seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Mar. 27)

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Onwards, Reporting On Your Comments, New Question For You, Skiing Weatherman, Cool Sun Glasses, Poetry For These Times, XC Skiing Still Viable, Sugarloaf Resort Review, Stow Your Gear.

Postmasters Andrea and Brenda at our little country post office were so helpful in mailing fund raiser tote bags. Thanks so much.

Winding down, changing pace, and adapting to new circumstances has become the order of the day. At SeniorsSkiing.com, we are still publishing relevant articles for our readership that will in some small way briefly divert attention away from the pandemic and, at the same time, provide stories that deliver some insight about how to deal with it.

Last week, we offered our readers an opportunity to respond to three questions revolving around the resort shut down, alternative activities, and advice. The response has been overwhelming.  We received more comments on those questions than any article in our six year history.  So, we decided to summarize those replies and offer you the highlights of what your fellow senior snow sports enthusiasts are thinking and feeling these days.

Your comments reflect a thoughtful attitude, kind and understanding, and creative, even resolute, in adjusting to the world of social distancing. Thank you for your contributions.

We decided to add another question in this week’s addition.  A little prosaic, perhaps, but timely. Let’s see what you think about buying lift passes this spring.

Finally, we’re happy to report that all our fundraiser premiums—stickers, patches, tote bags— have been mailed. You should have received your packages or envelopes by now.  Many thanks to the tireless postmasters at our little country post office who handled the load.  Brenda and Andrea, you rock.  We gave them some SeniorsSkiing.com tote bags as thank you gifts.

This Week

As we mentioned, we’re feeding back your comments on our open ended questions from last week, and asking a new question for you. Click here and here for summaries. Please comment in the Reply Box at the bottom of article.

Spring storms have brought snow to many areas. Get your outdoor fix by enjoying the outdoors with XC.

Irony reigns as Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman, reports late season snow is on the way. So there will be Nordic skiing opportunities at the beginning of April. If you’re in snow country, it’s not over yet.

XCSkiResort.com’s publisher Roger Lohr reminds us that Nordic skiing is still available to many and brings lots of benefits in fighting COVID-19.  Read his report here.

That young racer from last week’s Mystery Glimpse was Nancy Greene-Raine, Canada’s sweetheart and an active player in the snow sports industry in North America. Nancy spent about a decade serving in the Canadian legislature as senator from British Columbia. One of our readers actually skied with her a couple of weeks ago at Sun Peaks! We have included a video news interview with her that was recorded just before she retired where she describes her gold medal win in the 1968 Grenoble Olympics. Our new Mystery Glimpse shows a dude in some cool sunglasses.  Guess who.

We are reprising a story from last year on how to stow away your skis and gear. Correspondent Don Burch has some good advice, and since you probably have some time on your hands, it might be useful to be vigilant about taking care of your equipment.

Sugarloaf from the air on a beauty of a bluebird day.

We have one final Resort Review this season from correspondent Tamsin Venn who reports on Sugarloaf, the beautiful, big resort in western Maine that straddles the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. She managed to get a weekend of skiing in before the big shut down.  Perhaps her story will stir some memories of your season ending runs.

Finally, we include a special poem in our Snow In Literature series.  This one, Wendell Berry’s The Peace Of Wild Things, offers nature and the natural world as a potion for these uncertain times.

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

 

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Are skiers gamblers? I started thinking about that when COVID-19 prematurely ended the season. A lot of people purchased season passes of one form or another, never expecting early termination.

What odds would bookmakers have given last fall of that happening?

Skiing always involves some degree of considered risk and reward, not unlike many casino games, or life in general.

That patch of powder is inviting, but are there roots or rocks? 

If I take that unknown trail, will I wind up where I don’t want to be?

Buying skis without trying them is a risk. Buying boots without an expert to fit them also is a gamble.

 

When I used to leave the house early and drive two hours for a day of skiing, there were times I didn’t know whether it would be raining or snowing by the time I reached the hill. I remember decades ago driving through steady rain for more than an hour, gambling that by the time I reached the foothills, it would change to snow. It did, and I had a great day.

But taking a chance isn’t always rewarded. Many scheduled their annual ski holiday for mid-March or later. At the time, they didn’t know they were taking a chance. Now, we all do.

On a grander scale, we’ve been gambling with the environment for years. Many favor short-term gain over the terrifying long-term risk. As skiers, that gamble is showing a losing hand in areas closing due to lack of snow or the cold temps needed to run their guns.

Supporting that gamble is the understanding that we’ve entered a time when scientific fact is being challenged by uninformed personal opinion. When information sources were few, it was easier for the majority to know the difference between truth and falsehood. But now, with the explosion of information sources and with aggressive blurring of the borders between true and false, the idea that fictions can be perceived as facts has settled in. Those promoting our “post-truth” gestalt do it to confuse and manipulate; to conquer through confusion. 

Like the sport of skiing, accepting the new post-truth standard involves a very slippery slope. It is risky. And, except for those promoting these fictitious agendas, the rewards are nil.

Vail Reports March/April $ Loss

COVID-19 closures caused the company to announce its operating revenues for March and April will be around $200 million lower than expected.

Members Purchase Vermont’s Hermitage Club

Several former members raised $8+ million to buy southern Vermont’s Hermitage Club. The purchase includes Haystack ski area, the accompanying golf course, and numerous structures and inns.

SkiSkating with Snowfeet

The areas may be closed but many of us are living where there’s still snow on the ground. Recently I came across a new alternative to snowshoeing and X-C skiing. Snowfeet is a well built ski/skate that attaches to any winter boot. Once on, it lets you take off on flats or slopes with or without a set of poles. The company sent me a pair at the beginning of the season, and I loaned them to Brian Doubek, a friend in his early 50s who is an enthusiastic backcountry skier and an accomplished skater. He immediately determined that Snowfeet is best used on hardpack. He said the buckles were easy to use and effective. His observation was that weight needs to be centered over the product and using a skier’s stance with weight forward against the tongue of the boot won’t work. The FAQ section of Snowfeet’s website asks the question: Is it hard to learn? Their answer states: “It is as hard as learning to ski. So it takes some time and you will definitely fall now and then, but that’s the part of the fun.” I have yet to try Snowfeet, but expect that the learning curve is much, much shorter than learning to ski. Every time I passed the company’s exhibit at the SIA/OR Snow Show, it looked like retailers were showing interest. Snowfeet are very nicely designed, well manufactured and beautifully packaged. The company put together this short video of people trying Snowfeet for the first time. Their average age looks substantially younger than that of our readers. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the product, as well. They’re lightweight, fit easily in a pack, and look like they are a helluva lot of fun! They cost about $150, shipping included.

70% Off Parkas and Ski Pants!

During it’s end-of-season clearance, Vermont-based Orsden, is selling its parkas and ski pants at a 70% discount. Orsden sells exclusively on line.  Men’s and women’s jackets, normally $330, are now $99. Ski pants, normally $200, are $75. I’ve worn the parka for 3 or 4 seasons and love it. It looks great, wears well, and has nifty features like a built-in goggle cloth. The company is donating 10% of purchases made through April 1 to the Vermont Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund to support non-profits addressing the public health and economic impacts of the disease. Click orsden.com to learn more.

