Herb Stevens

The Skiing Weatherman-December 30, 2021

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The Skiing Weatherman-December 30, 2021

The West is wonderful…Ol’ Sol causes problems in the East…

After an exceptionally slow start to the season in the West, the past few weeks have brought an amazing and dramatic reversal of fortune to that half of the continent in terms of snowfall.  An upper level trough has dominated the pattern from the Rockies to the west coast, and storm after storm has delivered deep Pacific moisture into an air mass cold enough to dump many feet of snow.  The holiday week has turned out spectacular in the West, after many resort operators were looking at grassy/rocky slopes just a few weeks ago. 

Over the eastern half of the continent, skiers and riders have been waiting impatiently for some of the western cold to flow east so resorts could settle into winter.  I thought that the cold would arrive around Christmas and call the shots right into the New Year, but I was wrong.  The pattern suggested it would happen, snowy analog years like 1995-96 agreed, and the jet stream configuration around the northern hemisphere pointed toward the evolution of a cold upper trough over eastern North America.  And then it didn’t happen.  Why not?  Well, a rather anomalous spike in the output of the sun might be to blame.  When solar flux, or the output of the sun, increases dramatically in winter, it tends to sustain a southeastern U.S. upper ridge, the feature that has thus far kept winter at bay over the Midwest and East.  The following map shows the jet setup on the 31st…

You can see two features that are producing the latest rounds of snow in the West…one centered over ID/WA and the other west of Baja California.  Over the East, the persistent, troublemaking ridge is still there…in classic La Nina fashion.  The ridge has been in place much of the time for a few weeks and it is still there.  Here is the graph of solar flux that could explain why the ridge won’t relent and let cold shots penetrate deeper into the East…

The red line on the graph is solar flux, and you can see that it increased dramatically around mid-December.  There is a lag time of a few weeks with this phenomenon, which explains why the ridge won’t budge and keeps deflecting low pressure centers through the eastern Great Lakes and up into Canada…an unfavorable track for cold and snow in the Northeast.  But also notice that it is now weakening, so I believe that cold shots will have an easier time knocking down the ridge in the weeks to come.  The change won’t happen overnight, but I expect disturbances that press eastward out of the western troughs will start to break down the ridge, starting with a body shot the weekend of the 1st/2nd.  The ridge will fight back, but by mid-month, cold should rule across the north from the Lakes to the Northeast, and the mid-Atlantic and Southeast should be in a more favorable pattern by then, as well.           

Here are regional highlights…    

Northwest U.S./Western Canada:  Snowfall takes a time-out this weekend, but resumes during the first week of the New Year.            

Sierra:  Nice weekend to enjoy all the new snow.  Snow returns next week…higher totals to be found north of I-80.             

Rockies:  Cold weekend with diminishing snows.  After a couple of quiet days, the parade of storms resumes early to midweek. 

Midwest:  Cold weekend with snow in lake effect belts.  Clipper brings snow midweek.  Pattern turning colder overall. 

Mid Atlantic/Southeast:   Rain changes to snow this weekend.  Cold shot supports productive snowmaking early in the week.        

Northeast/QB:  Messy weekend turns much colder.  Great snowmaking early in the week.  Prospects improving for meaningful snow late next week. 

Jon Weisberg

This Issue

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This is being written from Salt Lake City, the day after 20” fell at Snowbird. It’s almost at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and just a short distance from Park City, where the total was 10”. Compare that to Mammoth Mountain in California’s Sierra range… 44” in 72 hours!

Jon’s Short Swings! column is a bit self-confessional this time, speaking to the factors that help us age gracefully. As usual, it also reports on industry news and recent curiosities. The link to a history of how snowball fights have been shown in art shouldn’t be missed.

Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman, reports on winners and losers in the most recent storm cycles. His articles are always good reading.

We really should appreciate our ski buddies because, as we age, they become like hen’s teeth. Harriet Wallis advises how to find others with whom to ski.

Longtime ski instructor, John Gelb, addresses a common and often undiscussed issue among skiers of all ages: fear. He offers good guidance on conquering what he calls, the Fear Monkey.

Contributor Pat McCloskey, who is accustomed to skiing in his home state of Pennsylvania, explains how to use smaller mountains to hone skiing skills for trips to bigger terrain. Pat has skied them all and offers readers excellent counsel.

XC editor, Roger Lohr, presents 10 places around the country where XC beginners can learn the basics.

The winner of our last Test Your Skiing Knowledge feature is presented along with the new challenge. Remember, first correct answer mailed to jon@seniorsskiing.com wins the prize.

And, thanks to the contributions from numerous readers, the ski-oriented vanity license plate photo gallery has expanded.

Enjoy the issue. Have a great Holiday Season. Next issue: January 7.

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Yes, age does give many of us some advantages. Wisdom is often cited, but, I, for one have made enough errors in judgment to be exempted from checking that box. I’m probably not alone.

Financial well-being is another frequent citation. Fortunately, along with about two-thirds of SeniorsSkiing readers who say they’re financially independent, I’m okay in that category. But I know too many older skiers whose fortunes took them in another direction. Many have adjusted lifestyles so they can continue to pursue their favorite sport.

Outlook and attitude also are advantages for some of us. My old friend, Frank Burgmeier, is 98. A veteran of 65+ bomber flights in WWII, he continues to have a sharp mind and a great attitude. “I’m blessed,” he tells me. That, despite disappointments from some family members. “When I peel all of those things away, I’m happy and at peace.” If I make it to that age, I hope my mind and spirit are as healthy as his.

