Age Forces You to Change the Way You Ski
Let’s face it, if you are reading SeniorsSkiing.com, you don’t have the stamina, strength, balance, or flexibility you had when you were younger.
Over the past 10 years, I have had to change the way I ski and as I approach my 80th birthday, the evolution continues. So, let’s talk about what’s changed.
One, I slowed way down. Way back when, I was a pretty good racer, and my best events were downhill and GS, and was terrible at slalom. I liked skiing fast but at 65, I stopped running gates. Not worth the risk.
Two, I pick and choose the conditions in which I ski. Those that require strength and stamina such as soft, slushy snow, cut-up powder, heavy powder, to plow through are avoided along with glare ice. Flat light is another condition that needs specialized goggles to help see, but to me, flat light is dangerous.
Three, by skiing with my feet slightly apart, I use the outside edge of my uphill ski to increase stability. By being comfortable holding an edge with either ski adds to one’s confidence and stability.
Four, I reduced how many turns I make on each run. Modern skis are easier to turn than the 200 cm skis of the past but making lots and lots of turns (wedeln/short swing) is work. The steeper the slope, the more work it becomes.
Now, rather than make lots of quick turns, I make large, round carved turns through which I control the length of the turn. Holding the turn longer slows me down and lets me ski any terrain.
Five, my energy/stamina is limited and is like a lithium battery. It goes and goes until it runs out of energy, and then it is done. When it quits, there’s no last run unless it is to get to the bottom.
Remember, energy conservation is the order of the day if you want to ski 25,000 vertical feet a day. I went back to a technique taught children how to go from Mr. or Ms. V to Mr. or Ms. H. See my piece on the Punch Bicycle Turn.
And six, when I skied what trails has also changed. So, in the morning/before lunch, I’m on the steeper runs. Many large areas groom most, if not all their expert runs, so I spend early part of the day yo-yoing up and down those trails. Knowing the mountain helps because you can find a lift without lines serving four or five runs you like several times. Then, in the afternoon, its fewer steep runs and more blues.
The goal every day is 25,000 vertical feet or more. Some days I make it, some I don’t. It just depends on the conditions – snow, light weather, etc.
Remember each run is precious and what’s important is that one is skiing, not how much, how fast, or where!
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My friends and I, all in our early to mid 70s, now refer to ourselves as “expert intermediate skiers”.
Good points, Mark. I’m a 77 year old still active PSIA level 3 instructor who has experienced all that stuff. Staying active and strong is key.
One thing not covered in your piece is equipment. I see a lot of older skiers showing up in our programs with old and/or inefficient equipment.
Shorter, shaped skis are much easier to turn, but be careful about a wide ski with lots of rocker. The wider the ski, the more stress on your body to get them on edge. A heavily rockered ski can make skiing powder easier, but take more work on groomers.
Another equipment is old boots. First of all, boots are made for a compromise foot. Their flex and ramp angle can hinder your balance. They also wear out. Find a good boot fitter and get a boot that will help your performance, not hinder it.
Sherm,
It was deliberate. I am planning a piece on how the modern shaped ski but years back into my skiing, and I suspect others of our age. It just hasn’t been written yet.
Thank you Mark for sharing your valuable experience; this season I had my first serious senior accident and I got scared!, at 67 I realized that I cannot longer ski on ungroomed trails at high speed, I also learned ton listen to my body, I was tired and kept on skiing. The Lord protected me and I didn’t break any bones but I got banged up pretty badly
Agree… I am 78, also still active PSIA lev.3. Skis, boots and the right use of the equipment makes all the difference for us more ‘mature’ skiers… I see too many skiers on wider, off piste skis on perfectly groomed runs… Just like in tennis and golf, taking advantage of the “sweet spot” (on the ski) makes skiing more efficient, and less tiring. Take a lesson and learn how to use the skis and boots to the ‘max’!
I am a Level 3 PSIA-RM, now retired, alpine instructor. Having taught for 51 years, I am now eighty and bionic (ankle and knee). I have years of happy memories on the slopes all over the world . . . however I realised that I no longer wish to chance my well being on mountains with the increasingly inconsiderate/out of control/reckless skiers and snowboarders. Life is short and I am enjoying new ways to celebrate it!
