Content Positioning Archives - Page 5 of 12

Short Swings!

October 4, 2019/2 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

What about that Big Dump last week in the West!!!!!!

If you’re like me — waiting for the first signs of Winter — the season is now on its way.

These areas plan to open in October:

Wolf Creek, CO – 13th October
Killington, VT – 19th October
Sunday River, ME – 19th October
Arapahoe Basin, CO – 20th October
Loveland, CO – 20th October
Wild Mountain Ski and Snowboard Area, MN – 20th October
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, NV – 20th October
Mount Snow, VT – 20th October
Wildcat Mountain, NH – 27th October

SeniorsSkiing.com is now publishing every Friday.

Two big issues for senior skiers surfaced in recent reader surveys.

One is your interest in finding contemporaries with whom you can ski.
The other is being hit by reckless and out-of-control skiers and boarders.

To address finding skiing buddies, I’ve asked a digital-cartographer friend and avid skier to help us identify a meeting place that could apply to all ski areas. The idea is to set a time (e.g. 10AM) when members of the SeniorsSkiing.com community could show up at a specific location and, displaying a SeniorsSkiing.com sticker, meet other readers with whom to take some runs.

Courtesy: University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library Ski Archive

What are the unresolved issues? 1) Identifying a location that would apply to all areas. If in the lodge, should it be a table closest to the end of the cafeteria line? Near the main entrance? Etc. If you have any ideas of how to do this – without involving area management – please send an email or post in Comments. 2) Supplying readers with the identifying SeniorsSkiing.com sticker. That’s the easy part: Email me your name and address, and we’ll send you a supply. My email address is jon@SeniorsSkiing.com.

As for the reckless/out-of-control skier problem, take a look at the reader comments in Mike’s This Week message. It’s not a trivial matter. Many readers report on slope hit-and-runs. Many more report near misses. Getting hit when you’re in your 60s, 70s, or 80s has more life-altering consequences than when you’re younger.

Something needs to be done. We’ve approached National Ski Patrol to inquire about their policies and to see if they would be open to exploring a collaborative effort to improve the situation. We’ll report what we learn. In the meanwhile, if you have suggestions to remedy this dangerous epidemic of unsafe skiing, please email them to the same address as above.

Finally, if you like SeniorsSkiing.com, please help spread the word by introducing your skiing friends to the site.

Despite Serious Neurological Disorder, He Continues to Ski

Nick Manely in France

Nick Manely, a SeniorsSkiing.com reader and avid skier has been managing a Functional Neurological Disorder for several years. He’s based in Colorado where he coaches at Eldora Mountain and works at Larson’s Ski Shop in Denver. In September, Nick presented about his condition and skiing to a group if physicians and researchers at The International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders in Nice, France.

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports Seeks Volunteer Instructors

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is the state’s largest year-round disabled sports nonprofit. The group looking for energetic winter volunteer-instructors. Volunteers will be trained to help teach and lead the organization’s winter programs that include Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, indoor rock climbing, veterans retreats, and wellness programs. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, complete the application at www.vermontadaptive.org/get-involved.

Economical Resource for Small to Plus Size Parkas and Pants

Many Senior Skiers have difficulty finding properly fitting ski clothing. One old friend, quite petite, is always checking ski shops for good-looking things. Sometimes she has to settle for children’s items. Another friend is at the other end of the size spectrum. She, too, has difficulty finding quality skiwear in her size. I know they’re not alone. That’s why I’m delighted that NW Sales Connection has become a SeniorsSkiing.com advertiser. The company offers a wide range of skiwear in a wide range of sizes. Their initial ad focuses on women, but the site covers women, men, and children. The cost of ski clothing on the site tops out at $139.99, and everything is marked down. There is a 30-day return policy (longer over the Holidays). Please click on the NW Sales Connection ad and welcome this valuable resource to the SeniorsSkiing.com community. As an additional incentive to SeniorsSkiing.com readers, NW Sales Connection is giving a 10% discount for purchases made between now and October 15. Enter “welcome seniors” in the discount code box during check out.

The Easier Way To Get Your Boots On

This is the surefire solution to getting feet into boots, even when your boots are cold. It’s the compact, never-fail, Bootster, a clever little device utilizing a slippery material that helps feet slide effortlessly into ski boots. Several things make this a particularly nice product: Bootster reduces the effort of getting boots on. And, it fits into your parka pocket, so you can take it with you and use it to get your boots back on after lunch. At $25, it’s highly affordable and makes for a thoughtful gift for the older skiers on your list. To learn more click here or on the Bootster ad on the home page.

Solar Powered Task Light

We receive lots of offers to review products and to try things that companies would like brought to the attention of our readers. Most are irrelevant or unworthy. But this one got my attention. It’s a light weight utility light powered by choice of solar or by your computer’s USB port. The flexible, yellow silicone arm wraps around almost anything to position the light where you want it. It has four settings, three to adjust the light intensity and one to make it flash. I envision this as a nifty addition to camping gear or just to keep in the car or at home. Mpowerd, the company that makes this and other similar products, works with non-profits to send lights to people living without access to electricity. Luci® Core, MSRP $14.95. Available from most outdoor retailers or directly from https://mpowerd.com

Remember Ski Ballet?

Skis of Glory is a brief video recapping that highly visual and entertaining era.

Blind-Sided And Body-Slammed

October 1, 2019/32 Comments/in Features, Home Top Box 2/by Roger Lohr

Is It Time To Address Ski Slope Collisions? How?

[Editor Note: This summer, we published a little play about the speeding, out of control skier and what the ski patrol can do about it. You can read it here. Bottom line: It’s not their job, at least, that’s the party line. They are there to maintain the lines, help injured people, sweep the slopes. They are not trained nor prepared to confront unruly or out of line customers who are not complying with the Skier’s Code of Responsibility. What to do? Here’s SeniorsSkiing.com XC editor and publisher of XCSkiResorts.com publisher Roger Lohr’s story about his collision and consequences.]

This year, I was one of the many skiers and riders who got blind-sided and body-slammed by someone on the slopes. After seeing me bounce into the snow a couple of times and violently twist my lower body, the “guy in orange” who plowed into me said nothing and skied away. No apology, no asking if I needed help.

I got up slowly after the collision and immediately thought about how effective my new MIPS helmet worked. Just afterward, I felt shooting pain in my lower back.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the guy in orange about 40 yards away. He had stopped and was looking across the terrain at me while I was taking stock of my bruises and sprains associated with the collision. Then he took off.

I stopped in at the patrollers’ cabin and saw six guys sitting at a table. I requested some kind of heat compress or rub for my pain and was told that they are not allowed to distribute anything like that.

This incident was in fact, the third collision that I’ve had in recent years. What can the industry do to deal with the increasing number of slope collisions?

Can we blame lack of skill in the kind of collision I experienced? It might have been a miscalculation of his line, his ability to change course, his maintenance of too much speed, inattention, an obstruction, etc.

The collision occurred near the bottom of the slope, so was there a chance that I cut him off? Would more patrollers on the slopes talking to people about control, speed, where they stop, and so on, make a difference?

I often ride the chair with patrollers but I don’t remember the last time I heard from a patroller out on the slopes. I can’t say that I’ve seen many of them speaking with skiers and riders about unsafe situations. Would a broad skier/rider education campaign about speed and skiing in control make a difference for safety purposes and curtail the collisions?

As I’ve aged I’ve become much more cautious keeping an eye on the slopes around me. In my collision situation, I was heading to the lift line and did not look up the slope for five seconds on a day when there were very few people skiing. I paid for those seconds with medical bills and three weeks of pain.

The statistics on ski area collisions are mounting and this past spring’s SeniorsSkiing.com reader survey showed a serious concern among site visitors about these incidents. And we all know parents who have freaked out watching their child get steamrolled and mangled on the slopes. It is not only older skiers who have cause to worry about collisions.

What happened after I was hit was significant. The speedster took off, offering no help and no curiosity as to whether I was injured.

There are seven points in the Skier’s Responsibility Code about staying in control, avoiding others, stopping in places that do not obstruct, and the like. There is no suggestion in the code that there is any responsibility to help a victim or check that the subject who’s been hit is able to ski away after the incident. Yeah, you’d think it was common courtesy for the slammer to apologize and see if aid is required but in my experience and other incidents that I’ve heard about, this is not the case; this is not standard protocol.

I understand the ski area operators’ perspective: no one wants a “patroller policeman” yelling at guests, but can we develop a more robust educational campaign to curtail slope collisions and incorporate a new tenet for courtesy when such incidents occur? Can we amend the Skier’s Responsibility Code to include helping people who are hit?

Short Swings!

September 27, 2019/0 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Arapahoe is running its guns.

Big Sky, Alta, and Lake Tahoe are among the Western ski destinations that have received natural snow. A few areas in the Austrian and Italian Alps are already operating.

It’s all about to happen again.

Farmer’s Almanac predicts a “Polar Coaster” with wildly swinging temps. NOAA is expected to give its prediction sometime in October.

Source: Farmer’s Almanac

Did you see last week’s report that North America’s bird population has declined by 29% over the past 50 years? What about melting glaciers? One Swiss community recently held a formal funeral march for the loss of its Pizol glacier.

The Pizol glacier has lost up to 90% of its volume since 2006.
(Keystone / Gian Ehrenzeller)

The UN this week is holding its Global Climate Summit. Last week school kids throughout the US and abroad demonstrated on behalf of the environment.

The ski industry is taking a stand through a variety of climate initiatives, but it’s probably too little and too late.

So what are we older skiers to do? Groan and bemoan or go skiing? The way things are going, it’s not going to last forever. Nor are we. My idea is to do what I can to save what we can for our grandkids. But my BIG IDEA is to stay fit, make sure my ski gear is ready for the fast-approaching season, and GO SKIING. We need to enjoy it while we have it. The future is barreling our way and it may not be kind.

Do Wider Skis Lead to Knee Injury?

John Seifert, PhD, professor of exercise physiology at Montana State University, recently presented research results showing a relationship between use of wide skis and knee injury. Wide skis, he explains, force skiers to use a more upright stance, thus causing knee-supporting muscles to be in a less-than-optimal position to exert force when something called Ground Reaction Force (GRF) is at its peak.

He defines GRF as “…the force exerted by the snow in contact with it. GRF is always present, even in deep snow, as it’s part of what makes a ski turn. GRF is influenced by skiing velocity and turn radius. On hard snow with wide skis, this is why drifting is so common or the turn radius is lengthened in order to minimize forces.”

The negative effects of GRF are minimized in deeper snow. But using a wider ski on hardpack increases risk of knee injury.

The research is interesting and complicated. Jackson Hogen at Realskiers.com wrote a good summary of Dr. Seifert’s presentation at PSIA’s 2019 National Academy. It is titled “Why Wide Skis Aren’t Good For Your Knees” and can be accessed by clicking here.

Scarpa Boot Recall

SCARPA recalled all Fall 2017 Maestrale and Maestrale RS ski boots purchased in North America. Under certain conditions, the boot shell may crack. Click here for more guidance on identifying the boots in question. Scarpa will repair recalled boots.

Solitude Introduces Paid Parking

In an effort to reduce traffic congestion in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude will charge for parking this winter. Single drivers will be hit with $20, carpoolers will pay as little as $5.

Park City’s Sunrise Rotary Club Aims For Ski Shot Record

Ski Shot Competitors on Park City’s Main Street

My friends at Park City’s Sunrise Rotary Club are shooting for the longest Shot Ski world record on October 12. They hope to break Breckenridge’s record set in January. Sunrise Rotary expects to attract 1,310 people, who will gulp a shot of High West booze from shot glasses set in old skis. Entry fees go toward the club’s grant’s program. Last year Sunrise Rotary Club granted $23,000 to community organizations.

If You’re Planning a Park City Trip This Season…

…a fascinating outdoor exhibit on the area’s early geologic history is a must see. Located in nearby Silver Creek, the idea for the exhibit came when an excavator uncovered a petrified tree trunk estimated to weight 5 to 10 tons! The Park City Sunrise Rotary Regional Geologic Park was sponsored by Rotary and several other local and regional organizations.

Aspen Swingers

Someone in Aspen has been installing old-fashioned handmade swings on hiking trails, looking out on local beauty spots. If this gives you an idea for your community, go for it.

R.I.P. Pepi Gramshammer

Pepi during his racing youth. Source: Denver Post

Austrian national ski team racer, Pepi Gramshammer, died August 17. He was 87 and had recently suffered a series of strokes. A Vail resident since 1962, he used race and sponsorship funds to start Hotel-Gasthof Gramshammer two years later. The hotel, in Downtown Vail Village, is one of the resort’s most venerable hostelries.

