June 2016 - SeniorsSkiing.com

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (July 1)

June 30, 2016/3 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Amazing Andes Skiing, Boot Fitting, Sniagrab Gone Forever?

Four pro skiers at the tippy top of somewhere in the Andes.
Credit: GoPro

This week we continue our summer theme of “remembering snow” with a truly incredible video clip from GoPro. Featuring four pro skiers, GoPro takes them into the high Chilean Andes and drops them via helo and off they go. Worth a watch if you are trying to beat the heat.

Also, we are lucky to have boot fitting expert Steve Hines give us some clear and useful tips on getting the right size hiking boots. Some of his tips are pretty nuanced, but if you miss them when you buy boots, you can be in for some uncomfortable steps. Incidentally, this post was shared quite extensively already on Facebook.

Our ace correspondent Harriet Wallis marks the passing of Sniagrab, a Salt Lake City Labor Day tradition that is or rather was a pivot point in a skier’s year. What’s Sniagrab? Read on.

Finally the results of our latest survey on how you read SeniorsSkiing.com. These results surprised us. We didn’t think so many people read our online magazine on a Smartphone! Useful to know.

Laptop 18.5%
Smartphone 33.3%
Desktop 33.3%
Tablet 14.8%

Check our new poll in the right column which asks if you’ve taken advantage of your SeniorsSkiing.com Promotive discount yet. Our Spring Subscriber Survey 2016 confirmed—once again—that our readers want discounts. Promotive is one source for you; the other is Liftopia. And check out the 20 percent discount offered to our readers by Vail Realty. Hey, we listen.

Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. Remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

GoPro: Let Me Take You To The Mountain

June 28, 2016/0 Comments/in International/by mikemaginn

Heli-Skiing In Chilean Andes With Breathtaking Lines.

Lynsey Dyer high fives the helo on an awesome run in the Andes.

Yes, it’s summer and the snow is gone. Not in Chile. As you may be aware, the resort at Portillo received nine feet of snow earlier in June. Nine feet!

So, we decided to follow up with an awesome video from GoPro, the versatile mini video camera company that shot this production at 13,000 in the Andes back in 2013. We follow four pro skiers on a number of exhilarating runs through snow fields in the high country. Lynsey Dunn, Chris Davenport, John Johnson, and Travis Rice really haul down some truly challenging and dangerous territory. Scary to us, but obviously, cup of tea to them.

Why/h0w do they do it? As Lynsey says in the 10-minute video, “You put your time in enough, and these places that a lot of people think are so dangerous become comfortable.”

Indeed. Fun to watch, though. Click on any of the pics or here to watch.

Have you heli-skiied? Tell us.

Four pro skiers at the tippy top of somewhere in the Andes.
Credit: GoPro

Woweee. Lynsey Dyer having a blast in a Chilean snowfield.
Credit: GoPro

Boot Fitting Tips As Hiking Season Heats Up

June 27, 2016/1 Comment/in Boots/by Steve Hines

An Expert Provides Advice On Right Fit for Hiking Boots.

As hiking season gets in full swing you may be considering new boots for your upcoming adventures. In the thirteen years I’ve been helping people choose hiking footwear, I’ve gathered four critical tips to share:

Length
Width
Volume
Shape

Length – Two lengths are important. A) the heel to toe measurement that we think of as our “size”. Manufacturers size their products according to that length. And B) the heel to ball length also referred to as the arch length.

Consider the size of the foot in Figure 1. This illustration shows two feet which are the same length, but each require different size boots. There are different fittings for short-arched and long-arched feet. Proper boot fitting incorporates not only overall length (heel-to-toe measurement) but also arch length (heel-to-ball measurement). Boots are designed to flex at the ball of the foot. Correct fitting properly positions the ball joint in the boot and provides room for the toes so they are not confined.

Once you’ve chosen a boot, check the length by untying the boot, shove or kick your toe into the toe of the boot and slide your finger down behind your heel as shown in Fig.2. You need a finger’s width between the heel of the boot and the heel of your foot for the boot to be long enough.

S_width Width – The measure of the boot across the forefoot is indicated by letters A through E. Very wide widths are indicated by multiple “E’s”, as in double E or triple E. Fig 3 shows where width is measured. Medium width for a man is a “D” and for a woman it’s a “B”.