I appreciate your post and it came at the exact time I needed it. I’m sitting in a hotel in Mammoth and this week I made the decision that I’m retiring after 50+ years of wonderful skiing. I came here w my skis, boots and helmet intending to restart after a late 2024 fall resulting in a fractured pelvis. It took most of the year to recover at 73 even w regular pt and exercise. But osteoporosis and a calcium draining parathyroid issue has made the possibility of a much worse injury highly likely.so w sadness but great memories I hang up my skis and look forward to new adventures in life. I’m only sorry I didn’t make it to 80 for my free pass!
Great article to measure what I find my
skiing fitness experience too.
I just spent a week at Aspen with my family. I have been skiing there for more than 40 years. This year, my 81st, was an eye-opener. For the first time ever, I had altitude sickness, despite foregoing alcohol and spending two days acclimating to the altitude. My favorite K2 Mindbender skis were lost/stolen, so I rented what I thought were the same ones. The 2025 version was too short, too stiff and too rockered. I tried “forgiving” skis but they were getting bounced around on the hard pack. Third try, Black Pearl 84s, were perfect. The other revelations were: I need to quit after lunch and to think twice about skiing anything but groomers and on bluebird days.
All good information and advice. I am a kid of only 73, and also teach. Would like to add a big AMEN to everything above, and add a couple of little nuggets; When you tweak the body, give it a little extra time to heal.
Had a little “Uff Da” in late December and did a compression fracture on a vertebrae. The doctor said give it 3 weeks to heal; I gave it almost 6 and back on the slopes, but being a little pickier about the conditions I am skiing in.
Ski efficiently. Being smooth normally requires less physical stress or exertion. Round completed turns makes this easier.
Marc, I want to thank you for writing this piece. I read it twice because it so nicely reflects my own experience. I’m “only” 72 and I’m experiencing much the same transition. I tweaked my Knee in a minor fall at Mammoth in Dec. and found I had torn meniscus. So I’ve been doing the rehab and I keep skiing. I find myself compensating on right turns by aiding my injured knee with some weight on the uphill ski. This I do not like at all as it ruins my carve and breaks down my form, throwing me back and into the hill. Blech! But you know what, I’m skiing and enjoying the mountains and that’s all that matters.
I’m 86. I skied a couple of times in Vermont with my Daughter last year. This year, there was very little snow in Pennsylvania where I live and for the first time in 65 years, I just did not feel up to it. If we had a sunny day with new packed powder on the mountain, I would have been out there.
All good points for sure.
At the ski resorts we ski here in the inland west U.S. and Canada I don’t find the resorts grooming the expert runs for the most part. Some yes, but most no.
I skied from age 25 to 83, as a pretty decent intermediate skier (midwest areas plus annual trips to Colorado or Utah). My husband was better because he was stronger, but we mostly skied together… even competing in age-group NASTAR races. We have now hung up our skies due to: BALANCE, MUSCLE WEAKNESS, + BACK PAIN
I skied from age 25 to 83, as a pretty decent intermediate skier (midwest areas plus annual trips to Colorado or Utah). My husband was better because he was stronger, but we mostly skied together… even competing in age-group NASTAR races. We have now hung up our skies due to: BALANCE, MUSCLE WEAKNESS, + BACK PAIN. I skied a couple years longer than my husband; he was skiing much more slowly and needed help to get up from falls. The last time I skied well, I was at Alta with a woman-friend of my age, the week before 2020 COVID lockdown. Then in March 2023, with no skiing for 3 years, I joined our son + family at Sierra at Tahoe. Suddenly I felt and looked like a rank begin- ner. I had to snowplow the easy hill at the bottom! (Snow was a bit moist.) We went to the top and I did better, but fell on a simple short chute. Took one run the next day and quit! If you want to ski into your 80s, I highly recommend regular exercises for BALANCE and leg-strength! I didn’t do that.
your spot on Annette, regular exercises is a must as we age
25k, almost 80, that’s well done! Heck, I just got back from Snowbird/Alta this week, and me and my buds are mid-60s, and that’s roughly what we do in a 4hr day.