R.I.P Davo Karnicar

Davo Karnicar Source: Teller Report

Slovenian adventurer Davo Karnicar was the first to ski from the summit of Mount Everest to its base camp. He and his team spent a month climbing the south face of Everest. Following a few hours’s rest he began his descent. He skied from over 29,000 feet to base camp, escaping collapsing ice walls, strong winds and crevasses. He died September 16 in a tree-cutting accident on his property in Slovenia. He was 56. Click here or his obituary in The New York Times.

What a Toy!!!!

This short video shows a skier toy from the 1970s. Anyone out there have one?

Short Swings!

July 26, 2019/1 Comment/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

“Too Darn Hot.” Cole Porter got it right with his enduring 1948 hit. What a summer!

Weather is getting more and more extreme. Hot. Cold. Wind. Flood. I like this church sign:

But I don’t like these pictures taken within a week of each other from near the top of Mont Blanc. Going from snow to lake in such a short time is a bad sign.

Credit: @bryanthealpinist

I don’t know if there’s much we can do about this any more except attempt to take action to slow the process down and figure out how to make the best of it.

Waiting for the flurries, I think abut that magical combination of gravity and snow and being waist-deep in light powder.

In the meanwhile, Irving Berlin also got it right with his saucy 1933 song, “Heat Wave.”

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Vail Resorts Acquires Mount Snow, Hunter, Wildcat, Roundtop, Others

Earlier this week, Vail Resorts announced it is acquiring Peak Resorts. The areas comprise many Eastern and Mid-Western signature resorts (Mount Snow, VT; Hunter Mountain, NY; Attitash, Wildcat, and Crotched, NH; Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Jack Frost and Big Boulder, PA; Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine, and Mad River Mountain, OH; Hidden Valley and Snow Creek, MO, and Paoli Peaks, IN). The areas will be accessible on the Epic and Military Epic passes.

Alta’s Enduring Butterfly

Contributor Harriet Wallis sent in these pictures of the butterfly shaped snow patch on Alta’s Mt. Superior. The color shot was taken recently. It matches up perfectly with the shot from 1873.

Credit: Robin Roberson

Delta Eliminates $150 Ski/Board Checking Fee

The new policy follows a similar announcement in May by American. Complete checked baggage fee detail, including the new sporting equipment fees: Delta.com

Killington Breaks Ground on New Lodge

Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in Eastern North America , broke ground last week on its 58,000 sq. ft. K-1 Base Lodge. Slated to open for the 2020-21 winter season, it will be 21,000 sq. ft. larger than the previous structure.

Colorado Has Fewest Obese People. West Virginia Has Most.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 30.1% of US adults are obese as of 2017. The US obesity rate has doubled since 1990 when 15% of the population was classified as obese. The five least obese states are Colorado, D.C., Hawaii, California, and Utah. The five with the most obese are West Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Alabama. Click here for complete list.

2010 Olympic Gold Medal Auctioned for $68,750

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic gold medal belonging to Belarusian freestyle skier Alexei Grishin sold at auction last week for $68,750 according to Boston-based RR Auction. The anonymous winning bidder is a collector from Belarus. The medal is among the heaviest in Olympic history. Each of the 615 medals created for the Vancouver Games features a hand-cropped section of the artwork that ensures that no two medals are the same.

Live Weather Reports Now Available from Mt. Everest

Researchers from National Geographic Society and Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan University recently installed weather stations on Mount Everest. The two highest are at 27,257’ and 26,066’. To access these high elevation conditions click here.

Good Conditions At South Africa’s Only Resort

At the time of this writing, Tiffindell Alpine Resort, South Africa’s only ski area, has almost 12”. All five lifts are operating and more snow is predicted for this week.

Guadalajara Gets 5’ Hail Dump

Credit: CNN

A freak early-July storm left 5’ of hail in the Mexican city of Guadalajara. It happened following several days of warm, dry weather.

Surfing On Skis?

Candide Thovex is the French extreme skier who seems set on doing every imaginable thing that can be done on skis. In this short video, appropriately named The Wave, he uses snow skis on artificially-generated surf.

Short Swings!

June 28, 2019/0 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

This morning only the silver slice of moon interrupted the pure blue sky.

Capitol Reef NP

The landscape here in south central Utah is exceptional. My summer grounds are at the base of Boulder Mountain, not far from Capitol Reef National Park. Boulder Mountain is the eastern end of the Aquarius Plateau, the highest plateau on the continent. The mountain peaks at 11,328’ and is crowned by an escarpment currently spotted with snow. One north facing section is long enough to get about twenty turns. It probably would take a few hours to get up there and find the spot. More runs would be guaranteed if I drove the 3½ hours to Snowbird, where lifts are still running. It’s a possibility, but a few hours of turns may not be worth the effort.

Last weekend, 20” fell at Steamboat Springs. Snowfall this late in the year is due to a warmer and wetter atmosphere. At cooler, higher elevations it turns to snow. The last time Colorado had this amount of snow in June was 91 years ago.

If you’re fortunate to live close to Snowbird, Mammoth, Squaw Valley, Arapahoe Basin or Timberline Lodge, you may be enjoying an extended season. I’m envious.

If you plan to be visiting my corner of the West, please let me know (jon@seniorsskiing.com).

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Elan Introduces First Foldable Ski

Elan’s new folding ski

Elan’s Ibex Tactix is the world’s first foldable ski. Made for backcountry, skis, bindings and skins weigh in at 5.5kg. The 163cm skis use a folding mechanism that reduces skis to 90cm for easier transport. The company’s claim that the package is good for all conditions is demonstrated in this video.

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Many National Parks Plagued by Air Pollution

Ninety-six percent of America’s national parks are plagued by significant air pollution problems reports the National Parks Conservation Association. The group evaluated air, haze, and soil and water pollution in 417 national parks. The results are available in NPCA’s report, Polluted Parks: How America is failing to protect our national parks. NPCA is the leading voice safeguarding America’s national parks.

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Alta’s (Now Past) Ski and History Tour with Alan Engen

For many years, Alan Engen served as Alta’s Director of Skiing. Alan is a strong contributor to the history of skiing in the Intermountain West and was the driving force behind the Alf Engen Ski Museum in Park City (named for his father, one of Alta’s founding fathers). Alan took great pleasure in sharing Alta’s history and its terrain with its senior visitors. This poster announcing the program is from the late 1990’s.

Videos Worth Watching

I recently stumbled across this 7-minute review of skiing in the US from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. It’s great fun.

This 8-minute instructional film from 1941 appears to be a US Army production explaining skis, bindings, boots, and skins. The difference between then and now is amazing!!!

The History of Alpine Skiing shows the evolution of the sport from its earliest days. Produced by Alpine Life, the video is about 12 minutes.

Short Swings!

May 31, 2019/0 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

The most important equipment we need to maintain is our bodies. Cardio and weight training are essential to getting the most out of ourselves.

My wife is great at exercise: persistent and consistent. Hardly a day goes by when she’s not swimming or doing yoga, weights or other gym stuff. It helps that she enjoys it. I, on the other hand, often require her encouragement (aka nagging) to get me going. It wasn’t always that way. For years, when commuting to an office in Manhattan, I got up at 4:30AM for an hour race walk before getting on with the rest of the day. Photos from 25 years ago show a much trimmer me. I now look forward to working out. It’s a good feeling and one I hope is adding more life to the remaining years. It helped give me a strong feeling going into this past season. When I start to get lazy about exercise, I remind myself of being strong for next season. If you’re not moving around as much as you think you should, get up and do something. If it has been a while, take it easy and work your way toward greater strength and endurance. If you’re recovering from illness or injury, consult with medical personnel, physical therapists, or a good trainer. No need to overdo it; big need simply to do it. Keep moving. It will help you get back in track when next season rolls around.

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Non-Stop Snow

This year you may not need to visit the Southern Hemisphere to get in your summer runs. Mammoth Mountain has so much snow, it plans to be skiing daily into August. Numerous areas throughout the snow-laden West are still open, at least on weekends. Even Killington, in Vermont, has some runs.

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More Evidence Shows Glaciers Melting

Credit: ESA/Zemp et al. (2019) Nature/World Glacier Monitoring Service

Using 50-years of glacier measurements from the ground and from satellites, an international team of scientists studied 19 glacier regions around the world. They determined that the Earth’s glaciers have lost over 9,000 gigatons (9 trillion tons) of ice since 1961, causing the seas to rise by 27 mm or 1.06 inches.

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American Airlines Cuts Ski Fee

American announced it will check skis for $30, a significant savings over the $150 it has been charging. The reduced fees also apply to bikes, music gear, and other sports equipment. Bulky items still are subject to oversize or overweight charges.

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Orthopaedic Surgeon Breaks Record for Ski Boot Marathon

British orthopaedic surgeon, Paul Harnett, recently broke the world record for running a marathon in ski boots. He completed the race in London in 5 ½ hours and raised £10,000 for the British Paralympic Association and World Orthopaedic Concern.

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JOB OPENING: Ski Journalist Group Treasurer

North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) is seeking a part-time treasurer. Responsibilities include monthly and year-end financial reports, receiving funds, and disbursing payments. Pays $200 per month. Interested? Contact NASJA Executive Secretary Peter Hines: peter.hines@nasja.org

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New Film Stars National Parks

The new film, “Find Me” is the story of a millennial desk jockey searching for a friend who disappeared after leaving a trail of clues. They take him to national parks and other outdoor places he never before considered visiting. It’s a romantic comedy treasure hunt starring nature in the lead role. For screening dates and locations click here.

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French Paraskiers Clowning Around

Ski videographers demonstrate to what ends they’ll go to create a “different looking” video. About 4 ½ minutes: Click here.

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French Adventurer Crosses Atlantic in a Barrel

Credit: Georges Gobet/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Jean-Jacques Savin, 72, recently crossed the Atlantic in a motorless, 10’ long barrel-shaped capsule made of plywood. It took him 127 days to complete the 3,125-nautical-mile trip. Relying solely on currents and winds, he left from the Canary Islands and landed May 2 on the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Eustatius. “It’s freedom,” was the answer he gave a New York Times reporter when asked about the trip. The entire interview is here.

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Gee Whiz, Mister. Is That For Real?

Remember The Jetsons and those Mechanics Illustrated articles about flying cars? Last month, Boeing released this video of its prototype.

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**He Ran Every Street in San Francisco**

Rickey Gates is a very long distance runner. A few years ago, he ran from coast-to-coast. Last November he set out to run every street in San Francisco and completed the 1,303 mile task in 46 days. This film, from Salomon, is uplifting and inspiring.

Short Swings!

April 26, 2019/5 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

We’re about to switch from publishing weekly, as we have since October, to our once-a-month off-season schedule. Many of you are back on the golf course or in your boats. The next time you’ll see SeniorsSkiing.com in your in box will be May 31.

SeniorsSkiing.com had a record season. In November we celebrated our 5^thyear of publication with a party in New York City. The attendees had a great time; many walked away with terrific prizes.

We also added a lot of new subscribers. After clearing up a vexing technical glitch, new subscribers clocked in at about 1,000 a month. The increase in readers was reflected in the increase in registered page views: almost 300,000 from October through April.

Your response to our second fund-raiser was encouraging and helpful:

Encouraging, because it validated the time and effort that goes into publishing SeniorsSkiing.com;
Helpful, because it reduces the cost of publishing this free magazine. As readership increases, so do expenses.

Around 200 articles were published since October (almost 1100 since we started). The volume of comments this season accounted for almost one-third of all comments since we started publishing; a reflection on reader growth and engagement.

You’ll be receiving a reader survey from us in the next few weeks. Your responses will help inform what we do for the coming season. The survey also is the opportunity for Trail Masters (the # of days you skied/boarded this season = the # of years in your age) can register to receive the 2018-19 Trail Masters embroidered patch.

Thank you for reading and supporting SeniorsSkiing.com!

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Electricity From Falling Snow

UCLA researchers and colleagues designed a first of its kind device that creates electricity from falling snow. The inexpensive, small, thin and flexible device generates charge through static electricity which occurs when falling snow contacts its silicone surface. According to the researchers, it has potential for monitoring winter sports.

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Boston and Denver Ski and Snowboard Expo Dates

The Colorado Ski and Snowboard Expo at Denver’s Colorado Convention Center will be earlier this year; October 25-27. The Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo will be Nov 14-17 at the Seaport World Trade Center.

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Lifts Still Running

Mt Hood SkiWay

These North American areas are still skiing. Each is followed by its expected closing date. Call or check websites for updates.