Cabin Fever Cures

Source: Getty Images

In the past week you’ve probably received many notifications of free online diversions. Here are a few more that you may find inspiring (or at least entertaining):

Visit Portugal produced this video providing advice and hope

Travel and Leisure offers these virtual tours of several US national parks

National Public Radio has these virtual concerts

Patagonia offers documentary films and stories.

And finally…

This video by a physician in Grand Rapids (MI) explains a logical way to shop for and sanitize groceries before putting them away. It also covers what to do with restaurant take-out.

 

 

 

bird
seniorsskiing

Snow In Literature: The Peace Of Wild Things

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[Editor Note: While this poem doesn’t mention snow, it does reflect our readers’ affinity to the outdoors and the balm of the natural world. We offer it for your reflection in these unusual times.]

By Wendell Barry

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

 

Jon Weisberg

Resort Management Made the Right Call

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Resort management made the right call when they decided to close. That’s the opinion of more than 25% of the SeniorsSkiing.com readers responding last week to the question asking how you felt about the season’s early end, whether you were done, and if you had more turns to make?

It was one of three questions we posed to get a general sense of how you felt about the impact of early closures due to COVID-19. 

I’m reporting on your responses to Question #1, the one in italics in the first paragraph above. See Mike’s separate report on your responses to Questions #2 and #3.

None of this is scientific, but it does reveal your overall concern for the well being of resort employees and the businesses relying on skiers as customers.

Many of you also commented that your ski plans were interrupted mid-trip. 

  • Monique and her husband landed in France for a Club Med ski vacation at Les Arcs, just as the European travel ban started. They caught an early flight home. Two days later all French resorts ceased operations. 
  • Ski club trip leader Cathy Meyer had 39 people signed up for a visit to Winter Park. Nine cancelled when they learned about COVID-19. The rest flew out only to learn the resort was closing. They all flew back home.
  • Ulf in Sweden wrote, “In Sweden the ski areas are still open and we have plenty of snow in the north, but in Norway the ski areas are shut down.” I just checked to see if that’s still the situation. It is.

Putting it all in perspective is this comment from Vail skier, David Orlinsky: “First year since retirement I didn’t ski my age. Definitively didn’t get enough but ‘life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.’ “

In summary, most respondents understand why resorts chose to close and, despite the disappointment of a truncated season, are supportive,. 

mikemaginn

What You’re Saying: Wisdom And Kindness

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Activities and Advice

Appleton Farms, Hamilton, MA

Our editorial intuition proved to be correct when we decided to ask you, our dear readers, about your reactions to the current situation we are all facing and the premature shuttering of ski resorts and snow-sports related activities. In fact, we had more responses to the three questions we posed last week than any other article we’ve published in the six years SeniorsSkiing.com has been around.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.  Here are some take-aways from taking a close look at your responses to a couple of questions.

When you look at Question 2: What outdoor activities are you doing these days?  we find some clear themes.

  • The top two activities you are engaging in are walking/hiking and biking.  Clearly our active senior group is selecting heart-rate-raising activities that keep you in shape. Those two activities combined represented 50 percent of responses. 
  • Yard work, house projects, and gardening followed. According to Tom K., “Hiking, yard cleanup and I may start a garden. I tried a garden 15 years ago and gave up because I never realized how much physical labor goes into a garden.”  Work it out, Tom. Tell us about those tomatoes when they come up.
  • There is a smaller group of readers who are also doing quiet things: reading, watching television, and researching.  Reader Larry McDonald has been looking back into the history of the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic.  Here’s his comment: “Historical research here in one of Colorado’s virus hotbeds, Gunnison. Must not have learned much from 1918, as Gunnison was an “escape community” back then with 0 deaths during the first two waves, and just a few during the 3rd deadly wave. Just google Gunnison flu 1918. Plenty of historic cemeteries and ghost towns around here to see the impact it had back then.” We did google that, Larry, and found that Gunnison escaped the worst of the flu through strict precautions. 
  • The remainder of activities you’re engaging in range from riding motorcycles and horses, to golfing, tennis, kayaking, playing music, fishing, prepping boats, and, yes, skiing.  There are a couple of folks who plan to continue to ski either by skinning up mountains or cross-country.
  • And just a few of you report you will be “working“. 

What About Advice?

As far as Question 3: What advice would you give seniors facing indefinite isolation?, your words of wisdom revolve around getting outside, staying in shape, staying connected and staying busy with a variety of tasks.

Some  comments were funny (“Binge eat”), therapeutic (“Gargle with saline solution”), or practical (“Make sure you have enough provisions”). 

Others reflected a sense of community. “Do what you can for others” came up often, including offering food, money, or just contact to others. 

One comment really struck us in its inherent kindness.

Reader Bob Ohrt said, “We are some of the most fortunate people in the world, share the blessings a bit more. There are those all around us, and there are about to be a lot more, living on the edge of making it by. Give what you can for others; give money, food, even just a smile. We have all been in tough places and somebody helped, pass it forward. It is our time, that is how a younger generation will learn to do the same.”

Indeed, it’s our time.  Thanks, readers,  for sharing your wisdom and kindness.

Sunday River, aerial view.

question for you 4
seniorsskiing

Question For You: 4

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Seeking Your Insights Again.

Last week, we experimented with asking questions about how you are coping with the pandemic. Your response was overwhelming.  This week, we’re going to ask again.  This time, we seek your advice about a more practical matter. Let’s try connecting again.

If you’re buying a pass for next season, which one are you buying? Why? If not buying, why not?

Please respond in the Reply Box below.

make more tracks 01
Roger Lohr

If Snow, Then XC

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XC Offers Outdoors, Social Distancing, Exercise, Relaxation.  Go If You Have Snow.

Editor Note: This article was first published in XCSkiResorts.com.  Thanks to publisher Roger Lohr for allowing us to reprint it.

Spring storms have brought snow to many areas. Get your outdoor fix by enjoying the outdoors with XC.

There have been plenty of COVID-19 perspectives and statements from alpine skiing-oriented associates such as ski area operators, marketers and media, product suppliers, and retailers. Rather than recommending people consider go XC skiing, most of them are overlooking it as a great alternative to their now off-limits alpine ski on-snow activities.

 Let’s check the boxes related to XC skiing in relation to the COVID-19 situation:

 Social Distancing – CHECK

There should be no worries about skiing too close to anyone when you are on the XC ski trails, whether those trails are groomed or ungroomed.  It is easy to keep six feet distance from others while skiing. You can ski and socialize with others on the XC ski trails while being far enough apart to prevent transmission of the virus.

Commercial XC ski areas closed down lodging, food & beverage service, rental and lesson services, etc. But some are still grooming the ski trails for skiers to use. According to Jackson Ski Touring, they spend $600-1,000 per night to groom about 15 km of trails, so they are asking skiers to make an on-line donation. Some XC ski areas are offering free access to their trails and at some point very soon, all trail grooming will cease, but XC skiers can go on ungroomed trails depending on the snow conditions and the equipment that they use. Skiers should be aware of the snow conditions as the trails could be dangerously icy.

 Physical Fitness – CHECK

The sport of XC skiing requires the use of both lower and upper body and these muscle groups work together for a true total body workout, which turns up the metabolism. XC skiing is one of the best aerobic exercises and with all of the body’s muscles working together, no single muscle is overstressed. This allows participants to keep up the pace without stopping and it helps maintain an elevated heart rate to build cardiovascular strength, which will improve blood flow and oxygen levels.

