seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (July 21)

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Summer Is I-Cumin.

Summer skiing at Squaw Valley. Finally, the last run.
Credit: RogerRomani/Snowbrains.com

We are approaching the mid-summer mark and note that the monumental snow fall at Squaw Valley this winter has allowed die-hards to make a final run or two this week.  Season over. July 15.  Almost mid-summer.  My, my.

It makes you wonder what machinations of weather we will see next winter.  Conditions are shaping up for a neutral El Nino season out in the eastern Pacific, according to NOAA. That means the ocean water isn’t tending cooler or warmer.  Last year saw a La Nina condition (cooler ocean water) that made a huge impact on atmospheric conditions, especially in the North American west coast where the snow was epic.  A neutral condition in Winter 2017-18 will bring perhaps the same precipitation, but perhaps higher temps, too.  ‘Way too soon the tell, but we will be watching.

Since it is almost mid-summer, we thought we’d offer something different.

Here’s a poem by Gary Snyder, Mid-August At Sourdough Mountain Lookout.

Sourdough Mountain Lookout, Rockport, WA.

Down valley a smoke haze
Three days heat, after five days rain   
Pitch glows on the fir-cones
Across rocks and meadows
Swarms of new flies.
I cannot remember things I once read   
A few friends, but they are in cities.   
Drinking cold snow-water from a tin cup   
Looking down for miles
Through high still air.
Well, that’s the feeling we know a lot of our readers have when they take to the biking and hiking trails up in mountain country.
This week, we bring you an update about the Experticity discount situation.  Some new subscribers have been frustrated in trying to access the Experticity site where discounts on gear and clothing from top brands have been available to our readers.  The update will explain the status quo which is changing yet. We ask all to have patience as we work through this hiccup.

Also, our top 10 Trailmasters have been mailed their Debooters for their huge accomplishment this past winter in skiing their age.  If you want a SeniorsSkiing.com sticker, we have a bunch.  Just send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to SeniorsSkiing.com, Box 416, Hamilton, MA 01936.

Thanks for hanging with us; you are certainly not alone, because there are more of us every day and we aren’t going away!

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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I Hate Sue.

That’s the name we gave the voice on the rental car’s navigation system. We programmed her to direct us about 500 kilometers across France. Instead of doing as instructed, Sue gave us a Tour de France, all the way to the Mediterranean at the end of a major holiday. We were stuck, bumper-to-bumper, for hours. At one point she broke down, blurting out impossible directions, one after the other. We turned her off, stopped at a rest area (French toll roads have them every ten or so miles) and went analog. We bought a road map. With Sue’s help, what should have been five hours turned into nine.

My wife and I are walking through the Dordogne, a relatively sparsely populated area with gorgeous ancient stone villages and friendly people. We’re using the Grande Route, a well-marked network of narrow country roads and farm paths. Day One was about 10.5 miles; not all that bad were it not in the high 90s. A few too many steep hills and a wrong turn or two complicated our journey. After eight hours, supposedly a kilometer or so from our destination, I waved down a car. The driver took us to the hotel; about a 20 minute ride. Luggage was already in the room, a few steps from a great pool. The bartender made a Panache: half lemonade; half beer, on the rocks. Nothing is more refreshing after a very long and hot day on the trail.

A few days earlier we drove up Mt Ventoux in Provence. The temps at the bottom were mid-90s; the top (about 6273′ elevation), 15° cooler. Mt Ventoux is a frequent stage on the Tour de France, and the day we visited, an impressive number of amateurs were pedaling up and down. The mountain’s bald top can be seen across Provence. We ascended the north side. About two-thirds of the way we passed a smallish ski area. There’s one on the south face, as well. Some quick research indicated that high winds and limited snow pack make for icy and limited seasons.