Alpental, WA – 5/5 (weekends only)
Arapahoe Basin, CO – early June
Arizona Snowbowl, AZ – 4/28
Aspen Highlands, CO – 4/28 (weekends only)
Boyne, MI – 4/28 (weekends only)
Breckenridge, CO – 5/27
Grouse Mountain, BC – 5/5
Heavenly, CA – 4/28 (+ May 3-5)
Jay Peak, VT – 5/5
Killington, VT – 6/2
Lake Louise, AB – 5/5
Loveland, CO – 5/5
Lutsen, MN – 5/5 (weekends only)
Mammoth, CA – 7/4
Marmot Basin, AB – 5/5
Mary Jane at Winter Park, CO – 5/12
Mission Ridge, WA – 4/28 (weekends only)
Mt. Bachelor, OR – 5/26
Mt. Hood Meadows, OR – 5/4 (weekends only)
Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe, NV – 4/28
Nakiska, AB – 4/28
Purgatory, CO – (weekends only)
Silver Mountain, ID – 4/28 (weekends only)
Ski Brule, MI – 4/29 (weekends only)
Snowbird, UT – TBD
Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows, CA – 7/7 – 5/19 (weekends only)
Sugarbush, VT – 5/5
Sugarloaf, ME – 5/5
Sunday River, ME – 5/1 (weekends only)
Sunshine Village, AB – 5/13
The Summit at Snoqualmie, WA – 4/28 (weekends only)
Timberline Lodge, OR – 8/31
Whistler Blackcomb, BC – 5/27
White Pass, WA – 4/28 (weekends only)

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Interesting Short Video

This skier in Switzerland accidentally sets off an avalanche; then outruns it. About 15 seconds. Click here to view.

Don’t Try This at Home Video

Skiing “Switch” is terrain park lingo for skiing backward. In this video, French skier Quentin Ladame sets the Switch Skiing World Record (86 mph). About 2½ minutes. Click here to view.

Short Swings!

April 19, 2019/0 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

There’s a difference between skiing and a skiing experience.

Confused? Let me explain.

With just a few exceptions most of my 65-seasons have been spent skiing. I can’t remember every day or every run, but riding up and skiing down so many places and in so many conditions has been wonderful. Small areas, enormous areas: in retrospect they were variations on a similar theme. Travel to resort. Lift up. Ski down. Repeat. After a while, memories blend.

1930’s Italian trade card for broth company

Over the years, I’ve had some standout skiing experiences. Some, in resorts; others, far from lifts. All were memorable.

One week with an instructor and a group of Aussies at Jackson Hole, we skied deep powder, jumped into Corbett’s, drank gallons of beer, and shared a lot of laughs.

Another time with a guide and three other skiers, we took off in a fixed wing ski plane from a slope in Verbier, landed on a glacier near the Italian border, and spent the rest of the day skiing snow-covered pastures, though tiny summer villages, and down into a valley, where we had lunch and hopped on a train to return to Verbier. Memorable!

The week many years ago with Great Northern Snowcat Skiing in Canada’s Selkirk range was another hard-to-forget skiing experience. The snow was so deep that only the tops of 20’ trees were showing. I often think of how wonderful that week was and wonder if I’m past the shelf life to try a week of hell-skiing.

In many ways, memories of skiing are like memories of raising a family. There’s the quotidian background noise of events punctuated from time to time by the more memorable skyrockets. I always told my kids stories when they were going to sleep but I don’t remember every night or every tale. I do, however, remember some of the big events. It’s how we’re wired. Common memories are like snapshots; uncommon ones are like videos; more detail, more recall.

Skiing has its similarities. With some exceptions, the daytrips and the regular ski holidays tend to blend. But the more unusual skiing experiences stand out.

Pam and I will never forget being on ski safari in the Dolomites with Inspired Italy or ski exploring the world-class resorts in the Aosta Valley with Alpskitour.

She, who delights in reminding me, after every day of skiing, that she’d be happy never to ski again, is now asking when we’ll be able to return to the Italian Alps for another great skiing experience.

1930’s Italian trade card for broth company

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Lake Tahoe: More to Go

Lake Tahoe snowpack is currently at 245% of average with more is forecast. More good skier news: temps are cold, so conditions are expected to hold.

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Brighton: Right On!

Brighton Ski Resort, at the end of Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon, is a major snow magnet. Many storms favor it over Alta, a short distance away at the end of adjacent Little Cottonwood Canyon. As I write this, Brighton is reporting yet another 24″ dump, reporting 10″ in the past 24 hours, 15″ in the past 48 hours, and 54″ in the past seven days! To date this season, Brighton has received 634″!!!! If past is prologue, Brighton will continue to be catching flakes well beyond its April 21 close.

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Snowbird Closing Date?

The resort has 650″+ and a 176″ base. It announced it will continue daily operations through May 12, then stay open Fridays through Sundays “for as long as we can.”

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Rick Kahl Receives Major Ski Journalism Award

Rick Kahl

Rick Kahl, editor of industry trade publication, Ski Area Management Magazine, was namesd recipient of The Carson White Snowsports Achievement Award. The Award, presented annually by the North American Snowsports Journalists Association, honors extraordinary achievement, influence and innovation in the advancement of North American skiing, snowboarding and all snow-related sports. Congratulations, Rick!

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NoSweat Helmet Liners

NoSweat is a brand of self-stick, disposable liners for use with hats, visors, and helmets. I intended to use NoSweat this spring on warm ski days but never got around to it. The product is well designed and relatively inexpensive. It keeps perspiration from cascading into and stinging your eyes. Google “No Sweat Helmet Liners” for many purchasing options or visit the company’s site.

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Earth Day

Monday, April 22 is Earth Day. Visit the official Earth Day site to see how you might support the organization’s many efforts to improve the environment. Then, put on your sneakers or boots and give our collective Mother a visit. She’s been taking a beating for a long time and needs to know we still love her. In other words, dear readers, time to Take a Hike!

Short Swings!

April 12, 2019/1 Comment/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Considering a ski trip to the Alps? Here are a few suggestions from our four-week journey in Italy. They may make your trip a bit easier.

Travel light: We didn’t, and we regret it. Unless you’re going for the entire season, take one parka (possibly a shell), one pair of pants, and a variety of fast-drying layers. I took two parkas, two pairs of ski pants, etc. Unnecessary, heavy, space-consuming, and, overall, a burden. On the Ski Safari the few things we carried had to fit into a small backpack. It’s surprising how little you really need.

Rent equipment: The Alps are studded with high-end ski shops renting quality equipment at reasonable rates. Rental equipment is included in the cost of the Alpskitour and Inspired Italy packages. Most terrain we skied was groomed. The shop’s ski recommendation was perfect for terrain and conditions. Ditto with boots. I was having difficulty with the boots I brought and easily could have left them at home. I’ve always advised taking boots and renting skis, but if you don’t have foot issues, it’s fine to rent when you get there.

Wash your clothes: It’s better than carrying more than you need. Underwear and layers are easily washed in your room. One of our hotels provided free laundry service, others had free washers and dryers.

Rely on local expertise: Unless you’re staying at a single resort, use the services of local guides. In the Aosta Valley we relied on Mauro Cevolo and Andrea Jory of Alpskitour. They organized all details, including daily decisions about which resorts would have the best conditions and the fewest people. It gave us the opportunity to explore a variety of great resorts without the hassle of figuring out how to get there and where to go once on the hill. In the Dolomites, Tim Hudson and his partners at Inspired Italy organized every detail.

Do not think about renting a car: For the most part, cars are unnecessary. Trains and taxis will get you where you want to go faster and more comfortably, especially if travel plans take you into cities. Trains are terrific, especially if you’re not toting too much luggage. Depending on the length of your stay and your cell phone service provider, you may want to use your mobile while traveling. It can be expensive. Our Iphones don’t use SIM cards. Next visit, I’ll take an inexpensive SIM-card compatible mobile and purchase a card when I reach my destination.

Make sure you’re covered: Medical and evacuation insurance are advised and sometimes required. Some carriers (e.g. WorldNomads) don’t write policies if you’re 75 or older. Others (e.g. Allianz) require you to sign up prior to departure. In the Aosta Valley it’s possible to pay a small surcharge for adequate coverage when purchasing lift tickets. Inspired Italy requires each participant to be covered. We purchased through Global Rescue. My 7-day policy cost $238; Pam’s was $119.

Congratulations, Lee!!!!

Lee Kneiss at Ski Santa Fe with his Panda Poles

The winner of the fantastic looking (and performing) Panda Poles picked randomly from all of you who contributed during our recent fundraiser is Lee Kneiss of Santa Fe. He’s pictured here at Ski Santa Fe with his new handcrafted bamboo poles and his SeniorsSkiing.com hat. Enjoy the Pandas, Lee, and many thanks to Tanner Rosenthal, CEO, Panda Poles, for his ongoing support of SeniorsSkiing.com.

Cranmore’s Longest Season

Cranmore Mountain (North Conway, N.H.) registered the longest season in its 81 years. The area was open 118 days, starting Nov 17 and closing April 8.

Solitude Has $55 Lift Ticket

The Utah resort scored 500” this season and is celebrating with $55 lift tickets for anyone showing a season pass from any other resort (including IKON and EPIC).

High Fives Foundation Raises $55,000 at Recent Squaw Event

The 5th Annual Mothership Classic raised $54,544 for individuals and Veterans with life-changing injuries. Participants got supporters to pledge 25¢ a lap. Using every type ski imaginable and dressed in vintage ski attire, they spent the day on Squaw Valley’s legendary KT-22. The organization’s Empowerment Fund has granted over $3.2 million to 236 individuals and Veterans since inception in 2009.

Very Good Idea

Indoor ski centers are getting a toehold in the United States, thanks to the efforts of Indoor Ski USA. The company distributes a variety of European-made, technologically advanced ski decks. They’re used to train competitive skiers and to prepare occasional skiers for their next holiday in the mountains. There are two facilities in the US: The Alpine Factory in Minnesota and Inside Ski near Washington, D.C. Both offer reasonably priced lesson packages.

Nick Howe: RIP

Nick Howe

Nick, a former contributor to SKIING Magazine and correspondent for the U.S. Women’s Ski Team passed away on April 4. He was a the consummate New Englander, an Appalachian Mountain Club hut man in the White Mountains, Middlebury student and Goddard graduate, magazine contributor including Yankee, Outside and Backpacker. His book, “Not Without Peril,” published by AMC, chronicled accidents in the Presidential Range. Nick was a longtime columnist for The Conway (NH) Sun. He also was an accomplished banjo and fiddle player. A reception in Nick’s memory will be held at the Eastern Slope Branch of the New England Ski Museum in North Conway, N.H., on April 27 at 4 p.m.He was 85.

Patagonia’s 50% Off Sale

Patagonia’s online 50% off sale ends April 16. Many superb deals. Click here.

One More Run?

Many resorts are extending their seasons this year, especially in the West. Check websites to make sure lifts are running before you go.

**March-April Skiing History Magazine Now Available**

SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers can get the digital version free. Click here.

A Video Worth Watching

Lee Cohen started skiing Alta in the early 1980’s. Nearly four decades later, he’s established himself as one of the most influential ski photographers of his generation. His son, Sam, is a professional skier and one of Lee’s favorite photographic subjects. This 4:30 video tells the story.

Short Swings!

March 8, 2019/2 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Older skiers have older eyes, and all skiers eventually experience decrease in snow contrast sensitivity. The most common culprit is cataracts, the cloudiness that forms on our lenses, causing the eyes to lose clarity and decreasing the quality of light focused on the retina. Cataracts can start forming when we’re in our 40s and 50s, though they’re more commonplace in our 60s and 70s.

Less common are processing issues related to diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. They decrease the quality of the signal transmitted to the brain.

Many of you ski with contacts. I never figured out how to get them in and out without struggling. It was especially frustrating on powder days.

Arctic region snow goggles

Early snow goggles

For years I simply wore glasses. Then I used the OTG goggles. OTG stands for Over The Glasses. There was a lot of fogging. Next step was the battery operated fan goggle. When they worked, they worked well. When they didn’t – which was frequently – AAARGH!

A-BOM makes a goggle that works like an electrified windshield. I used it for a few years. As I recall, it works.

My go-to solution is a prescription insert. It fits into goggles designed to accommodate inserts. Smith, Oakley, and Anon are among the companies that offer them.

Finding an optometrist that understands how to make a good insert may be a challenge. The last time I had an insert made was at a prominent optometric shop in Salt Lake City. I thought that being so close to the resorts, shops in SLC would have the know-how. I was wrong. The place I selected couldn’t get one of the lenses to stop falling out of the frame. It required multiple return visits.

