This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Nov. 30)
Exercise And Be Younger, Ski Song Hits Academe, Remembering Friends’ Last Run, Skiing In Japan’s Hakuba Valley, The Mysterious Maud.
Checking out new snow depth, Day Two, Brighton, UT, is our own Jan Brunvand
Over the past week or so, the snowfalls in the most popular snow areas in the US and Canada have been meteoric. There is snow in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, Colorado, Utah, BC and the Sierras. Most unusual, no? So, have you been out there yet? Tell us about it. Correspondent Jan Brunvand sent a pic at the beginning of his recent Day Two at Brighton. Note smiling face.
Which reminds us, getting out there and being a happy snowsports enthusiast requires that you have a modicum of fitness, or your smile will go away. We’ve mentioned this several times on these pages, offered advice and specific exercises for toning up, told stories of people who don’t and do, and generally hope that our readers take this seriously. These notions of senior fitness as a key to a safe, comfortable outdoor experience were reinforced by an important article in the New York Times this week.
The Nov. 21 article by Gretchen Reynolds, “Regular Exercise May Keep Your Body 30 Years Younger”, confirms what we kind of intuited. It’s good idea to spend time working your body. The article reports, “The muscles of older men and women who have exercised for decades are indistinguishable in many ways from those of healthy 25-year-olds, according to an uplifting new study of a group of active septuagenarians.” So, if you started “jogging” in the 70s and kept up some level of regular physical activity—perhaps considering hitting the gym, walking, cycling as a hobby—you’re probably ahead of the aging syndrome. We believe it’s better to get older in shape versus not so much. What think?
This Week
The Cortina resort in Hakuba Valley, Japan, offers lots of snow and powder opportunities. Credit: Hakuba.com
We have seen reports that skiing in Asia will grow faster than Europe or North America. Our experience of skiing in Korea several decades ago revealed a resort that was, being polite here, old fashioned. Those days are long gone, and for many, Asia can be a destination of the future as Europe is now. Towards that end, here’s a resort review of the Hakuba Valley, one of Japan’s signature resorts just a couple of hours away from Tokyo. The lift tickets are really inexpensive, ridiculously so compared to US or Canadian destination resorts, and you can even use your Epic pass for five days of free skiing. Worth a look.
We have a new Mystery Glimpse from the Colorado Snowsports Museum’s archives. Last week’s well-costumed young woman skier is identified, and the picture is revealed to be a publicity stunt. Find out why.
In addition to reporting on his second day of skiing at Brighton, correspondent Jan Brunvand tells us about his brief and undistinguished career as a ski song singer. Check that, his parody snow storm actually became a teaching tool in classrooms around the academic world. All because the tune in the ski song was centuries old.
Finally, we hear from correspondent Pat McCloskey who tells us about his tight group of ski buddies and what it is like to lose one. His message: It’s important to keep going out with your pals. You never know…
Remember to check out our listing of ski resorts where seniors can ski for free or almost free. We have also published our 2019 recommendations for seniors.
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We very much appreciate your reading SeniorsSkiing.com. Tell your friends. There are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.
Happo One is the largest resort in the Hakuba Valley with base areas serving the mountain. Credit: Hakuba.com
Short Swings!
A friend recently commented that a key to greater happiness is to lower our expectations. It took a few days before I understood what he was saying. In some cultures, unhappiness can be traced to the variance between what we have learned to expect and what we have come to experience. Lowering expectations can change that, without lowering our standards.
My wife and I are still in the process of setting up a new home. It’s a different experience from the last time we did it. Online purchases aren’t always what we thought we were buying, and, for some merchants, making a return can be frustrating. With a few exceptions, in-store shopping has been weird. Salespeople – if you can find them – seem to know very little. Sometimes they say they’ll look for something and never return. I expect that in some ways, my disappointments are related to my expectations. In light of my friend’s revelation, when the salesperson doesn’t return or the person behind the counter is deliberately unhelpful, I reduce my expectation and the anger, the frustration, the aggravation slip away. And, when things turn out the way I think they should, I’m generous both with appreciation and thanks.
