Evelyn Kanter

ICYMI for December 2023

/0 Comments/in /by

In case you missed it, here are bits and pieces from here and there about several of our favorite winter resorts, to help you plan your downhill or XC time and your down time before or after.  See you on the slopes – or before or after!

 

Mountain Collective New Passes

New this season is a physical pass to put in your jacket or pants pocket.  The RFID card replaces the need to get a daily pass from the resort ticket window each day you want to ski.  This season the new plastic pass is for use only at North American member resorts in the US and Canada, including  Grand Targhee, Snowbird, Taos, Revelstoke and Sun Peaks. 

Fingers crossed that Mountain Collective resorts overseas, including The Remarkables (New Zealand), Chamonix (France) and Niseko (Japan), join the list next season. https://mountaincollective.com/pass/

 

Vermont Holiday Festival at Killington

This annual event is Fri./Sat.,December 8/9 this year in the Killington Grand Hotel, featuring handmade gifts by local artisans, entertainment, and a forest of more than 70 decorated trees.  It’s a great opportunity to get into the holiday spirit before or after a day on the slopes. There’s also a raffle with the chance to win one of the decorated trees.

 

AVSC’s Audi AJAX Cup on Aspen Mountain
The Audi Ajax Cup is a dual giant slalom right on Aspen Mountain and the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club’s largest annual fundraiser.  On Sat., Dec. 30, Sixteen teams will race head-to-head until one is named the winner and awarded the famed Gorsuch Cup as a fundraiser for Aspen Valley Ski Club.

Each team has a pro-racer, which in previous years has included Chris Davenport, Casey Puckett, Daron Rahlves, and AJ Kitt. The “Race Day” takes place at the base of Aspen Mountain and culminates in a traditional European style après ski celebration.

 

2024 Avalanche Dog Calendar

Decorate your walls year round with pix of four-legged Ski Patrollers. Produced in coordination with Ski Utah, this 8.5″x11″ wall calendar features the Wasatch Backcountry Rescue search and rescue dogs photographed at their workplace, the Wasatch Mountains of Salt Lake City, Utah. Proceeds from the sale of the $25 calendar benefit Wasatch Backcountry Rescue (WBR).  It’s a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working in the Wasatch Mountains with the primary purpose of rapid response for avalanche rescue, winter related mountain rescue, and medical evacuation incidents using trained professionals and search and rescue dogs.  https://www.yearbox.com/calendarsforgood/ski-utah-wbr-2024-calendar/

Each avalanche dog-of-the-month features its name and information about it, including some photos of avi dogs decked out in goggles and other human gear.  Besides being beyond cute, one of these trained four-footed professionals could save your life or that of a buddy.

 

Ski With Santa and Mrs. Claus at Whistler Blackcomb

Santa Claus is hitting the slopes! On December 15, 2023 it’s time to hit the slopes, with 100’s of other Mr and Misses Clauses for the annual Ski With Santa Day, also known as Dress Like Santa Day.  The first 100 people to arrive in traditional red Santa or Mrs. Claus costumes get free lift tickets.  https://gibbonswhistler.com/christmas-holidays-in-whistler/

 

Guest Contributor

How Much Snow does a Mountain Need to Open its Pistes?

/4 Comments/in /by

[Publisher Note: Friend and Colleague, The-Ski-Guru publishes a terrific site for snow sports enthusiasts and paints some of my favorite mountain art. With her permission, we are reprinting an article that is always of great interest this time of year.]

How much snow does a mountain need to open its pistes?  It is not a straightforward answer!

It depends on several factors:

*Altitude
*Mountain Orientation
*Depth of Snow before Snowfall
*Has the mountain grassy fields or rocky soil
*Temperatures
*Availability of Snowmaking (man-made snow)

Let me delve a bit more on each subject!

Altitude:
The higher the mountain is, the biggest the chance to keep the snow. There is an estimate that every 100 meters in vertical drop, the temperature drops by 1 Celsius.

By having a colder temperature, it is easier that if it precipitates, it will be snow. Plus, being colder helps keeping the snow longer. Nowadays, with climate change, you see crazy freezing levels.

Freezing temperatures used to be at pretty low altitudes. Nowadays, there are more and more record temperatures recorded super high up in the mountains. This contributes to the permafrost starting to melt, with the subsequent risks of avalanches and rockfalls.