Volume – The measure of the boot around the forefoot has no alpha-numeric indicator (and neither does your foot). Fig. 4 shows the location of the volume and it is important because too much volume could cause your heel to be continually lifting up causing a heel blister. Too little volume and you’d have problems with your toes.

Shape – Some boots have a slight curve inward from the heel to the toe and some are very straight. Like volume, there is no alpha-numeric indicator of shape. Shape is important to prevent pinching or sliding. If the boot pinches in any area as shown in Fig. 5, then the boot may be the wrong shape for you.

Some Additional Tips

Terms such as narrow, wide, regular, extra wide (and others) may be used by manufacturers to indicate a width size. These terms are not standardized. Ask the footwear retailer or manufacturer to get a specific recommendation on their width sizing.
Shop at stores that provide service to their customers and have knowledgeable sales people.
Be sure to have both feet measured. Many people have feet of different sizes. Fit to the larger of the two. Your foot size changes with age, weight changes, and other factors.
Have boots fitted in the evening if possible, when your feet have expanded.
If your boots don’t feel right at the time of purchase, they probably will never feel right.
Take time to fully lace and tie the boot properly and walk around in the boot at the time of try on.

A Western Tradition Bites The Dust

June 27, 2016/2 Comments/in Features/by Harriet Wallis

The “Sniagrab” Is Gone Forever.

Ouch. Another major retail chain bites the dust and with it goes the famous “sniagrab” sales.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

“Sniagrab” is the word “bargains” spelled backwards. More than just a catchy name, Sniagrab was the famous Labor Day blowout sale held by sporting goods retailer Sports Authority. Everything –skis, boards, boots, and all gear and clothing – left over from last season was assembled in a warehouse-type setting and sold at rock bottom prices.

People would wait for hours to be the first through the doors to snatch up the hottest deals. And while waiting in line, there often were handouts and give-aways to stoke the fever. Here in Salt Lake City, many of the state’s 14 resorts had booths and sold season passes at the lowest pre-season prices. Sniagrab was a Labor Day addiction.

Sniagrab created a frenzy that heralded the upcoming ski season. When I lived in New England I chomped at the bit to move West and get to a famous Sniagrab sale. But now the 60-year Sniagrab tradition is kaput, never to happen again.

Sports Authority, a nationwide sporting goods retailer, announced bankruptcy in March and now all 450 stores are closing. Will you experience Sniagrab withdrawal symptoms?

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (June 24)

June 23, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Remember Winter? More Indoor Skiing, Kayaking Tips For Seniors.

First day of summer this week has many SeniorsSkiing.com thinking of their warm weather activities. We asked about what you were going to be doing this summer in our Spring Subscriber Survey 2016. We learned:

70 % of respondents will be traveling domestically; 35% traveling internationally
61% will be hiking
56% will be cycling
32% will be kayaking

Those are the major summer activities for our very active readers. The more “relaxed” sports–fishing, sailing, boating– ranked in the 15-25% range. A smaller percentage were into running, tennis and surfing. The picture emerges from this data and others that our readers are really into keeping very active at the high end of high. Nice to know.

So, we are lucky to have Tamsin Venn contribute a very helpful article on Kayaking for Seniors. Tamsin is a frequent contributor to SeniorsSkiing.com, a ski instructor and publisher of Atlantic Coast Kayaker, a highly respected magazine. She points out 10 tips that can make the kayaking experience more enjoyable and less mysterious. If you haven’t tried kayaking, you really must give it a go. It’s truly a wonderful experience on the water.

We also hear from another attempt to extend winter, or at least skiing, into a year-round endeavor. Snobahn, a European company, has opened its first facility in Centennial, CO. And none other than Bode Miller is a booster. Check out the video in the article; it could be a great teaching-coaching tool.

Finally, we just had to show you a far out video from pro-skier Giray Dadali, who is flipping his way down Snowbird’s cliffs in deep powder. Just a reminder that there is, in fact, winter, and, yes, it approaches as every summer day goes by.

Check out our new advertiser, 70+ Ski Club, a perfect match for our readership. 70+ has lots of trips and activities for seniors planned for 2016-17.

Coming up in future weeks will be more survey results, poll results, and more articles from our outstanding crew of correspondents.