I carry my specs in a hard shell case for use in the lodge or if conditions are such that I don’t want to wear goggles.

Another alternative is laser surgery. Some people I know swear by it. A few have developed complications.

For the time being, I’m sticking with inserts.

Alterra To Invest $181 Million in Resort Improvements

Alterra Mountain Company, which owns ski resorts and the IKON pass, announced it will invest $181 million in capital improvements across its 14 North American mountain destinations. Major 2019/2020 projects include new high-speed lifts at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Winter Park, RFID lift access at Deer Valley Resort, an expansive renovation of the Bobbie Burns lodge at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures, and an upgrade of Steamboat’s gondola.

US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Dinner Discounted for SeniorsSkiing.com Subscribers

The US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony is April 6 in Salt Lake City. The ceremony will culminate Snowsport History Celebration, a gathering in Park City of International Skiing History Association, US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, and North American Snowsports Journalists Association. The ceremony will be at Salt Lake’s Little America Hotel. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers may purchase tickets to the gala at a $100 discount ($239) through March 15 by entering SENIORS2019 when purchasing. If you live in the area or are visiting, this should be a terrific evening. This year’s inductees include racers Bode Miller, Kristin Ulmer, Hilary Engisch, and Andrew Weibrecht.

Tickets: https://skihall.com/induction/tickets/

Full event details: https://skihall.com/induction/schedule/

Lodging: https://skihall.com/induction/lodging/

George Jedenoff, 101 1/2 and Still Skiing

George Jedenoff, 101 1/2 and still skiing!

This video issued by Ski Utah is titled The Optimist. It shows George skiing with his son at Alta. George explains his philosophy of optimism and staying fit so he can continue to enjoy life on snow. An added bonus are some brief comments from Harriet Wallis, frequent SeniorsSkiing.com contributor. The video is 5 minutes long. It will bring you joy.

ORSDEN Parka and Pants SALE

Orsden makes good-looking, functional, ski parkas and pants. Because they sell directly to consumers online, the products cost about half of what they would in a shop. The company just announced a 50% off end of season sale for its products. Parkas are $165; pants, $100. When I looked there was a full selection of sizes and colors. This is one terrific bargain.

Short Swings! Hiatus

Over the next four weeks, Short Swings! may be really short or nonexistent, while I’m skiing in the Aosta Valley and the Dolomites. Will report on the adventure from time to time and when I’m back in early April.

Short Swings!

March 1, 2019/0 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Many thanks to those who responded to our February fund-raising campaign. Your decals, patches, and hats are being sent. There are delays in shipments because the patch supplier is behind schedule. Thank you for your support!!!

Once upon a time, stores, malls and restaurants didn’t look the same. Places in different parts of the country looked and felt different, even if their offerings were similar. Today, the mall in Boston might as well be in Boise or Baltimore. To this observer, they seem similar and soulless; commercial palaces selling the same commodified goods.

Is something similar happening to our ski areas?

I hope not. But, despite physical and geographic differences, areas that are part of IKON or EPIC certainly present themselves and their pass offerings with similarity. It’s efficient, and their corporate bosses (most likely) require it.

In the process, local character and culture gets tossed in the blender, and we, the people who may have enjoyed the differences, lose out.

Early last week, Arapahoe Basin announced it was parting ways with Vail Resort’s EPIC Pass. The stated reason is A-Basin’s lack of parking capacity to accommodate increased traffic from it’s EPIC participation. Parking space is a legitimate issue and one of Arapahoe’s biggest challenges.

The official statement from Alan Henceroth ,Arapahoe’s Chief Operating Officer also read, “..the ski area has developed a very special community that feels like home. This decision (to leave EPIC) will allow us to continue to build on this spirit and the experience we have created.”

I don’t think Arapahoe’s decision is the canary in the mine for the rest of the industry. But it highlights the area’s interest in preserving its character and its community. I spent a bluebird day there a few weeks back. It has every type if skiing you’d want: bowl, trees, trails, above tree line. The lodges are lovely; the food, creative, interesting and reasonably priced. The Beavers, new lift-serviced acreage with blacks and blues opened this season. In 2020 the area will be 75.

Arapahoe is not the biggest and it’s not the most glamorous. But it is a wonderful ski area taking steps to preserve its character and its soul.

BRAVO Arapahoe!!!!!

Vail To Acquire Two Aussie Resorts

Vail Resorts will be purchasing two more ski resorts, both in Victoria, Australia. They are Falls Creek Alpine Resort and Hotham Alpine Resort. The purchase price is reported to be $174 million.

New Sun Valley/Snowbasin Pass

The new Sun and Snow Pass from Sun Valley and Snowbasin. Twill offer three days at each resort for $359 for adults and $89 for children. The pass also gives 50% off the window rate for subsequent ticket purchases. The pass has other benefits, as well. The $359 price rises after May 31. Click here for details.

2019-20 IKON Pass Now Available

Both versions of the pass go on sale March 5 for lowest prices of the upcoming season. Click here.

Alf Engen Ski Museum’s Head To Receive ISHA Award

When visiting Park City, the Alf Engen Ski Museum is an important stop. With stationary and interactive exhibits, it is the most entertaining of the nation’s ski museums. Connie Nelson, the museum’s executive director since inception, will be recognized by the International Skiing History Association with its Lifetime Achievement Award when ISHA meets in Park City in early April.

Entering Easily: Getting Into Your Boots

One of the most common complaints about ski boots is the difficulty of getting them on. Over the years, myriad homemade and commercial solutions have been developed. SeniorsSkiing.com advertiser, BOOTSTER, is a ski boot shoe horn that fits in parka pocket, incorporates Teflon-coated Kevlar fabric, and is genuinely effective. It was developed by an older skier who is also a professional engineer. Visit the company website to see how it works and to read user comments. If you’re fed-up with the aggravation of putting on ski boots, this $25 investment will give you many years of productive dividends.

Colorful Spring Fling Video From Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham Mountain Resort

It’s colorful. It’s youthful. It’s fun. Click here.

1920s Winter Sports Film

This compilation from British Pathé includes early skiing, skijoring, skating, etc. One of the weirdest clips has a guy with a parachute. It’s short.

Finally………

We’re working on improving the SeniorsSkiing.com Facebook page. If you visit it — https://www.facebook.com/seniorsskiing/ — please “like” us.

Short Swings!

February 22, 2019/5 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Many thanks to each of you who has generously responded to SeniorsSkiing.com’s fund raising campaign. We soon will be sending out decals, patches and hats. The campaign will run through February.

The Things We Carry

What do we really need for a week or two on the hill? Answers will vary depending on whether we’re flying, driving, or returning to a mountain home. Other factors are weather and whether or not skiing will be just one part of the journey.

Some of you may be familiar with Marie Kondo, whose organizing principles are presented in the new Netflix reality TV series, “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo.” Her process involves piling everthing in one spot, sorting though, and keeping only those things that “spark joy.”

Let me admit something my wife has been telling me for years: Some things I find hard to toss. Recently, I cleaned out my boot bag. You may ask, why even bother with a boot bag? It’s an important way to keep boots and accessories organized. I found a lot of old, expired, unnecessary stuff in there. One balaclava is enough. I got rid of two. Disposable hand warmers are always handy, but several were years past their due dates. Then the miscellaneous lip coatings, expired sunscreens, etc. I have a separate bag for powder cords, and over the years have assembled quite the collection of those colorful ribbons, not because I needed more, but because they were at home when I needed them at the mountain. The boot bag now has a single set. It no longer has dried-up contact lenses; ancient pain killers, old area maps, expired passes, multiple goggle defogging products, etc. etc. My boot bag now sparks joy.

I also have a large, rolling duffle with many zippered compartments, including a full-length “basement.” The monster is large enough to hold multiple parkas, ski pants, more layers than a Bermuda onion, socks, shirts…wardrobes for most skiing scenarios, après ski scenarios, receptions with royals, and a quick trip to the beach. The operative word here is “rolling,” and that’s helped by both a soft handle and a hard one that extends from the frame.

As I prepare for an upcoming, extended journey in the Alps and in big and small cities, that bag, intelligently packed and organized, will be a godsend.

Another confession: Since I don’t have the mental discipline to anticipate every possible travel scenario, I limit travel and ski garb to combinations of black and gray. Truth be told, that pretty much defines my wardrobe, in general.

Everything else – laptop, chargers, spare glasses, things to read, meds, and toiletries – go into a backpack that stays with me on plane, train and automobile. Everything, except for credit cards and cash; I’ll need those to purchase the things I forgot to pack.

West Coast Snow Report: DEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!

Squaw Valley has received 492″+ so far. That’s 41′; eight of them in the last week. Other California areas getting similar amounts. Boreal 432″; Kirkwood, 425″; Sierra at Tahoe, 400″. Super snow storms are creating travel and avalanche issues.

Well Worth Reading

Jackson Hogen, publisher of Realskiers.com (SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers can subscribe to Realskiers.com for $9.99) sends out weekly short essays about different aspects of the sport. His current piece, titled, “To Ski Better in All Terrain, Tweak Your Tactics,” offers sound advice on making small adjustments that render big results. Click here to read.

The One-Off Tesla Ski

Renoun is an award-winning maker of high-end skis. Among other innovations, it uses HDT, a putty-like material that causes skis to feel stiffer as they go faster. The Burlington (VT) company says the HDT makes them ski smoothly and with greater control. Renoun recently sent Elon Musk a custom pair sporting the Tesla logo. “The guy is a badass. He deserves badass skis,” said Renoun CEO, Cyrus Schenck.

March 2 Mont Tremblant Fund Raiser

Skiers young and old are invited to join the 6^th Legends Classic, a giant slalom fundraiser where participants rub shoulders with Tremblant’s mountain legends while supporting the Canadian Hall of Fame and the Canadian Ski Museum. Racers are eligible to win prizes, and spectators and racers are welcome to compete in the Vintage Skiwear Contest held during the Awards ceremony.

Fun Vintage Cartoon

Walt Disney’s “The Art of Skiing,” features Goofy learning to ski. Produced in 1941, and seen by millions, this 90 second excerpt will bring a smile. Click here to view.

Short Swings!

February 15, 2019/2 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Before I get into this week’s topic, I’d like to thank each of you who donated to SeniorsSkiing.com. This is the second week of our second annual fund raiser. The response has been enthusiastic. Your gifts will help us get closer to covering expenses. As important, they are telling us that this effort to form a community of older snowsports enthusiasts is appreciated. If you have not already done so, please consider making a gift. If you already have, you’ll be receiving a personalized thank you. In the meanwhile, THANK YOU!

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This season, I’m visiting areas I haven’t been to before (or haven’t been to in a very long time). Last week, Pam and I completed a tour of five Colorado ski areas and resorts. The difference between a resort and an area is that resorts have onsite lodging. Ski areas don’t.

Like most road trips from my youth, this one required a lot of moving around, a lot of taking suitcases to and from rooms, a lot of unpacking and repacking…you get the picture. We’re both of an age where the schlepp began to wear us down.

Pam would have preferred staying in one place. I don’t disagee.

Even at this age, road trips can be fun. You get to see and ski more places and, if conditions aren’t good in one place, you might be able to find pow someplace else. (As it turns out, conditions were good throughout our 10 day Tour d’ Colorado).

But there’s something delicious about parking yourself at one place, exploring the area’s terrain, restaurants, etc. Before moving to the West, some of my best ski holidays were without cars at Alta and Snowbird. You landed at the airport, collected your gear, took a shuttle to the resort, and every day, got up early, clicked on your skis, and enjoyed the terrain. End of day, you hung out with others who had done the same thing. I’ve had similar experiences elsewhere. You’re there. The car, if you brought one, is in the garage (if there is a garage). You’re not dragging luggage. It’s probably what it’s like when checking into a luxe hotel at a luxe resort. It’s what Pam would prefer. And now that I think about it, me too.

What do you think is the best way to take a ski vacation? One place? Road trip? Something else? Full disclosure: We leave for another skiing road trip in a few weeks. This time by plane, train, and automobile in the Alps.

SeniorsSkiing in the Dolomites

InspiredItaly conducts Ski Safaris in Italy’s Dolomites. I’ve written about the weeklong experience in the past, and, next month, will experience the adventure for the first time. Two SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers recently completed the tour. This video tells their story.

Loveland’s Valentine’s Day Mass Wedding

Loveland Ski Area — Valentine’s Day Mountain Matrimonial.