Credit:saje

Mountain Orientation:
In the Northern hemisphere, the northern exposed pistes and fields tend to last the most.
In the Southern hemisphere is the other way around. The southern exposed slopes last longer, and the northern exposed slopes tend to melt faster.

Depth of Snow before snowfall:
Having snow in the ground before a snowstorm, will help to keep the ground cold, and allows the new snow to stick and stay longer.

In the beginning of the season, when there is no snow, many resorts start producing man-made snow, if the temperatures allow. This is to help the first natural snowfalls stick to the ground.

Other resorts are ‘snow-farming’ their snow. That is keeping the snow under a thick blanket that will keep it from melting during the summer. Then you have already a base when new snowstorms come in. With a bad start of last season in Europe, expect to see much more snow-farming soon.

Is the mountain grassy or rocky:
This is very important. The mountains which slopes are grassy, need much less snow coverage to operate. This compared to rocky mountains. For example, Courmayeur, that is by the Monte Bianco, needs a much deeper base than its neighbour Pila that is 30′ away. Pila is a grassy mountain (you can see it in the summer). With a very thin coverage of snow, it can open its pistes. Courmayeur needs a deeper base to cover its rocks.

We went on a lovely walk in Pila, with great views of the mountains. Pila is a good example of grassy fields. In the winter, it does not need a big snow coverage to be operating.

Temperatures:
For it to snow, it has to be a temperature near 0 Celsius. Too high and it rains, and too low and it might rain too- as it is too cold for snowing! Depending where in the world is the mountain, it will be more or less feasible for having snow.

Availability of Snowmaking:
This is depending how much money the resort has. Many resorts have some snowmaking, some have pretty much full coverage (as the Sella Ronda) and some have none! Smaller ski resorts that tend to be in lower altitudes, usually don’t! They do not produce enough money as to buy snow cannons. These are not cheap!

Some bigger resorts also have state-of-the-art snowmaking, and they can produce snow in higher temperatures. Here the richer the resort, the most snowmaking you will see.

Be thankful that you can be outdoors and slide. Our future generations might not be as lucky!

See the original article here:  https://www.the-ski-guru.com/2023/01/16/how-much-snow-mountain-need-open-its-pistes/

Evelyn Kanter

What’s New on the Slopes of New York State, Pennsylvania

/8 Comments/in /by

Plattekill Lodge

Resorts all over the USA were busy all summer upgrading lifts and new terrain, including more snowmaking to extend the season.  Here’s what skiers and riders can look forward to in New York State and Pennsylvania this season, including new resort names, new ownerships and new season passes.

In alphabetical order by state, since that’s the only fair way.  See you on the slopes!

New York State

Hunter Mountain

Trent Poole is the new Vice President and General Manager of Hunter Mountain Resort. He assumed the role on October 30 replacing long time executive Russ Coloton.

A new six-person high-speed fixed-grip lift will replace the old Broadway quad for the 2024/25 season, offering quicker access up the mountain.  The old quad will be moved to replace the even older two-person fixed-grip E lift.   This means increased uphill capacity on the front side.  It’s also the first major infrastructure upgrade since Vail Resorts purchased Hunter a couple of seasons back.

Plattekill Mountain

The last remaining family-owned operation in the region, fiercely independent Plattekill will be open again weekends only this season, plus holiday Mondays, for skiing, riding and tubing.  A season parking pass is $325 for a guaranteed spot close to the base area.  A season ski/snowboard pass provides free or discounted skiing at 25 partner areas nationwide.  

New Name for Windham Mountain

Windham Mountain is no more. The Catskills resort has rebranded and renamed itself Windham Mountain Club, in an effort to market itself as the upscale alternative to nearby Hunter Mountain, and reflecting its original history as a private club.  Despite the “club” name, the rebranded Windham will remain open to the public and continue to be a member of the Ikon Pass. 

There is also a new requirement for two-day Saturday and holiday Sunday ticket reservations, starting January 2024. The new club name also reflects the private membership club ($175,000 fee) on the premises, with access to the golf course and other amenities.