I’ve found visibility to be the most important factor. If I can’t see, I can’t ski, and my eyesight doesn’t pick up the contrast as well as my younger days, even with all the high tech goggles helping.
I found I quite like those large carving turns; but, it took me 2yrs to figure out, as breaking old habits is hard!
I was born in Chile, 81 years ago. Participated in the 1964 Olympics in Innsbruch and 1966 Fis world championships in Portillo. I moved to Israel in 1970 and nowadays I ski mostly in Europe.
As you I have experienced several minor accidents and today I ski only with sunshine flying at the last moment, being sure of the weather and snow conditions.
Today I avoid deep snow because once in Austria I hit a stone underneath, I fell backward and another stone tore my parka, my shirt and my back just one centimeter from my spine. Today I ski only groomed slopes. I ski in the morning for not more than 3 hours, can’t ski after lunch.
I refuse to ski in flat light or when it is snowing.
I have been in most alpine ski areas, and every where the snow is white, the difference is in the food. That is one reason I prefer France. The other reason is that in most ski resorts in France ski is free for over 75 years old.
I carry my own GS racing skis that are perfect for groomed slopes
I prefer apartments to hotels because supermarkets in France offers plenty of delicacies such as oyster, shrimps, cheese etc.
Next week I will be in Megeve and Val Thorens. See you there.
Juan
What brand skis are you using? I was recommended the volkl GS as a perfect pair for an aging racer
Juan, congratulations on your continuing to ski every year at age 80+. I am a couple of years behind you, but I am eager to catch up… I ski in America, my favorite ski area is Alta, UT. Great snow, fabulous lodges on the mountain and no snowboarders (“Alta is for Skiers”). Where do like to ski in France? I see that you’re going to Megeve soon. I am looking for a traditional ski village not too far from Geneva.
Thanks for this article. At 73 I feel that I have good company. Selecting when and where to ski (and when not to) is so important. Usually about 4 hours a day is enough when I’m pushing it a bit.
Thank you for sharing your approach. Especially the “lithium battery” analogy. With all due respect, may I share my approach which is NOT to tally vertical feet (which inherently requires speed) but to feel the flow….and the natural terrain. I have always skied in the West, so perhaps it affects my approach. Getting older just means going even slower but having a good time figuring out the line, through powder, crud, bumps, corn, sierra cement, wind slab and all the other conditions that exist where it is NOT groomed. Getting older means not skiing tight trees since my reactions are slower. Getting older means quitting AT lunch instead of skiing THROUGH lunch. Getting older means having a great time IN the snow and feeling safer because the screwups and possible injuries are mine, not the result of getting clobbered by some out of control speeder on the groomers. (However, getting up after falling in 2 ft of soft snow is harder!) The terrain park fan is a new dangerous species who after finishing the “fun” uses groomed runs to go straight to the bottom without turning to get back on the lift. For me, it is not much different than driving freeways in LA. Watch your rear view mirror. I detest groomed slopes for this reason. For me, groomers take all of the fun and freedom out of skiing because of how many people are skiing with no regard for others and basic ski safety. However, you generally have the “challenging” snow to yourself. Works for me, the day just ends sooner.
Now 76 and having spent most of my ski days upright, I just spent an icy week at Pugatory on some rented and overly well worn Mindbenders that slipped out from under me causing 2 spectacular falls! The result: technicolor arms, shoulder and leg…and the realization that the body doesn’t recuperate from injury the way it used to! It’s hard to let go of the exhilarating speed. But hoping for a ‘next season’…time to make changes. It’s funny how the legs don’t get tired…but suddenly the battery is dead…great analogy.
I have skid from 25 to 91. Now at 92 I have given it up. Happy skiing to all who are approaching my age or older. I miss it.
Great story line.
I I have the ski for 60 years and I’m 81 years old now.
I like to start the day at 9 o’clock when the lift start running and Ski till about one or 130 which gives me 4 to 4 1/2 hours of good solid scheme.
I also like the black diamonds that are groomed early in the morning and then switched to the blue squares around 11 or 1130 and do high-speed giant salon turns until one or 130.