Thank you for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. Remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

Snowbird Video Brings Back Winter Memories

June 22, 2016/0 Comments/in Features, West/by mikemaginn

How To Learn Cliff Jumping At Snowbird In The Pow.

On the first day of summer, we celebrate winter with a very cool video from pro skier Giray Dadali who is showing us how to jump the cliffs at Snowbird.

Pro skier Giray Dadli works it at Snowbird.
Credit: Teton Gravity Research

So, if you are thinking that summer is too long, here’s a way to get back to those cool days of winter. Hang in there.

Click for video and chill.

http://www.tetongravity.com/video/ski/prosbro-and-a-gopro-snowbird-2016-pov

Indoor Skiing? Bode Miller?

June 22, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by mikemaginn

Ski In A T-Shirt. In July. In Colorado.

Bode Miller endorses the indoor, endless carpet as a way to practice and learn.
Credit: Snobahn

There is a way to keep skiing year round. As we have seen, the urge to keep skiing has been explored in many different ways. This time, Snobahn, a “state of the art” indoor ski facility is coming to the US with its first facility in Centennial Colorado.

Hey, if you are learning or yearning, it’s a place to get some vertical done. Snobahn says 30-minutes on the continuously moving carpet gives you the equivalent of 20,000 vertical feet. That’s a work out.

Plus, there’s a lounge, and the price is right: $40 per rental and instruction. And Bode Miller is an enthusiast. Pretty interesting. Check out the video. And thanks Teton Gravity Research for the story idea.

10 Tips For Kayaking Seniors

June 20, 2016/5 Comments/in Features/by Tamsin Venn

Kayaking Expert Tamsin Venn Offers Ideas For Those Who Want To Try Something New.

Kayaking is a perfect non-snow season sport for seniors. Outdoors, exercise, skill, and cool equipment combine to make an attractive sport.
Credit: Tamsin Venn

Kayak touring is one of the best recreational activities for seniors. It is low impact. It’s easy to learn. It’s a great way to get together with other seniors and connect. It’s intellectually stimulating involving navigation skills and tide charts.

Here are ten tips to make this sport even more enjoyable.

Go light. Lifting a kayak on and off cars or the beach can strain your back. Light kayaks made of carbon fiberglass material can be well worth the investment. More kayak manufacturers, recognizing the needs of the older paddler, are reducing weight using various materials. Aim for a boat 35 pounds or less. Consider a wood kayak, which is light, durable, lively, and lovely to look at.
Invest in a good paddle for ease of swing weight. Again carbon light materials can be expensive but well worth the price, and wood is a good option. Consider a Greenland paddle. It has a longer and narrower blade that lessens the upload on your arms and shoulders.

Greenland Paddle from Lumpy Paddles. Credit: Lumpy Paddles

Lifting your kayak on and off a car, especially as a solo paddler, can be onerous. Thule makes something called a Hullavator, a mobile rack that allows you to load the kayak at waist level on the side of the car, then lifts it onto a rack on top of the car. A strut device eases most of the kayak’s weight.
Most kayak accidents happen on land, on rocky shores where you may slip on seaweed. Always step in between the rocks, not on top of them.
A kayak cart removes the need to haul on your shoulders. You can even rig up a cart to a bike to get your boat to the water. If you ever go to the Adirondacks, where portaging from one pond to another is de rigeur, you will see seniors everywhere using kayak carts. Strap them to the back of your kayak when not in use, or stow them in the rear hatch. Nothing says portage better than kayak cart.
The usual kayak safety planning is even more important as you get older. File a float plan with a family member or friend. That indicates your proposed route, time of return, and a description of your kayak. Other useful (and in some cases mandatory) items: a weather radio to indicate wind force and direction; cell phone in waterproof case or hand-held VHF; a pfd (personal flotation device); whistle; and a wetsuit or drysuit if you are paddling in cold water. Hypothermia from cold water immersion is one of the kayaker’s biggest challenges.
Carry a tow rope, so you can tow the grandkids in their kayaks back to shore if they get tired, or so they can tow you! Towing is a remarkably easy way to assist someone back to shore.
In the off season, lift light weights to keep shoulders and arms strong.
Do yoga to assist in balance and flexibility, especially key for getting in and out of your kayak.
As in downhill skiing, it’s best to venture out in less traffic. Avoid busy summer weekends when motorboat and Jet Ski traffic is at its most frantic… and noisy. Go early in the morning, when the world is tranquil, and you’ve got the water to yourself.