 As a low-impact exercise, XC skiing keeps you properly balanced and you’re not over-stressing any part of the body. It is a great exercise for those who have difficulty doing other types of workouts that are harder on the joints and muscles.

 XC skiers move across different types of uphill and downhill terrain and many different muscles are used in the process. This makes XC skiing one of the best exercises burning up to 1,112 calories per hour!

 Psychological & Spiritual Fitness – CHECK

There is evidence for the effectiveness of exercise in patients with panic disorder who can benefit by a number of psychological factors such as increased self efficacy, a sense of mastery, distraction, and changes of self-concept. XC skiing can instill a sense of pride and confidence and allow the mind a pathway to escape from everyday stress. Exercise is said to cause the brain to release beta endorphins, which are essential in relieving pain and creating a sort of euphoric or light happy feeling. For more info, click the article A Remedy for Anxiety and Depression.

 Among the benefits of XC skiing, the clean air and scenic views associated with XC skiing outdoors on the snow in the winter will help reduce stress and help you relax. There is something truly special about being in the mountains surrounded by trees and animals.

 According to the book, The Nature Fix, there is an increasing amount of biological, psychological, and medicinal scientific evidence regarding spending more time outdoors in nature. Over the years, efforts have been made to quantify nature’s impact on mood, well being, ability to think (remember, plan, create) and sociability. The hypothesis involves lowering human stress, boosting mental health, restoring attention, empathy, and cognitive clarity. Nature also affects a social component like the feeling that is shared among people who spend time together outdoors or people who perform exceeding acts of kindness in the aftermath of a severe environmental event such as a tornado, earthquake, firestorm, and such.

Free Benefits

XC skiing may not be a cure-all for COVID-19, but it definitely is something that the doctor might order if he or she were aware of the FREE physical, mental and spiritual health benefits provided by this outdoor recreation on the snow. XC skiing outdoors can be a great panacea for tough times and Erin Zell of Galena Lodge in Idaho commented, “I think a lot of people are feeling like being in the outdoors is a safe route to go.”

 We should get outdoors and be hopeful that similar to other devastating events in the past, the world will move on and get back to normal as soon as possible.

mikemaginn

Mystery Glimpse: Cool Sun Glasses

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A Founder

Another easy one.  Let’s hear from you. Do you have any stories about this person?

Credit: Journal New England Ski Museum

Last Week

Credit: Dorothy Crossley, New England Ski Museum

Nancy Greene-Raine, skiing’s girl next door. Not only was she a successful ski racer for Canada, she became a senator for British Columbia in 2009 until her mandatory retirement in 2018. She has a long list of ski industry related accomplishments, including racing, ski area development, fundraising, as well as awards.  She is a recipient of the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor. She was instrumental in developing Sun Peaks in BC where she regularly skis with visitors.

Here’s a comment from Steve Threndyle, a reader who recently skied with Nancy.

“That’s Nancy Greene-Raine (note ‘e’ in Greene and hyphenated last name). Canada’s Female Athlete of the Half Century (wasn’t even close). Two time overall World Cup winner. Canada’s Sweetheart (well, more like, “Tiger”, her nickname). Gold and Silver Olympic Medalist, in 1968 Grenoble. Served in the Canadian Senate until mandatory retirement at age 75 three years ago. Authored legislation to ban sugary/unhealthy food and instituted Canadian Fitness Day each June.

Skied with her for a couple of hours two weeks ago. She and Al are wonderful people. Sun Peaks is a fantastic place!”

Here’s a picture Steve provided with a smiling Nancy.

Nancy still skiing at Sun Peaks. Credit: Steve Threndyle

Here’s a short video of Nancy speaking about her 1968 Grenoble Olympics gold medal win.

Tamsin Venn

SeniorsSkiingGuide: Seniors Love Sugarloaf

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For Many Many Reasons.

Sugarloaf is a big mountain with lots of choices for all levels.

Located in Maine’s western mountains, Sugarloaf is farther away than other New England resorts, with underpopulated weekdays, giving you more room to roam.

It is rugged and unpretentious which draws one of the most loyal following of skiers in New England.

The setting is a lone behemoth, third highest peak in Maine at 4,249 feet.

It is challenging with seriously steep runs, above-treeline snowfields, glades. Experienced skiers make it less likely they will run into you.

It’s a little wild and wooly. Getting here, you are just as apt to pass logging trucks as SUVs.

Temperature inversion is a springtime phenomenon. Credit: Tamsin Venn

As one of the biggest ski areas in New England with a 2,820 foot vertical and 57 miles of trails with minimal traversing, the mountain is vastly entertaining, suiting any mood or ambition, as you wander from one lift to another.

We used to take the kids up there. Sugarloaf also has many easier ways down, but it had been years since we had been been there.

It all came back. You can lap the blacks on the Superquad like Upper Narrow Gauge and Hayburner, or stick to blue King’s Landing. Enjoy the views to the west at the top of Timberline chair then meander down the green Upper Timberline. Stop in at Bullwinkle’s for a hot chocolate. Tote Road is a 3.5-mile green run from summit to base, longest trail on the mountain.

Pole your way over to Spillway with its sweet consistent pitch. Take the Skyline quad. Hike up to Sugarloaf’s famed snowfields, front or back side, double blacks all. In spring corn snow with a good snowpack, they are the best.

Follow Spillway XC cut and pick your challenge. The truly adventurous plunge down Upper Winter’s Way, gnarly, bumped, and ungroomed just like the good old days. Gondi Line, Upper Bubblecuffer, White Nitro, or lower angle Ramdown lead back to the base when too windy up top.

Mountain east, served by the King Pine chair, you access the snowcat-serviced hand-cut Brackett Basin Burnt Mountain glades.

Relax on mostly blue runs off Whiffletree. Take the grandkids under the wood arch to Moose Alley to see Amos the Moose and pals Blueberry the Bear and Pierre the Lumberjack.

Schlep alert: Take the short Skidway chair to the Sugarloaf Superquad.

Sugarloaf can get wind-scoured. Think top of Mt. Katahdin, almost the same height. But when you hit it right, there is no finer place to ski in New England. In mid-March, I dove down the middle of an empty Gondi Line, non-stop, gripping corn snow. The sky was blue. It was an experience I hope to repeat when we all can make a safe return to the mountains.

Check Out

Former French team racer Lionel Hering mans Happy Tunes ski shop. Credit: Tamsin Venn

  •  Expert boot fitting by former French racer Lionel Hering at Happy Tunes!, Valley Crossing.
  • Friendly, daily grooming intel in the snow conditions report.
  • Sugarloaf Inn’s Shipyard Brew Haus’ twofer dinners Tuesdays.
  • Venison, fiddleheads, and fine local dining at One Stanley Avenue, Kingfield.
  • Free same-day Nordic trail access with Alpine ticket at Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, 90 km. 
  • Free Sugarloaf Explorer Shuttle. Wave it down. They’ll stop.
  • Don’t miss the Hotel Herbert, Kingfield, for rooms with antiques and charm

The Tickets

Seniors 65-79, $85,  80-plus free.

For Sugarloaf webcams, click here.

For Sugarloaf trail map, click here. 

For Sugarloaf uphill access policy, click here. 

Herb Stevens

Skiing Weatherman: More Snow Coming. No Kidding.

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Late Season Snow Opens Nordic Opportunities.