Pepito leads the way.
Credit: Jon Weisberg

Day Two, feet hurting, we rode part way and hiked another 8-10 miles. About an hour in, a black and white dog with the face of a Russian wolf hound joined us. He seemed to know the route, occasionally departing into wood and field; always reappearing. We shared sausage and water with “le chien.” Later, he protected us from an aggressive hound as we passed his turf. Several hours later, arriving at our destination, hotel staff took him to the vet around the corner. The chip reader located the owner. We learned later our four-legged friend’s name is “Pepito.”

Taking the day off today. Time to rest our own weary dogs.

 

CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows closed its 2016-17 season on July 15, the latest date in the resort’s history. Here’s pic we are sharing from snowbrains.com that shows conditions on the list day. What a season! Sixty feet of snow! 200 days of winter operation! Snowiest month on record (283 inches in January)!

Good to the last drop a Squaw Valley, CA.
Credit: RogerRomaini/Snowbrains.com

NEW YORK

The July 3 edition of The New Yorker magazine has a short story titled “The Adventure of a Skier.” The author is Italo Calvino, and it describes a group of awkward young boys forcing their ski movements and a beautiful young girl making graceful turns with no apparent effort, using knowledge-based skill. Why the magazine chose to publish this winter story about chaos and order at the height of summer is a matter of speculation. Placed in our current political context, it makes sense.

UTAH

Alta‘s 2017-18 passes are now available. As with most areas, savings and bonuses are available with early purchases.

mikemaginn

Experticity Update: Good News, Bad News

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Experticity Discount Benefit For SeniorsSkiing.com Is Changing.

For the past couple of months, we’ve been getting emails from new subscribers asking for clarity and/or instructions for accessing the Experticity site where readers can get amazing discounts on gear and clothing from top brands. These new readers were unable to get on the site.  So, we inquired, and after a decent interval, we inquired again.  And then we finally heard back from an Experticity rep.

Here’s the scoop.

Last summer, Experticity merged with Promotive, the original online discount site we worked with to set up this benefit for our readers.  When the switcheroo came, Experticity gave us a new code and a new group name (“Ski Experts”) that differed from the Promotive name and code.  No worries so far. New subscribers were able to sign up with Experticity with no problems.

Recently, the folks at Experticity have been taking a closer look at who has access to their site.  They state that the discounts offered to the “Ski Expert” category is meant for people who are athletes, instructors, coaches, industry members, and the like. In other words, industry professionals. Their vendors expect the people who buy through Experticity to have those kinds of credentials; that’s part of the value Experticity adds.  While we do have a lot of ski instructors as subscribers, most of our readers are not those kinds of professional skiers.  So they pulled the code and, for now, have blocked access to the discounts for new subscribers.

What does this mean?  We are in the process of figuring out how we can revive that important discount benefit to our subscribers.

Good news: If you have already signed up when Experticity was Promotive and have been able to access the site, you will continue to have access until you reach the anniversary date of when you signed up.  Then you have to go through a new sign-up process.

Bad news: If you are new subscriber, we ask you to be patient until we figure out how or if we can work with Experticity to re-establish access. They gave us a new code, but there is a new sign-up process which we are trying to understand.

We are on top of this situation and will let you know as soon as we know what’s going on with Experticity.

 

 

 

Pat McCloskey

Cycling Series: Designed Trails Make A Difference In PA.

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Mountain Bikers: These Trails Are Worth The Trek.

Here’s the view from the Alligrippis. Nice summer ride through beautiful mountains in central PA.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

One of the smoothest, most  buttery trail systems in the east is situated in the middle of rural Pennsylvania near a beautiful body of water—Raystown Lake.  The Alligrippis Trails were IMBA( International Mountain Bike Association) designed in conjunction with the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Huntington County Visitors Bureau.

Check the smiles and the kids on the nice smooth single track.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

These trails are a must for anyone who appreciates flow on a mountain bike with berms and rollers galore.  There is some climbing but for the most part very gradual rollers with perfectly manicured conditions maintained by a robust volunteer system of local mountain bikers.  The Raystown Mountain Bike Association helps to keep these trails in tip, top condition, and if you are looking for a great day on the trails in the central mountains of Pennsylvania, this is your place.

