Harriet Wallis

Sundance Seniors Rock

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Camaraderie and coaching with spectacular views. You might even catch a glimpse of owner and super star Robert Redford.

Gorgeous view of Mt. Timpanogous.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

Several times a month the Sundance Seniors meet and ski the mountain together. They’re ski buddies. They’re bonded by their love of skiing and their passion for Sundance.

What’s more, Sundance Seniors get VIP care. Some ski days include a complimentary coaching session with Snowsports Director Jerry Warren or one of his top staff.

“We always want to keep everyone safe and enjoying skiing at this stage of their life, and we realize they aren’t trying out for the world cup anymore,” Warren said.

The scheduled ski days are published on the Senior Group on the Sundance website. When you’re in town, you’re invited join them for a day of ski fun and camaraderie.

Newcomers are always welcome, like avid fly fisherman Spencer Nishimoto who joined the group last winter after many seasons off from skiing. “These are really nice people to ski with. We develop friendships and rip up some runs. And the coaching makes it fun to keep learning.”

Unofficial senior leader Ralph Childs usually leads the way and sets the pace. But then he stops so the group can cluster again. All are strong skiers. Some are former ski instructors. But like most seniors, some have cranky knees and old injuries so they ski a tad slower. No problem. They ski, gather, chat, ski. Repeat.

Sundance grande dame Barbara Stewart Anderson and friends.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

And you never know who you’ll meet. Barbara Stewart Anderson skied there as a child because her father, Ray Stewart, founded the resort in 1944, built a 500 hundred foot rope tow, and named it Timp Haven. Today the main lift, Ray’s lift, memorializes his name.

A $150 senior season pass or a $20 day lift ticket gets you ski camaraderie and coaching with stunning views of Mt. Timpanogos.

In addition, it has elegant dining, a massive wooden bar where Butch Cassidy hung out, and a country store. Sundance is located in the Wasatch Mountains less than an hour south of Salt Lake City, but it’s often overlooked by destination skiers.

Antique farm implements decorate the Foundry Grill.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

To read more from Harriet click here for her stories on SkiUtah.

Val E

Demo Day: How To Participate And Enjoy

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Here Are Some Tips For Taking Part. Don’t Be Shy.

Demo staff are knowledgable, helpful and welcoming to first-timers.
Credit: Val E.

Every season ski shops, ski manufacturers, and ski resorts organize events when anybody could try new ski equipment. Demos range from a local mom-and-pop ski shop get-together to major on-snow events run by SIA (Snowsports Industry America).

Why do you need to take part in it? Technical progress never stops, try new things; you may like them. At least you will have your own opinion. Picking a pair of skis or boots is as personal and as tricky as picking a life partner. Well, kind of.

Never think you are not qualified for a ski demo. The idea is to let “volks” try the “wagen” and to give them a clear reason to buy it later.

Setting bindings based on your experience and size has to be done accurately. Don’t exaggerate your skill level!
Credit: Val E.

  • Check the list of demos at your local resort, or before you go to a ski trip. State ski associations are good resources for finding resort events. (SkiNH, SkiUtah, etc.)
  • Come early, bring your boots, poles, ID, and a credit card. Bring your own skis to “calibrate a zero level” by taking a run or two before the demo.
  • Before starting the demo, you must fill in a form with your weight, height, skier type, age, and gender. Be honest with this info; it is used for adjusting your bindings.  A higher setting than needed may lead to non-release of a binding which is dangerous.
  • Prepare a list of announced brands and potential models to try on. Know before you go so your search can be focused. Have an objective for your try-outs.
  • Read some magazines or blogs about different ski types before you go. Think about types of skis you like and dislike, what you want to demo considering the snow conditions. For example, if you ski mostly in hard pack or ice, don’t spend much time on skis for powder/soft snow.
  • If time permits, talk to the staff working at the demo booths; they are knowledgeable about ski features and benefits.
  • It’s pretty obvious but don’t ruin the edges and bases of the demo skis. These aren’t your rock skis.
  • Unwritten rule is that a skier makes a couple of runs on one pair of demos and returns it. Someone else will be waiting for your demos.
  • Use your smart phone to take photos of ski reviews and demo skis. Record your audio and video comments about them while staying in line or riding a ski lift. A partner can record a video of you going down the hill on different skis to compare. You can share your recorded impressions with your less fortunate friends on Facebook or in real life.