Happy Summer Paddling!

For more information on getting started in sea kayaking, subscribe to Atlantic Coastal Kayaker, at www.atlanticcoastalkayaker.com

Tamsin Venn is the publisher of Atlantic Coastal Kayaker and a regular contributor to Seniorsskiing.com

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (June 17)

June 16, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Cycling With Celeb, Boarders Say ‘Try It’, A Champ Moves On.

Tour de France winner Greg LeMond snapping pics on charity ride with Pat McCloskey, seniorsskiing.com corrrespondent.

We know that senior snow sports enthusiasts like to cycle in the summer. That’s why we started our Cycling Series that captures great or notable rides in different places and circumstances. This week, we see how Seniorsskiing.com correspondent Pat McCloskey managed to ride with Tour de France Champion Greg LeMond on a local charity ride! What a treat!

We also hear from Dave Hayes, a senior-former-skier-transformed-into-boarder, who presents a reasonable (albeit somewhat tongue-in-cheek) proposition for skiers to give riding the board a try. Hey, let’s be open-minded.

Finally, we take a moment remember the indomitable, one-of-a-kind Muhammad Ali who tried skiing at Mt. Snow many years ago.

As we move to summer, we are analyzing the amazing results from Spring Subscriber Survey 2016. We know that more of our readers than we thought buy lift tickets online. That is a significant insight and one we will support with our new alliance with Liftopia. See what’s going on in the right column over there? Our readers can now access Liftopia from SeniorsSkiing.com’s front page! More on that as the summer rolls on.

Thank you for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. We hope you are taking advantage of your Promotive discounts available only to our readers. And remember: “There are more of us every day, and we are not going away.”

Cycling Series: Join A Charity Ride This Summer

June 14, 2016/0 Comments/in Features, Home Top Box 1/by Pat McCloskey

Cycling With A Champion On A Charity Ride: Priceless.

SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent Pat McCloskey with cycling great Greg LeMond.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

One of the more enjoyable events in cycling are those which support a charitable cause. Throughout the country there are road rides where participants receive donations per mile or flat donations to support different organizations. These are usually marked with support from the local motorcycle club escorts, food vendors and volunteers at the rest stops, and colleges or other venues that provide camping or room facilities with showers and dining hall options. Sometimes these are one-day rides of 25- to 50-miles. Others are multi-day events culminating with a large sponsored finish line party. The events are well organized and many of the event organizers are well known non-profits like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation , the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society , and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society . All of these organizations have local and national events. America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride around Lake Tahoe is a MS sponsored event and I had the privilege of riding in that one a few years back, and it definitely deserves the moniker. Gorgeous views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

One of the more interesting rides that I have participated in recently was an event put on by an organization called 1in6. This organization provides support to men who were abused as children. The honorary chair person for the ride was none other than our three-time Tour De France Champion Greg LeMond. The event is called the Catoctin Challenge held annually in Maryland. The compelling thing about riding with a Tour de France Champion like LeMond is how affable and easily approachable he is. Surrounded by people all the time, LeMond tirelessly signed autographs late into the evening and was willing to answer any question that anybody had at the event. With his wife Kathy at his side, he is surely the poster child of any charitable bicycle ride and I was fortunate enough to be with him for two years running.

The amazing thing to me was the fact that most people on the ride preferred to ride by themselves or ride with their friends. There were only 6 of us who rode both days of the weekend with LeMond including our host Scott Weiner of MHW Corporation. Being a former road racer, I was kind of in awe about this opportunity because I have been a big fan of LeMond for decades. He is a little slower now, thankfully, which allowed me to ask him many questions. What was Sean Kelly like? How did you get on with Fignon? How about the psychological battles with Hinault? I peppered the guy and he was gracious in all of his responses including some of the issues with the recently defrocked seven time TDF Champion. In all, it was a true pleasure to ride with him in two events in recent years and I can’t say enough about the guy with his entrepreneurial spirit ( He developed the aero bar, Giro Helmets, and many other cycling accessories along with his own bicycle brand.) Truly a gracious champion and all around good guy. Great sense of humor, too, in that one guy in our group kept trying to hammer him, and LeMond got ahead of us and hid in the bushes until the guy rode by. We all laughed at our buddy trying to kill himself looking for LeMond in the distance.

