Survey Highlights: Surprises And Advice
Here Are Top Level Findings: Discounts, Meet Ups, Instruction.
Analyzing the data from the survey. We’re still working the numbers!
We are so grateful to the many readers who responded to our Spring Subscriber Survey 2016. We had a 28 percent response rate. Anyone who knows surveys and response rates can appreciate how phenomenal that is. And a huge surprise to us. Most surveys get response rates in the single digits!
What that immediately says to us is that our readers are very engaged and, in fact, are rooting for seniorsskiing.com. We received many comments like “Keep going”, “Good job”, and “Like what I see”. When people said, “We appreciate what you are doing,” well, we got a little teary. Thank you for your encouragement.
As for immediate findings, the following were mentioned frequently in the comments:
Many of our readers said they wanted discounts, and we understand. Those of you who have opted-in withSeniorsSkiing.com (provided your email address for weekly updates) have access to Promotive, the web service providing discounts on outdoor gear and clothing from hundreds of manufacturers. These are the same “PRO FORM” discounts enjoyed by PSIA members. If you haven’t already done so, sign up for this free SeniorsSkiing.com benefit .
We also are developing a relationship with a major online lift ticket reseller. Watch for these lift ticket discounts.
Finally, look for our updated list of US areas that provide free skiing for seniors. We are updating it for next season.
Meeting up with other seniors. The next most frequent comment was “How can I meet other seniors to ski with?” We were surprised how important this was to our readers and here’s what we can suggest right now. More ideas will be forthcoming.
First, use The Forum for posting where and when you want to meet others. The Forum is a bullet board application that is accessed from SeniorsSkiing.com home page. There is a category for Meet Up/Get Together.
Second, “like” SeniorsSkiing.com’s Facebook page and use that to post when and where information. That message will go to other people who “like” the page.
Third, you will soon see an ad for the 70-plus Ski Club on SeniorsSkiing.com. This club is a perfect match for our readers. The club goes on many trips to many different areas in the US and abroad. You can find one that fits your needs and, voila, you’ve made a bunch of new skiing pals.
Technique, Instruction, Gear for seniors. Here was another pleasant surprise. Many of our readers are interested in skiing technique and instruction that meets seniors’ needs. These include people who are returning from a long hiatus, those adjusting to the new skis and boots, and others who want to ski safer.
We’ve noticed a trend for ski areas to have “Senior Days”, or “Master’s Clinics” on a regular basis through the ski season. It makes enormous sense for ski resorts to do this for their most loyal customer. We’ve been publicizing these through the last couple of seasons.
We will be working on how to publish more technique stories from instructors who have developed curricula for seniors. If you know of anyone who teaches seniors how to re-start their skiing experience, or who has some special ideas for seniors who want to sharpen their technique, please let us know.
More findings will be coming along as we continue to analyze the data.
Analysis and divining results requires concentration…
May 26: Spring Skiing At Stowe
Now This Is Hard Core.
Saw this on Facebook and had to show you. This is from Robby Kelley at Stowe Mountain Resort. His pal Ryan Siegle hiked and skied in 80 degree weather. Comments?
This is definitely the last run, right?
Credit: Robby Kelley
Cycling Series: Small Ski Town Turns To Bikes In Non-Snow Season
Western New York Ski Town Has Lots Of Cycling Opportunities.
Western New York State has some awesome cycling terrain. Ellicottville is at the center.
Credit: Pat McCloskey
One of the more interesting things that happens to a ski town is the metamorphosis that occurs after mud season. Mud season is traditionally when spring rolls along and the snow melts and the locals in ski town head for vacation. Soon after, the festivities that define the area in the “off season” begin. Large ski areas are great with this transition but so are the smaller ski towns like Ellicottville, NY. When summer comes to this region, the mountain bike and hiking trails come alive in the Allegheny National Forest and the riding/hiking can compete with anywhere in the country.
Personally, my favorite loop is to ride from the Inn at Holiday Valley to the Race Loop at the ski area. Then proceed to Big Merlin Trail, the Dead Dog Loop, to Sidewinder and back to Big Merlin and the Race Course Loop. All these trails are available on www.mtbproject.com or also in a regular map provided by the Western New York Mountain Bike Association. These trails are not too technical in nature, but there is some climbing. Also, this loop can lead to miles of maintained trails in the Allegheny
Ellicottville is a cool place the just hang-out. Non-cycling spouses can browse in many boutiques.
Credit: Pat McCloskey
National Forest. Check with Mud, Sweat and Gears , a very cool ski/board/cycle shop in the center of Ellicottville, for rental information as well as great choices of cycling clothing, accessories, and of course a wide selection of road and mountain bikes.
For those who have noniriding spouses, the town of Ellicottville has many shopping options including boutiques, ski shops turned to cycling and outdoors shops, and a myriad of restaurants including the John Harvard Brew Pub in the Tamarack Club at Holiday Valley Ski Resort. The pot pie there is not to be missed. Also, the Ellicottville Brewing Company (EBC) has a weekly menu board of craft beers produced on site for your post ride and post shopping enjoyment. Their food is also great.
Lot to Trails
All of the trails leaving Ellicottville can be accessed from the parking lots at Holimont Ski Area or Holiday Valley Ski area via the Race Course Loop which is clearly marked.
Terrain
Typical Eastern Singletrack with some steep climbs but not terribly technical in nature. Not hybrid friendly but mountain bike accessible.
Whether it is EVL or any other ski town, don’t miss the summer activities that are available in the “off season”.
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