seniorsskiing

Where To Find Skis For Senior Recommendations

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Subscribers Want To Know.  Here’s Where To Find The List.

On December 15th, we simultaneously announced our new list of skis for seniors, created in collaboration with realskiers.com, on Huffington Post and SeniorsSkiing.com. Since then, we have received a number of inquiries as to where to find the list.

If you are a subscriber, simply go to the top navigation bar, click on Community.  Then select Subscriber-Only Content.  In the drop down menu, you will find SeniorsSkiing.com’s special offerings for subscribers. Click what you want to see and download.  You will be asked to confirm your email address and, bingo, the content you want will be available as a PDF download.

If you are not a subscriber, consider signing up.  It’s free, we have a lot of content in our inventory of stories, covering ski history and heroes, destination reviews, gear and clothing recommendations and lots of other senior-focused articles. You can find ski clubs near you, locate where seniors can ski for free, download a 16-page eBook of historic ski posters, and find instructions for getting serious discounts from top clothing and gear brands through Experticity.com.

MOONLINE Mathieu Bijasson
seniorsskiing

Moonline: Night Skiing In a Whole New Light!

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Holiday Cheer.

MOONLINE Mathieu Bijasson

Enjoy this short, uplifting, award-winning video. Cozy snowbound cabin. Illuminated skis and poles. Powder. Moon. What a joyful pleasure! Moonline

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SHORT SWINGS!

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CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows won USA Today’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Poll for ‘Best Ski Resort.’ The resort secured top spot in the 2016 poll, as well.

IDAHO

McCall, ID is near from Brundage Mountain, the 2000′ vertical resort advertising the “best snow in Idaho. About 10 minutes from the mountain is Shore Lodge, with luxury accommodations and a spa built around natural hot springs. McCall’s annual Winter Carnival with many motor- and non-motorized activities will happen January 27-February 5, 2017.

NEW YORK

The Spa at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort in Lake Placid, has undergone a $1 million makeover. Always a terrific location, Mirror Lake Inn Resort has just become even better.

 

PENNSYLVANNIA

At least 18 of the state’s ski areas are now open. Check local details before going.

QUEBEC

Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham Mountain Resort have a lot planned for Christmas and New Years. Learn about Santa’s visits, treats, kids activities, music, banquets, races, fireworks at: Stoneham / Mont-Sainte-Anne

UTAH

Deer Valley published a You Tube tribute to Stein Eriksen. It is lovely and will bring back memories.

OTHER

Clean Trails is establishing a national network of trail stewards for the country’s pristine wild places, collective community spaces, and access points to its natural wonders. It’s mission is to keep trail systems litter-free. The group’s slogan, Love the Land. Lose the Litter. says it all. To participate visit http://cleantrails.org 

Orsden is a new line of extremely good looking and reasonably priced high quality 4-way stretch ski parkas. Features are comparable to much more expensive brands. Orsden parkas (on-line, direct-to-consumer, only): $330, with free shipping.

GetSkiTickets.com, the online lift ticket seller, is offering a free trip for two to Taos with three nights lodging, three days of skiing, ski and/or board rentals, and two pairs of hand crafted mittens.

Anti-Freeze Face Tape reduces risk of frostbite for people playing in the cold. Each package contains four pre-cut pieces to cover nose and cheeks or to cut your own. Haven’t tried it yet, but unlike masks and tubes, this won’t fog your goggles. Available in flesh, blue and pink. $4.99 per pack. Available at select x-country ski centers and online.

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Short Swings!

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Snow Sports Industry Leader Bernie Weichsel Is Honored

SeniorsSkiing.com Advisory Council member and Snow Sports industry leader, Bernie Weichsel, was honored with the YES Lifetime Achievement Award in Boston last weekend. YES (Youth Enrichment Services) serves the urban youth of greater New England by providing outdoor adventures in skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, canoeing and camping.  Bernie has been an outstanding supporter of YES for more than 40 years. Bernie’s generosity has provided thousands of Boston youth with the opportunity to experience the outdoors and benefit from enrichment programs at YES. We are proud of you, Bernie!

ISHA Fund Raising Campaign

If you’ve not yet made an annual contribution to the International Ski History Association, please consider a donation today. It’s fully deductible in the United States for the 2016 tax year if posted by December 31. Your ISHA contribution will support the expenses incurred in publishing Skiing History magazine, maintaining the skiinghistory.org Website, and running the annual ISHA Awards program.