Whiteface

The biggest project of 2023 adds a new detachable quad lift from the Bear Den Learning Center to just beyond the Legacy Lodge at mid-station. Named The Notch, it’s the only one of its kind in the East.  It’s actually two lifts in one that operate seamlessly together, so riders can unload onto the Boreen trail or continue farther uphill to access other trails and the Legacy Lodge.

The Notch will help skiers and riders at the Bear Den access additional beginner and intermediate terrain while also providing access to upper mountain lifts and advanced terrain, while also reducing traffic on other lifts and trails.

Pennsylvania

New Owners for Camelback, Blue Mountain Resort

The two resorts have been sold to KSL Resorts, and become part of the Ikon pass.  Both resorts are within two hours of New York City or Philadelphia, making them an easy daytrip or longer for more than 26 million people.

Camelback Resort, in Tannersville, is the largest ski mountain in the Poconos. With 166 skiable acres and 850 vertical feet, and a wide variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities it is an ideal environment to learn the sport. Camelback takes great pride in its 60-year history of creating the ultimate guest experience.

Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton boasts the state’s highest vertical – 1,140 feet – and one of the largest snowmaking systems on the East Coast, providing the longest ski season in the Poconos.

For the 23/24 season, Ikon Pass holders get seven days each at Camelback and Blue Mountain Resort with no blackout dates.  Ikon Base Pass holders get five days at each destination, with select blackout dates. Both destinations also are available on the Ikon Session Pass. Exclusive member benefits also include Ikon Pass First Tracks, Ikon Pass Travel and a Protect Our Winters membership.

Evelyn Kanter

What’s New in Maine, New Hampshire This Season

/1 Comment/in /by

If you like to ski or ride in the northeast, you’ll have lots of new lifts, new terrain and upgraded amenities to explore and enjoy this season at downhill and XC resorts in Maine and New Hampshire.  There’s even a brand new pass for uphillers in New England.

In alphabetical order, by state, since that’s the only fair way.   See you on the slopes!

Maine

Saddleback

The resort has joined Uphill New England

This is a brand-new collective mountain pass whose members gain access to 12 ski resorts and uphill trails in MA, VT, NH, and ME.  Cost is $185. There’s also a new high-elevation restaurant, perched at 3,620 feet, with both a full-service restaurant and a ski-up bar. The resort also added 50 new snowguns and upgraded electrical water connections for more efficient snowmaking.

Sugarloaf The resort is adding 120 acres of new terrain with 12 new trails at the West Mountain area.  It’s the largest expansion in more than 40 years and further cements its position as the largest ski resort east of the Rocky Mountains.

 New Hampshire

Attitash Mountain Resort

The new high-speed 4-passenger The Mountaineer is set to open in mid-December.  It replaces the Summit Triple, and is expected to reduce ride time by more than half, increase uphill capacity and improve the flow of traffic in the base area.  The new lift follows the replacement of the East and West Double-Double with the Progression quad, which opened last season.

Bretton Woods

In preparation for its 50th Anniversary season, the iconic resort has improved snowmaking and grooming on its 100km Nordic trail network.

Cannon Mountain

The NH State-owned destination has upgraded snowmaking on Upper Ravine, Lower Cannon, and Gremlin trails, for more consistent season-long use.  Also, the Middle Ravine and Turnpike trails have been widened to provide more room – and therefore safety – for skiers and riders

Cranmore Mountain Resort

The new Fairbank Lodge, named for the resort’s owner, offers an expansive food pavilion, retail shops, locker rooms, a slopeside bar and condominiums.  It’s part of an ongoing upgrade to the base area, which includes a new base lodge for the Mountain Adventure and Tubing Park, and biking center in non-snow months.

Gunstock Mountain Resort

There’s a new rental building near the Learning Center, so guests no longer have to wait in line at the ticket office to receive their rental contract.  Additionally, Gunstock is paving its main parking lot to maximize space and improve visibility.

King Pine Ski Area

The “Cubby Tow” rope tow lift has been replaced with a new Sunkid moving carpet lift. A new Prinoth Husky snow groomer will be used to improve conditions on the Purity Spring Resort XC & Snowshoe Reserve Nordic trail network, the Pine Meadows Tubing Park and add more lanes for greater capacity. There also a new rooftop deck off the main base area lodge Evergreen Room for additional outdoor seating.