With a name like LOVELAND, getting hitched is a natural. Yesterday, Valentine’s Day, the Colorado area celebrated its 28^thAnnual Marry Me and Ski For Free Mountaintop Matrimony event. Couples got married or renew their vows outside Ptarmigan Roost Cabin (elevation12,050’). Participants are encouraged to wear wedding clothes, and the best-dressed get rewarded for their effort. The 30-minute ceremony is followed by run down the hill and a party with wedding cake, music, and prizes.

Winter Hiking Featured in New York Times

The growing cold weather pastime is explored in this short, interesting article. Let us know where you go winter hiking and if you’d like SeniorsSkiing.com to run some articles on the subject.

Lookout Pass

Deep. Deep. Deep. Lookout Mountain, Idaho

One side of Lookout Pass is in Idaho, the other side in Montana. The area is about a 90-minute drive from Missoula, MT or Spokane, WA. It’s not big, 540 acres; 1,150’ vertical. But does it get snow! Average annual snowfall is 400”. Keep an eye on this place. It’s about to double in acreage and increase its vert. Check photo taken this week!

100″ in Utah Since Feb 1

Yes, you read that correctly.

CMH Virtual Reality Tour

Canadian Mountain Holidays is presenting a 5-minute virtual reality film at ski resorts around the country. Filmed in Canada’s Cariboo range “Lines of Sight” is said to the the first film of its kind in the tech and ski industries. In resort pop-up lounges, viewers don VR goggles to watch the action. As they turn their heads, they are able to explore the full field of vision. You can watch the same film by clicking here. As you watch, place your cursor over any of the four arrows in the upper left corner to extend your vision left, right, up, and down. CMH says it created the film to immerse viewer into the experience and to dispel the myth that Heli-Skiing has to be extreme. Remaining screenings are scheduled for Mont Tremblant, March 7-12, Mammoth Mountain, March 22-24, and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, March 29-31 and April 5-7.

BRR! Skincare Winter Balm

BRR! is an all natural face-protecting balm for skiers and boarders. Winter Balm was crafted with a unique blend of botanicals to protect skin against the effects of cold and wind. No nasty, toxic ingredients. Can be applied to the face (cheeks, nose, and lips) prior to outdoor activity to protect or after exposure to soothe. First rate. Click here.

Short Swings!

February 8, 2019/2 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Earlier this week a request to support SeniorsSkiing.com showed up in your email. We really need your donations. This is our fifth publishing year and only the second time we’ve made the request.

When we started, Mike and I decided that this labor of love should be free. What we’ve learned is that publishing weekly throughout the season requires a lot of effort and a considerable amount of money. Our editorial contributors are just that…contributors. Advertisers cover some expenses, but as our free publication grows, so do a variety of back office costs. That’s why we’re asking for your help.

To put it in context, some years ago I noticed a lot of older skiers on the hill. That was before I came to understand that one in five skiers and boarders in the U.S. are 52 and older. It was the same wherever I went, especially mid-week. Lift conversations informed me that older skiers had similar interests. As for areas, they wanted to know more than just the best places to huck cliffs. Their interests in equipment were different from those of younger skiers. Many had concerns about medical conditions and forms of recovery. They were curious about contemporaries doing interesting things.

That was the seed. Getting it planted and nourishing it into existence became a collaboration, first with my old college buddy Mike Maginn, and then with the members of our Advisory Council and with our contributors.

To our knowledge, there’s no other ongoing source of information serving the older skier/boarder/snowshoer community. SeniorsSkiing.com exists to advance your interests by publishing relevant and useful information, encouraging an engaged online community, and advocating on your behalf.

When we started our total number of subscribers could be counted on two hands. By the end of this season, SeniorsSkiing.com will have registered between 250,000 and 300,000 page views. Most of you are located in the U.S. and Canada, but there are many from the EU, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. A few of you are located in Latin America, China, and Japan.

Wherever you are, if you enjoy reading SeniorsSkiing.com and having access to our special features such as the annual listing of North American areas and resorts where seniors ski free and the annual report on the best skis for older skiers, among others, please consider making a donation. In return, we’ll send you a gift and enter your name into a drawing for a pair of retro, bamboo, Panda Poles. To donate, click here.

New York Times Skiing Op-ED

A Feb 2 Opinion piece titled “Why Can’t Rich People Save Winter?” in The New York Times is generating buzz in the ski world. Written by Porter Fox, author and former editor at Powder Magazine, the article suggests that if wealthy skiers coordinate their money and influence, it might change climate and environmental policies. To be fair, most of the article describes industry initiaitives, including those announced last week during the annual Snow Show trade meeting in Denver. The piece states that there are 50 billionaires with homes in Aspen (a link shows who they are). Reader comments range from critical to skeptical.

R.I.P. Peter Keelty

Peter Keelty, skier extrordinaire.

Peter Keelty was one of the country’s finest skiing stylists and technicians. When SeniorsSkiing.com got underway, he called and invited me to meet him at Alta. I had no idea of who he was, but I could tell he was intelligent and passionate about the sport. We skied together three or four times. I learned that he and Jackson Hogen were the founders of Realskiers.com, that he had grown up in northern Vermont, and that, as Jackson confirmed this week, he was devoted to improving technique in others. The last time we met he brought a pair of Anton skis for my use. As I recall they were relatively short and the binding system made me feel like I was skiing on a stepladder. His goal was to get me way up on my edges; a place where I didn’t feel comfortable. Last season I noticed he had made a few comments on the site. Earlier this week, Peter Keelty joined other great skiers and contributors to the sport on the Endless Slope in the Sky. He was 76.

Utah Powder

Ski Utah just announced that the Wasatch resorts received 5’ in four days. The email said the dump resulted in a shortage of snorkels.

Pico Peak Hosts Blind and Visually Impaired Skiers

More than 35 blind or visually impaired athletes will learn to ski or learn to race this weekend with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports at the 12th anniversary of the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) Winter Ski Festival at Pico Mountain.

Epic Adds Two

Sun Valley (ID) and Snowbasin (UT) will be on the 2019-20 Epic Pass. The number of days at each depends on the Epic Pass purchased. Visit https://www.epicpass.com for more.

Picture Perfect Colorado

Colorado Ski Country USA took the creative approach of announcing the best place to take a scenic photograph at each of it’s member resorts. They include Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Snowmass, Cooper, Copper Mountain, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Granby Ranch, Howelsen Hill, Kendall Mountain, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn, Purgatory, Silverton, Steamboat, Sunlight, Telluride, Winter Park, and Wolf Creek. Click here for specifics.

Join Us in the Alps

Join us the week of March 10 when we ski in the Aosta Valley with guides from Alpskitour. Each day, we’ll go to a different resort in Italy, Switzerland and France. The all-inclusive price — $4,500 to $5,500 per person– depends on where you fly to and whether you stay in a 3 or 5 star hotel. Orsden is a sponsor and giving a parka to each participant. If interested, email me: jon@seniorsskiing.com.

Short Swings!

February 1, 2019/10 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Why aren’t skis designed for and marketed to the 20% of the U.S. skiing population over the age of 52? In other words, is the industry ready for a senior’s ski?

I’m asking now, because this is the week ski manufacturers write orders for next year’s crop. They’ve gathered at the Denver Convention Center for the Snow Show, the industry’s annual trade exposition.

There will unisex skis, women’s skis, and kids skis. But nothing specifically for the older skiing population.

One question is why should there be? We know that numerous models in the unisex category are suitable for older skiers. In his annual ski review process, Jackson Hogen of Realskiers.com identifies the characteristics that define skis for the older set. They generally have softer flex, which helps them engage with snow with minimal exertion. This allows skiers to turn more easily and to ski longer without tiring. (Readers can locate the list of Best Skis for Senior Skiers by clicking “Community,” then “Subscriber Only Content.”)

Shouldn’t older skiers simply shop for those characteristics when they shop for skis?

Alberto Varagas illustration from WWII honoring ski troops.

A similar argument could be made for women’s skis. When they were introduced, with few exceptions, manufacturers simply changed the cosmetics of existing models and targeted them at women. There were some companies that designed skis specifically for female size and physique, assembling panels of racers and others to help define what should go into the female model.

The manufacturers recognized the potential for women’s skis. It seems they made a good bet.

Why aren’t they placing a similar bet on a ski for seniors? Older skiers ski more frequently than the national average. Our reader surveys show that 25% intend to purchase new skis in the coming season. The surveys also show that 68% are financially independent (i.e. they have money to spend).

I’ve heard the argument that older skiers might be reluctant to admit or to accept their age status. That may or may not be a real obstacle.

I’ve also heard that the state of the ski industry is such that manufacturers are shifting money from marketing to providing retailers with bigger discounts. That way, some brands are able to dominate display space and account for a larger share of the retailer’s sales.

If a ski manufacturer simply wanted to explore the possibilities, it could apply different graphics to suitable existing models and test them in a handful of outlets. Alternatively, it could select existing models best suited to the older skier and identify them with a sticker or a hangtag, or give sales staff the information that would help present the skis to older customers.

Those are possibilities. But visit the ski section of the Snowshow, and virtually everyone representing the ski companies – the marketers, the salespeople, etc – are young. Can we really expect them to understand the value of making or marketing a ski that may appeal to the one-in-five U.S. skiers who ski more, spend more, and try new products in order to stay in the game?

Industry To Try Luring Drop-Outs

National Ski Areas Association is looking at new goals for increasing the number of skier/boarder days. They include getting people who left to return to the sport. One estimate indicates that in the past decade, up to 8.5 million skiers/boarders dropped out for more than a year. Other figures suggest that up to 15 million skiers/boarders left for a year then returned. Given rising costs of getting on a hill, competition from Disney, Princess Lines, etc., student loan and mortgage payments, and stagnant wages, it’s not hard to see why the number of skiers/boarders in the U.S. hasn’t grown in 35 years.

Climate Change Initiative Heats Up

This week, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), SnowSports Industries America (SIA) and National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) formed the Outdoor Business Climate Partnership to provide leadership on climate change. Several state ski area trade associations immediately followed suit. They are Colorado Ski Country USA, Ski Utah, Ski California, Ski Vermont, Ski Areas of New York, Ski New Mexico and the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association. The announcement from the state groups included the following statement:

“Pursuit of climate change solutions is a defining issue for ski areas across the United States…As economic drivers in our respective states we urge policy makers to understand that we can’t wait for lasting, bipartisan action to reduce carbon emissions, promote energy innovation and support a rapid, responsible transition to a clean energy economy. We applaud and join with the broader outdoor recreation community and the National Ski Areas Association as they pledge leadership and advocacy for climate solutions across the country. We pledge to do the same with our respective state advocacy efforts.”

Join Us in the Alps

Coming Soon: SeniorsSkiing.com Annual Fundraising Campaign

In a few weeks, we’ll start our second annual fundraising campaign. Please support our efforts to bring you weekly information and to advocate on behalf of older snow sports enthusiasts. Thank you!

Short Swings!

January 25, 2019/7 Comments/in Accessories, MedTech, Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Have you ever been in or near an avalanche? Big Mountain skiers everywhere are accustomed to hearing and feeling the reverberations of bombs and other technologies used to dislodge slides, making the areas safer.

A few years ago, Taos added a chair to improve accessibility to Kachina Peak. Last week, following inspection by patrol, a slide there killed two.

At the top of NinetyNineNinety at Park City Mountain Resort (the part of the area formerly known as The Canyons), there’s a gate and signs clearly spelling out avvy risks of going into that part of unpatrolled backcountry. Similar warnings probably exist on Kachina Peak.

Warnings at the top of NinetyNineNinty

Several years ago a friend instructing at The Canyons joined a search party looking for a couple whose car was in the otherwise empty parking lot and who hadn’t picked up their child from daycare. My friend explained the methodical nature of combing the post-avalanche slope where the couple was thought to be buried. It was late in the day, but there was ample light. My friend, a geologist, had been trained to seek anomalies…things that were different from the surroundings. Looking up the slope, he detected something angular, possibly the back corner of a ski. He told the search leader, who advised him and the rest of the party to continue probing the cement-like snow to detect what might be buried below. They found nothing until they reached the angular ski tail jutting from the snow. It led them to the two buried bodies. A tragedy.

Last year, I became friends with a man in his 40s who was rescued from a backcountry avalanche. I don’t remember his full description other than how horrific an experience it was and how, after months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, it altered his life.

The website of the National Avalanche Center, a unit of the National Forest Service, shows 551 US avalanche fatalities since 1998. All but five (on Mt Washington in NH and on Mt Mansfield in Stowe) occurred in the West. Most were in back and side country. 177 skiers died. 68 boarders died. 2 were snow shoers. 196 were snowmobilers. 48 were climbers. Five were ski patrol.

This year, alone, there have been 26 snow-related deaths at European resorts.

