Drumrolllll…2017-18 Trail Masters (all 106 of them) Announced
Trail Masters are those SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers who reported that the number of days they played in the snow (ski/board/shoe) last season met or exceeded their number of years.
For the 2017-18 season,106 people self-qualified. The season before, 77 Trail Masters were named, and in 2016-17, when the program launched, there were 42.
Some readers have commented that the program favors youth—if people in their 50s qualify as “youth.” We understand their position and tried to come up with an alternative way to recognize those individuals who pursue their sport as they get older. We contemplated a few alternatives, but concluded that having the number of days on snow match your years is a pretty good one.
Most of last season’s Trail Masters are from the US. Four are from Canada, two from Australia, and one each from the UK and New Zealand. Each Trail Master has been sent the SeniorsSkiing.com Trail Master sew-on patch and a selection of decals.
The age range is 50 to 79. The two oldest are Roger Bourke and Michael Sharkey, both 79. Roger lives in Alta, Utah and skied 110 days. Michael lives in Waitsfield, Vermont and skied 100 days. The 50-year old is Dianne Maggipinto, 50, of Salt Lake City. She skied 80 days.
Frequent SeniorsSkiing.com contributor, Harriet Wallis, made the list by matching her age with 78 days on the hill.
The highest number of time in snow was achieved by Brad Noren of Ironwood, Michigan, with 210 days. He’s 63. 
Brad is an alpine/Nordic instructor. He reports that he skis almost every day from late October to late April. In the evening, he snowshoes around his property on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Next are Lynn Bourdaghs, 76, Cottonwood Heights, Utah and Rick Morris, 67, Kingscliff, Australia. Lynn reported 155 days; Rick, 152. Carlan Silha, 74, Spokane, Washington, reported 136 days.
There were 24 subscribers on the previous 2017-18 list of Trail Masters who also appeared on this year’s list.
Congratulations, Trail Masters!!!!!
Two Reasonably Priced Gifts That Solve Getting Ski Boots Off and On
Other than warmth and comfort, the two big boot issues as we age are getting them on in the morning and off at the end of the day. If your home is slopeside, it may not be so much of a problem, but for those of us who boot up or off in lodge or lot, it can be a struggle.
Here are two reasonably-priced products that solve those boot problems. If you’re looking for a different kind of gift for older skiers on your list, both will last longer and be far more appreciated than a tie, a mug, or a fifth.
Several years ago, I learned about DeBooter, the ski boot jack that helps remove boots fast and smoothly. It is a must-have device for every older skier who has struggled with end-of-day boot removal. DeBooter is an advertiser and gives SeniorsSkiing.com readers a 20% discount off the list price of $39.95. I carry one in my car and loan it generously to appreciative neighbors in the parking lot. A few friends tell me that their grandkids love to take their boots off using DeBooter.
More recently, I came across The Bootster, a well-designed compact device that simplifies getting into your ski boots. It incorporates a piece of slick material that allows the heel to slide easily into the boot. I’ve tried it with cold boots, and my foot slipped in with virtually no effort — a far cry from the discomfort of corkscrewing foot and ankle into that stiff chamber. I generally keep my boots on at lunch, but many older skiers prefer to remove theirs. Among the benefits of The Bootster is how well it fits in parka pocket, so it can be used as needed. The Bootster recently started to advertise. It costs $25.00.
Dog-Sledding Is Another Snow Activity: Don’t Say Mush!
Other Things To Do In Winter For Seniors (Part 2): On You Huskies.
Dog Sled rides with Mountain Man Adventures. Credit: Sun Peaks Resort.
Ok, nobody says mush. Nobody, outside of maybe movies, has EVER said mush, though the folks who drive sleds are often called mushers. Mostly, people who run dogsleds just say, “Go!”
And the dogs aren’t those black and white Siberian Huskies people expect. Your average sled dog is something mushers call Alaskan huskies. They are lean and small with long legs and bred to run. In the case of Chris Schwanke’s pups at Mountain Man Adventures at Sun Peaks Resort, BC, a combo of greyhound or German short hair pointer and … well, who knows what.
“People see some of the dogs with their tails tucked between their legs and think they’re unhappy but that’s what greyhounds do,” said Chris. “So that’s how you tell them apart … the greyhound mixes tuck their tails. The others curl their tails up.”
While these dogs are not an official breed, over the years, the “Alaskan husky” has been recognized by anyone who runs dog teams.
At the end of a tour, guests get to pet the adult dogs and puppies. Credit: Yvette Cardozo
My friend, Nancy Slye and I arrived and first got to pet the dogs and say hello. Chris encourages this. He wants his dogs to be friendly.
Then we loaded into sleds, normally two people in a sled with a guide on back. The ride is 10 km (a bit over six miles) and lasts about 90 minutes.
And we were off—through the woods on narrow trails crowded with trees, along an open lake, across a snow covered golf course, then back into the woods. It can be a semi-wild ride, as snow-caked trees whiz by from doggie level, hardly two feet off the ground.
But what made this trip different from those I’ve done in the past was the chance to run the sled ourselves. Yow!
You stand on the runners behind the sled, which are wider set than you expect if you are a skier. And, guide Destiny said, you just say “go” to start, “easy” to slow and “whoa” to stop.
“Bend your knees a bit and stay flexible,” she added.
It’s kind of like skiing. Or riding a snowmobile. Or a dirt bike. It’s go with the flow.
And, before we knew it, we were back at the start, among the dog kennels and other pups.
Now came more fun. As a treat after a run, the dogs get chunks of meat and fat to fuel them and keep them warm. You toss the chunk in the air and the dog jumps, mouth wide open, teeth flashing in the sunlight. It makes for a killer photograph.
Finally, to wrap up, we went into the puppy pen, where five-month-old Pirate, Sailor, and Captain were waiting to have their ears scratched. It’s not only fun, it helps socialize the dogs from an early age.
Guests are given a chance to drive the sled during the tour. Most sled dogs are NOT Siberian Huskies but, a crossbreed called Alaskan Husky. Credit: Yvette Cardozo
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