Loon Mountain Resort

The new South Peak expansion adds eleven trails and one four-person chairlift, Timbertown Quad, increasing the area’s skiable terrain to more than 400 acres.  The new lift is one-half mile from Maine Street and less than two miles from Interstate 93.  It opens in December 2023.

The 30 acres of new terrain includes two tree skiing areas, which cater to beginner and intermediate levels.  More than 60 percent of the new terrain is green level, with the remainder rated more difficult.  With a vertical drop of 2,190, Loon has the longest runs in New Hampshire. There’s also state-of-the-art snowmaking on the new terrain.

Mount Sunapee

The South Peak is being revitalized with New Hampshire’s only ski-through lighthouse, inspired by Lake Sunapee’s three iconic lighthouses. Interactive signage which will create what the resort describes as “a photo moment” to memorialize your visit.

Pats Peak Ski Area

There’s a brand new Race Training Area with snowmaking, lighting for evening training sessions, and a specially designed smaller trail in the woods near the training lanes for intensive grills.  The Alpine Training Center, a hub for more than 150 Pats Peak Ski Team Racers, received an interior facelift with new furnishings and lighting, and energy efficiency upgrades.New LED lighting on the East Wind trail will improve night skiing visibility.  The system works with reduced power consumption, so it minimizes the area’s carbon footprint without compromising the quality of illumination.

Also, active and retired military and their dependents ski free any day between opening day on Dec. 15 and Dec. 24.

Waterville Valley Resort

There’s a brand new outdoor deck off the popular Freestyle lounge, with al fresco dining, and a firepit for apres ski.  Its location is ideal for parents and grandparents to watch as the kids learn to ski or ride on the Pasture Carpets.  Waterille has built a new Ski Patrol and sled garage at the summit, adjacent to the top of the Northside lift, and upgraded employee housing to attract and keep employees, including international employees.

Wildcat Mountain

New this year is the Mobile Pass & Mobile Lift Ticket available at all Vail Resorts destinations, allowing users to store their Epic Pass or lift ticket on their phone for touchless lift access.  The system also is available at Mount Sunapee, Attitash Mountain Resort and Crotched Mountain resort.  Wildcat also has replaced the Peabody Pedestrian Bridge, which connects the base lodge to the slopes.

For more information about ski resorts in New Hampshire, visit SkiNH.com, the statewide association representing 30+ alpine and cross-country resorts in New Hampshire.

For statewide travel info, go to VisitNH.gov.

 

Mike Roth

Homage to My Ski Mentor, Dick Butler

/10 Comments/in /by

Dick Butler

I started skiing about 50 years ago, when I was 26 years old and worked in an architectural office with a few people who skied. Colleagues Duane Snyder, David Sofer and Dick Butler were all avid skiers, so, I heard a lot about skiing in the office.

As winter approached there was more and more talk of going skiing. I had never had the opportunity to ski before getting out of college, although I wanted to. Then, one time I went to a small area called Rock Candy Mountain in Spiegaltown, NY, with some friends from college, where I basically taught myself to ski.  Not well, of course, but I could get down the hill, however long it took.

I started talking about going skiing with Dick and others in the office. They gave me old leather boots and wood skis with cable bindings. I thought I was doing pretty good when Dick took me to Killington. I stayed on the snowshed area all morning and believed I was ready to go up to the top of Rams Head.

What a humbling experience that was. It took me two hours to get down, between the skis releasing and my falling down more than I want to admit.  Dick was patient and supportive each time.

For the next 45 years, I skied following Dick Butler as my mentor. We skied all over the world together.

About 10 years ago Dick, two of his nephews and I were at Killington together. He said he wasn’t feeling well, and not to tell his wife, Pam. His cancer was catching up to him. He had skied just two runs and could not do any more. I took him back to the condo and watched him sleep the rest of the day.

Dick Butler passed away later that year. It was a great loss for all including myself, since I lost both a great friend and my skiing mentor. For years, I would mimic how he skied by following him, trying to match him turn for turn.  He could tackle just about any kind of terrain with grace and grit.  Now, I could only visualize him ahead of me in my mind.  It wasn’t the same.