There are 24 trails each stacked to provide loops that can be intertwined and lots of available bail out points.  Thirty miles of trails are available with hours of non-repetitive riding available.  Lots of riders make this a day trip when visiting State College to ride Rothrock State Forest trails which are another type of riding with more rocky challenging terrain.  The combo of each type of riding can provide a visitor to the central mountains of Pennsylvania enough variety to satisfy any level of rider.

Access to the trail system:

  • Seven Points Road Entrance in Raystown Lake Recreation Area
  • Bakers Hollow Road
  • Susquehanna Campground Entrance
  • Bicycle Shop Support- equipment, clothing, rentals, guide services and maps

Gear, Repairs, Supplies

Don’t miss eats:

  • Smitty’s Eats and Treats (Hesston, PA) Smitty’s pork bar-b-que is not to be missed prepared with meats from a local farm. Delicious!!!!! 

Oh, forgot to mention. Smitty’s also has ice cream.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

 

Harriet Wallis

Cycling Series: “Arthritis-Proof” Bicycle Tires—Flat No More

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Get 5,000 Miles On These Airless Tires And Never Have To Wrestle With A Flat.

The dealer installs tubeless Tannus tires onto my rims before the big charity ride.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

If your hands are arthritic, you know how hard it is get a tire back on its rim after fixing a flat. Arthritic hands just don’t have the strength they used to have. But it’s impossible to get a flat with solid tires, so that’s good news for arthritic hands.

I saw airless tires for the first time just a few weeks ago. It was the evening before a major all-women’s bicycle ride fund raiser for women’s cancer research. The annual event is sponsored by the Bonneville Cycling Club here in Utah and the women-only ride is called Little Red Riding Hood.

This year there were 3,900 riders who could choose to ride routes ranging from 27 to 100 miles through rolling rural countryside. Once again, my friend Laurie and I were good-will Course Ambassadors, which means we’d ride a route amongst the women reminding them how to ride safely.

Tires That Can’t Get Flats? My Hands Need Them.

Ride on. These colorful tires won’t get flats.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

On the evening before the ride, the start area becomes a shopping mall of vendors with bike-related products: bike clothing, bike jewelry, bike art—and for the first time, tubeless bike tires.

Right then, the night before the ride, we each bought a set of colorful Tannus tubeless tires and had them installed. During the long ride the next day they seemed to feel and ride like regular tires at 100 – 120 psi.

Details

The Tannus website says this design reduces drag to 1-2%, but we didn’t notice any drag on the Little Red route with rolling terrain and few hills. Apparently other brands of solid tires can produce considerable drag.

I’ll give you my follow up evaluation after I give the tires a good workout this summer on a variety of terrain.

The Tannus foam tires are lighter weight than a tube/tire combination. They also reduce weight because there’s no need to carry a pump or compressed air cartridge or tire tools.

They come in several road bike tire styles and in a dozen flashy colors. Aren’t my red ones pretty? Price: about $65 each plus installation

You can install them yourself, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s a very unconventional installation, and it uses a specialized tool to squeeze the tire onto the rim. If you already have arthritis in your hands, installation won’t be fun. But installation directions are available online.

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

 

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (July 7)

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Mammoth revels on the Fourth of July.
Credit: Mammoth Mountain

As we have been hearing from media sources, the skiing goes on. Apparently, July 4th at Mammoth was a combo beach party and ski festival as witnessed by the photo above.  Alas, although we closely scrutinized the details in the picture, we couldn’t see any senior skiers reveling in their bathing suits and bikinis.  What’s the matter with you guys?

George belongs to a very special ski club.
Credit: Snowbird

On the other hand, George Jedenoff, who celebrated his 100th birthday skiing at Snowbird on July 5th with his pal Junior Bounous, wasn’t in a Speedo this week. Correspondent Harriet Wallis tells us the back story of this interesting, positive, and inspirational man who learned to ski 51 years ago and has been at it ever since.  Certainly the king of Trailmasters!