Once, skiing a remote in-bounds section of The Canyons, I set off a minor slide. It only made it to the tops of my boots, but it was dense and difficult to get free.

There are older skiers who seek out the adventure and solace of side and back country. I no longer have the lungs to climb, but if conditions are right, I rarely hesitate to take a gate or duck a rope for a promising patch of powder on the other side. But with every year I think a bit longer before I do.

Free Lift Tickets for Furloughed Government Employees

Mad River Glen (VT), Sugarbush (VT) and Snow King (WY) announced free skiing benefits to furloughed government employees. Sugarbush upped the ante by extending the freebie to immediate family members. The deals will end when the shut-down ends.

Knee Issues?

Ski-Mojo and Elevate are products for those experiencing knee problems. Both are advertisers. Ski-Mojo is a set of light-weight shock absorber springs that reduce pressure on the knees by 33%. Worn under ski pants, the device reduces pain and fatigue. The people I’ve talked with who use Ski-Mojo, swear by it. Elevate is a soft, robotic ski exoskeleton that boosts quad strength and reduces muscle fatigue and joint pressure. The product causes loads to pass the knee entirely; improving knee stability and preventing normal wear and tear. Elevate is available to demo at locations in Lake Tahoe and Park City.

Saturday is Ski California Safety Day

Resorts throughout California and Nevada will participate in Ski California Safety Day this Saturday, Jan. 26. Each of the 15 participating resorts will host activities designed to inform guests about skiing and riding safely. Topics range from avalanche and deep snow safety to proper chairlift loading and riding. More at skicalifornia.org.

Will Renovated Snowpine Bring New Vibe to Alta?

That’s the question explored in an article this week in The New York Times Travel Section. The Snowpine Lodge was the funkiest of Alta’s five lodges. I know this from multiple stays at each of them over my 45+ years skiing Alta. Accommodations were less than luxe. Food was okay. Guests – maybe because we were all subjected to the same musty smells and low, head-bumping passageways – always seemed to bond. That was back then. The new Snowpine is said to be super-luxe, Aspen or Vail style…with prices to match. It may raise eyebrows among readers who know and love Alta, or simply raise the bar for the other lodges.

Solitude to Host FIS World Snowboardcross and Skicross Championships

The world’s best snowboardcross and ski cross athletes will compete at Solitude, Feb 1-3 in the 2019 FIS World Championships. It will be the biggest winter event in Utah since the 2002 Olympics.

Mont-Tremblant International Airport

The single strip airport is about 20 miles north of the resort. Porter Airlines and Air Canada flights connect through Toronto. A quick check shows that New Yorkers and Bostonians can get round trip fares are as low as $275. Both airlines include free flights for kids and free lift tickets. Click here for details.

Breckenridge to Ski to Memorial Day

That’s the plan for this and future seasons, conditions and US Forest Service permitting.

Videos Worth Watching

Teton Gravity Research generally produces interesting ski videos, and this one (4+minutes) is no exception. It focuses on the challenges a young skier faces at the top of a cornice before skiing a beautiful, steep line.

Kings and Queens – The Evolution of Corbet’s Couloir is fun. The 7+ minute video shows a competition of men and women skiing and boarding Jackson Hole’s famed chute. Please comment if you’ve had the Corbet’s Experience, and we’ll compare notes.

Experience Something New at Whiteface

Mirror Lake Inn ,in Lake Placid, is a lovely place to stay when visiting Whiteface Mountain and other North Country attractions. Starting this season, Andrew Weibrecht, son of the Inn’s owners and an Olympic medalist, is available to ski with Mirror Inn guests at Whiteface. For details, click on the adjacent ad.

Cell Phone Dying on the Mountain?

Try the GearBeast phone holder. The $9.99 – $12.99 device (SeniorsSkiing.com readers receive a 20% discount; enter SENIORS-SKIING at checkout) fits over the neck and under the parka where your body warmth keeps the phone battery from draining. Other benefits? You won’t drop the phone when using it on the lift. And the mini pocket for credit card, ID and a few bills lets you leave bulky wallets in the car or lodge. Click on the company’s ad.

Short Swings!

January 18, 2019/0 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

There’s a pattern to most chairlift conversations. I usually start mine by asking: “Are you local?” My other go-to intros are a comment if it’s cold as hell or if it’s a bluebird day. Use any of these ice-breakers, and most people drop into the groove as easily as a needle on an old 78 (remember them?).

A double or triple provides the ideal number of conversationalists. Quads and six-packs can be a challenge. I’m sure you’ve experienced those multiple conversations.

Topics generally are benign, although I’ve been exposed to strong political points of view and strong racial epithets. Since the chair is both public and private space, when that kind of ugliness occurs, I have no compunction making my point of view known.

One time, on a triple, I listened to someone describe an active money-laundering scheme. I bit my tongue, anxiously waiting to get away.

I enjoy riding with youngsters and learning what’s on their minds. What they like in school. What they like to read, movies they’ve seen, etc. Those can be some of the best lift conversations.

Many chairlift chats become boasting platforms. Cliff-hucking. Days skied. Resorts visited. The fancy lodge where others on the chair aren’t staying. Etc.

Generally, there’s a brief lull before it’s time to raise tips, check for loose clothing, and tell the others to “Have a good run.” Every now and then when skiing alone, I’ll ask a fellow chair mate if he or she wants to take a run. Some of those have resulted in a pleasant few hours.

Increasingly, people riding the chair are plugged into some electronic device and remain incommunicado. It bothered me for a while, but I got used to it. What I’ve never gotten used to are the people, generally on the younger side, who get on the lift and choose not to say a word. It’s probably more my problem than theirs, but sitting next to a totally silent bump on a log suspended 40’ or 50’ off the ground is weird and seems to be a violation of conventional chairlift etiquette.

And there’s the occasional pleasant experience of riding solo. A time to enjoy the scenery and to feel the sun or the wind or the cold. Sometimes it’s just nice to be on the chair alone.

Innovative Robotic Ski Device Reduces Muscle Fatigue and Joint Pressure

Elevate is the new robotic ski exoskeleton that boosts quad strength and gives greater control, stronger turns, and longer runs, while reducing muscle fatigue and joint pressure.

Sensors and smart software on the exoskeleton anticipate the skier’s intent and uses air actuators to automatically adjust torque at the knees. The device is fully adjustable and follows the body’s lead, helping the skier feel lighter and more energized. As you’ll see in this video, the skier is always in control.

https://youtu.be/VPnh0j7lPj0

I haven’t experienced the device yet, but from my perspective, it has the potential to be an important addition to the older skier’s toolkit.

Elevate is advertising with SeniorsSkiing.com and offering readers a 10% discount on rentals at its Lake Tahoe and Park City locations. At this time it is only available as a rental. Click on the ad to learn more.

Discounted Backcountry Guides at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Alpenglow Expeditions, located at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, conducts lift-accessed backcountry tours of the National Geographic Bowl and Tram Ridge zones at Squaw Valley and the Munchkins zone at Alpine Meadows. Tours are guided by American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) trained ski guides. Go with them midweek and get a 20% discount. More info at alpenglowexpeditions.com. If booking online, use promocode SquawAlpine20 at checkout.

Monday is Pizza and Powder Night at Brighton

Brighton Resort at the top of Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon is often overlooked by those visiting Utah to ski. That’s a mistake. The area has great terrain and is a magnet for snow, often getting more accumulation than areas around it. Unlike most other Wasatch areas it has an old-fashioned, homey vibe. It’s a wonderful place to ski. If you’re in the area on a Monday night, Brighton is offering four passes and a large pizza for $125. Click here for more.

Monday is Value Night at Jiminy Peak

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in western Massachusetts has a seven-hour night skiing lift ticket for $19 on three Monday nights in January: Jan. 14, 21, and 28.

Safe Descents Ski and Snowboard Insurance

You’re older. You’re going skiing. You want protection. Safe Descents is ski and snowboard evacuation insurance costing $56.99 for the season or $4.75 for a day. The policycovers ambulance or air evacuation services from any ski resort in the United States. It also covers sending a loved one to the hospital and/or getting the insured back home following a hospital stay. Policy holders are covered for a maximum of $25,000. Safe Descents policies are underwritten by the global Starr Indemnity and Liability Company. For more information, click on the Safe Descents ad.

Join Us in the Alps

Coming Soon: SeniorsSkiing.com Annual Fundraising Campaign

In a few weeks, we’ll start our second annual fundraising campaign. Please support our efforts to bring you weekly information and to advocate on behalf of older snow sports enthusiasts. Thank you!

Jeeves, Please Hand Me My Skis

There are many skiers of every age who take to the hills once or twice a year, often schlepping skis that aren’t suited for their destinations or gear that is simply out-of-date. Ski Butlers is a white glove rental/delivery service that solves those problems. Give them your info ahead of time, and they deliver gear and accessories to where you’re staying. Their technicians help you get the right fit. If you don’t like what they delivered, they’ll meet you and provide alternatives. Ski Butlers services most big name resorts throughout the West (Whistler Blackcomb, included) and France. Click here for more info.

Short Swings!

January 11, 2019/4 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

I write this column every week to share information and ideas about being in and on the snow. I haven’t yet had the pleasure of being there this season. It’s still a week or so off.

Sometimes it’s clear what I’ll write about: there’s a new survey; we’ve published one of our annual lists; Big Skiing, Inc. is systematically removing senior benefits. Those and other topics get a fair number of responses. Other times, the subject d’jour doesn’t present itself so easily and the dearth of reader comments reflects it. But, I always enjoy assembling the words.

More than one reader has accused me of naiveté because of comments about the amounts seniors spend when they go skiing. We explored that area in a reader survey at the end of last season and found that 56% of respondents reported they spent between $1000 and $5000 per person last season on skiing, boarding, and related activities. More than 10% spent $5000 or more, per person.

Those figures are “grossly in error,” wrote one reader who claimed the figure should be closer to $5 per day. Our data comes from survey questions that had almost 2000 responses. The resulting information reflects input that shows higher levels of spending. I can’t argue with what the reader observed in the lodge at her area of choice – those elderly $5-a-day brown baggers are found at many areas – but our surveys collect data from a large group. Unless readers have conspired in a massive fib fest, I’ll accept the survey results as closer to what actually happens when seniors go skiing.

Another recent survey result is that grandparents play a major role introducing grandchildren to the sport. This may be obvious, but I don’t think it is fully appreciated – especially by Big Ski, Inc., which relies on newbies to fuel its future. In the past 35 years, the number of skiers and boarders hasn’t grown. I have two young grandkids just starting out. We encourage them with related gifts. The survey that validated this concept. It showed that once introduced, almost 95% of the grandkids stay with it.

Like all surveys, ours are not perfect. But the questions are carefully written and the number of responses large enough to be accurate.

If you have topics you’d like explored in Short Swings!, please let me know. Alternatively, if you’d like to express your own interests on these paperless pages, we’re always open to article ideas and article submissions. They could be about your personal experience, your ski club activities, interesting skiers you know, etc. Click here for submission guidelines.

Vermont Adaptive Snow Ball Fundraiser, Feb. 2 at Sugarbush

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports will host its fourth annual Snow Ball fundraiser, Thursday, February 7, at Sugarbush. Tickets are $40 for individuals and $70 for couples. For more info, click here.

January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month

January is the 11^thannual Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Resorts across the country have great deals on beginner learning programs. Since its inception in January 2009, resort partners have provided 957,250 beginner lessons during the month of January. For more info, click here.

Liftopia Launches Hosted Ski Bus Trips

Liftopia, the largest online and mobile marketplace for ski lift tickets and mountain activities recently launched “Liftopia Experiences,” hosted ski bus trips. Liftopia Experiences are available in major metro markets in the U.S. and Canada including Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Minneapolis and Toronto. The trips include round-trip transportation to ski area along with lift tickets, rentals, lessons, and accommodations. For more information, click here.

Join Us in the Alps

Coming Soon: SeniorsSkiing.com Annual Fundraising Campaign

In a few weeks, we’ll start our second annual fundraising campaign. Please support our efforts to bring you weekly information and to advocate on behalf of older snow sports enthusiasts. Thank you!

Short Swings!

January 4, 2019/3 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

John Fry

John Fry is an important thinker in the world of skiing. For many years he was editor-in-chief of SKI Magazine, and he was founding editor of Snow Country Magazine. He created Nastar and invented the Nations Cup of alpine ski racing by which the relative strengths of the world’s national ski teams are ranked annually. He was inducted into the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame in 1995. More recently, he authored the award-winning Story of Modern Skiing. John is the current Chairman of the International Skiing History Association, which publishes Skiing History Magazine.