As a member of NASJA, while we were skiing at Sierra at Tahoe area, we held a moment of silence for Dick at a lunch on the rooftop of the upper lodge at the 360 Smokehouse BBQ. A beautiful piece was written and read by Dave Sartwell, a fellow writer. There wasn’t a dry eye on that roof deck including other diners who were not part of our group.

I carry Dick’s ashes with me in my ski jacket every time I ski, so he is still skiing with me. That will always be with me. And to let my dear friend know that there is skiing in heaven.  His other ashes have been spread over Gore Mountain by his longtime friends Larry Estil and David Sofer, who I mentioned at the beginning of this article.

I am still listening to his instructions. “Big toe, little toe, face downhill and let the skis turn by themselves”.  He is gone but never has left my side.

Perhaps you also have a similar friend and ski mentor.

Jonathan Wiesel

Destination Maplelag: Cabin or Caboose?

/1 Comment/in /by

Maplelag cabins in winter

Part of the joy of cross country skiing is the dizzying array of experiences it offers – not simply marvels of changing terrain, views, techniques, or size of trail networks – but also the wide range of associated services.

For example, you can find day and destination areas or places that are both. Some are barebones – not much more than trails and hope-to-God-its-plowed-today parking – while others offer amenities including elegant lodging, fine dining, snowshoeing and fat biking, hot tubs, horseback riding, wine tastings and live music.

I’ve had the delight of visiting a couple of hundred groomed trail systems in North America, each with its own character.

A few have offered skiing only and others have been affiliated with downhill ski resorts, lodges and hotels, guest ranches, public lands agencies including National Parks, communities (including a trail that dips below sea level), golf courses (golf simulators indoors and skate trails outdoors!), ski clubs, real estate projects, four-season resorts, Olympic venues, and one place carved from a mountain and operated by a power company.

In all those many areas, I’ve found Maplelag unique (www.maplelag.com) to defy categorization— maybe “eclectic/entertaining/endearing” comes closest to the truth. All of their activities and architecture are carried off with taste, style, and warmth.

“Maplelag” is a word coined by founders Jim and Mary Richards, roughly translating into “Maple Community,” reflecting their interest in Norway and location in northwestern Minnesota’s sugarbush region. It’s been a beloved magnet for Midwestern skiers for decades, and despite an October 2022 fire that destroyed the lodge that was the activity focus, the resort is recovering nicely.

About an hour northeast of the Fargo, ND airport and 4.5 hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Maplelag is located on Little Sugarbush Lake, with prairie lands starting just five miles to the west. The area holds the last dense forest and last cross-country destination east of the Rockies.

It’s a family-owned and operated area, with the 2nd and 3rd generations now running the place. XC skiing here is especially attractive to beginners through intermediates, with emphasis on wide classic trails, although there are also 13 kilometers maintained for skating.

There’s only about 55’ of elevation change in the whole network, which is shared with snowshoers. Jay Richards grooms a total of around 70 kilometers, mostly one-way, with a lot of short routes and connectors. Trail names are often evocative, such as  “Skater’s Waltz” and the ups and downs of “Wavy Gravy.”

Trails are manicured so you can ski with just a few inches of snow. At most Nordic destinations, you can predict what lodging will be, such as log cabins at guest ranches. Maplelag’s rustic ski-in/ski-out accommodations have ranged from a remodeled Finnish sauna to converted (and coveted) cabooses, with stained glass windows in most rooms at the resort.

The resort has a devoted “extended family” of long-time guests, such as 71-year-old Nancy Eisinger from Walker, MN, who with husband Larry has been classic skiing there since the mid- ‘80s. Their kids were so drawn to Maplelag that their daughter, who raced in the Vasaloppet, was married there, while their son was on the Colby College, ME ski team.

Maplelag long-time guests Nancy and Larry Eisinger – Caboose pictured in background

Nancy talks not just about meticulous grooming but also “the magic of Maplelag” – enjoying the serenity, meeting like-minded people, and catching up with the Richards.

Maplelag’s plan is to remodel and enhance cabins, making some kitchens available. They have also remodeled the Brant Cabin as a store and community area for day users and overnight guests. At this time, they are not rebuilding a main lodge.

 

Richard Lambert

How To Select Your Next Pair Of Skis – 2024

/19 Comments/in , /by

Regardless of the number of years you’ve been on the slopes, making the correct ski choice can be a challenge.