Jim Cobb is another example. Jim is 89 and the developer and manufacturer of The Bootster, the ski boot shoehorn that advertises on these pages. He skied many years with the National Brotherhood of Skiers before age caused him to retire. When I mention that we just had a 24-hour snowstorm here in Utah, he sighs with resignation and says, “I’m envious that you’ll be skiing. That part of my life is behind me.”

Some are fortunate enough to ski on and on. George Jednikoff continued past 100. At 99, Claus Obermeyer is still going. I know there are others, but I don’t know their names.

Luck also is a big factor. I recall being at a luncheon where the speaker was Mike Singletary, then coach of the San Francisco 49ers. One comment that stuck with me was the 20% luck factor. Being in top physical condition and having outstanding skills were essential for his players’ good results, he said. But luck always plays a role on the field; he thought about 20%.

Luck (good or bad) also is a factor as we age. Like many other senior skiers, I’ve had my fair share of bad luck. Much of it seems to have occurred health-wise in 2021. I’ve been climbing out of that hole for the past six months, and I’m now ready to get back to what I love: skiing. I readily admit that the goal of publishing SeniorsSkiing.com kept me motivated during some dark and difficult times.

Wisdom. Financial well-being. Outlook and attitude. Good luck. They can keep us going as we age. Whether we possess all of them or a few, we should be grateful for what we have, while we have it.

Wishing all readers good health, good skiing, and good times for the Holidays, and beyond.

[[Taking Christmas and New Year’s off. Next issue of SeniorsSkiing.com will be sent January 7. You always have access to all articles by visiting seniorsskiing.com. New articles are posted on the site during the week leading up to each publication date. Please help us grow the seniorsskiing.com audience by sharing seniorsskiing.com with other senior skiers.]]

232 Skiing Santas Raise Charity $$$s

For the past 21 years, Sunday River (ME) has kicked off the Holiday Season with Santa Sunday, a fund-raiser for a local charity. This year, 232 Santa-clad skiers each paid a $20 entry donation, raising more than $5000 for The River Fund, which invests in the education of young people in the region.

Vail Resorts Tops Season Pass Sales

Vail Resorts reported it sold more than 2.1 million season pass products for this season. That’s 700,000 more than last year, a record for the company. Also, for the second year in a row, Newsweek named VR one of America’s Most Responsible Companies.

Jackson Hole Ups Hourly Wage

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is increasing its minimum wage for all non-tipped positions to $18 per hour, up from $15 per hour. The increase is intended to attract new and retain existing employees.

Really Smart Helmet Technology

Source: Twiceme

Twiceme, a Swedish company, has teamed up with Salomon to produce “smart” ski helmets. To be available late 2022, the helmets will utilize twICEme® technology to provide a suite of safety information ranging from personal medical records to finding a lost child. It will be readily accessible to ski patrol and search and rescue.

NE Areas Banning Boot Bags?

SeniorsSkiing subscriber, Torry Hack, writes: “As a grey-haired skier who likes to put on his boots in the lodge vs in his car, I am disappointed to find that many New England areas are still banning bags.”

New England skiers: Please email info@senioirsskiing.com to let us know if your area bans bags in the day lodge, and we’ll publish the list.

Shipping Container Ski Lodge

The Pad Hotel, Silverthorne, CO

The town of Silverthorne, in Summit County, Colorado, is home to The Pad, a  hotel constructed from 18 shipping containers. Private rooms are $350. per night; bunk rooms, $50. It’s not far from Copper, Keystone, Breckenridge, and A-Basin.

Surprise Storm

Reader Donna Ohanian in New Hampshire, sent in this photo along with a note stating, “This storm was supposed to be 3-6”. Nope. 30!”  Note the LUV-SNO license plate. Thanks, Donna!

Snowball Fights in Art

Detail from a fresco depicting the month of January at Buonconsiglio Castle in Trento, Italy, ca. 1400

Public Domain Review is a British-based organization that issues interesting articles and illustrations outside of copywrite restrictions. Click here to enjoy PDR’s history of snowball fights in art over the centuries and in a variety of cultures. It’s a treat.

 

 

 

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Herb Stevens

The Skiing Weatherman-December 16, 2021

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Colder, snowy pattern evolving coast to coast…

As we hit the holiday season, the weather pattern is changing to one that will soon be dominated by colder than normal air.  Cold air has been in relatively short supply for a couple of weeks now, but in the past week, a series of troughs have descended into the West, leading to several sizable snow events that have given the season a badly needed jump-start in the coastal ranges with lighter but helpful snow further inland.  Elsewhere, snowmakers have had to pick their spots for cranking out crystals, and trail counts have been creeping upward in the Midwest, Northeast, and central and southern Appalachians.  What is needed is a jet stream pattern change that taps more cold air from Canada and thankfully, here it comes.

Here’s the current state of the jet stream…

There are several features of note on this map, which is valid on Friday the 17th.  First, there is the broad ridge over the eastern U.S., with the center of the feature the closed circle that you see north of the Bahamas.  This ridge is a common feature in a La Nina winter…when it is strong, as is the case now, mild air spreads north.  When it is suppressed, cold air penetrates further south from Canada.  There are two troughs over the western half of the country…one over the Dakotas and the other over Baja California.  Both were responsible for snow earlier this week.  The northern feature will help to break down the ridge and produce a light to moderate snowfall over the interior Northeast this weekend.  The last item is the ridge over Greenland and the trough south of it, over the waters of the Atlantic.  This couplet forms a classic “Negative NAO”, or North Atlantic Oscillation.  When the NAO goes negative, it blocks the progression of jet stream features over much of North America.  Typically, a negative NAO leads to a persistent trough over the eastern half of the U.S. and that is where we are headed.