The current issue of Skiing History features his article, The Impact of Soaring Season Pass Sales on Ski and Snowboard Participation Rates. If you are interested in the quickly evolving economics of skiing in the US, this article is not to be missed.

Among his many observations:

Last season, ski area visits were down to the same level of 1987.
Twenty-eight percent of all skiers/boarders account for 70 percent of all visits.
Last season, the average U.S. window lift ticket price was $122.30, thirty times the average price of a weekend ticket ($4.18) in 1965. Before you say “Of course!,” consider that over the same 53 years, window lift ticket prices grew ten times faster than disposable income, which multiplied only 2.75 times.
He talks about the decline of recent college grads entering the sport. Historically, they were a significant factor. Today, they’re struggling to pay student loans.
He cites NSAA (National Ski Areas Association) research showing that 4 out of 5 newcomers exposed to skiing/boarding decide not to continue.
And he discusses the bundled pass offerings from IKON, Epic, and others and asks if, despite their sales success, they serve the best interests of the sport.

Fry concludes, “The ski industry is not synonymous with the sport… The cross-country ski and freestyle crazes of the 1970s, and later snowboarding, which attracted hundreds of thousands of new participants, were not ski industry marketing programs designed to increase participation. They arose out of the sport’s heart, and in some cases the “industry” didn’t initially respond well to them.

“In the long run, the ski industry exists because of the sport, and not the other way around.”

Join Us in the Alps

Join us the week of March 10 when we ski in the Aosta Valley with guides from Alpskitour. Each day, we’ll go to a different resort in Italy, Switzerland and France. The all-inclusive price — $4500 to $5500 per person– depends on where you fly to and whether you stay in a 3 or 5 star hotel. Orsden is a sponsor and giving a parka to each participant. If interested, email me: jon@seniorsskiing.com.

Another Terrific Ski Cake

Iris and Victor with their 45th wedding anniversay cake

Iris and Victor Yipp of Oak Park, Illinois, sent in this photo of their 45^thwedding anniversary cake from October 2016. Their note says “We wish we could ski as well as the skiers on the cake!” It is a beauty!!! Belated congrats. If you have a photo of a cake depicting skiers, boarders, snowshoers, or other snowsport fun, please send it along.

Free X-C at Cross Country Ski HQ in Roscommon, MI

Next week (Monday, 1/7 – Friday, 1/11) is Silver Streak Week at Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, Michigan. If you are 60+, you’ll ski free and have the opportunity to demo new boots and skis at the demo center. Trails there are meticulously groomed, and few things are as pleasant as enjoying something yummy in front of the huge fieldstone fireplace.

Short Ski Videos Worth Watching

Most things Salomon makes are first-rate. Clothing looks good and wears well. Skis are exceptional. Even their videos. This one, titled “Higher Truths,” follows a few skiers on an unclimbed Tibetan peak. It’s the intermingling of the journey with Buddhist thinking that I find appealing. The video is a little over 11 minutes.

Many of you have had the pleasure of skiing Alta. I’ve been a regular there since 1973. This 2 ½ minute video showing a cat grooming at night is consistent with Alta’s lovely, low-key vibe.

Your Suggestions, Please

SeniorsSkiing.com Fundraiser

In a few weeks, we’ll start our second annual fundraising campaign. The newly minted SeniorsSkiing cotton twill baseball cap is yours for a donation. It’s the best fitting cap I’ve worn…even makes me look good!

Short Swings!

December 21, 2018/7 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Some interesting comments on last week’s Short Swings! asking if older skiers and boarders are invisible to the people making business decisions about skiing.

Reader Rich Spritz, a Breckenridge instructor, wrote that seniors don’t spend money and it makes sense that, resorts, being businesses, don’t give seniors their attention.

There’s no question that the group he describes exists. I see them sitting around lodges, nursing a cup of coffee; shooting the breeze. But they don’t represent all older skiers. Our reader surveys indicate that on day trips, seniors spend about $100 per person per day and, on vacation, $250 per person per day. Last year we asked how much they spent per person on skiing and skiing-related activities for the season. 56% reported they spent between $1000 and $5000 per person for the season. More than 10% spent $5000 or more. Note that their ages averaged around 67. It may be that older people like to sit around and socialize. But even the most hard-hearted corporations should keep a soft spot for loyal customers who for decades have supported their (or their prior owners’) operations. Considering that most older skiers are at the mountain mid-week, when operations are at full capacity and usage is not, letting older, dedicated skiers hang out over a cup should not a hardship for anyone.

Catherine Meyer wrote that PSIA now offers Senior Specialist credentials to instructors interested in working with older skiers. Many of these instructors are organizing special programs at their home resorts to cater to older skiers and riders.

SeniorsSkiing.com would like to publish a list of areas offering special programs for older skiers and boarders. We’d appreciate information about those programs from readers.

Bob Ohrt wrote that skiing has always been young adult oriented. The pics you see in ads are almost always the young and the beautiful. That is fitting…When skiing we don’t think of ourselves as Seniors.

Bob is correct. One of our reader surveys asked for actual age and how respondents felt after a good day on the hill. The average actual age was 67; the perceived age was 47. That’s consistent with age perception surveys in non-skiing sectors. For most people, behavior (e.g. spending and lifestyle decisions) is influenced by perception, and when we perceive ourselves as younger, we behave that way. I’m in favor of keeping that 20-year subtraction in our age arithmetic.

And Ellen wrote, Senior skiers are the healthiest seniors I know, it would be awesome to see us depicted in some ski ad!! I…bet lots of the youth and families out there are being bankrolled for these pricey endeavors by grandma and grandpa.

Ellen, you are spot on!

Summit County (CO) 50+ Winter Games to be Held Feb 10-12

The 39th Annual 50+ Winter Games in Summit County, Colorado will be held February 10 – 12. Seniors compete in Alpine and Nordic events, figure and speed skating, and “hockey shoot skills.” The event also features a series of social events. It’s a fund-raiser for the Summit County Senior Nutrition Programs. Inexpensive to participate and sounds like a lot of fun. Click here to register or for more information.

Tribute to Stein and Best Pow Vids of the Year

Stein Eriksen was born in and died in the month of December. His grace on skis transformed the sport. I had the good fortune of riding the lift and skiing with him a few hours one morning at Deer Valley. It was in the late-80s or early-90s. This 41/2 minute tribute to his skiing accomplishments is wonderful.

Powder Magazine,which always publishes mind-boggling ski pix, issued this 3 minute video compilation of the best powder videos of the year. My guess is that the skiers pictured are between 16 and 24.

Ski Cakes!!!!!

Last week I showed a picture of my ski-oriented brithday cake and asked to see some of yours. Please keep them coming…

Marilyn Edman sent in this beauty made by her friend Sue McEvoy on the occassion of Marilyn’s 70th.

And Kelli Majiros sent in this from her Tuesday morning Ski Divas group at Jack Frost in the Poconos. Group leader, Bernie Oldroyd, leads an annual Susan B. Komen Ski for the Cure fundraiser.

Skiers’ Travel Trailer?

Reader Scott Colesworthy asks if anyone can recommend a travel trailer made for winter conditions: insulated, cold-resistant plumbing, etc. Please register suggestions in Comments following this article.

Happy Holidays!

Mike and I are taking a break for the holidays. SeniorsSkiing.com will be back January 4.

Piece of Cake

December 13, 2018/2 Comments/in Home Top Box 1/by Jon Weisberg

Here’s a picture of the birthday cake that, along with a lot of other things, surprised me last weekend. The side you don’t see had pine trees around the bottom. Looked good and tasted delicious.

Jon’s surprise birthday cake.

If you have a ski-related cake or other confection you’d like to share with the SeniorsSkiing.com community, send a picture to jon@seniorsskiing.com or mike@seniorsskiing.com.

Short Swings!

December 11, 2018/21 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Are older skiers and boarders invisible to the people making business decisions about skiing?

Unless, you’re a marketer selling reverse mortgages, extended care facilities, pharmaceuticals, or walk-in bathtubs, most companies ignore our market segment.

In the world of skiing corporate ski area consolidators are eliminating senior discounts, and ski makers haven’t bothered to present a product designed and presented for our unique needs. There are exceptions, but the norm is to focus on youth.

When’s the last time you opened one of the dwindling number of ski magazines and saw an ad showing anyone from our set?

This isn’t a complaint. It’s an observation. We represent 20% of all skiers/boarders. We ski more frequently, spend more money, and have more influence on introducing people to the sport.

Maybe if we simply started to speak about the issue with each other, we’ll start a process that will help older skiers gain greater visibility. With visibility comes recognition. With recognition comes value. And with value, comes respect.

If you have a point of view on this matter, please share it with other readers in Comments.

Weight Training Reduces Strokes, Heart Attacks

A study published in October in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise provides evidence for the first time that even a little weight training might reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. It is based on healthcare data of thousands of men and women getting annual checkups at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas. Risk of experiencing heart attack, stroke or death was about 50% lower among those who lifted weights occasionally compared to those who never did.

Seeking Financial Support for Military With Disabilities

Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES), the non-profit adaptive sports program based in Mammoth Lakes, CA, is seeking contributions for its 13th annual week-long sports camp for active duty and veterans with disabilities. More at www.WoundedWarriorsMammoth.org/Donate .

Skiing Through a Straw

This 90 second video is amazing. It shows Cody Townsend skiing what appears to be an almost vertical narrow slot canyon somewhere at the top of the world. AMAZING!

Short Swings!

December 7, 2018/2 Comments/in Accessories, Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Twenty-seven thousand, three hundred and ninety-four days. Exactly, nine hundred months. On Wednesday I turned 75. For all but the first nine years, skiing has been my passion.

Two things about me contribute to this craziness: I love being outside in the cold, and what I lack in athleticism, I’ve made up for with persistence.

In Okemo’s early days, when I was 11 or 12, I spent the better part of a season determined to ride the Poma without falling. Eventually, I conquered that demon.

For several years, it seemed I was condemned to the stem, functional but awkward. I remember the moment at Mount Snow when a mogul inadvertently caused me to parallel turn. Before long, I had to think twice before stemming.

There were times when I was bedridden. Regardless of time of year, crumpled sheets became mountain ranges, and my mind took me places where I would ski.

In my teens and twenties, friends and I would jump-turn down Eastern trails, stopping with the occasional tip roll. We wore double leather boots wrapped with long thongs. More than once, I’d get to the bottom and realize my skis were splintered.

There were long weekend rides from Manhattan to Killington and Stowe. On the Stowe Road, the LaMarr’s provided a bunk bed and a hearty breakfast for $5.00. On one of those trips another car spun out of control and wrecked my new MG Midget. Hitchhiking that weekend put me on the road to getting hitched. One of the girls who picked me up became my bride.

Soon, skiing shifted to the West, starting in Alta in 1972. It’s been a rare season since when I haven’t
skied that magic mountain. At one point I fell in love with powder. Those of you who have been up to your knees or thighs or waist will understand. When it’s that deep, steep is your friend. It’s a joyful experience, and, like the word, “joy,” it’s ephemeral.

Over the years, I’ve learned to follow the snow. It’s great to spend the day seeking out the best conditions. It might take you to blacks, blues, or greens. If you know how to use your equipment with the least amount of effort, and if you enjoy making graceful turns, you’ll understand this preoccupation with the physics of poetry.

These days, I’m deliberately slow. Wherever I go – and if I feel up to it – I like to play with the fall line, skiing slowly, making well-formed turns. Some kid me about getting more turns per vertical foot. Others get tired of waiting.

I view skiing as a metaphor for life. We develop and use a range of skills. Some days are bluebird; some are dark. There are times of confusion when we feel our way into clarity. Other times it can be cold, miserable, and ugly. But most of the time, skiing is an expression of love.

Legally Younger?

A 69 year old in the Netherlands tried to legally change his age to 49, which, he says, is how old he feels. The Dutch government rejected the request. He plans to appeal, based on the idea that other forms of personal transformation, such as name and gender, are gaining traction in the Netherlands. In one of the SeniorsSkiing.com reader surveys we asked about your actual age and how old you felt after a good day on the slopes. Your ages averaged about 67. How old did you feel? Twenty years younger!

Rare 20% Discount from Apex Ski Boot System

If you’ve been thinking about slipping your feet into a pair of Apex boots — they provide comfort and performance and, like the ad states, let you Ski Hard and Walk Easy — now is a good time to do it. The company is offering a 20% discount to the first 50 SeniorsSkiing.com readers who respond (shipping to the lower 48, included). Offer ends Christmas day. Go to the Apex website, make your selection, and enter SENIOR3000 on checkout.