I’ve been a athlete my entire life doing many sports and I can still ski at 45 to 55 miles an hour on groom blue squares and I usually do over 25,000 feet in a day by 1 o’clock.
I am blessed with great health. Nothing hurts and I can see myself easily scheme till I’m nine years old God willing. Thank you again for the great article. It hit home on what I kind of do right now.
All great articles. All I would add is the need for regular exercise throughout the year. It will extend your skiing years
Thanks Marc! Great article! Thank you for sharing! I’m in my 50s. I used to downhill ski somewhat aggressively. But, I was confronted with realization of my age and getting older when I tore my ACL and meniscus last ski season. I had surgery to repair my injury, going through physical therapy, and working out at the gym to regain my strength and agility. I had to sit out and miss this ski season. My goal is to back on the slopes next ski season and take it a little more easy down the slopes.
Watch out for other skiers, don’t slip and fall in the icey parking lot.
Two things that are working to keep me skiing . Cross-Fit for conditioning and Carv for technique
I hate to break this news to you youngsters. If you stay in shape, you can ski through your 70s without “slowing down “ too much. In your 80s your body deteriorates physically at an increasing rate. You can still enjoy skiing but you have to recognize that you can’t- and shouldn’t – ski like you used to.
I’m almost 85 and reluctantly accepting the reality that my skiing goal now is to look graceful, not to go fast.
Marc,
Very simply, this is an outstanding post! It perfectly captures everything I’ve been thinking/doing over the past couple years (now that I just reached 70-and want to ski another 10 years, maybe a bit more). I can’t do it the same way I always did it, but following your six pointers is a great way to “re-tool” one’s approach to each ski day, in order to make it a “maximum day”!
One of your points, is one that’s a favorite of mine: fewer, longer & arc’ed turns, essentially long, linked, carved turns succeeds in managing my speed and greatly lowering the demands on my body as I ski the black runs.
Being a bit younger than you, I’m still teaching up in Vermont, and was put to the test during mid-Feb, when I was on schedule nine days, back-to-back, AM & PM lessons.
Finally, one MASSIVE CAVEAT for all that I’d add: when you switch to long, carved runs, it’s more important than ever to cast a quick, over-the-shoulder glance once in a while, to raise your awareness of approaching “fast/crazy/inebriated” skiers in order to take appropriate action.
Thank you Marc!
Sorry but I don’t agree. I am 81 years old and still ski aggressively. I am a PSIA instructor, I still race NASTAR courses. I still make short radius turns and ski steep icy slopes here in the Northeast. Age is all in the mind. THINK OLD AND YOU GET OLD, not counting any physical disabilities. I wish I had a dollar for every time I hear “Oh, I’m too old”. The body goes where the mind goes. “Don’t let the old man in”.
After reading all of the replies, I would offer this.
Aging, as it relates to skiing in later life, is different for everyone. The common thread is that we need to be on an exercise routine to maximize one’s ability to ski at an enjoyable level as we get older.
I totally enjoyed reading this thread. Unlike most of you, I didn’t start skiing until age 70 after we retired to Colorado. After reading all of your experiences, I now realize that needing good visibility, quitting after about 4 hours, sticking with wide turns, etc, isn’t just because I’m a rookie! I wish I had 50 years of muscle memory like so many of you, but I’m having a great time skiing conservatively, and it’s a fantastic way to keep in shape!
Like Larry, I started late. Basically got into skiing at 67 (will be 84 shortly) when a friend who had an extra pair of Volkl AC 30s encouraged me to join his group@ Gore. Subsequently have skied a lot in this region and mostly with a guy about my age who has skied most of his life. He’s a good coach and “peer pressure” has motivated me to skiing double blacks when conditions are not insane, and dabbling in the woods and Killington’s Spring bumps.
But I do hear the old man knocking on the door. Skiing ambitiously after lunch is increasingly difficult; same for flat light. Here in the northeast, 99% of my skiing is with light yellow lenses.
Nice thing about retirement is that my skiing is mostly midweek so I largely avoid the weekend kamikazis. That timing, plus skiing slightly faster than the general recreational flow puts the control in my hands, not some berserker behind.
Marc, thanks for the well written article which reminds me of many things which my excess enthusiasm tends to forget.