63 (reloads are $58).
  • Grooming is exceptional on the ski area’s many intermediate runs, and when it’s clear, you’ll have commanding views of Mount Rainier.
  • The upper-elevation Paradise Basin offers rolling groomers and gladed off-piste powder.

Trail Map Click Here

Webcam Click Here

The Great White Express on the frontside of White Pass accesses the area's steepest terrain. Credit: John Nelson

The Great White Express on the frontside of White Pass accesses the area’s steepest terrain.
Credit: John Nelson