As part of its annual review of new skis, realskiers.com, the go-to site for in-depth ski evaluations, has determined the best skis for older skiers. Most of the selected “finesse favorites” have relatively soft flex, which helps them engage the snow with minimal exertion. Regardless of one’s physical condition, using skis with these characteristics allows older skiers to turn more easily and to ski longer without tiring.

Those who visit a variety of areas in different regions and who experience different snow conditions, may want to acquire a “quiver” of skis, each of which can be used for different terrain and different conditions. An alternative is to rent equipment when you get to the mountain. For example, Eastern skiers who tote their narrow skis to Alta, would be better served with a pair of wider powder skis.

We recommend trying before buying. Start by choosing the most suitable ski category for the terrain and snow and working with a quality ski shop, preferably one at or close to the mountain so you can switch out demo equipment throughout the day. 

SeniorSkiers.com subscribers are eligible for a 50% discount off subscriptions to realskiers.com.  This is a limited time offer.  Click here to request your promo code.  I used the  realskiers.com reviews for a ski purchase last season and was delighted with result.  The amount of time I saved narrowing down the options was worth cost of the subscription alone.

Recommended 2024 Skis for Senior Skiers

The Best 2024 Skis for Senior Skiers has selections from Atomic, Blizzard, Dynastar, Fischer, Head, K2, Kastle, Nordica, Rossignol, Salomon, and Volkl. 19 of the recommended skis are identified as women’s skis, which sometimes are engineered for female size and physique.

The selections fall into four groups, organized by range of ski width, which helps determine the terrain where its performance is optimized.

Specific recommended skis follow:

FRONTSIDE

MEN

Power Picks:
Kästle MX83
Rossignol Forza 70o V-Ti
K2 Disruption 78 Ti
Finesse Favorites:
Blizzard Brahma 82
Salomon Stance 84
Rossignol Experience 82 Ti
Rossignol Experience 82 Basalt
K2 Disruption 82 Ti


WOMEN

Blizzard Black Pearl 82
Nordica Wild Belle DC 84
Salomon Stance W 84

MEN ALL-MOUNTAIN EAST

Power Picks:
Volkl Kendo 88
Blizzard Brahma 88
Nordica Enforcer 88
Nordica Steadfast 85 DC FTD
Finesse Favorites:
Head Kore 93
Nordica Enforcer 94
Salomon QST 92
Salomon Stance 90
Head Kore 87
Rossignol Experience 86 Basalt
Atomic Maverick 86 C
K2 Mindbender 89Ti

WOMEN

Blizzard Black Pearl 88
Head Kore 91 W
Nordica Santa Ana 93
Head Kore 85 W
Head Total Joy
Nordica Santa Ana 88
K2 Mindbender 89Ti W

ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST

MEN

Power Picks:
Volkl M6 Mantra
Dynastar M-Pro 99
Kastle FX96 Ti
Finesse Favorites:
Head Kore 99
Blizzard Rustler 9
K2 Mindbender 99Ti
Kastle ZX100
Salomon Stance 96

WOMEN

Blizzard Sheeva 9
Dynastar E-Pro 99
Blizzard Black Pearl 97
Head Kore 97 W

BIG MOUNTAIN

MEN

Finesse Favorites: 
Head Kore 111
Salomon QST 106
Blizzard Rustler 11
Nordica Enforcer Free 110
Dynastar M-Free 108
Head Kore 105
Salomon Stance 102
Volkl Blaze 106
Nordica Enforcer Free 104
Fischer Ranger 102/108
Rossignol Sender 104 Ti

WOMEN

Rossignol Rallybird 104 Ti
Fischer Ranger 102

Phil Johnson

Slide In with Slide On

/8 Comments/in , /by

There are lots of moments we look forward to every ski season. Chances are, putting on ski boots for the first time each winter is not one of them.

Last spring you cleaned your boots and put them away for the summer. Now, after months on the shelf or in the closet, those puppies are ready to come out and play. But not without a struggle.

Say hello to Raymond Fougere, a 77 year old one time aeronautical engineer and former ski instructor and coach who a dozen years ago concocted Slide On, a teflon-like powder spray that when applied to the inside of a ski boot eliminates the grunts and groans we all associate with that start of ski season.