Ski Whiteface with an Olympian

Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, is a lovely place to stay when visiting Whiteface Mountain and other North Country attractions. Starting this season, Andrew Weibrecht, son of the Inn’s owners and an Olympic medalist, is available to ski with Mirror Inn guests at Whiteface. It’s on the pricey side ($450 for 8:00AM to noon, lift ticket included), but for the deep-pocket set, it sounds like a fun experience.

Vermont Adaptive Honors Volunteers

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, the nationally-recognized group empowering people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming, announced its Volunteers of the Year. They are Phil Crowell, of Plainfield, N.H., and Jackie Levine, Barry Whitworth, and Ryan Kennedy, all of Burlington, VT. Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports provides services regardless of ability to pay.

Stoking Your Inner-Pow

I don’t know where this video was shot, but it’s titled “First lines of 2018 – skiing some powder.” Enjoy.

More Great Holiday Gifts for Older Skiers

I just purchased a dozen GearBeasts– all different colors – as holiday gifts for my skiing friends. They’ll use and love this neat, little smartphone carrier. It fits over the neck and under the parka, keeping the phone warm, accessible, and safe. Warm, because it’s close to the body and helps keep the charge. Accessible, because it’s always there and no need to search pockets. Safe, because the phone can be used on the lift without concern for accidental drops. GearBeast has a little built-in pocket to carry credit card, driver’s license and a few bills. When I use it – and I use it often — I leave my wallet in the car. As a holiday gift to SeniorsSkiing.com readers, the company – an advertiser – is giving 20% off its regular prices that range from $9.99 to $12.99 (I bought the $9.99 version.) Go to gearbeast.com (or click on the adjacent ad) and enter SENIORS-SKIING when checking out.

A thoughtful gift for any older skier visiting Aspen/Snowmass is a one-day Ski Younger Now session with Seth Masia: $820 with 7 day advance booking.

Other Recent Gift Giving Suggestions:

Wild West Jerky makes great-tasting, all-natural, jerky products. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers receive a 20% discount off full retail. Enter seniorsskiing in the promo code window at checkout

The Buffalo Wool Company makes socks, gloves, hats from bison down mixed with silk, yak, wool, and cashmere. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 10% discount. Enter SeniorsSkiing in the discount code window at checkout.

Panda Poles have bamboo shafts and are beautifully hand-crafted in Idaho. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 30% discount off the regular price of $95. Enter SENIORS30 at checkout.

Orsden makes wonderful parkas and pants in great colors. They’re sold only online. Comparable products in stores sell for twice as much. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 30% discount through December 31. Enter WINTER30 at checkout.

DeBooter is a skiboot jack, that makes boot removal a breeze. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 20% discount. Enter SENIORSSKIING at checkout.

The Bootster is a compact skboot horn. It’s small enough to be carried in a pocket. $25.00

Safe Descents is emergency ski and snowboard evacuation insurance. Among other benefits, it covers ambulance or air evacuation services if injured in-bounds at any ski resort in the United States. The policy is available to residents of all but five of the lower 48. $56.99 for the season.

Join Us in the Alps

Join us the week of March 10 when we ski in the Aosta Valley with guides from Alpskitour. Each day, we’ll go to a different resort in Italy, Switzerland and France. The all-inclusive price — $4500 to $5500 per person– depends on where you fly to and whether you stay in a 3 or 5 star hotel. Orsden is a sponsor and giving a parka to each participant. If interested, email me: jon@seniorsskiing.com.

Short Swings!

November 30, 2018/2 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

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 60^th

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

Short Swings!

November 23, 2018/6 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Here’s an idea that may be of interest to a handful of readers. As part of our month-long ski trip to the Alps, I will spend the week of March 10 with Alpskitour, skiing with a guide in Italy’s Aosta Valley. I’m inviting a handful of SeniorsSkiing.com readers to share the experience.

Alpskitour is based in the small city of Saint Vincent, and every day, based on conditions, we’ll ski different areas accessible from the valley. Some, like Zermatt, Monte Rosa, Mont Blanc, and Courmayer, are famous; others, like Champoluc, Gressoney, and Pila, less so. But they have wonderful skiing and outstanding scenery. There’s a choice of a 3 or 5 star hotel in Saint Vincent, and a guide will take us to a different place each of the five days.

This is different from skiing in the States or Canada. Mountains are massive and there’s rich history everywhere. Many areas are contiguous and skiable with a single pass. On-mountain restaurants are individually owned, serving wonderful local cuisine. I chose March because of the reliable snow and likely clear skies. Each group is limited to 6 people. If more want to join, Alpskitour will arrange an additional group. Skiers should be strong intermediate or higher.

Saint Vincent is a scenic, old city with history and beautiful architecture. It has a well-known natural mineral spa and casino. Cost depends on where you fly in to and your choice of hotel. It ranges from $4,400 to $5,250 (using the current €/$ coversion rate)and includes airport transfers, hotel (6 nights), all meals, local shuttles, ski rental, lift tickets, guide/instructor services, and a variety of amenities. Orsden, the online ski clothing company that makes one of the best parkas I’ve ever owned (great looking; virtually every ski-related feature) is including a free parka for each participant — a $330 value (comparable to a $600 in-store parka). I’ve used mine three seasons, and it still looks new. I’ll be rounding up some other free merch for those who join in.

If interested in learning more, visit the Alpskitour site or drop me a line: jon@seniorsskiing.com.

APEX Boot System Black Friday Special

APEX is advertising a Black Friday special: $100 off if purchased at participating dealers between Nov 23 and 26. For a list of dealers, click here, call (303-530-3340), or email Apex info@apexskiboots.com.

Ski Younger Now

Ski Younger Now, the innovative retraining program for older skiers, and skiers returning to the sport after recovering from an injury, has moved its base from Vail to the Aspen/Snowmass Ski School. The program teaches low-impact, low-torque techniques to enable efficient skiing in all kinds of terrain. Seth Masia, who developed the program, trained several Vail instructors who will continue to offer it at Vail.

Deer Valley Wins Multiple World Ski Awards

It was named best United States’ Ski Resort for the sixth straight year. Stein Eriksen Lodge was recognized as the country’s’ Best Ski Hotel,” and Goldener Hirsch Inn, as the country’s best Ski Boutique Hotel.

IKON Adds Three NZ Resorts

Ikon Pass added Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mt Hutt on New Zealand’s South Island. Ikon’s other Southern Hemisphere partners are Thredbo (Australia) and Valle Nevada (Chile).

Unusual Ski Videos

“Ski Photographer” is a nine minute account of Oskar Enander, a colorblind photographer, specializing in ski photography. the film is shot is Engleberg, Switzerland, where he lives. It has beautiful imagery. Watch it to the end and you’ll be treated to a series of exceptional stills.

This five minute video from Teton Gravity Research shows 11-year-old Kyle Jones skiing Jackson Hole. OMG!!!!!!

“Off Piste: Tragedy in the Alps” is important for anyone interested in avalanche safety. It starts with the stories of US Ski Team racers Bryce Astle and Ronnie Berlack, who were killed in an avalanche in Solden, Austria. The BRASS Foundation was formed in their memory and is dedicated to creating educational programs and best safety practices for snow sports athletes to further their physical and psychological well-being. It is very well done.

Great Holiday Gifts for Older Skiers

Panda Poles: I ski with Panda Poles. They have bamboo shafts and are beautifully hand-crafted in Pocatello, Idaho. Most older skiers I know would be delighted to own a pair. Panda also makes kids poles, trekking poles, selfie sticks, and wading and camera wands, among other interesting uses of bamboo. The company is offering a 30% discount to SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers. That brings the adult pole from its regular price of $95 to $66.50! It is a very sweet deal. Go to https://www.pandapoles.com, make your selections (there’s 2-minute tutorial to help make the correct choices), and enter SENIORS30 upon checkout. Alternatively, click on the adjacent coupon.

Orsden Parkas/Pants

I’ve written about Orsden parkas in the past. I was wearing mine while shopping last week when someone commented about the great color. I explained that the parka is designed for skiing, but perfectly suitable for other uses as well. I showed her the multiple strategically placed pockets, the removable powder skirt (since she never skied, that required some explanation), the waterproof zippering system, detachable hood, etc. In the process, I realized the parka – despite three seasons of hard use – still looked as fresh as when I first wore it; that despite multiple runs through the washer. She was surprised when I told her that it’s priced at $330, about half of what similar parkas cost at retail. The company is able to do that because it only sells on line. Since I learned about Orsdan, it has added $200 ski pants. I intend to purchase a pair. If they’re anything like the parka, they’ll be winners. Orsden is offering SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers 30% off through December 31. Shop at Orsden.com and enter WINTER30 when checking out.

What about that Big Dump last week in the West!!!!!!

If you’re like me — waiting for the first signs of Winter — the season is now on its way.

These areas plan to open in October:

SeniorsSkiing.com is now publishing every Friday.

Two big issues for senior skiers surfaced in recent reader surveys.

One is your interest in finding contemporaries with whom you can ski.

The other is being hit by reckless and out-of-control skiers and boarders.

Despite Serious Neurological Disorder, He Continues to Ski

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports Seeks Volunteer Instructors

Economical Resource for Small to Plus Size Parkas and Pants

The Easier Way To Get Your Boots On

Solar Powered Task Light

Remember Ski Ballet?

Arapahoe is running its guns.

Big Sky, Alta, and Lake Tahoe are among the Western ski destinations that have received natural snow. A few areas in the Austrian and Italian Alps are already operating.

It’s all about to happen again.

Do Wider Skis Lead to Knee Injury?

Scarpa Boot Recall

Solitude Introduces Paid Parking

Park City’s Sunrise Rotary Club Aims For Ski Shot Record

If You’re Planning a Park City Trip This Season…

Aspen Swingers

R.I.P. Pepi Gramshammer

R.I.P Davo Karnicar

What a Toy!!!!

“Too Darn Hot.” Cole Porter got it right with his enduring 1948 hit. What a summer!

Weather is getting more and more extreme. Hot. Cold. Wind. Flood. I like this church sign:

Vail Resorts Acquires Mount Snow, Hunter, Wildcat, Roundtop, Others

Alta’s Enduring Butterfly

Delta Eliminates $150 Ski/Board Checking Fee

Killington Breaks Ground on New Lodge

Colorado Has Fewest Obese People. West Virginia Has Most.

2010 Olympic Gold Medal Auctioned for $68,750

Live Weather Reports Now Available from Mt. Everest

Good Conditions At South Africa’s Only Resort

Guadalajara Gets 5’ Hail Dump

Surfing On Skis?

This morning only the silver slice of moon interrupted the pure blue sky.

Elan Introduces First Foldable Ski

Many National Parks Plagued by Air Pollution

Alta’s (Now Past) Ski and History Tour with Alan Engen

Videos Worth Watching

The most important equipment we need to maintain is our bodies. Cardio and weight training are essential to getting the most out of ourselves.

Non-Stop Snow

More Evidence Shows Glaciers Melting

American Airlines Cuts Ski Fee

Orthopaedic Surgeon Breaks Record for Ski Boot Marathon

JOB OPENING: Ski Journalist Group Treasurer

New Film Stars National Parks

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French Paraskiers Clowning Around

French Adventurer Crosses Atlantic in a Barrel

Gee Whiz, Mister. Is That For Real?

He Ran Every Street in San Francisco

We’re about to switch from publishing weekly, as we have since October, to our once-a-month off-season schedule. Many of you are back on the golf course or in your boats. The next time you’ll see SeniorsSkiing.com in your in box will be May 31.

Thank you for reading and supporting SeniorsSkiing.com!

Electricity From Falling Snow

Boston and Denver Ski and Snowboard Expo Dates

Lifts Still Running

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Interesting Short Video

Don’t Try This at Home Video

There’s a difference between skiing and a skiing experience.

Confused? Let me explain.

Over the years, I’ve had some standout skiing experiences. Some, in resorts; others, far from lifts. All were memorable.

Lake Tahoe: More to Go

Brighton: Right On!

Snowbird Closing Date?

Rick Kahl Receives Major Ski Journalism Award

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NoSweat Helmet Liners

Earth Day

Considering a ski trip to the Alps? Here are a few suggestions from our four-week journey in Italy. They may make your trip a bit easier.

Congratulations, Lee!!!!

Cranmore’s Longest Season

Solitude Has $55 Lift Ticket

High Fives Foundation Raises $55,000 at Recent Squaw Event

Very Good Idea

Nick Howe: RIP

Patagonia’s 50% Off Sale

**He Ran Every Street in San Francisco**

**March-April Skiing History Magazine Now Available**