Even if you are not really interested in purchasing a new pair of skis, you learn a lot about gear and the sport, and it’s fun!

 

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Feb. 3)

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Park City Review, Self-Teaching Tips, Industry Insider Book Review, Changes With Ages, Hand Warmer Frugality.

There’s an old New England axiom that says half your wood pile should be left on Ground Hog day, the official mid-point of winter. However, this year, we have a feeling “winter” is going to stretch well into spring thanks to the amazing quantities of snow west of the Mississippi. And the weather people are predicting a cold, cold February for the east. Cold is what is needed around New England for more snow and snow making. It’s been an up and down season here.

Park City is lower in altitude than other Wasatch resorts, making it easier to adapt for low-landers.
Credit: Park City Mountain Resort

This week, correspondent Tamsin Venn shows us how seniors can rock and roll at Park City, a huge Utah resort that is, in fact, the largest ski resort in North America.  By linking with The Canyons under the banner of Vail Resorts, one can ski for miles. Interesting, Park City is relatively low altitude (7,000-ft), making adjustment for flat-landers a little easier.

Karen Lorentz has sent in an interesting review of SKI, INC., the biography of Chris Diamond, a ski resort developer and manager who has seen enormous changes in the business.  He’s very clear, however, that some resorts have not changed enough and are at risk of becoming outdated.  Check out her review.

Marc Liebman, a new SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent, tells us about how his skiing style has changed over his 40-plus years on skis. Clearly, it is important to adjust as capabilities change.  What do you think?  Still ripping at 75?  Tell us.

Finally, veteran SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent Harriet Wallis shows us how to save those little hand warmers for another day. Harriet also writes regularly for the SkiUtah blog.

Please don’t forget to check out our Subscriber-Only Content, under the COMMUNITY tab in the top navigation menu.  Our latest offering for Subscribers is a free eBook by Seth Masia on how you can Ski Younger Now.

We depend on our readers to pass along our online magazine to friends.  That’s how we keep growing.  So please tell your pals about SeniorsSkiing.com.  There are more if us every day, and we aren’t going away.

 

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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February is National Bootfitting Month.

Boots! You either love them or you hate them. If yours give you grief, take heart. February is National Bootfitting Month, and the folks at America’s Best Bootfitters are encouraging skiers to visit one of the America’s Best Bootfitters shops to improve boot performance, comfort, warmth, and fit.

Skiing Magazine Folds.

The buzz during last week’s SIA Snow Show in Denver is that Skiing Magazine has folded. The magazine started publication in 1948. The grapevine suggested it will become part of Ski Magazine, another publication in the AIM Media group. Skiing’s website is still up, but the mag’s media kit is no longer posted.

CALIFORNIA

The Audi FIS World Cup returns to California after a 19 year absence. It takes place March 9-12 at Squaw Valley Resort.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Jackson Ski Touring Center will host an exhibition of abstract paintings throughout its trails. The paintings, to be displayed in niches of snow and other natural materials, will be shown February 11. They are the work of two New Hampshire artists. Cost is $5 on foot; day trail passes discounted for seniors.

UTAH

Alta is supporting the Outdoor Industry for Clean Air and the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment. The area joined the other groups by signing a letter for clean air to Utah legislators. Each year inversions in the Salt Lake Valley increase in density and length, causing significant health issues for residents and visitors. The Utah Legislature pays lip service to the problem but does little to change it. Alta skiers can look down Little Cottonwood Canyon to see an ocean of smog covering the valley.

OTHER

A few of the many interesting products found at the big SIA Snow Show last week in Denver:

  • HangEmRight Ski Hangers are a simple and colorful way to store skis. $14.99
  • DexShell makes waterproof, breathable socks, gloves, and headwear. The products are demonstrated in a tank of water. They work.
  • Vintage Ski World is a source for vintage ski posters, photos, and equipment. Always a fun site to visit! Enter code RJA10 for 10% off.