Fougere, who is a company of one based in Tiverton RI,  founded Booster Straps in 1999 to help racers and other performance skiers get a tighter fit in their ski boots. It is still a standard in the sport and he sells some 35,000 of them each years through his business SkiMetrix. For years, it was a one product business. He wanted a sister  product to market.

A friend, a chemical industry salesman and fellow skier, suggested Fougere try to come up with a ski boot  product that could tackle another problem –  putting them on. Now this was not a new issue.  There are silicon sprays on the market today and the Alpine Boot Horn is a long shoe horn designed specifically to help with boot entry. And rear entry boots are making a comeback. Nordica already has a model in he shops and other brands are expected to follow suit.

The secret to Slide On is a teflon like powder that forms a liquid that is packaged as a spray that, unlike silicon, when applied does not build up on inside the boot or eat away the lining.  As a user of the product for several years, I can attest it works. I keep a can in my boot bag.  My grunt and groan days are over. It is available in many ski specialty shops and retails for $15 for a two ounce container that for most skiers can last up to a full season. The website for Slide On is skimetrix.com.

Looking forward to that first day on the slopes. Booting up has never been easier.

Evelyn Kanter

Early Season Ticket Ticket Deals

/0 Comments/in /by

Silly you, if you didn’t buy a pass or ticket bundle last March, or May, or even in September, before prices went up each time.  But fear not, there are still deals and discounts if you know where to look – and we do. 

 These early season ticket deals will help you save money, to use for apres ski or a lesson to tweak last year’s legs. Don’t delay, since some are one-day only deals.  

 $25 Lift Tickets & Rentals at Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) wants to be the world record-holder for the number of people skiing in jeans.  To do that, it is hosting its first-ever Ski In Jeans Day on Saturday, Dec. 9, with $25 lift tickets and $25 performance equipment rentals, whether or not you are participating in the denim day. There’s also $100 off group lessons and live music to kick off the season and celebrate the most famous pants in the West.

 The official count for the world record is at Noon at the base of Sweetwater Gondola, and participants should meet at the base of Sweetwater to be included in the official count. Participants will scan at the Sweetwater RFID gates to be counted, and then all skiers and riders will gather at the top for a group photo to commemorate the historic moment.

 Just so you know – the previous world record for most skiers and riders in jeans was set at the The Remarkables Ski Area in New Zealand earlier in 2023, with 102 total visitors on the slopes wearing denim.  The 70+ Ski Club skied at The Remarkables and nearby Cardrona this past August, but that’s another story for another time.

 First Tram Ride at Big Sky

The biggest on-mountain infrastructure project in Big Sky history, the Lone Peak Tram, opens on December 19, 2023, and the first ride is being auctioned to the public to support local charities.

https://bigskyresort.com/tram-grand-opening#auction

All proceeds will the Big Sky Community Organization, Gallatin River Task Force and Morningstar Learning Center.

 Winning bidders also get a professional photographer to capture every moment of the journey, a champagne toast at the summit of Lone Mountain and a special memento to commemorate this historic occasion.

 Quebec’s Ski Passe-Partout

Purchase by November 30 for a chance to win $5,500 in prizes, along with 30% discounts at 75 downhill and XC members of the Quebec Ski Areas Assn.

https://boutique.maneige.ski/en/products/ski-passe-partout

The discount deal is to celebrate and promote the new-this-season is RFID direct-to-lifts technology starting in January 2024 at participating resorts.

 $4 Lift Tickets at King Pine, New Hampshire

It’s called Ticket Roll Back Day, and it’s an annual tradition. Ski or ride all day for just $4 on Thursday, Dec. 21.  The resort promotes it as an excellent opportunity for families and friends to enjoy the thrills of winter sports without breaking the bank. For sure!  Tickets must be bought online in advance on www.kingpine.com.

On Mountain Art Show

Okay, it’s not a ticket deal, but a free art show is still a deal.  Vail Resorts has launched The Gondola Gallery by Epic in which artists “wrap” gondolas with their art.  First up is Park City, then Stowe, then Whistler Blackcomb. The art-wrapped gondola cabins show the different ways skiers and snowboarders experience the mountains. There’s also a video series spotlighting each artist’s personal journey and artwork from concept to creation.  Artists include Lamont Joseph White, Jim Harris, Levi Nelson, and Chief Janice George and Buddy Joseph.