Join Us the Week of March 10 in the Alps
My wife and I will be skiing the Alps during March. We’re inviting readers to join us the week of March 10 when we’re booked with Alpskitour, based in Saint Vincent in the Aosta Valley. Each day, a guide will take us to different resorts in Italy, Switzerland and France. The price — $4500 to $5500 per person– depends on where you fly to and whether you stay in a 3 or 5 star hotel. It includes everything for the 5 day/6 night experience: hotel, guide, meals, lifts, ski rentals, airport transfers, daily shuttles, etc. Each group is limited to six intermediate and higher skiers/boarders. Orsden is a sponsor and giving a terrific parka to each participant. More info about the trip appeared in last week’s Short Swings! column. If interested, email me: jon@seniorsskiing.com.
Richard Pazara’s Ski Streak
Reader Richard Pazara has skied almost everywhere on the globe and he’s still going.
Credit: Richard Pazara
In 2017 we published an article Richard Pazara wrote about his never-ending quest to ski where he hadn’t skied before. At that time he had been to 1,241 ski areas. In response to the recent Short Swings! column about the number of areas around the world (and my confession to having skied only 85), Richard emailed an update in the form of a spreadsheet documenting vertical feet skied, starting with 1994-95, when he began tracking vert with a ski watch. He’s clocked more than 1 million vertical in each of 16 of the ensuing 24 seasons. In 2007-08 he skied 1,667,940 vertical feet! In case you’re curious, Richard was born in 1946. Congratulations Richard! You are an inspiration.
Skiing in Georgia?
The New York Times: Ola Lewitschnik
The country’s Caucusus Mountains have four resorts, with Gaudauri being the most developed. It’s about a 90 minute drive from Tiblisi, Georgia’s capitol. According to the article appearing in the The New York Times’ annual Ski Issue. The country has good terrain, good food, and very reasonable prices. Additional reading made it clear that elsewhere in the country, with the help of cats and copters, it’s possible to access excellent backcountry powder. Can’t report on the quality of guides or safety protocols, but if you’re looking for something different, this might be a way to go.
Mt Bachelor Celebrates 60th
When it opened in 1958, the Bend, OR area had one 3,900’ Poma, two rope tows, and a 1,500-square-foot day lodge. Today, it is the country’s sixth largest area, with 4,318 acres covering an entire dormant volcano.
Great Holiday Gifts for Older Skiers
The Buffalo Wool Company is a small Texas outfit making exceptional woven things to keep your
feet, hands and head comfy when out in the elements. Their socks, gloves, and hats are made from bison down, the fluff on the undersides of the 2000 lb animals. The company purchases 75% of the available supply, mixes it with silk, wool, yak, and cashmere and produces unique products that last long and make a good impression when given to the ones you love. In explaining it’s premium pricing, the company’s website states, “Nothing is more expensive than gear that doesn’t work.” SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 10% break by entering “SeniorsSkiing” in the discount code window during the check-out process. I wore Buffalo Wool Company socks last winter when resting between ski trips at our place in the high desert near Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. What a luxury! The company has a “no questions asked” return policy in the unlikely event you or the person receiving the gift chooses to send it back. The American Field Bison Boot Sock ($54.00 less 10%) and the Pro-Gear Technical Boot Bison/Silk Sock ($45.00, less 10%) are particularly good options.
Wild West Jerky is another small company that makes the best jerky I’ve ever tasted. It’s based in the tiny town of Levan, Utah. The products – beef, buffalo, elk, venison, turkey, pork, salmon – are available in multiple flavors, sizes, combinations, etc. All ingredients and processing are entirely natural – unlike the commercial jerky products; even the high-end ones. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers receive a 20% discount off full retail online purchases when they enter “seniorsskiing” in the promo code window at checkout. Leave the fruitcake and Christmas cookies to others. Send or show up with a truly delicious and unusual gift.
Something New: Rental Ski Clothing
Slope Threads is a new Colorado-based company that rents a package of parka, pants, gloves, and goggles for $35 a day. Customers make their selections online. Soft goods are from Obermeyer; goggles from Smith. The clothing is delivered to their destinations. When done, it’s returned via mail. All shipping costs are included. The site has nice-looking stuff for the entire family. I’d be interested in reports from any readers who use the service.