Here is a forecast for the jet stream on Christmas Eve, which I generally agree with…

You can see the negative NAO ridge/trough couplet top right.  The troughs over the east coast AND west coast hold the promise of colder weather and natural snow in both regions.  The ridge over Alaska, with its clockwise circulation, will tap into the very cold air stored over the northwestern part of the continent and send it further south.   As the holiday week progresses, the Yukon connection will bring about a trend toward colder temperatures from the upper Midwest into the East, all the way down into the mountains of North Carolina.  The jet stream setup that you see on this map is just about perfect for benefitting resorts coast to coast…those trail and lift numbers should be on rise from this weekend right through the holiday week.  Here’s a look at snowfall predicted through Christmas Day…              

During the holiday week I expect the snowfall numbers to increase in the East and spread down the Appalachians, in anticipation of the presence of the trough that will enhance snowfall opportunities.

Here are regional highlights…    

Northwest U.S./Western Canada:  Pattern favors a trough offshore for a while…leads to frequent episodes of moderate/heavy snow.          

Sierra:  Quiet weekend but significant snow returns Tuesday-Thursday next week.  Another storm around Christmas Day           

Rockies:  Northern resorts in a good position for snows in the next week…south of I-70 best chance will come late next week 

Midwest:  Upper trough, Clippers, lake effect, and snowmaking keep trail counts growing through the holiday period 

Mid Atlantic/Southeast:   Productive snowmaking next week…natural snow a good bet Christmas Week.        

Northeast/QB:  Moderate snow this weekend north of I-90 in NY/NE.  Snowmaking and natural snow push trail counts up going forward through the holiday 

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John Gelb

The Fear Monkey in Our Heads

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When was the last time this happened to you on the mountain: you’re skiing down one of your regular trails, having fun, where you know every turn by heart, and then, as you approach a trail sign for a more difficult run than you’re used to, you think maybe it’s a good time to try it…but then you keep on skiing down the regular old way.

So what happened?  It happens to me also: a tiny little wave of discomfort/anxiety/fear creeps into my head (I call it the “fear monkey”) and causes me to ski the easier way, meanwhile telling myself, “I’ll do this one tomorrow.”  And just like that… fear becomes the boss of me!  I hate that, but it happens.  How can we change our patterns, so we take the turn down the more challenging terrain?

Don’t let the fear monkey get in your way.

I’ve noticed this for years in my own skiing, although I’ve gotten better at deciding when I’m going to “go for it” and challenge myself more than usual.  The key for me in making positive changes, and skiing more challenging terrain on a regular basis, started when I began ski instructing twelve years ago!  Huh?  Let me explain…

I’d take a group of skiers, usually 3-6 people, ranging in ages from 18-50.  While the group was being organized, I’d always introduce myself to each skier, and ask each person a few questions about why they were taking a lesson, what types of sports and activities they enjoyed, what they hoped to get out of the lesson; stuff like that. I’d also ask, ”What are you worried about?”

 

I’d hear a lot of things that would help me figure out what each person’s “takeaways” were for their lesson.  It was almost like each person would give me the magic key for solving their “personal skiing puzzle.”  Everyone’s got one, hidden away, just waiting to be revealed, including me: “afraid of going too fast,”  “getting my skis more parallel in the turn,” “keeping my speed under control to lower my fear,” ”not be so afraid,” “looking as good skiing the tough stuff as the easier stuff!”   What’s yours?

For skiers, the degree of FEAR in their heads is the ultimate limiter on both performance and improvement. Of course, we need fear to warn us away from true danger, but fear is greedy, and likes to hang around unless we send it away.

The good news is that you can send fear to the back of your mind.  It’s simple.  Just figure out your own magic key to your own skiing puzzle.   What do YOU need to do on a tougher run to stay confident?  For me it was this: take the more difficult trail, but plan to ski it in a very measured way, slower than the other runs, pausing to pick each line, just one turn at a time, and stay smooth.  Once I started thinking differently about skiing the tougher stuff, it became much easier to choose those double blacks, and it felt good at the end of each day to have skied them.

 

Seven Springs Resort, Pennsylvania
Pat McCloskey

The Power of the Small Area

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When I hear that people don’t ski in their local areas because they’re spoiled by skiing out West, I believe they’re missing something.

A lot of world class ski racers cut their teeth on areas that have less than 1000’ vertical. Lindsey Vonn and Kristina Koznick both were raised on Buck Hill in Minnesota, under the watchful eye of Erich Sailer.  Erich is a world-renowned coach and has done an amazing job training ski racers on a hill with very little vertical drop.  Similarly, the Cochran family in Vermont has a rich legacy of developing ski racing talent on smaller hills.

Seven Springs Resort, Pennsylvania

Recently, the PSIA pod cast, Chaos and Company, discussed the fact that there are many drills that can be utilized at smaller areas.  Frank Andres, who coached racing at Seven Springs Resort (another <1000’ vertical hill) used to advise making as many small turns as possible.