We continue our Fitness Focus series this summer with a look at an highly effective stretch and strengthening pose that is one of the most iconic yoga positions.  Down Dog, aka Downward Facing Dog, is relatively simple to do and yields huge benefits, especially in stretching those tight hamstrings which can play mischief with lower back and hip pain. There’s a video included in the story that shows how to correct common mistakes in Down Dog.

Harriet also has submitted an update to her nostalgic profile of Blandford Ski Area in the Springfield, MA area. Regrettably, like many small areas, Blandford is and has been in financial difficulties. We love these little areas,

Small areas like Blandford are where families grow up loving skiing.
Credit: Ski Blandford

especially for senior skiers.  The mid-week traffic is minimal, the ticket prices are usually discounted, and there is often a community of folks to hang around with.  The good news is that Blandford might actually merge with Ski Butternut.  Let’s see what happens.

The ski industry lost Tommy Corcoran, the developer of Waterville Valley Resort and a former Olympian.   He made a mark on the sport when it was on the steep upside of the growth curve, making central New Hampshire a cool destination for Bostonians, New Yorkers, as well as celebrities. He was 85.

Finally, we have a fantastic report from Rose Marie Cleese on what’s happening in the never-ending season in the California Sierra.  As you can imagine, the biggest snow accumulation in years is still bringing the devotees back to the high country.  She has identified what is happening where as well as some tips on skiing in that highaltitude sunshine during the summer.

Two-time Olympian Tom Corcoran was an all-around athlete who put Waterville Valley on the map.
Credit: Waterville Valley Resort.

Our top Trailmasters are being mailed their prize Debooters as we speak. Well done, everyone.

If you want a handsome SeniorsSkiing.com 3 x 3 inch sticker, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to SeniorsSkiing.com, Box 416, Hamilton, MA 01936.  We will send you a few.

Onward to mid-summer.  And remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

 

 

 

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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There’s something odd about sitting in the shade in high desert, sun beating in the mid 80s and my laptop pinging with ski-related emails.

George Jedenoff at Snowbird.

Ski Utah’s alert is about George Jedenoff, who, as reported in last week’s Short Swings!, plans to spend his 100th birthday next week taking a few runs at the top of Snowbird. A quick search of “centennarian skiers” produced Lou Batori, 106 who skis at Crystal Mountain in Michigan. He is reported to have skied every winter since 1920. Keizo Miura, the Japanese ski instructor skied at Snowbird on his 100th. He lived to 101. Others took to the slopes for their 100th celebrations as well. May we all enjoy our days doing what we love.

The resorts, naturally, have been emailing about their summer offerings. Regardless of where they’re located activities are bundled into music of every genre, mountain biking, zip lining, and other high thrill adventures, and food/wine/beer events.

And Patagonia, that wonderful purveyor of terrific products and sustainable ideas, has been encouraging its customers to speak out in defense of public lands. The company reminds us that the comment period for all monuments is open until July 9. A portion of the Patagonia site lists all threatened national monuments, including four in Arizona, seven in California, two each in Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, and one each in Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

SOUTHERN SKIING

For a quick snow report of Southern Hemisphere resorts — whether you’re planning to go or just living vicariously — visit On The Snow.

SKIER’S INK

Some people simply can’t resist a questionable idea. Hence the advent of skier tattoos. These examples are quite amazing, especially #s 10 and 22.

VERBIER, SWITZERLAND

I spent a week there in the late 70s. It was fantastic. One memorable day I joined a small group and a guide for a short fixed wing flight to the top of a glacier. We spent most of the day skiing down. Our last stop was in a small village where we had lunch before taking a train back to the resort. Fall Line Magazine in the UK recently published this graphic showing how Verbier has grown since 1935.