January 4-6 Trip to Stowe
Mogul Meister Ski Club has a few open spots for a weekend trip to Stowe. It includes private bus from Scarsdale, NY, 2 nights lodging, breakfasts, dinner, lift tickets, etc. Cost: $438 pp/double occupancy. Details: email trip leader, Harold Pressberg: hmp696@optonline.net
SeniorsSkiing Guide: Japan’s Hakuba Valley
A Senior’s Introduction To Some Of The Best Skiing In Japan.
Happo One is the largest resort in the Hakuba Valley with four base areas serving the mountain. Credit: Hakuba.com
The Hakuba Valley sits three hours west of downtown Tokyo and boasts some of the best skiing in all of Asia. Host to the 1998 Winter Olympics, Hakuba offers a unique combination of diverse terrain spread out over 11 resorts, 12 meters of annual snowfall, world class facilities, and amazing Japanese cultural experiences: think sushi, hot springs, and thousand year old temples. The entire valley has been added to the 2018/19 Epic Pass allowing pass holders five days of free riding across all of the resorts.
Access
From downtown Tokyo you will take the famous Japanese bullet train one and a half hours to Nagano Station where you will need to transfer to a bus for the last one hour of the journey. The entire is just 3 hours and costs ¥10,000. ($85.00)
Two Outstanding Resorts In The Valley
Happo-One
The largest and most central resort in the valley is Happo-One (pronounced On Ay), spreading across 220 hectares. The highest run is 2,696 m and spreads to four base areas providing everything advanced skiers could want: steep runs, high vertical drops, and powder runs. There are opportunities for beginners as well but this resort is best suited for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Adult Lift Ticket: ¥5,200 ($46.00)
Senior Lift Ticket: ¥4,700 ($41.00)
Cortina
Cortina has become synonymous with powder skiing for Hakuba enthusiasts. The resort receives the highest and driest snowfall in the valley and usually gets nearly twice as much snow as neighboring resorts. The snow patrol at Cortina are quite relaxed, and off-piste skiing is not an issue.
Adult Lift Ticket 1 Day ¥4,000 ($35.00)
Senior Lift Ticket 1 Day ¥3,200 ($28.00)
Alternatively, visitors can buy the Hakuba All Valley Pass which gives pass holders access to all 11 resorts.
Lessons
The Evergreen Outdoor Center is the largest international ski school in Hakuba and offers English language lessons with certified instructors on Happo-One.
Gear
You can get all your rental gear at Central Snow Sports. They have several locations throughout Hakuba and have very knowledgeable and friendly English speaking staff.
Basic Ski Rental Package: Approximately ¥4,000 per day ($35.00)
Where to stay?
Happo Village has everything you need for a comfortable stay in Hakuba: proximity to the resorts, best restaurants, hot springs, and public transportation.
Marillen Hotel
Only in Japan: Marillen is an Austrian-themed hotel in the heart of the Hakuba Valley. Credit: Hakuba.com
The Austrian-themed Marillen Hotel sits on the Nakiyama slope and is one of the few true ski-in-ski out hotels in the Hakuba Valley. The Austrian theme stretches to the food with schnitzel and pretzels served while a fire roars and live musical acts perform in the après bar. Nakiyama even offers night skiing if you find the energy for a few extra runs after dinner.
Onsen
Soaking in a Japanese hot spring after a long day on the slopes is a terrific way to relax. Be advised, it’s customary to bathe in the nude. It may feel daunting to walk into a public onsen at first but the experience is well worth any initial awkwardness. There are multiple onsens within Happo-Village, and they cost approximately ¥600 ($5.50) per visit.
Off the Slopes
Join a day tour and soak in the rich Japanese culture and visit the world famous snow monkeys. This full day tour takes you from Hakuba to Nagano City where you’ll stop at Zenkoji, an eighth century Buddhist temple. Many believe the first Buddhist sculpture ever brought to Japan remains within this sacred building. After touring the temple, you’ll be taken to the snow monkey park where you’ll be able to see the only monkeys in the world known to bathe in hot springs.
For more information, click here for the Hakuba Valley site.
The Cortina resort offers lots of snow and powder opportunities. Credit: Hakuba.com
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