Buck Hill trail map

My message is: wherever you ski, utilize the available terrain to advance your skiing skills. Here are some ways to do it:

  • Use edging exercises such as garland drills, where you link edge and release traverses across the hill. They’re beneficial in helping you understand when and where to release and set edges during a turn.  Many garlands can be made at smaller areas.
  • Jump turns can be utilized along with short radius turns to make use of the terrain at smaller areas. See how many short radius turns or jump turns you can make in a contest with friends
  • Blend short radius turns into medium radius turns and back again in a prescribed space to develop control.
  • Pick an imaginary alley and make a series of short radius turns not allowing yourself to ski out of the alley.  Mix it up by using the same imaginary alley and holding your poles in front of you to promote balance.  Think of the poles like holding a tray and avoid spilling the drinks.
  • Make your legs do all the work to eliminate rotation during a turn.  If you’re not accustomed to this drill, start on a gentle slope or trail.
  • NASTAR is often run at smaller areas and allows for repeated race turns against the clock.
  • Skiing on one ski and switching back and forth can develop good individual leg coordination and can be utilized with ease at a smaller area.

Practice these exercises locally and you’ll get a lot more skiing out of a lot less vertical. That home hill homework will get you better prepared for that trip out West.

 

Harriet Wallis

Finding a Senior Ski Buddy

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Finding someone to play with was easy when we were kids. “Can Johnny come out and play?” But as seniors, it’s not easy to find someone to ski with. Ski friends drop out, move away, or go to the great beyond.

SeniorsSkiing.com is an amazing source of information. Here’s what happened recently: A skier emailed me saying: “I saw your stories in SeniorsSkiing.com and I want to connect with senior skiers in the Salt Lake area when I’m out there this winter. I’ve heard about Alta’s senior group called the Wild Old Bunch. How do I connect with them?”

The Wild Old Bunch meets daily at the only round table in Alf’s, mid-mountain at Alta. Photo Harriet Wallis

That was easy. I told her all about the Wild Old Bunch – the upbeat group of senior skiers who gather about 11- 11:30-ish weekdays for camaraderie and snacks at the only round table in Alf’s mid mountain restaurant. It might be a big group or maybe just a few. It just depends on who’s skiing that day. They talk about all kinds of things: golf, plumbing, road trips and more. You’ll likely meet someone who skis the way you like to ski.

Look for the WOB patch. Photo: Harriet Wallis

Enthusiastic WOB-er Bob Phillips said: We welcome anyone who shows up to join us at the round table. It’s a good way to find a ski buddy. And on the hill, look for the smiley face WOB patch that many wear on their jackets.

Bet you’re thinking: “I won’t be at Alta. How do I find ski buddies?”

Nationwide, the 70+ Ski Club is a senior club that typically has a handful of week-long trips to US and foreign destinations. Travels include everything: hotels, tickets, transportation, and of course cocktail parties and dinners together. It says: ”Since 1977, 70 Plus Ski Club members have enjoyed free and discounted skiing, developed lasting friendships, and skied together at resorts worldwide.”

Bet you’re still thinking: “I want to find ski buddies. How do I do it?”

Many areas have ski hosts who conduct mountain tours. The tours usually are a few hours, and participating in one may help you meet someone with comparable skills.

Another suggestion: Many older skiers read SeniorsSkiing.com, so let’s start a list of senior ski groups across the country. Just fill in the Leave a Reply message box following this story and we’ll get this going.

What ski area?

In what state?

Does the group have a name?

Where do they gather?

A certain day of the week? Daily?

What time?

Do they ski together? Ski with a guide? Other?

Please add everything else you’d like skiers to know.

SeniorsSkiing.com is an amazing source of information. Using the site to create a central registry of senior ski groups will benefit the entire community. Let’s do it!

Mt. Peg
Roger Lohr

New To Cross Country? These Nordic Centers are Great Places to Start.

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If you’re among the many newcomers to XC skiing, I suggest that you take a lesson. XCSkiResorts.com recommends starting at one of the following locations:

Metropolitan Boston — Weston Ski Track, a county-owned golf course accessible by public transportation. Snowmaking guarantees good cover and lights allow for night skiing. A 75-minute session covers the basics (i.e. motion, turning and negotiating small hills). A package of rental gear, lesson, and trail access starts at $44 for kids and $64 for adults. There are well-priced multiple session packages, too.

New Hampshire — Great Glen Trails, Gorham, encourages booking on line because of capacity limits in its 75-minute group lessons. Coaching goes at a pace that is comfortable for the whole group to learn gliding, stopping, and getting up (just about everyone falls on the snow when they begin skiing). The views of Mt. Washington from Great Glen Trails are astounding.

Mt. Peg at Woodstock Nordic Center

Vermont — Trapp Family Lodge (the Sound of Music family), Stowe, starts newcomers by teaching basic techniques which help beginners get control (e.g. kick and glide motion, using poles, and stopping).  They use soft skis, which make it easier to turn and stop. Woodstock Nordic Center, Woodstock Inn & Resort, offers a 20-minute “Mini Clinic” for first timers ona golf course behind the inn. It includes a lesson, trail pass, one hour equipment rental  for $50.

New York — Lapland Lake Vacation Center in Northville customizes the introduction to XC skiing to the skier’s level of ability. There is terrain with a wide modest downhill and a run-out to make skiers feel more comfortable.

