This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Nov. 24)
Happy Thanksgiving, La Nina Delivers, Reader Input Needed, Great Gift Idea, Funny Urban Legend, Lift Maintenance, Birthday For 98 Year Old Olympian, Experticity Reminder.
Fun Thanksgiving? Not for all.
Credit: SnoCountry
Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers! We know you are happier than the poor turkey to the left.
In many places, this weekend marks the official start of the snow sports season. In fact, Killington is hosting the Audi FIS Women’s World Cup starting Nov. 24 and going through the weekend. Snow guns are taking advantage of every drop in temperature, and trails will be ready for the world’s fastest women. Join the crowds!
Here’s a short video clip from last year’s race at Killington. Pretty exciting profile of Mikaela Shiffrin, 21-year-old winner of the slalom event.
La Nina Brings Snow
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center reports that a weak La Nina condition exists in the eastern Pacific off the coast of Peru. That means surface sea water temperatures are cooler than normal having the ultimate effect of retracting the jet stream that flows over North America. The connection with snowfall is shown on the map below which is a summary of several years of snow accumulation during La Nina winters. Note the blue is above average snowfall, the brown below average. You can easily see where the snow will be. Remember, this doesn’t guarantee massive snow, but it is certainly a positive development for those in the blue areas.
Reader Stories and Videos Welcome
We were very pleased to see how many readers wrote in to correct and update our original list of where seniors can ski for free. (Note: You can find the list under the COMMUNITY menu pick, select SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT.)
That enthusiasm led us to think that many of our readers might have interesting stories that other readers might be interested in reading. Or video clips. If you have something to share, please write us at info@seniorsskiing.com. Keep your copy to 500 words. Pictures are really important, too. JPEGs or PNGs are ideal. If you have brief videos, post them on YouTube and send us the link with your story.
An Appropriate Gift For Seniors
We tested a device for locating lost objects using a small, bluetooth-based chip called Tile. We were very impressed and suggest you take a look. It is one of those inventions which can be truly life-changing. And for the better.
Skiing Urban Legend
We have a funny story which has taken on the status of urban legend about a novice skier. Correspondent Jan Brunvand coined the term “urban legend” when he was in academia and was asked to report on any legends related to the snow sports world. Here’s the story.
Keep Lifts Spinning
SLC Correspondent Harriet Wallis has a story about lift maintenance, a months-long, complex process that most of us never think about but which has to be done just right to ensure a trouble-free, safe season. Harriet profiles the lift crew at Deer Valley.
Happy Birthday To 98 Year-Old Olympian
The Ski Museum of Maine has saluted Chummy Broomhall, a two-time Olympian cross-country skier who is celebrating his 98th birthday. The Museum is asking people to send Chummy a card. Last year, he received 150 cards; let’s beat that this year. Find out where to write.
Experticity Reminder
Several readers have found that when trying to re-register for Experticity, they are faced with a questionnaire asking them for their connection to the ski business. We explained the change a few editions ago, but it’s worth repeating. What happened was that our original discount relationship was with Promotive. That company was merged with Experticity early last spring. They scrubbed their list of subscribers and informed us that only those readers who had a legitimate connect to the ski industry could qualify. We asked them to change their verification process to make it a little less constrictive, and Experticity did take our recommendations. So, it wasn’t an open door like it used to be, but some readers can probably still qualify.
Next Week
On we go into the early season. Our correspondents are all working on stories for you. Gift ideas, tips for renting condos, profiles, and lots of other topics. Also in the story bin is our list of ski recommendations for seniors. And boot recommendations. Stay tuned.
Remember, tell your friends about SeniorsSkiing.com. There are more of us every day and we aren’t going away.
Short Swings!
Bull Wheels At More Areas Have Started To Turn.
Purgatory opened last weekend. People were lined up at 5:00AM, Saturday, Nov. 18. One report had hungry skiers cooking bacon and eggs as they waited in the dark. In what may have been a first, pass holders used Day 1 to ski and bike.
- Lookout Pass, about 90 minute drive from Spokane or Missoula, reports 34″ on top and 20″ at the base. The area straddles Idaho and Montana and has plans to double acreage and increase vertical. It will open Thanksgiving Day.
- Brighton Resort opened Tuesday, Nov 21 with “top to bottom” skiing serviced by two lifts. The open runs have a 10″- 20″ base.
- Park City scheduled Thanksgiving Day to open.
- Mont Tremblant also was scheduled to open Nov 23 with 10 trails. The Quebec resort has 12″ of fresh, natural snow.
If you have the early season itch, check web sites before going.
Thoughts on the Vanishing Ski Bum Ecosystem
Leave it to Jackson Hogen of realskiers.com for an intelligent take on all things skiing. A few weeks ago he lamented the slow but steady passing of the classic ski bum. These old timers are repositories of all kinds of useful knowledge. As resorts corporatize and workers are forced to commute longer distances, even ski shops are struggling for knowledgeable personnel. That’s especially important when shopping for new boots. His advice is to shop early when qualified fitters are available. Another option is to visit AmericasBestBootFitters.com which lists shops where personnel has been trained specifically to fit boots.