As the coronavirus situation has continued to unfold and expand, the curtain has all but come down on the alpine season across North America. Nevertheless, lovers of the great outdoors continue to find ways to ingest their fair share of fresh air by a variety of different means, including cross country skiing aficionados. At last count, 17 Nordic centers around the country remain open.  For those of you who will continue to rack up the kilometers as we move through early spring, here’s this week’s weather outlook.

This season now has all the earmarks of ending up with bookends in terms of jet stream patterns. You may recall that November got us off to a quick start as the jet stream aligned itself in a fashion favorable for the delivery of early season cold to the lower 48 states. Here in the East, as the calendar turned from October to November, the folks at Killington were very nervous about the prospect for the Women’s World Cup event scheduled for late that month. However, when the Women’s White Circus showed up three weeks later, the reversal of weather fortunes made for another hugely successful weekend of racing.

And then came the rest of the winter. As I discussed a couple of weeks ago, the Midwest and East got locked into a highly unfavorable jet steam setup that, unfortunately, made it very difficult for cold air masses to stick around for a while. Well, that appears to be about to change, which should help to extend the Nordic season.

In a nutshell, an upper level trough is going to set up shop over the eastern half of North America later next week. At the same time, a blocking ridge will be in place over Greenland. It was the LACK of a blocking ridge in that position that allowed cold air masses to slide right off the continent when they did manage to make a push into the Midwest and East. Cold air is not as abundant as it was one or two months ago, but there is enough available to flow into a trough and lead to late season snow. That scenario is on the table around April 3-5 in the Northeast. Here is a look at the expected pattern on the morning of the April 3:

A deep trough centered over eastern New York will provide the focus for the cold air. The trough may want to progress eastward into the north Atlantic, but the ridge that extends from Labrador to Greenland will resist and force the trough to only slowly move toward the ocean. It is important to also know that near the center of circulation of troughs, the air is rising and cooling to a greater extent than at points further away from the center. This further suggests that eastern New York and northern New England could very well pick up a substantial late season snowfall next weekend. That’s great news for Nordic touring centers from the Adirondacks to the mountains of Maine. As long as the ridge remains over Greenland, the colder air will stick around, just like in November.

Here Are The Regional Details.

Northwest U.S./western Canada: A season of abundant snowfall shows no signs of quitting. The hits will keep on coming in this part of the world for the next couple of weeks at least.

Sierra: While the amounts won’t be as prodigious as further north, the proximity of a trough not far offshore should produce several meaningful snowfalls in the next two weeks.

Northern Rockies: The storms that continue to bury the coastal ranges will move inland and keep this part of the U.S. and adjacent Canada in the crosshairs for solid snowfalls for the foreseeable future.

Central and southern Rockies: In the absence of an El Nino, it is tough to grind much snow out of the southern branch of the jet stream late in the season. Northern stream systems will graze these areas from time to time and provide several lighter snowfalls.

Midwest: Other than across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, snowfall is a long shot the rest of the way in the middle of the country.

Northeast/Quebec: Next weekend looks like the best opportunity for late snow. Based on what has happened the past few weeks, northern Maine and adjacent Quebec won’t see bare ground for many weeks to come.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy your sliding and your summer.

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Mar. 20)

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Hold Fast, James Niehues Paints Mountains, Emily’s Poem To Spring, Ski Diva Perspective, Senior Group At Powder Mountain, Weatherman Says More Snow, Mystery Racer.

Spring Arrives Tonight.

The irony is sardonic. The snow-starved Sierra is finally getting yards of snow, Easter will most likely have another coating in New England at higher elevations. And no lifts are turning.  Normal is upside down.

Ski towns are discouraging second-home owners from taking shelter in rural areas, some resorts are giving out food to employees. Waterville Valley, NH, the last remaining operator in the Northeast, is finally closing down, despite their elaborate precautions. “Our continuing operations have been met with outcry by many who choose to misrepresent our efforts and have created an environment that has incited people to act irresponsibly to the point of becoming abusive and threatening to our staff,” says this week’s press release.  What used to be a mecca for cheerfulness, easy-going-ness, and fun has turned rough with people rubbing each other the wrong way. Irony.

We know this period of time is unsettling, uncertain, ambiguous, and, to some, quite frightening. During this disruption, we feel it is critical to remember what is still important and always will be. For example, pay attention to your fitness. You might be doing some backcountry skiing, or skinning at closed ski areas. Please be careful and make sure you know what you are doing.  First responders are pre-occupied these days. We’re taking long walks and doing yoga at home guided by a wonderful app called Down Dog, which will be offered free until April 1.

Another priority is to connect. We’re going to be isolated, dear readers. That is not a good thing for seniors in normal times, and even more stressful now. So, here’s what we propose. We are going to offer our readers a chance to connect with like-minded folks through a simple idea.  We’re going to pose some questions you can respond to in the Reply Box for each question. Respond to the questions, to each other’s comments, start a dialogue, connect. What we’re trying to do is create a place for exchanging ideas, offering support, referring to resources, or whatever falls out.  Please give it a go.  We have no idea how this experiment will turn out, but it is worth a try.  We already know our readers have lots to say.  So, let’s hear from you.

Finally, folks, it’s Spring. Yes, it is snowing in places. But here we are, on the other side of winter. We saw our first robin on our walk yesterday.  Look for yours.

Check out Jon’s comments in Short Swings this week for his perspective on dealing with the current crisis.

Hold Fast.

This Week

A poem from Emily Dickinson helps put spring in perspective. Welcome Spring and notice the crocuses coming up in your walks.

Our friend and colleague the Ski Diva has published an important summary of what’s going on in the ski industry since the advent of the virus. An important read.

Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman, reports on snow coming for Easter. Oh well.  You can probably go x-c skiing or snow shoeing if you’re living in the right places.

Niehues’ trail map of Vail. Complex, broad, beautiful.

We feature James Niehues’ work, the Man Who Paints Mountains.  Actually, he is an artist who has created ski maps for hundreds of ski resorts across the globe.  He’s published a book of his work which, as you know if you’ve ever really looked closely at a trail map, is incredible.

Salt Lake City correspondent Harriet Wallis tells us about a special senior week in small groups run by a couple at Powder Mountain, UT. It is an interesting idea: great food, mountain-side lodging, kindred spirits.

Our Mystery Glimpse this week features a young woman who should be familiar to many readers. And those colorful gondolas? Crested Butte.

Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com.  Tell your friends about us, and, remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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What a strange time.

There are some exceptions, but most ski areas throughout Europe and North America have closed.

There is nothing happy about this scenario except the prospect that removing ski areas as a place where people gather may help slow the virus’ progress.

SeniorsSkiing.com readers range in age from 50 into the 90s. The average age is 67. We are among the most vulnerable. Those with compromised immune systems, heart and lung conditions and diabetes, even more so.

Science will find treatment or a cure, but it will take time. In the meanwhile, we’re advised to minimize close physical contact with others. Hence the premature end to the season.

We should use good hand-washing hygiene. Someone suggested spraying objects entering our living space with a weak bleach and water solution — four teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. Our household is trying that as an additional precaution. I hope it works.

Having things in common are one of the hallmarks of a community. By that standard, SeniorsSkiing.com is a virtual community. Our shared interest is descending snowy terrain, as is enjoying other passions and being with family and friends.

For those of us in self-isolation, it’s important to know that all of these things await us when we can once again meet without concern.