If you ever get the chance to participate in a charity bicycle event, do it. As the saying goes ”a great cause and riding the miles for smiles.”

Tour de France winner Greg LeMond snapping pics on charity ride with Pat McCloskey.

Boarders Are Not Bad, Just Different

June 13, 2016/5 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Senior Boarder Dave Hayes Returns With Exhortation: Try It!

Senior Boarders ride can ride with grandchildren! Cool, Dude.
Credit: Dave Hayes

Readers of this interesting, professional and most discriminating of online magazines may have recently seen an article written in support of older snowboarders (boarders) by a person who is alleged to be named David Hayes. (See “Confessions Of A Senior Snowboarder.”)

That article was universally panned and elements of ski culture have made horrific threats of various natures against the author, the editors, the author’s children, the entire world of snowboarders and have in fact extended their distain all the way to the maker of the paper it was printed on. In point of fact, the person or persons that made allegations about the parentage of the makers of Hammermill paper should be reminded that this is an ELECTRONIC form, not cellulous paper.

Back to the article, be assured that the sanctity of ski culture is not at risk, there is room for both cultures on the mountains, except for Deer Valley and Alta evidently. The Boarders of 10 to 15 years ago have grown up (mostly) and there is a return of civility to the slopes as the maturing of boarders has provided a platform of simple manners, tossing aside the past attitudes expressed in rebellious teens now older and in some cases with children of their own.

Boarders do often seem to wear the image of rebel and adopt the swagger that only the young can carry off. But, truth be known, the more mature Boarders also carry that “devil-may-care”’ attitude with them but it is not from disdain but it is taken from the very fact that boarding is harder and takes a little more of an effort to do well. Notwithstanding the park work and a double McTwist (see Shaun White video) most of us boarders spend most of our boarding on slopes and then sneaking off in the trees and such for deep powder. This kind of thing (check video) is definitely not for us guys.

You will find those adventurous younger types in the snow parks showing how quickly they can either ruin their boards or end up in the emergency room, often both at one time. Those boarders are the ones we all worry about meeting up in the lift or the slope, these are the ones that our mothers warned us about!

The rest of us look for powder and adventure on slopes and in areas off the slopes as to board in deep powder is like looking under the Christmas tree on Christmas.

Boarders are not bad people, just different! Elegance and grace often found in the skiing community is not where the Boarders interest is found, we boarders (use word Dudes here) swoop and carve and generally look to enjoy the sensations that can only be found on a board. I invite you to try it!

“I tried it one time and it was too hard’ is often heard. “I only get a few days of vacation and I don’t have the time to learn to board” is another. But, is it not true that what is maybe different and maybe a bit harder to learn is also a greater reward when you get it? That first connected heel and toe turn. The joy of being able to actually stop without looking like you have to go to the bathroom, right now! (pizza pie stop). The freedom to swagger to the slope without carrying two boards, two poles!

I say find a good instructor, find out if you are a front faller or a back faller (see authors previous article no doubt consigned to the electronic trash can equivalent.) But try it, try to get in the groove of boarding, there are rewards to be found beyond using Dude in a sentence.

Now the season is over and I still find myself stretching my quads and calves in a crouch, waiting for the day, the perfect snow day that is out there just a few months away. Get ready mountains!

About The Author:

David Hayes is an engineer turned contractor living in central Florida but in his mind is in Ogden Valley’s SnowBasin and Powder Mountain, UT.

RIP Muhammad Ali

June 11, 2016/2 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Never Stop Trying.

The Champ gets up at Mt Snow, Vermont

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (June 10)

June 9, 2016/1 Comment/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Skiing Under The Southern Cross, Major Snow, Summer Snow, And Rebalancing Your Body.

Before and After satellite images of Portillo region in Chile captures the magnitude of the storm

While the snow sports season has finally wrapped up in North America, flakes are falling below the equator. We have two reports from Oz and Chile. Our new Melbourne-based correspondent Meg Malkin has written a snapshot introduction to what skiing is like Down Under. And, we have learned of a mega-monster storm in Portillo, Chile. We have pictures that show what nine feet of snow looks like. That’s nine feet in one storm. We should be so lucky here in New England next season.