Subscriptions to real skiers.com are available to SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers at a discounted annual rate of $9.95. To sign up, visit realskiers.com. Scroll down to/click on “Subscribe Today!” Then click “Sign Up” in the “Annual Membership” box. Complete the form and enter SS17 in the field under “Coupon Code.”
Free Skiing List Update
Reader input is making the list of US resorts with free skiing privileges more complete. The list currently has 114 resorts. Those added: Bear Valley, CA; Sugar Mtn (NC), Gunstock, NH, and Okemo, VT. Those removed: Hunter Mtn (NY) and and Mad River Glen, VT. Thank you for your continued input! To access the complete list, go to the homepage, click COMMUNITY on the Menu Bar, and click SUBSCRIBER ONLY CONTENT.
Ski Insiders is Rossingol’s New Online Community
Rossingol launched the Ski Insiders website for all ski enthusiasts to express their winter sports passions. According to the company, members of the Ski Insiders community will be invited to express opinions and share ideas about brands and new products through questionnaires and discussion forums. Click here to register.
Colorado Ski Country Resorts to Host Olympic Qualifiers
Colorado resorts will host numerous qualifying events leading up to the February games in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. For details click here.
A Fine Liquid Idea
Teton Gravity Research and Melvin Brewing have teamed up to create TGR Pils-Gnar.
The birth child of two longstanding Jackson Hole entities, the new brew is described as being a German-style pilsner that is simultaneously spicy and fruity. If you collect beer cans/bottles with a ski theme, this looks like a good one. Looking forward to sipping this new brew.
A Few Ifs
If you happen to be in the vicinity of Snowbird, Sunday, Dec 3; if there are clear skies, and if you want to experience what sounds like a sensational dining experience under a full moon, get a ticket for Snowbird’s Full Moon Dinner. It will be held in the Summit Lodge at 11,000′ on Hidden Peak. Wonderful menu, musical accompaniment, SPECTACULAR VIEWS. Adults: $75; kids: $25-$45 (depending on age). Price includes aerial tram ride. Reservations: 801.933.2222.
World Ski Awards Announced
Val Thorens, in France, was named World’s Best Ski Resort. Ski Dubai (UAE) received Best Indoor Ski resort. Bella Coola Heli Sports (Canada) got World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator. In the US, Deer Valley received the top resort prize. The World Ski Awards are selected by professionals working within the ski industry and by the public. Votes are submitted online at World Ski Awards website.
Learn to Ski/Board Month Awards People Introducing Newbies
The promotion rewards those who help introduce newcomers to beginner lessons from trained instructors. Click here to learn about the program (starts Jan 5) and the generous rewards.
Perfect Senior Gift: Tile Will Find Your Keys And Any Thing Else
The Amazing Device We’ve All Been Waiting For.
Attach Tile to keys, skis, bikes, cats, grand kids, wives, husbands, etc. Now they can be found, even when hiding.
You’ve probably had this experience. You are rushing out the door, late for something or other, and you’ve grabbed everything except…wait a minute…”Where are my keys? (wallet, glasses, etc?)” And the frantic search begins, characterized by looking in several of the same places more than once (a sure sign of insanity) and then finally discovering them in your jacket pocket.
And in response you say to yourself, “Why doesn’t someone just invent something to stick on your keys that flashes or something?” Well, ta-da, someone did.
It’s called Tile, and it’s a little (1.5″ x 1.5″) square plastic device you can attach to keys, bicycles, backpacks, puppy dogs…just about anything you can think of that you can expect to go missing.
Here’s the app. Keys and iPhone are being tracked. There’s also a map; you can get a visual on where the hiding things are.
The version of Tile we tested is the Sport model, waterproof, bluetooth-enabled, loud (trust us on this) device that is very simple to set up and use. All you have to do is download the Tile app to your Smartphone (Android or iOS), connect the device and you’re in business. It’s got a 200 foot range, so you can cover most places in a house or office.
To find your keys with Tile attached, simply open the phone app, tap the key logo, and you will hear the keys talking to you from their hiding place. The other indispensable feature we really love is when you lose your phone, and your Tile will help you find it. Just tap the Tile device twice, and you will hear your phone peeping out from where you never thought to look for it. You even have a choice of ring tones.
If there is a downside to finding your phone with Tile, it’s that your app on the phone has to be on. We haven’t experienced any major battery issues, but it is something to think about. Maybe you just activate the app when you take your phone out of your pocket and drop it on a desk or table.
If you lose your phone and your keys, well, bless your heart. Grandma used to say start looking where you saw them last.
It’s clear that once you see how Tile works you will want to tell other people about it. Tile gives you 25 points for each person your refer and who buys. When you get 50 points, you get a free Tile.
The are four different models of Tile, from Tile Mate, to Sport, Style and Slim. Prices range from $25 for the Mate to $35 for the Style. These prices are from the Tile website. Click here to go there.
If you’re looking for stocking stuffer gifts for your family and friends, you can buy multi-packs of Tiles at a discount. A four-pack of Sport Tiles is $100.
A perfect gift. Every time one of those family members or friends finds their keys or lost eyeglasses, they will think of you!
Here’s the Tile video showing the Pro Series Sport Model which is the model we tested.
https://youtu.be/TPSUFq5FFMc
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