We’ve been through other health scares in our lifetimes. Polio. AIDS. SARS. MERS. Ebola. Each a virus. Each, eventually managed to a reasonable level.

The same will happen with COVID-19.

Science will find answers. Societies will manage though the chaos with varying degrees of success. 

Wherever you are during this time of crisis and worry, please be grateful for family and friends, and the scientists working overtime to bring us relief. 

Remember your good times on snow. This metaphorical Winter will pass. Next season will arrive.

In the meanwhile, please do what you can to care for yourselves, your families, and your communities.

And remember to wash your hands.

Keeping Your Home Virus-Free

This article from Houzz, the home-oriented website, explains how to protect your home from the virus.

List of Acceptable Cleaning Products

Here’s a list of cleaning products that are pre-approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against COVID-19. It’s from the Center for Biocide Chemistries and American Chemistry Council.

Lake Tahoe: 114” in Three Days

Snow clouds must not have received the COVID-19 memo. 9.5’ of snow fell on Lake Tahoe over the past three days. Click here to see what that meant for one driver.

5 Short Films

These five films won the 2nd annual “Best Sustainable Tourism Films” competition. The longest is 3 minutes. They’re interesting and beautiful and come from Morrocco, Sweden, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, and Newfoundland/Labrador. Click here to view.

Bored At Home? Watch This!!

This 8-second home-ski video should get a chuckle. Click: IMG_9266

Colorado Skijoring

Here’s a piece from yesterday’s New York Times about Skijoring in Leadville, CO.

And, finally…

While many of us are exercising prudent social distancing by remaining home, we’re also spending time outside walking, hiking, exercising and enjoying nature. If you think your sneakers or waking shoes could be performing better, try EZ Fit AutoAdapt® Universal drop-in insoles. They improve shoe comfort and performance. They’re made by Masterfit, one of our loyal advertisers. They support us. Their products support your feet. Please support them. Click here to learn more.

Yesterday was the vernal equinox. We need a good dose of Spring!

Two Skiers
seniorsskiing

Question For You: 1

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It’s important for seniors to connect during these difficult times. Because we have a large list of senior readers, we are contemplating turning a portion of SeniorsSkiing.com into a forum for our readers.  We’re going to ask some questions that you can respond to in the Reply Box below each question. Hopefully, others will respond and we can create a dialogue.  This is an experiment in connecting readers to each other.

How do you feel about the early close of the season?  Were you done? Did you have more turns to make?

Please respond in the Reply Box below.

 

Ski Instruction
seniorsskiing

Question For You: 2

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It’s important for seniors to connect during these difficult times. Because we have a large list of senior readers, we are contemplating turning a portion of SeniorsSkiing.com into a forum for our readers.  We’re going to ask some questions that you can respond to in the Reply Box below each question. Hopefully, others will respond and we can create a dialogue.  This is an experiment in connecting readers to each other.

What outdoor activities are you doing these days?

Please respond in the Reply Box below.

Historic5
seniorsskiing

Question For You: 3

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It’s important for seniors to connect during these difficult times. Because we have a large list of senior readers, we are contemplating turning a portion of SeniorsSkiing.com into a forum for our readers.  We’re going to ask some questions that you can respond to in the Reply Box below each question. Hopefully, others will respond and we can create a dialogue.  This is an experiment in connecting readers to each other.

What advice would you give your fellow senior winter outdoor enthusiasts in dealing with an indefinite period of isolation?

Please respond in the Reply Box below.

crocus
seniorsskiing

Snow In Literature: “To lose if one can find again”

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By Emily Dickinson

[Editor Note: An homage to Spring is due. Let’s all relax, watch the crocuses emerge, and remember the poetry of Emily Dickinson.]

“To lose – if One can find again -⁣
To miss – if One shall meet -⁣
The Burglar cannot rob – then -⁣
The Broker cannot cheat.⁣
So build the hillocks gaily -⁣
Thou little spade of mine⁣
Leaving nooks for Daisy⁣
And for Columbine -⁣
You and I the secret⁣
Of the Crocus know -⁣
Let us chant it softly -⁣
‘There is no more snow’!” ⁣

closed
Wendy Clinch

Ski Diva: Skiing In The Time Of COVID-19

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[Editor Note: There has a lot already written about the sudden shuttering of the ski industry with resorts closing all around the globe. Our good friend and colleague The Ski Diva has put all the news and its impact on resort, guests, employees and the like in clear perspective.  We are posting the headline and initial paragraph of her article, “Skiing In The Time Of COVID-19”, here with a link to The Ski Diva’s site. Thanks to the Ski Diva for allowing us to publish this excellent summary of the situation as of the third week of March. Or CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THE ARTICLE ON SKI DIVA.COM.]

CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THE ARTICLE ON SKI DIVA.COM

mikemaginn

The Man Who Paints Mountains

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James Niehues Creates Hand Painted Maps Of Ski Resorts And Now There’s A Book.

James Niehues in his studio, creating maps by hand. Credit: LA Times

If you’ve ever taken a second look at the resort trail maps you casually pick up and put in your parka pocket, you are most likely looking at a painting by James Niehues. James has created trail map art of over 200 resorts around the globe since 1988.  Instead of resorting to computer-created images, he paints by hand and the results are remarkably detailed and beautiful. How does he do it?

James combines the technology of cartography with the art of water colors to create the maps. He flies over an area, takes aerial photographs, studies topographic maps, then creates a simple sketch of the mountain scene. From there, he projects the image on a painting surface, filling in the details starting from the sky down to the base. 

Niehues’ trail map of Vail. Complex, broad, beautiful.

One of the biggest challenges is to show the back trails or bowls of mountain on the same map as the front side. Sounds like Picasso, right? He says it’s a puzzle he has to piece together.

James has been creating resort maps for three decades, taking over the role from Colorado’s Bill Brown, the only resort map artist at the time. Now in his mid-70s, James has anthologized his collection of over 200 maps into a coffee-table book, The Man Behind The Maps, available from Amazon for about $100.

He’s retiring from his one-man profession, passing the mantle to a younger protege. Clearly, his maps create a mood that you don’t get from computer graphics, and that’s the whole point.  Both approaches show you the way down, but James’ maps are create a “feeling” of mountains and the outdoors.

Here’s  a short video that tells James’ story. 

 

Herb Stevens

Skiing Weatherman: There’s Snow In The West, Only Maybe East

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For Those Still Venturing Out On Snow Shoes, Skinny Skis, Or Skins.

On a typical office day in the winter, I often scan web cams from resorts, living vicariously on those days when I can’t be on the snow myself. Now that the coronavirus pandemic has ground the winter sports season to a virtual halt, I still check out the cams, but recently I have felt more of a sense of sadness rather than excitement or anticipation of my next trip to the mountains. The absence of skiers and the stationary lifts is striking, and where fresh snow has fallen and remains untouched, the scenes are downright bizarre. Although the alpine resort options are very limited, there are many of you who still want to get your fresh air on skins, skinny skis, or snowshoes, or perhaps with your grandchildren on a sledding hill, and it is for you that I present this week’s weather discussion.