Co-publisher Jon Weisberg has discovered a company that makes snow, real cold, water-based snow that you can ski on…in the summer. Find out what he’s found out. It’s another incredible innovation in an industry that seeks full-year ’round activity.

Finally, Tommy Kirchhoff, long-time ski and Tai-Chi instructor, gives you some tips on how to rebalance your body. Unconsciously, we all tend to favor one hand, foot, hip, over the other. That creates an out of balance condition, and the other side tries to compensate. Result: Chronic pain, aches, and pills. Check out Tommy’s video to see how to get back in line.

Incidentally, we have compiled the results to our Spring Subscriber Survey 2016 and have identified more than 50 SeniorsSkiing.com readers who have “skied their age” last season. Skiing your age means you spend one day on slopes or trails for every year you’ve been around. That is an impressive list and the numbers of days are impressive. Watch for that in the next couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, we are heading into late Spring. Enjoy your hiking and cycling (the two most popular non-snow season sports, based on survey results) and tell us about your adventures.

And, remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

View from Mount Hotham summit.
Credit: Kham Tran

Ski Portillo Gets 9 Feet!!!!!

June 9, 2016/2 Comments/in International/by Jon Weisberg

Road to Resort Blocked.

Before and After satellite images of Portillo region in Chile captures the magnitude of the storm

Winter shifted hemispheres quickly this week and delivered a 9-foot monster dump of snow on Ski Portillio. Resort operators there are ecstatic with the early season delivery.

Dramatic satellite images show the day-before/day-after difference in coverage.

If any readers are on their way or have plans to go this season, take some pictures and send a report.

This is the mountain road to Portillo. Switchbacks are completely inundated.

Skiing In Oz: The Season Is Just Beginning

June 8, 2016/1 Comment/in Home Top Box 2, International/by seniorsskiing

Here’s A Snapshot Of Skiing Down Under.

Popular Mount Hotham’s summit is at 6,100 feet (1,862 metres)
Credit: Kman Tran

[Editor Note: This was written by Melbourne, Australia-based Marg Malkin, a retired ski industry veteran who spends February and March at SilverStar, BC. She is SeniorsSkiing.com’s first Australian contributor. We hope to see more news from her.]

Australian seniors only have a very small window to enjoy skiing in Australia given the ski season is a short 14 weeks from the first weekend in June through to the end of September. Historically, the season is a bit “scratchy” when it begins and then the snow comes with a blustery vengeance, often covering the slopes with almost a metre of snow. Given the elevations of ski resorts vary between 1300 and 2000 metres in altitude, a two metre snow-depth season is a good one.

Ozzie ski resorts are clustered in the southeastern states: Victoria and New South Wales
Credit: Wikipedia Commons

The major ski resorts—Thredbo, Perisher, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount Buller—are all located in the high country of New South Wales and Victoria, the South Eastern states of Australia. The resorts also serve as summer hiking, mountain bike riding, and bush walking destinations. Only one resort, Mount Buller is an easy day-tripper resort, two-plus hours access from Melbourne.

The other Victorian resorts are three and a half hours away, so therefore overnight destinations. New South Wales ski resorts are a five-hour drive from Sydney, however they are easily accessible from the Australian capital city of Canberra.

Unlike the New Zealand resorts, all these Aussie resorts are accessed by car or bus right into the main resort areas within easy distance from the accommodations.

View from Mount Hotham summit.
Credit: Kham Tran

The resorts began with small private lodges (or cabins) built by a few die hard skiers walking in with skins. More private lodges developed in the 50’s and 60’s, and, in the 70’s, commercial investors began developing private condo complexes and licensed taverns, most of which thrive today. Generally most of our “baby boomer” sector began as members of private lodges, these lodges becoming open to the public in the 80’s to cover infrastructural costs.

Majority of the ski fields are surrounded by National Parks, and there is a fair amount of government infrastructural control throughout the ski fields. The Australian ski lift companies make skiing very attractive to our generation, providing over 65-year-olds with 50% discount of lift passes. And if you are inclined to keep skiing after 70, then your ski lift pass is free! However there is a government entry fee per car for the ski season to access the Victorian resorts.

For current ski conditions in Australia, click here. Looks like the “scratchy” start of the season is here.

For more information about skiing in Australia, click here.

Sunrise on Mount Jagungal. Credit: Jerry Nockles

Sunrise on Mount Jagungal in Kosciuszko National Park, NSW.
Credit: Jerry Nockles

Do You Recognize Asymmetry in Your Body?