 See you on the slopes!

Roger Lohr

Incentives For Elder XC Skiers

/3 Comments/in /by

Two folks enjoying the trails at Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI

About a quarter of the cross country (XC) skiing population is older than 50 years old and as the large segment of population known as Baby Boomers continues to age, they are remaining active – many of them are looking for softer or easier forms of recreation and cross country skiing and snowshoeing fit that prescription.

It is important for elder people to exercise because it can help fight both physical and psychological maladies. Everyone understands the need to stay physically active. There is a growing body of research indicating that physical activity is beneficial for the brain, particularly the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain where working memory partially resides and is most susceptible to problems associated with aging. There is extensive evidence that outdoor exercise has positive impacts on sleep, depression, and anxiety. No matter how old you are, it just makes you feel good, too.

The SeniorsSkiing.com Subscriber Survey showed that the priorities of the elder skiers include: discounts; easy access to the area facility from the parking lot; newsletter or website pages dedicated to specific activities catering to elder skiers; instruction or guide tailored to elder skiers; and a meeting place or set-aside areas in the lodge for elders.

There are XC ski resorts and lodging establishments that have elder-friendly characteristics and the incentives almost always include discounts for older people. Many XC ski areas offer lower priced trails passes for seniors. At Bear Valley Adventure Center in CA, skiers aged 60-69 get  more than a quarter of the trail pass price discounted and those aged 70 and older get nearly a two-thirds trail pass discount.

At Tahoe Donner Cross Country in Truckee, CA the senior 4-week program is on Fridays at 11:30 AM for people age 60 and older to learn to ski in a fun, supportive environment. Skiers can select any of three-visit sessions starting on Jan, Feb, and Mar. The program includes trail pass, rentals and instruction.

Many elder skiers are retired and as such, they have more flexibility in their weekly schedule – also known as mid-week availability. During the week most cross country ski areas have few patrons, thus the development of group offers, activities, and programs at the ski areas. Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI has the Golden Years Ski School on Jan 10, 2024 for beginners and returnees who will get a lesson and a guided ski tour for $55. The Silver Streak Week (Monday-Friday on January 8-12, 2024) at Cross Country Ski Headquarters and other Michigan XC ski areas is for those 60 and older with complimentary facility access (free trail pass), free hot cocoa or coffee, and free demos.

Programs such as JacksonXC’s Friday Gliders & Easy Sliders and Tuesday Trekkers provide a group experience that’s taken advantage of by mostly older folks. Such programs coordinate a scheduled weekly outing for groups such as the Easy Sliders, which is a group of skiers who cross country ski on easier trails (and they get tips from a guide) snowshoe group. For these examples, the JacksonXC in NH is the starting point and after the tour, people meet back at the lodge for an après ski spread with wine, snacks and coffee. Garnet Hill Lodge in North River, NY hosts a weekly snowshoe club and Cross Country Ski Headquarters reports a similar group regularly drives two and half hours from Grand Rapids to visit and ski the area.

At Lapland Lake Vacation Center in Northville, NY there’s a lower priced trail pass and local senior activity programs bring groups of senior skiers to the resort for planned activity outings usually with lessons.

“Road Scholar” is a brand within the Elderhostel program intended for adults (many who are older) who want to travel, learn and stimulate discourse and friendship among other people for whom learning is the journey of a lifetime. The  Garnet Hill Lodge in NY has 4 different dates for the Road Scholar XC ski program during the winter months with programming inspired by the hostels and folk schools of Europe offering short term groups divided by levels to explore trails and learn about wildlife, nature and the garnet mines in XC ski and snowshoe experiences.

Craftsbury Outdoor Center hosts Masters programs for groups on different days catering to beginners in a skier group geared to first timers or those who want to improve the basics meeting weekly on Tuesdays in the morning from early January to early March. There is also the Intermediate Masters program that meet on two different midweek days and a Competitive Masters program that meets on Sunday afternoon or Thursday morning.

The folks taking advantage of cross country ski offers are proof that you’re never too old to get out and enjoy nature in the winter. If you are an elder skier or someone who would like to try cross country skiing or snowshoeing, check an XC ski resort near you for special programs.