The winter pattern has shown a great reluctance to change from a dominant western trough/southeastern ridge configuration, which has led to abundant western snows and a struggle for snow lovers in the Midwest and East. For the past two weeks, there have been signs of change in the Pacific that correlate to colder than normal weather spreading into the eastern half of the country and that change makes sense based on the change of seasons. You see, as we head toward spring, the distance between jet stream features shortens as the available supply of cold air in the hemisphere starts its seasonal decrease. If you think of that cold air as one large puddle in the heart of winter, it becomes smaller puddles as the overall supply dwindles. Each winter trough requires a cold pool aloft to exist, but with less cold air around, those features tend to be smaller than a month or two ago. So, rather than have two large features covering the continent, there is room for three, or even four from the eastern Pacific to the East coast. It is possible to have a western trough AND an eastern trough with shorter wavelengths. This jet stream forecast for next Tuesday illustrates that setup.

Not only is there a deep trough off the West coast, which will deliver another significant snowfall to the Sierra, Cascades, and northern Rockies, but there is a departing trough over the Northeast. In addition, the ripple in the flow over the Plains is another package of energy that could turn into a deeper eastern trough and potential snow producer by late next week because it could become stronger as it moves into the East.

Looking further down the road into early April, there are conflicting signs as to whether or not the jet stream flow will tap any appreciable amount of cold air to sustain what is left of the season. The transitional months are easily the most difficult time to forecast. Judging the battle between the retreating cold and advancing spring warmth is a handful, and there are signs that the pattern will revert to one that is milder than normal over the East while the West continues in more of a wintry setup. I still think that the shorter wavelengths will deliver cold shots and late opportunities for snow to the Midwest and East, at least up until Easter weekend.

Here Are The Regional Details.

Northwest U.S./western Canada: Quiet weekend with systems from Alaska moving into the region next week, leading to a snowy period overall.

Sierra: Dry weekend with snows returning to region next week as an upper trough slides down the coast. Only issue is that if trough hugs the coast, snow levels will rise.

Northern Rockies: Sunny weekend. Coastal Pacific system will bring snow to the region by Tuesday and Wednesday…another system arrives next weekend.

Central and southern Rockies: Southern branch of jet stream has brought this area snow over the past two weeks, but it will be rather quiet for the next week. Nothing more than a little light snow at times.

Midwest: Late week snow will refresh surfaces across the north. Nice weather for the weekend. Next opportunity for snow late next week.

Northeast/Quebec: Chilly, dry weekend. No major storms next week, but an early week southern system could bring late snow to the northern mid-Atlantic areas. Overnight lows help preserve snow most nights.

Harriet Wallis

Senior Small Group Ski Week With Lodging Right On Uncrowded Powder Mountain

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Plan Now For Next Winter

Seniors participating in Life Elevated Utah having fun and acting silly for the camera. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Gary and Sandy Nielsen have run Road Scholar programs in Utah for about 20 years. They’re experts at planning and organizing week-long programs including Hopi pottery, dinosaurs and rock hounding in summer—and the very popular senior ski program in winter.

But several years ago as the demand for more senior ski weeks kept growing, Gary and Sandy responded with an idea of their own. They created new, small group ski weeks especially for seniors, and they base the programs at Powder Mountain. It’s ski weeks with all the trimmings.

Gary and Sandy cookin’ up Eggs Benedict for breakfast. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Gary invited me to experience the program. As I entered the little lodge’s great room, the first thing I saw was an inviting table with every beverage a tired skier could want: refreshing lemon water, coffee, tea, cocoa, a selection of wine with nice glasses, and plenty of cold beer in the fridge. Such enormous hospitality! As the skiers came in, they chose a beverage and settled into the sofas to retell the day’s adventures. And that was just the beginning.

When it came time for dinner, we gathered around a beautifully set table and enjoyed huge portions of roast salmon, fresh asparagus, baked potatoes, and a crisp tossed salad. There are seconds! Then came dessert: steaming homemade peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream. Gary and Sandy love to cook. Every meal was just as spectacular.

“When Gary and Sandy run a program, I know it’s going to be good,” said Henry, a repeat skier.

About The Programs

Gary explained how the ski weeks work. “Powder Mountain is known as ‘Utah’s Best Kept Secret’ and through our nonprofit organization called Life Elevated Utah,” we have been running week-long ski programs for older skiers between the ages of 60-90+ for the past few years.

“We stay right at the base of the mountain in a comfortable 1980s style lodge. This is a true ski-in, a ski-out experience in which our older skiers simply love. We only have five hotel rooms, each with a private bathroom. The rooms have great views of the slopes looking out from each room’s patio doors.

“Our programs are six days of skiing Monday-Saturday with programs beginning and ending each Sunday. We provide transportation to/from SLC Airport, cover seven nights lodging, prepare three delicious meals a day for our small ski groups in our kitchen in the lodge. We help set up ski lessons, mountain tours, and many other ski amenities,” he said.

“I know they really care about me,” said Kathy, a repeat skier. They make sure every detail is just right. This program has just the right number of people, but not too many. I used to do all the ski trip planning when my family was young, but this is so much better. They take care of everything.”

Life’s Lessons Achieved

Gary was one of five children, and it was a family rule that when you turned eight years old you learned how to cook dinners for the family. The cooking lessons stuck, and along the way he developed a specialty catering business. “Chef” is in his soul.

Travel planning has also been in his soul since he was young, and he’s skilled at it. He has degrees in Recreation Management, specializing in travel and tours, and a degree in Business Management. It all fits together.

Looking To Next Season

This really is a best kept secret. Gary and Sandy don’t have a website. So,  to get information for next year’s Powder Mountain senior ski weeks, email gary@lifeelevatedutah.org

Seniors like to ski with seniors, but finding a program is as difficult as looking for a Yeti. Interestingly, Road Scholar has eliminated all western downhill ski programs for 2021. Just one ski eastern Road Scholar program continues.

Small group of seniors on big Powder Mountain: 8,400 acres with 154 trails. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Mystery Glimpse: Young Racer

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Who Is This Racer?

Major hint: O, Canada! This one should be easy. This week, we all need an easy one. Can you tell us about her history? Her extraordinary career? Thanks to the New England Ski Museum for this picture.

Credit: Dorothy Crossley, New England Ski Museum

Last Week

This photo was taken at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in 1963, showing off the installation of their new Carlevaro-Savio, Silver Queen Gondola.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort opened in 1960 when two men—Fred Rice and Dick Eflin—purchased a ranch on Mt. Crested Butte. An operating permit enabling the resort to be built was approved by the United States Forest Service the following year.

In 1963, Crested Butte constructed a top-to-bottom gondola from the base area to near where the bottom of the High Lift is today. The resort was the second resort to open a gondola in Colorado, after Vail Ski Resort opened theirs in 1962. Constructed by Carlevaro-Savio, the three-person Silver Queen Gondola was notorious for being cramped, and the cabins were known to have frequent collisions. The gondola lasted until 1972, when a bubble double chairlift replaced it.

Special thanks—again—to Dana Mathios, curator and Director of Collections, at the Colorado Snowsports Museum, located in Vail, CO.

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Mar. 13)

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Pivoting To Spring, New Mexico Resorts, Luxury Vermont Inn, Mystery Gondola, Weather Man Predicts.

We have several reports that spring-like skiing is happening at the higher elevation resorts in the Northeast. A few bluebird days, corduroy trails.  Ahh.  We are jealous because…we are in Florida. Such are the vicissitudes of family life.  We plan to get back for a final turn or two when we return next week. Let’s hope the base holds for another few weeks.  Hope so because it was 73 degrees when we departed Boston.  As the Skiing Weatherman Herb Stevens reports in this week’s prediction, there might be lots of snow at Easter time.