June 6, 2016/0 Comments/in Other News/by seniorsskiing

Are You Right-Handed or Left-Handed?

TaiChi is continuous, slow motion of gentle stretching and breathing practiced by thousands around the world. Credit: Tommy Kirschoff

TaiChi is continuous, slow motion of gentle stretching and breathing practiced by thousands around the world.
Credit: Tommy Kirchoff

[SeniorsSkiing.com welcomes back Tommy Kirchhoff, a long-time ski instructor and a certified Tai Chi master. He has been teaching senior exercises for 12 years. Tai Chi is an ancient martial art that has evolved to slow-moving poses that is practiced all over the world.]

Does one knee hurt more than the other? Are there visible differences in the size and shape of your calf muscles? How about more aches in one shoulder than the other?

When you stand, do you know which foot you typically stand on? When you sit, can you tell which of your butt cheeks takes more of your body weight?

From the time we are born our bodies develop and then degrade asymmetrically. Each of us takes a longer step with one foot than the other. We tend to favor one arm and one leg; and by the time we reach middle age we begin to have asymmetric problems.

Body Asymmetry can lead to chronic soreness. Tai Chi can help re-balance.

One hip or one knee destroys itself. This leads to surgery, and more asymmetry. Eventually the problems make the body sedentary, which leads to problems of the internal organs and the blood.

But asymmetry can be remedied. Not with strength, as doctors and physical therapists all seem to believe. Strength does not solve the problem of joint stiffness.

First, recognize the strengths and weaknesses of your body parts. Take inventory. Think about the differences. Let the left side teach the right side and vice-versa. Then start practicing Tai Chi. You can start anytime, but for older skiers, there’s no time like now to prepare yourself for next season.

The slow “perfect” and balanced movements of Tai Chi allow you mobilize and stretch your ankles and knees and hips in a safe and methodical way.

When you see a photo of someone practicing Tai Chi, you have to always remember that Tai Chi has no static postures. Continuous movement is a principle. So is relaxation.

When you relax and move in a specific way you can work through your stiffness and begin to correct the asymmetry in your body.

Our school has many thousands of students worldwide who enjoy the endless benefits Tai Chi has to offer.

If you want to give the movements a try, this is my Standing Energy Practice video on YouTube:

Coming to You Soon? Skiable, Outdoor, Summer Snow.

June 6, 2016/0 Comments/in Features, West/by Jon Weisberg

Finally, Outdoor Summer Snow.

It’s the invention of TechnoAlpin, an Italian manufacturer of snow making equipment. Its Snow Factory addresses warming trends challenging the future of skiing, allowing skiable snow to be made when air temps are warm. It will help areas extend their seasons or operate when nature won’t cooperate.

The first application in North America is at Boreal Mountain Resort at Donner Pass, not far from Lake Tahoe.

The container-shaped unit is delivered by tractor-trailer. It freezes water using a heat exchanger. No chemicals are added. TechnoAlpin’s site states: “The snow is not snow in its natural form but rather in small dry ice flakes which are completely frozen.” The ice crystals then get sprayed onto the slope where the frozen surface gets groomed or tenderized by the sun. It functions best in temperatures between 28 and 75 degrees.

None of this is inexpensive. The unit costs around $500,000 and uses a lot of power, much higher than the $38,000 cost of a typical snow making machine. But it’s not a water hog. Snow Factory uses less than 20 percent of a typical snow maker’s 100 gallons per minute.

The website describes the technology as “… ideal for making snow to cover relatively small sections in ski resorts or for all kinds of events, such as snowboard events or ski races in big towns, or the lower sections in ski resorts.” The company also identifies low-elevation Nordic centers as a suitable application for its Snow Factory.

This is a far cry from the beginnings of delivering ice in summer. That started around 500 BC in Persia (Iran) where winter harvested ice was stored in large, underground spaces, (perhaps similar to those used by Iran for its nuclear development program).

More than two millennia later, an enterprising New Englander named Frederick Tudor (1783-1864) was harvesting, storing and shipping ice from Walden Pond in Concord, MA, and the surrounding area to as far away as India. Queen Victoria said her favorite ice came from Wenham Lake, near Hamilton, MA, one of SeniorsSkiing.com’s headquarter sites.