Michigan — Cross Country Ski Headquarters, Roscommon, offers free lessons on weekend mornings for beginners in classic or skate skiing. Their Winter Trails Day on January 8 provides free access and a lesson with a complimentary hot cocoa and hot dog cookout for only $9.

Minnesota —   Maplelag Resort, Callaway, is a family-oriented operation that goes out of its way to make people comfortable with new adventures like XC skiing or snowshoeing so they’ll want to come back for more. Maplelag is a community-based experience and often, experienced guests provide extra attention to first time skiers.

Breckenridge Nordic Center lodge

Colorado — Breckenridge Nordic Center specializes in working with those who are first timers. The Center gives a 20% discount on group lessons booked on line. All resort staff are ambassadors who freely offer ski tips to all. As soon as the skier steps out the door, staff is available to help skiers put equipment on, review the trail map, talk about body balance, and provide other tips.

California — Tahoe Donner Cross Country has low cost opportunities to help people learn basic ski skills. The $87 member price is for a group lesson package that includes rental gear, trail pass, and a 75-minute lesson or tour with an instructor.

Washington – Located in eastern Washington, Methow Trails has one of the largest trail networks in the U.S. On January 21. It hosts Free Backyard Ski Day with free access to the trails, free rental gear, and free lessons available for beginners.

XC skiing delivers physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Spending time in a snowy landscape can be magical. Do yourself a favor and give it a try.

seniorsskiing

Test Your Skiing Knowledge

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Each issue of SeniorsSkiing.com has a picture to help test your skiing knowledge. The pictures are from collections in a variety of participating ski museums, which we encourage readers to visit.

Source: New Mexico Ski Museum and Sk Hall of Fame

The hairdo’s scream late 1960s. But these co-eds weren’t the only students of the man in the middle. He trained members of the US men’s and women’s Olympic ski teams and went on to write books on finding inner peace. What is his name and what is the name of the area where this picture was taken? One clue: it was submitted by the New Mexico Ski Museum and Ski Hall of Fame.

The first person to submit the correct answer to jon@seniorsskiing.com wins a yet to be determined, but skiing-related prize. Note, only answers sent to that address will qualify.The correct answer and the name of the winner will appear in the next issue of SeniorsSkiing.com.

The winner of the last Test Your Skiing Knowledge is Jimme Quinn Ross of Stephentown, NY. He was the first of several readers to correctly identify the top terminal of the Lynx chairlift being helicoptered into place at Wildcat, NH. The Lynx chair was a Riblet double that opened in the winter of 1970-1971. Jimme’s prize is a container of Slide On, the compact spray that helps ski boots slide on effortlessly by forming a layer of dry lubrication. One can is a full year’s supply. Value: $12.95.

Jon Weisberg

LUV2SKI (continued)

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Ski license plates are definitely a thing. The call for additions to the gallery published in the last issue received a healthy response from readers around the country.

Margery Martin, who lives near Minneapolis, has been collecting pictures of ski-oriented license plates for years. Several of her favorites have been added to the gallery; more to follow.

Boyd Allen, Exeter, NH, frequents Mad River, Gunstock, Waterville Valley and Wildcat. Given his 3-PIN plate, we assume he’s a tele-skier.

Richard Brewer, Cohoes, NY, writes that he’s “a proud member of the Corduroy Cowboys.” He skis mostly Mt. Snow, Hunter and Gore. In the past it was Whiteface, hence the Ski Face plate.

Scott Paine, a subscriber since 2017, sent in the ALTA license.

Andrew Howe’s SAILSKI plate states his two main interests.

John Vyverberg sent SKI ONE.

Arthur Sexauer’s Wisconsin plate reads ARTSKI. He also submitted BMPSKR.

Mike Rector’s Missouri plate states, SKI BUM.

Tony McCurdy’s Pennsylvania plate is ESQUIAR,”Spanish for “to ski.”

And Nancy Wilson’s New Jersey plate reads, SGRBUSH.

Finally, Cyndy Gal Scholz’s Colorado plate (she’s a longtime Copper Mountain instructor who guides and teaches in the area’s Over the Hill Gang program) is in the form of a practical advertisement: LRN2SKI.

If you run across a skiing license plate and want to add it to the SeniorsSkiing license plate picture gallery, take a picture (preferably close up and straight on) and send it to info@seniorsskiing.com. We’ll do our best to credit each contributor.

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seniorsskiing

This Issue

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We had an unfortunate reminder that “skiing is an inherently dangerous sport” with the untimely death of Ron LeMaster, ski writer/photographer and certified PSIA instructor. The 72-year-old was killed earlier this week after colliding with a snowboarder on Eldora Mountain (CO). May he rest in peace.

Like so many things in life, sometimes fortune is not on our side, even though we plan carefully and exercise caution. We need to remember to appreciate what we have when we have it.

There’s a lot to read and see in this issue.

  • The Short Swings! column makes a statement about the proliferation of redundant promotional ski videos.
  • Skiing Weatherman, Herb Stevens, has encouraging news that snow is on the way!
  • Dreaming of skiing the Dolomites? An account, updated to reflect changes since it was published two years ago, will fire your imagination.
  • Don Burch shares with us another delicious short video titled, “Calling Me.”
  • Jon has been collecting photos of ski-oriented vanity license plates. Hope you enjoy them and send in some photos of ski plates you spot in the lot.
  • Jonathan Wiesel writes about Latigo Ranch, a high-elevation cross-country skiing paradise in northern Colorado.
  • Executing a proper turn is explained in a short article by British ski coach and writer, Bob Trueman.
  • And Pat McCloskey introduces us to The Fall Line with Chaos and Company, a PSIA podcast filled with good advice.