Incidentally, now is the time for buying next season’s pass.  Both Ikon and Epic have new configurations of passes, and you can get a pass to fit your winter sports cadence. Finally there are reasonably priced mid-week passes that are real bargains. 

Click here to see the 2020-21 Epic passes.

Click here to see the 2020-21 Ikon passes

Wear your green next week. Happy Paddy’s Day. Is he still a saint?

Speaking of next week, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We know it is an unofficial way to transition into spring skiing mode, and some resorts really do it up.  Brodie Mountain in western Massachusetts used to be the archetype.  Now, green beer and snow are popping up from coast to coast and into Canada and beyond.

And speaking again of next week, we anticipate sending the final premiums from SeniorsSkiing.com’s recent fund raiser.  We ran out of labels, stickers, tote bags, cards all at once, and when they arrive we will get back to stuffing and addressing envelopes.

Thank you again for your support and for the many positive messages you sent in your donations.  Frankly, your support makes the challenge of producing a weekly online magazine for senior snow sports enthusiasts a little easier.

This Week

70+ Ski Club group photo. The club ventures to US, European, and this year, New Zealand resorts. Credit: 70+ Ski Club

Harriet Wallis catches up with the 70+Ski Club as they visit several Utah resorts. What a wonderful group of senior skiers who find new friends and new adventures throughout the season and beyond. We’re often asked by readers where they can find seniors to ski with.  The 70+ Ski Club is definitely a place to start. P.S. If you’re not quite 70 yet, you can be a “member in training.”

Contributor Bob Margulis offers his advice on safety in the mountains with this matra, “What can go wrong?” His advice makes sense whether you are backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, skiing, rock climbing, or even cycling. Interesting gear and tips from an experienced mountain man. 

Angel Fire has some two mile runs, and best of all 70-75 seniors pay $29, 75+ pay zero. Credit: Angel Fire

Veteran correspondent Mike Roth reports on his venture to three New Mexico resorts, comparing conditions and trails to his home base in upstate New York and New England.  Interesting differences.

Correspondent Tamsin Venn stayed at a very classy, year round resort at Stowe.  Check out her story on the Topnotch Resort and Spa. Good timing, too, because rates are dropping as we move along into spring. 

Our Mystery Glimpse features an early photo of a gondola in a western state.  Can you guess?  Thanks to the Colorado Snowsports Museum for the photo.  And yes, indeed, that was Cannon Mountain from the air. 

Our stalwart Skiing Weatherman Herb Stevens tells us what to expect as the official start of spring approaches. It looks like more snow to come and perhaps a snowy Easter.  Did you know meteorological spring started on March 1?  Missed it, didn’t you?

Thanks again for reading SeniorsSkiing.com and for your ongoing support.  Please tell your friends about us and remember, there are more of us every day and we aren’t going away.

 

 

 

 

The 4-leaf clovers
Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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The 4-leaf clovers make this early post card look like a St Patrick’s Day greeting. The wording is Hungarian for “Happy New Year.”

 

Valentino and I had an interesting conversation a few months ago. He’s my seven-year-old grandson, and we were walking back from his weekly skating lesson. He didn’t like his new skates.

He was making nice progress on the ice, but something happened during the lesson that left him frustrated. He blamed the skates. 

As we walked, I explained that when starting any sport, we need to experience a variety of tools in order to learn what we like. Then we talked about how quickly he’d grow out of those skates and be able to try something new.

It was a good conversation. He dropped the subject and over the past few months, with the same skates, has become a very good skater.

I grew up subscribing to the idea that a good craftsman never blames his tools.

But sometimes, the useful life of tools like skis and boots run their course and need to be replaced.

I started the season on an old pair of Rossignol B3s, a wonderful ski that gave me several years of great service. It was obvious I should not have taken them out of retirement.

Then I switched to my old Volkl Gotama‘s. Another great ski that saw a lot of vertical over numerous seasons. This season they were sluggish and worn out.

Both are about to make a trip to the boneyard.

In early February I skied a few different brands and models and was impressed with the Black Crows Camox. They’re such a good match for me on packed surfaces and those with a little chop.  They are 97 underfoot. I use my DPS Wallers (112 underfoot) for powder days.

To be honest, before these new skis, I was getting frustrated and tired turning the old boards.  The new skis made a world of difference. They remind me of being a kid with new sneakers. Liberated. Soaring. Unconfined.

I often see older skiers, especially people on their annual ski week, using out-of-date gear. Whatever their reasons, they should give the new equipment a try. Designs and materials just keep on getting better and making it easier to get more out of the day.

Valentino will be moving on to new gear because his feet are growing. For the rest of us, it’s a great time of year to purchase new equipment. Many shops still have substantial inventory and are selling at discount.

If it’s a knowledgeable shop, explain what you’re looking for and listen to their advice. Then, if you can, demo a pair for a day.

Always best to try before you buy.

Alterra Announces Capital Improvements

Alterra Mountain Company will invest $223 million in capital improvements for its 15 North American resorts over the coming year. Major developments: Deer Valley will receive $14 million, mostly for lodge improvements, the purchase of four snow cats, and snowmaking. Mont-Tremblant will get $8.8 million for a new beginners’ area, the new Timber Summit area, and improvements to lifts and buildings. Steamboat will expand by 355 acres. Mammoth will replace Chairs 1 and 16.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Season

Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control

Most Italian resorts are closed because of the virus. Areas in the Aosta Valley and the Dolomites have closed or soon will.

Additionally, the Italian winter sports federation (FISI) cancelled the alpine skiing World Cup finals in Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites. The event was due to take place March 18-22.

The Austrian state of Tyrol announced all of its ski areas will close Monday, March 16 because of the virus. Among the resorts are St. Anton, Kitzbuhl, Ischgl, and Solden.

Aspen is cautioning 60+ skiers with compromised immune systems or respiratory issues not to visit Colorado’s high country. That, after several people tested positive at the resort.

Activities at Michigan‘s Crystal Mountain are being scaled back to comply witht he governor’s guidance of limiting groups to no more than 100.

Catamount Ski Area in Hillsdale, NY, announced it and its sister area, Berkshire East in Charlemont and Hawley, MA, have closed for the season because “COVID-19 has been discovered in the surrounding hill towns and multiple people are being quarantined.” The GM’s statement is worth reading.

Here, again, is a brief hand-washing video from The New York Times. PLEASE wash your hands after touching public surfaces and, to the best of your ability, maintain the advised 6′ social distance. Many of us are older and want to keep skiing.

Sports Den: Salt Lake City’s Go-To Ski Shop

Visitors to Salt Lake City who stay downtown and take day trips probably miss out on Sports Den in Foothill Village. It’s one of the top ski shops in Utah and a mere 10-miunte drive from most of the hotels.

For 48-years, Sports Den has been Salt Lake’s go-to shop to buy or rent anything associated with the sport. They stock the best of everything, and their help is knowledgeable in ways that make the shop a true standout.

And they back up what they sell. A few years ago, my wife got fitted there for a pair of boots. It was mid-Winter, and she used them the rest of her season. The following year she felt they weren’t working well. Back to Sports Den, where her feet were reevaluated and the boots replaced. No questions. No pressure. No charge.