AND THEN THERE’S THIS

From the AARP.  Your thoughts?

 

Harriet Wallis

George Turns 100 And Skis On His Birthday

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Snowbird Made Special Arrangements So George Could Celebrate By Skiing In July.

Birthday boy George Jedenoff flanked by old friends Junior and Maxine Bounous.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

George Jedenoff became an avid skier 51 years ago when he moved to Salt Lake City to oversee the Geneva Steel Plant. He learned from the best: iconic Junior Bounous, legendary Alf Engen, and release binding inventor Earl Miller.

At that time, Miller performed stunt falls to show how well his bindings released. But he credited George with doing whacky falls that he’d never seen. In spite of the falls, George learned to ski and to love the sport.

Junior Bounous, director of skiing at Sundance and then Snowbird, mentored George and they became fast friends. They’ve skied together for 51 years. Even now, I continue to learn new things from Junior, said George.

The two friends skied on July 5—George’s 100th birthday.

George belongs to a very special ski club.
Credit: Snowbird

George lives in California but he returns to Utah every winter to ski at Alta and Snowbird. He skis with the vigor of a teenager and charges through powder with ease. He loves powder.

He also has a philosophy that guides his life and inspires others. “Be kind. Do your best. Don’t be discouraged by bad things that might happen to you. Always be positive,” he says.

When George was 95, Ski Utah, the umbrella organization over all Utah ski resorts, produced a video of him skiing. It was an immediate hit and each winter Ski Utah produces a new and inspiring video of him.

Thanks to Snowbird, George celebrated his 100th birthday by skiing a large field of snow near the top of the mountain with his friend Junior Bounous. He was also awarded a plaque, shared a cake with everyone who attended, and enjoyed a birthday lunch at Snowbird’s slopeside Forklift Restaurant. He also received a letter of congratulations from the nationally known 70+ Ski Club. Only 3 of its 3,000 members have been over 100 years old.

But there’s a back story too. A day earlier, George and Junior drove up the gravel summer road at Alta to search for a patch of snow on which to practice before today’s big event. They found a suitable patch and made turns. “It was about as big as a room and about as wide,” said Junior. “But we skied it.”

The day’s festivities wrapped up with George’s typical, positive outlook. His skis were leaning against a wall, and he spoke to a family member saying: “Let’s remember to pick up my skis, I’ll need them this winter.”

Click on the video below to see George celebrate his 100th on the snow.

 

 

mikemaginn

Fitness Focus: The Essential Down Dog

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Here’s One Of The Most Important Stretches An Active Senior Can Do.

[Editor Note: Our summer series Fitness Focus is taking a distinctive turn toward several important yoga positions. We’ve highlighted the Squat, the Plank, and now the Down Dog.  We are a bit biased toward these poses because we have experienced personal progress and various muscle pain relief by practicing them.  We’re curious, too, about your experiences with these and others.  Let us know.]

Downward Facing Dog
Credit: Yoga Basics

Hamstrings are the big muscles behind your thighs.  If you stand and raise one heel towards your backside, you are using your hamstrings. When you sit down on a chair, those muscles are relaxed and become shortened and tight.  When they are tight, they pull on your hips and, in our experience, have been one source of classic lower back pain.  There are other sources, of course, i.e., bulging discs, arthritis and even infection.  But we’ve found that stretching those hamstrings goes a long way in resolving that uncomfortable lower back.

According to physical therapists, the most effective way to stretch those hamstrings and many other muscle sets is the Down Dog pose (aka Downward Facing Dog, or Adho Mukha Svanasna).

It is a rather simple pose that involves your entire body.  You start on your hands and knees, hands under shoulders, knees under hips.  With an exhale, up you go, bringing your rear end up, your head between your shoulders and your legs as straight as you can get them.  Spread your hands out like a star fish and gaze back at your shins while keeping your neck in line with your spine. The ideal is to plant your heels down on the floor while your legs are straight, your spine lengthened and your belly button drawn into your spine. Chances are, you’re not going to get your heels down if you’re just starting.  Or perhaps never. Most people feel comfortable just “pedaling” their heels up and down as a first step to getting comfortable.