Finally, please take a peek at the photo in Test Your Skiing Knowledge. If you think you know the answer, submit it through info@seniorsskiing.com. The first one with the correct answer will receive a can of Slide On, the compact spray that helps stockinged foot slip effortlessly into boot.

A belated Happy Thanksgiving and best wishes for a safe and enjoyable season.

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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We live in what some call an attention economy. Those who attract attention – regardless of how they go about it – appear to be the victors in our narcissistic new world. The companies making skis and related gear are no exception. One of their primary ways of competing for attention is producing short videos of pro skiers using their gear in wild and wooly terrain.

Videos of people doing amazing things on skis are similar to porn: there are just so many tricks in the bag, and it’s not long before they get boring. That said, ski manufacturer lemmings invest in making videos that, in one way or another, try to outclass their competition.

The New Age of Reason is a new addition, from a company named WNDR (Wonder Alpine). It combines a soundtrack of barely audible British voices making quasi-intellectual statements, while pro skiers make deep powder turns and jump cliffs in some easy-to-watch and quickly forgettable scenes. Unlike most other short promotional videos which depend on big-name super skiers and/or pulsing rap music to appeal to their intended audience(s), this one relies on pretense. That said, WNDR appears to be a company with good policies and good products.

Will its video approach help the the company break through the rest of the promotional ski video clutter? Maybe for a few minutes while the ski marketing echo chamber resonates with email congratulations.

A few years ago, at the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show, I attended a presentation that discussed a variety of advertising and promotional investments. The activities were listed in order of their perceived effectiveness in contributing to product sales. As I recall, in-store salespeople and word-of-mouth were most effective. Way down on the list…I mean toward the very bottom…were promotional videos. They cost a lot to produce. They reach a relatively small audience. They make their sponsors feel good about their investments. But do they move the needle when it comes to sales? You know the answer.

As I finished drafting this, yet another video landed in my inbox. At 21 minutes, it’s a bit on the long side. But if you want to see what has become possible on skis in entirely impossible terrain, “Good Luck” will get you up to speed with a smile. Click here to screen.

Ski Journalist Dies Following Collision with Snowboarder

Ron LeMaster, 72, was killed earlier this week after colliding with a snowboarder on Eldora Mountain (CO). LeMaster, a ski writer and photographer, was a certified PSIA instructor. No charges were filed against the boarder. The tragedy is a reminder for older skiers/boarders to exercise extreme caution on the hill. R.I.P.

Realskiers.com: Ski Industry Is in Trouble

Jackson Hogen publishes realskiers.com, a long-established website featuring in-depth reviews of each year’s new skis and a host of observations about the sport. The self-proclaimed Pontiff of Powder periodically sends out thought pieces under the heading, “Revelations.” A few weeks back, he took a dystopic and disturbingly realistic view of the future of skiing. It’s titled, “Will the Next Generation of Skiers be the Last?”, covering, among other big issues, cost, accessibility, competing interests and climate change. To read the short essay, click here. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers are eligible for a 50% discount off the annual realskiers.com rate of $19.95. Use Code SS21 at checkout.

Klaus Obermeyer is 102!

Klaus created the ski apparel line bearing his name. He is credited with making the first down-filled parka. When I interviewed him a few years ago, he said that he found it easier to ski than to walk.

Winter Park to Donate Uphill Ski Pass Revenue to Charities

Source: Winter Park Resort

The area will donate proceeds from sales of its uphill ski passes to local charities. The passes cost $25 each. It’s good policy, given that paying to climb on the slopes is a relatively new development that has been met with some criticism.

Aspen Bumps Minimum Wage

Aspen Skiing Co. will increase starting wages to $17 per hour, a significant bump from Colorado’s current $12.32 minimum. The company also increased employee housing to 1,000 beds.

High Tech Bandage Changes Color

DrySee is a long-lasting bandage that changes color when it needs to be changed. Cost depends on bandage size. Manufacturer of this interesting new product is offering SeniorsSkiing.com readers 20% off when they enter “Facebook 20” at checkout. Visit www.drysee.com to learn more.

Last Minute Gift for Senior Skiers

The Bootster ski boot shoehorn is ideal gift for older skiers

Get them The Bootster. It’s a clever, fit in your pocket ski boot shoehorn that is solidly made and will last many, many seasons. Handmade by company founder, Jim Cobb. At $25, it’s one of the best bargains around. Click on the adjacent ad and read the rave reviews.

Dep’t of Wretched Excess

The world’s most expensive “hotel” room costs $175,000 per night. Lover’s Deep is a luxuriously tricked-out submarine in St Lucia. Amenities include captain, cook and helicopter.

Diamonds Are Forever Martini

The world’s most expensive cocktail is now available at Tokyo’s Ritz Carlton hotel. The Diamonds Are Forever Martini costs $22,880 and is garnished with a one-carat diamond. Kampai!

New 10th Mountain Division Documentary

https://youtu.be/x6BpDQ85ZN8

“Mission to Mt. Mangart” is a new documentary exploring the famed 10th Mountain Division, whose members relied on skis. Click on the trailer (above) to see the slalom they organized in June, 1945.