Another thing that makes Sports Den stand out from most of the other shops in the area is its consistently great selection of soft goods. Those who grew up in this community know that Sports Den is where they’ll find top ski clothing brands and beautifully styled casual wear, including an impressive shoe department. They also know that Sports Den is where they can score discounted lift tickets for most of the Wasatch areas.

What many of them don’t know is that the basement level, accessed through an adjacent entrance, houses Sports Den’s custom embroidery and silkscreen shop. It’s where the University of Utah and many local businesses go to personalize T-shirts, hats, bags, you-name-it. A few days ago a young woman walked out with hanging travel bags embroidered with her monogram.

Skiing in Utah? Staying in downtown Salt Lake? Have your own wheels? Give Sports Den a visit. It’s one of the best ski shops around.

Season Passes

This is time of year when next season passes go on sale.

We missed reporting on Mountain Collective’s three-day window for cardholders to re-up for for $449. Billed as a “secret sale,” the offer was good from March 6 through March 9. Current price is $469 and includes four more resorts: Grand Targhee (WY), Panorama (BC), Sugarloaf (ME), and Chamonix (FR).

Killington’s Beast 365, which provides unrestricted 4-season access to all resort facilities and includes the IKON Base pass, costs $1092 for those 65-79. At the time this was being written, I was awaiting a response from the resort as to what the price would be for those 80+. Killington’s regular season pass is $609 for those 65-79 and only $59 for those 80+. Way to go, Killington!!!

Move Over Shark Tank. New Mexico Does it on the Chair.

ABQid is the group promoting entrepreneur-led economic development in New Mexico. It holds an annual competition for start-ups to pitch their ideas to representatives of a panel of experts. Twenty  contestants are accepted, and one wins a check for $10,000. Instead of a boardroom, the pitches are made during a chairlift ride at the state’s Taos Ski Resort.

 

 

 

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Harriet Wallis

70+ Ski Club: Ski Trips, Fun, And Camaraderie

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You Are Never Too Old To Be Young.

70+ Ski Club group photo. The club ventures to US, European, and this year, New Zealand resorts. Credit: 70+ Ski Club

Ski clubs have been around ever since people strapped skis on for fun. But the 70+ Ski Club has a unique niche. It’s the only ski club for skiers – and boarders – who are at least 70 years old. 

People often give up skiing when their spouse passes away or when they simply run out of friends to ski with. The 70+ Ski Club fills the need and serves up week long ski trips and also short events so skiers can make new friends and find new ski buddies.

Red and Jim: Newfound friends become new ski buddies. Credit: Harriet Wallis

This winter, the Club’s week-long international trips included the French Alps, Vermont’s Okemo, Big Sky, Banff/Lake Louise, and Utah, where they skied a different resort every day. And the season isn’t over when the snow melts here. The Club is scheduled to go down under to ski New Zealand this summer.

There are shorter jaunts and day events especially in the Mid-West and New England. While the mountains might not be as big, the game is on with new trails to explore, ski clinics, race clinics, good natured events, and apres ski parties.

At a time when our doctors are urging us to be active, the 70+ Club members already have the message. They continue to be active skiers and they engage in living life to the fullest. Becoming 70 is just the beginning. Many members are in their 80s and 90s and even a few at 100. As the saying goes: “You’re never too old to be young.”

The Club was launched 43 years ago, in 1977, by Lloyd Lambert, an enthusiastic and accomplished skier and patroller who saw the need to keep skiers skiing as they grew older. He urged ski resorts to give discounts to older skiers. And he helped turn the tide from skiing being a sport for the adventurous young into a lifelong sport for all. The Club started with 37 members and has grown to 3,000 members.

Today, grandson Richard Lambert heads the Club and plans the trips. He gets universal praise for his thoughtful preparation and well organized trips.

I asked very modest Richard to say something about the Club for this story. Instead, he sent a note he received from skier who met some of the 70+ers.

It said: “Met several of your members and would love to be part of this amazing group. I vow not to adapt to a sedentary lifestyle and this group is an inspiration. I plan to wear out, not rust out. The enthusiasm of the group is contagious.”

Membership includes a distinctive 70+ (or 80+, 90+, or 100+) jacket patch, a helmet decal, a lapel pin, a list of ski areas that offer seniors free or discounted skiing, a twice annual newsletter, and a membership card. All for $15.

Are you old enough to be a 70+ Ski Club member?

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70+ Ski Club members Sandra, Red, and 102 year old George Jedenoff. Credit: Harriet Wallis

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Bob Margulis

My Personal Skiing Safety Primer

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To stay safe, all older skiers should prepare themselves for what might go wrong. I call this a “safety mindset,” and it’s kept me safe in more than 40- years of rock climbing, mountaineering and skiing.

Part of that preparation is answering these questions: 

  • What should I wear to protect myself?
  • How will I be found?
  • What are the most common dangers and how can I survive them?
  • What skills/knowledge/training do I need?

What should I wear to protect myself?

Wear a helmet and make sure it is securely fastened. If your helmet isn’t adjusted properly and snugly attached it might not do much good. I check the helmet strap frequently. About half the time it needs adjustment. If you’re using an old helmet or one with a damaged shell, replace it with one of the modern impact distributing technologies like MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System).

How will I be found?

When skiing I always carry a Fox 40 whistle. If you’re skiing inbounds, a series of three loud whistle blasts will summon help. Your phone, also is useful, assuming there’s a signal and juice. Make sure 1) it’s fully charged at the start of the day, 2) the area’s number is in your “Contacts”, and 3) you have a GPS app that will give your coordinates for when you call patrol. To keep the battery from draining, I keep my phone warm on a neck lanyard between base layer and mid-layer fleece. 

Several ski clothing companies incorporate RECCO reflectors into their products. It can help rescuers find you. If RECCO is not built in to your parka or pants, Marmot makes a RECCO belt.

I also carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Mine is a McMurdo FastFind 220. About the size of a pack of cigarettes, it cost a couple of hundred bucks, is waterproof, requires no annual fee, and has a 6-year battery life. It gets registered with NOAA and, when activated, broadcasts a signal to the same rescue network used when commercial planes crash. It’s not to be used frivolously, but when it is, rescue will be on its way.

 

What are the most common dangers and how can I survive them?

In addition to avoid being hit by others or losing control, I try to avoid tree wells and avalanches; just a few of conditions that can lead to suffocation and/or hypothermia.

When skiing powder in the trees, I wear a Black Diamond AvaLung Sling. If I were stuck in a tree well, it would help me extract air from the surrounding snowpack and divert exhaled CO2 away from my head. It costs $130 and weighs 9 ounces. 

Hypothermia occurs more frequently in seniors and twice as often in men. When it’s cold the body reduces blood flow to the extremities in order to keep sending it to the brain and key organs. I use glove warmers and boot cozies to keep hands and feet warm.

Helmets help prevent heat loss from the scalp but if there’s exposed skin on your neck, body heat will be lost there. Neck gaitors are a good preventative.

What skills/knowledge/training do I need?

The answer to that question depends on your level of on-snow engagement. If you’re a resort skier, knowing and following the responsible skier’s code and being hypersensitive at trail intersections and to the people around you may be sufficient. A step up would be basic first aid and CPR training. If you’re spending time in the backcountry, take a Wilderness First Aid course (REI offers several 2-day courses) and investigate educational offerings from the American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education.