Boreal will rely on its Snow Factory to provide surfaces needed for its Woodward Tahoe Action Sports Camps, eight weeks of co-ed residential summer camp for kids (7-19) and a week for adults.

As for the rest of us, look forward to warm weather runs without hiking to a glacier or getting on a plane.

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (June 3)

June 2, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Survey Headlines, Still Skiing At Stowe, Cycling Series.

This is definitely the last run, right?
Credit: Robby Kelley

This week, we welcome a new advertiser to SeniorsSkiing.com. Vail Realty has joined our crew. Note their ad in the right column, and also note that they are providing a 20 percent discount for subscribers of SeniorsSkiing.com. Click the ad and get in touch.

You wanted discounts, we’re doing our best to make that happen.

Working the results takes time!

We’re also publishing top level findings from our recent Spring Subscribers Survey 2016. The response rate has been outstanding , and we are very happy to heard from so many engaged readers.

Believe it our not, there was a guy who took a run down a trail at Stowe, VT, on May 26 in 80 degree weather. We have the video proof. Check it out.

Finally, Pat McCloskey does what a lot of senior snow enthusiasts do in the non-snow months: He cycles. Here’s his snapshot of riding around a cool town in Western New York State.

Thanks for all your great ideas submitted in the survey. Please keep them coming.

Tell your friends about SeniorSkiing.com, and remember, there are more of us every day and we’re not going away.

Survey Highlights: Surprises And Advice

June 2, 2016/5 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Here Are Top Level Findings: Discounts, Meet Ups, Instruction.

Analyzing the data from the survey. We’re still working the numbers!

We are so grateful to the many readers who responded to our Spring Subscriber Survey 2016. We had a 28 percent response rate. Anyone who knows surveys and response rates can appreciate how phenomenal that is. And a huge surprise to us. Most surveys get response rates in the single digits!

What that immediately says to us is that our readers are very engaged and, in fact, are rooting for seniorsskiing.com. We received many comments like “Keep going”, “Good job”, and “Like what I see”. When people said, “We appreciate what you are doing,” well, we got a little teary. Thank you for your encouragement.

As for immediate findings, the following were mentioned frequently in the comments:

Many of our readers said they wanted discounts, and we understand. Those of you who have opted-in withSeniorsSkiing.com (provided your email address for weekly updates) have access to Promotive, the web service providing discounts on outdoor gear and clothing from hundreds of manufacturers. These are the same “PRO FORM” discounts enjoyed by PSIA members. If you haven’t already done so, sign up for this free SeniorsSkiing.com benefit .

We also are developing a relationship with a major online lift ticket reseller. Watch for these lift ticket discounts.

Finally, look for our updated list of US areas that provide free skiing for seniors. We are updating it for next season.

Meeting up with other seniors. The next most frequent comment was “How can I meet other seniors to ski with?” We were surprised how important this was to our readers and here’s what we can suggest right now. More ideas will be forthcoming.

First, use The Forum for posting where and when you want to meet others. The Forum is a bullet board application that is accessed from SeniorsSkiing.com home page. There is a category for Meet Up/Get Together.

Second, “like” SeniorsSkiing.com’s Facebook page and use that to post when and where information. That message will go to other people who “like” the page.

Third, you will soon see an ad for the 70-plus Ski Club on SeniorsSkiing.com. This club is a perfect match for our readers. The club goes on many trips to many different areas in the US and abroad. You can find one that fits your needs and, voila, you’ve made a bunch of new skiing pals.

Technique, Instruction, Gear for seniors. Here was another pleasant surprise. Many of our readers are interested in skiing technique and instruction that meets seniors’ needs. These include people who are returning from a long hiatus, those adjusting to the new skis and boots, and others who want to ski safer.

We’ve noticed a trend for ski areas to have “Senior Days”, or “Master’s Clinics” on a regular basis through the ski season. It makes enormous sense for ski resorts to do this for their most loyal customer. We’ve been publicizing these through the last couple of seasons.

We will be working on how to publish more technique stories from instructors who have developed curricula for seniors. If you know of anyone who teaches seniors how to re-start their skiing experience, or who has some special ideas for seniors who want to sharpen their technique, please let us know.

More findings will be coming along as we continue to analyze the data.

Analysis and divining results requires concentration…