Update: Jackson Hole’s Skiing Wunderkind

I wrote about Kai Jones when he was 12. Kai, now 14, is the Jackson Hole ski wunderkind whose skiing is a joy to behold. This short video was shot last season, when he was a high school freshman.

seniorski1
Herb Stevens

The Skiing Weatherman-December 2, 2021

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Pattern coming alive on both coasts…

Thanks to snowmaking and a nice dump of fresh snow last Friday, I kicked off my season with a nice day on the trails of Killington this past Tuesday. The surface midwinter stuff and it was fantastic to be making turns again. The storm late last week helped out across much of the Northeast, but more is needed not only in that region, but across the entire country, as trail counts and opening dates are lagging nationwide this year. Fear not, though…help is on the way!

The current jet stream setup has been in place for a few weeks now, with a western upper ridge coupled with a broad trough over the eastern half of the country, as illustrated by this map, valid the morning of the 3rd….

The ridge (orange) has kept the West high and dry while the trough (blue) further east has supported weak systems that have spun through the Lakes into the Northeast. Each one of those disturbances has delivered a modest shot of colder air, allowing snowmakers from Ontario and Quebec to North Carolina to get the season rolling on a limited basis. The trough will remain in place for the next several days, but by the 6th, changes will get underway. A new trough will dive into the center of the country and deliver a significant shot of cold air…good news in the upper Midwest. To the east, a mild upper ridge will pop up in response, with low pressure taking a track between the two jet stream features, from the mid-Mississippi Valley up through the Great Lakes and on toward Toronto and Montreal. In the East, that track will produce rain and then snow as cold air rushes in on the backside of the storm. Next, a weaker midweek disturbance will bring light to moderate snow from the central Appalachians into New England and eastern Canada.

The biggest pattern change is coming to the West and not a moment too soon with the holidays just a few weeks away. While the initial thrust of cold air will move into the northern Plains, several additional systems will move south from Canada in the coming week, breaking down the ridge in the process. The first will impact the far northern Rockies and southern Canada this weekend, the second will reach the central ranges Monday and Tuesday, and then a late week trough will dive all the way into the Southwest, producing the biggest snowfall of the young season in the southern Sierra and Rockies as it does. Here is a forecast of snowfall through next Friday night…

You can see that significant, beneficial snow can be expected not only in the West, but also in the upper Midwest and the northern regions of New York and New England. Deep cold is still a little tough for the pattern to access, so snowmaking will still be hit and miss in the near term. Longer term, the week of the 13th will bring a western cold trough/eastern mild ridge couplet, with the potential for a nationwide cold and snowy pattern developing the week of the 20th. Here are the regional highlights…

Northwest U.S./Western Canada: Snowy week unfolding…snow levels lower than recent two weeks will help.

Sierra: Dry start, but pattern turns snowy mid to late week onward(north to south)
Rockies: Snowy pattern develops from northern (early week) to central and southern resorts (mid to late week).

Midwest: Favorable storm track and cold period unfolding next 1-2 weeks. Trail counts and bases will grow quickly.

Mid Atlantic/Southeast: Mild weekend/early next week. Colder air supports snowmaking and some snow by midweek.

Northeast/QB: Cold weekend with some light snow. Rain and backside snow early in the week. Light to moderate snowfall midweek.

seniorsskiing

Ski Videos for the Rest of Us

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No impossible steeps, flips or cliff-hucking. Don Burch creates kinder and gentler ski videos showing normal skiers doing normal things. His editing, use of interesting digital enhancements and choice of scenic shots have a warm, old-school quality appealing to skiers and boarders of a certain age. “Calling Me” (about 3-minutes) is Don’s most recent production. Click on the image to view.

'Fun 2 ski' license plate
Jon Weisberg

LUV2SKI: Skiing Vanity Plates

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There’s a joy to walking through the parking lot, skis on shoulder on the way to the lift or at the end of the day. People wishing you a good day, asking how the day went, commenting on the snow, sitting on a lawn chair sipping a cold one. 

The often-unnoticed backdrop to this gemutlichkeit is the ski-oriented vanity license plate. This aspect of skiing passion extends across the spectrum. You’re as likely to spot one on a beaten up 4-Runner as you are on a new Range Rover.

I started collecting pictures of these bad boys a few years ago. Most were shot at Alta and other Utah resorts. (There was a time when Alta posted its own gallery of plates reading ALTA.) Some were captured in big cities, far from mountains. 

If you have a skiing license plate or run across one and want to add it to the gallery, take a picture (preferably close up and straight on) and send it to info@seniorsskiing.com. We’ll do our best to credit each contributor.

In the meanwhile, enjoy these…

Jonathan Wiesel

Latigo Ranch: High-Country Nordic

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Sometimes life exceeds expectation. That’s what I’ve found with winter ranches in the Rockies.

In summer, hundreds of dude ranches draw thousands of visitors. They’re crazy-diverse: homespun and elegant; private and heavily peopled; mostly self-service or with staff at your call. You’ll find Spartan working ranches as well as places with canapés and kidney-shaped swimming pools.

The few ranches open in winter are outstanding – magnificent settings and staff, excellent facilities and food, and snow so delicate it drifts through the air like cold smoke. They’re run for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and, increasingly, fat bikers by people who love the season and their profession.

Wecome to Latigo Ranch

A prime example is Latigo Ranch, near the town of Kremmling in north-central Colorado’s Gore Range. It’s owned and managed by Lisa and Randy George and their kids.