Breath slowly and deeply from your belly button.  You are strengthening your shoulders, neck, back, glutes, and lots of other muscles while you are stretching your hamstrings.

One-Legged Down Dog is an easy variation.
Credit: Yoga Basics

From Down Dog, you can transition to Plank, hold that for 10-20 seconds, and then go back to Down Dog.  Back and forth between those two is a tremendous stretching and strengthening exercise. Breathe deeply and slowly. We’ve heard this combination is used in various military boot camps to get recruits into shape.

There are several variations you can use once you get into Down Dog.  Lifting one leg straight up is one.  There are others which you can check here.

As usual, if you have any carpal tunnel, shoulder, back, joint issues, or unregulated high blood pressure, please check with a health care professional before you try any of these stretches.

Here’s a demonstration and tips for correcting common problems in doing Downward Dog.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z8rZJ6sk48

 

 

Harriet Wallis

Historic Blandford Ski Area Poised To Bite The Dust

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This Wonderful Family Area Is Simply Out Of Money.

[Editor Note: According to the Westfield News, Springfield Ski Club’s members will be meeting on July 18 to approve the sale of assets to the owners of Ski Butternut. If two thirds of the total membership do not specifically vote yes, the ski area will close.]

Volunteers kept Blandford going and gave the small area a community feel.
Credit: New England Ski Industry

The website says: “May 28, 2017 – Ski Blandford Financially Insolvent. Could Be Sold or Closed.” The Board of Directors and the skiers are on the brink of making a gut wrenching decision soon about their ski area that’s been going for 81 years.

Harriet visited Blandford on a recent visit, finding a welcoming sign at the base lodge.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

As background, recreational skiing spiked after WWII when 10th Mountain Division veterans returned and inspired city folk to take up skiing.

But before that, in the 20s and 30s, hardy skiers skinned up mountains, built primitive lifts and were already into downhill skiing.

And so it was for the Springfield Ski Club. In 1936 it got permission to build a ski slope on a hilly farm in southern Massachusetts. It installed a 1,000 foot long rope tow and used a nearby schoolhouse as a warming hut. A few years later the club bought the land and named it Blandford Ski Area.

Today, about 60 ski areas that started before WWII are still in operation, according to data collected by New England Ski Museum Director Jeff Leich.

But it hasn’t been easy for this small, family-oriented ski area. Modernization from rope tows to chairlifts was costly. Updating to snowmaking was a necessity. But then, interstate highways whisked skiers past Blandford to bigger, destination resorts.

But Blandford—with its 450 feet of elevation, three chairlifts, snowmaking and night skiing—held on while other small ski areas in southern Massachusetts closed. Skiers simply love Blandford.

And they put in countless hours of volunteer work to keep the area ship shape. Work parties painted the picnic tables. And they walked up the slopes picking up stones pushed up by frost and tossed them into the woods so in winter they could ski on a minimal snow base.

During the 1960s and 70s, membership was capped at 5,000, and there was a waiting list to join. My family of four were all novice skiers, and we jumped at the opportunity to join when an opening occurred..

From that humble beginning at the small ski area, we all grew to love the sport. And we progressed to become instructors and ski patrol.

Blandford got us started in the right way. It inspired us with skiing. And it offered family values and great camaraderie with other families.

However, membership slowly dwindled over the years and dropped to just 1,426 in the 2014-15 season. Fickle weather and the economics of operation began to out weigh the camaraderie and the inspiration,

Blandford, like other small ski areas, is a grass roots feeder area that launches skiers into the sport. It’s sad that we might lose this icon of the ski industry. For a closer look, click here for the Ski Blanford site.

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

Small areas like Blandford are where families grow up loving skiing.
Credit: Ski Blandford