Latigo used to run cattle, sheep, and “dudes” before it totally converted to guest ranching in 1987. Once you turn off Highway 134, you start climbing, trading sage for pine, spruce, and aspen, interspersed with vast meadows. It feels like the top of the world.

Latigo can cater to pretty much any culinary taste, be it red meat, vegetarian, kosher, low carb, or low fat. Breakfast is my favorite meal. I have fond memories of buttermilk pancakes imprinted with the ranch brand, complemented by genuine maple syrup.

Latigo comfortably handles 22 guests, but you’ll seldom find that number except during holidays. Cabins are ski-in/ski-out, nestled in pines above the lodge with wood-burning stoves. This is a ski ranch, not a resort (no phones or TVs in the rooms).

50km of groomed trails lace through Latigo

Latigo grooms 50 kilometers of trail for track, skating, and fatbiking.

This is gorgeous, rugged country, with some of the most enjoyable skiing and diverse trails I’ve ever experienced. For example, the descent on Arena Run can be like silk in fresh snow; lightning in the spring.

High up on windswept Jumper Flats, you’ll find a broad panoramic view. You can tear down The Luge at sunset, when you may be greeted with a spectacular play of colors over the Indian Peaks Wilderness – 70 miles of mountain and valley snowscape.

If you’re altitude-sensitive, book a longer stay and take it easy for at least the first day. (Latigo’s trails range from around 8,600’ to 9,400’ above sea level.)

It’s a wonderful thing to ski back to the ranch on a crisp afternoon, saunter over to the Social Center, and finish the day with a sybaritic Jacuzzi soak!

When You Go

Latigo is 150 miles from Denver International Airport. In addition to trails, you can go sledding, tubing, and snowshoeing. Skis, snowshoes, and pulks can be rented at the ranch, but you’ll need to bring your own fat bike.

Adult rate for winter 2021-’22 is $225/day and covers lodging, meals, trails, and “100 % free views.” The season begins just before Christmas and runs into early March. Interested in learning more? Call 970-724-9008; email Randy@LatigoRanch.com, or visit www.latigoranch.com.

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Bob Trueman

Skiing Technique: Where should you be headed?

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Several responses to a recent article under the same heading suggest I left the wrong impression on some readers. That’s anathema for a coach, so this is an attempt at clarification.

Source: Bob Trueman

The sketch is my attempt to explain the direction in which the skier’s torso is best oriented; not the direction your skis will be taking.

In reality, every arc comprises an infinite number of “points”, not just the ones I picked out for illustrative purposes.  For now, let’s consider those few identified points.

RADII AND TANGENTS

 At each of the points I have drawn a dashed line at a 90º angle to the radius. Focus on the direction of the line.

That dashed line indicates the direction in which your body would travel if you suddenly became detached from your skis.  (Where your skis went after such an event is anybody’s guess and of no importance to anyone other than the poor unfortunate who happened to be in the way!)

 Good skiers orient their torsos in the direction of the dashed line, with the axis across their shoulders and their hands at right angles to the dashed line. That is to say, facing slightly outward of the arc.  If you imagine an arrow glued smack in the centre of the skier’s chest, facing forward, it would point in the direction of the line.

 The optimal degree of difference between ski direction and body orientation will vary; on this sketch it’s noticeable if you look at the point where the arc is “sharpest” – in this case just momentarily as skis and torso encounter the slope line (aka fall line).

 This “outward” orientation is counter-intuitive, which is why unskilled skiers have a strong tendency not to do it, instead consistently aligning torso with ski tips or rotating into the arc; sub-optimal movements to be avoided.

 LEG ROTATION

A more effective and controlled technique is to utilize the hinge-like mechanism of our bodies. While legs travel in the direction of the skis and the torso faces outward in the direction of the dashed line, the thighs rotate in the hip sockets. Importantly, this is why skiers must be flexed forward at the hip joint. When standing upright on skis, effective and efficient turning are impossible.

 Lito Tejada Flores, celebrated ski instructor, author and filmmaker used to call it being “anticipated”.  What it gives you is enhanced stability and improved form.

 I hope this helps.

psia-podcast
Pat McCloskey

PSIA Podcast: Not Just for Pros

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The Fall Line with Chaos and Company is a podcast hosted by PSIA Alpine Education staff members, Dave Capron and Angelo Ross. Now in Season 2, the podcast is usually about an hour long and features conversations with ski industry leaders with something to say.  You don’t have to be a ski instructor to reap the podcast’s benefits. Angelo happens to be a friend with whom I’ve skied for a long time.

A recent one features PSIA Alpine Team Coach Michael Rogan. His knowledge of skiing is extensive.  When asked about his thoughts on the World Cup, Michael says that watching the races with a discerning eye can be informing, even for amateurs.  The winners have good connection to the snow, a keen sense of where the fall line is, and when the turn should happen. He goes on to say that any turn after the fall line or outside of the fall line with poor connection to the snow will lead to “the wrong side of the clock.”

He mentions that  Penn State was contracted to develop a standardized certification process for ski instruction that hopefully will eliminate the variance of expectations that exists between divisions of PSIA.  In other words, no matter where a candidate would take an exam to be certified in ski instruction, the same protocol would be followed, thus eliminating  nuanced legacy behavior among examiners in PSIA that sometimes can lead to biases impacting how candidates succeed.

Click on the image above to listen to The Fall Line with Chaos and Company. Or click here to connect with the entire catalog of podcasts.

It’s interesting dialog that will ready you for the season and, in general, make you better informed.