Skiing History was recently featured in the Huffington Post as a unique holiday gift! Click here to read the article by Jon Weisberg of SeniorsSkiing.com. And  to send a Skiing History gift, just fill in the gift subscription form. For an even better deal, give your favorite away-from-home student a digital subscription for just $29.

Canada

Quebec City has announced it has won the USA Today online vote for Best Winter Wonderland in North America.  We’ve been to the famous Winter Carnival in January, and it is an amazing and festive celebration of ice and snow.

Monte-Sainte-Ann and Stoneham in Quebec are celebrating incredible snow conditions with 55 received since the beginning of the season. Christmas activities are starting. Why go to Europe when Quebec is a drive or quick flight away?

Colorado

Sunlight Mountain Resort celebrates it’s 50th anniversary with the most expensive lift ticket in the country.  The $700 per ticket price includes one full day of skiing at the resort as well as a pair of limited edition Sunlight 50th anniversary Meier skis and a ticket to the Iron Mountain Hot Springs. The $600 version gets you a 50th anniversary snowboard.

Utah

Deer Valley Resort has won the distinction of the United States’ Best Ski Resort by the World Ski Awards for the fourth consecutive year. The World Ski Awards’ 2016 Ski Oscars winners represent excellence in ski tourism and the leaders shaping the future of the ski industry.

Enjoy midweek skiing and snowboarding for free at Snowbasin Resort when you fly Alaska Airlines into Salt Lake International Airport. From December to April, snow enthusiasts can “Fly Alaska, Ski Free” or simply take a scenic gondola ride at Snowbasin Resort for free within 24 hours of landing at the Salt Lake International Airport Tuesday through Thursday.

Quad Wednesdays are back at Brighton this year! With a charitable donation, you can purchase a lift ticket for only $20. December 14, 2016:  Donate a warm article of clothing such as hats, jackets, pants or anything that will keep someone warm this winter.  Proceeds go to The Road Home Charity. December 21, 2016: Donate a grocery bag of non-perishable food items.  Proceeds go to the Utah Food Bank.

Solitude Mountain Resort is set to host a U.S. Grand Prix/FIS Snowboard World Cup and FIS Skicross NorAm Cup January 19-22, 2017, as part of a test event for the 2019 FIS Freestyle, Snowboard and Freeski World Championships. The event will be the second stop of the U.S. Grand Prix tour for the 2016-17 season and the first major international skiing and snowboarding competition Solitude has hosted.

After two years of construction and licensing, the New World Distillery will be opening this week in Eden, UT. The state of the art distillery is featuring its “Oomaw” gin, soon to be followed by “agave
spirits and Ogden Valley Vodka.  New World will also offer classes in distilling in the Spring.

California

The second season has started for the Mountain Playground Group, a coalition of nine community and independent ski areas from California to Maine. Under the Mountain Rider’s Alliance, these ski areas have teams up to increase market awareness, share in best practices and identify expense-reducing initiatives.

Participating ski areas include Arctic Valley, AK; Bald Mountain, ID; Beartooth Basin; MT/WY; Elk Ridge Ski and Outdoor Recreation, AZ; Hurricane Ridge, WA; Mt Abram, ME; Mt Timothy and Phoenix Mountain, British Columbia.

New Hampshire

SkiNH reports that over the weekend of Dec 10-11 ski resorts received eight inches of fluffy stuff, and it was still coming down.  Check with SkiNH for latest conditions.  Season on in New Hampshire!

Jackson Ski Touring Center opened Dec. 12 with both classic and skate skiing on nine out of 55 trails (29 km groomed) thanks to a cross-country snowstorm.  Also, Jackson XC has announced a series of money-saving packages for beginners as well as more experienced XC skiers.

Vermont

Stowe’s $80 million Adventure Center at Spruce Peak sees its first winter. The sleek center is base camp for the resort’s children’s programs, from day care to ski and snowboard lessons. It’s also home to family-friendly eating in The Canteen and the indoor Stowe Rocks Climbing Center.

Maine

Sunday River skiers will find a new Locke Mountain top terminal on the triple, but will have to wait until 2017-’18 before the Spruce Peak Triple is replaced with a $2.1 million fixed-grip chair.

Massachusetts

Wachusett in Princeton is now more readily accessible for Boston-area skiers, thanks to the MBTA’s new Wachusett Commuter Rail Station in West Fitchburg on the Fitchburg Line.

seniorsskiing

Where Seniors Can Ski For FREE: Huff Post

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108 Ski Resorts In North America Recognize Seniors With Free Lift Tickets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SeniorsSkiing.com’s co-publisher Jon Weisberg has another article on Huffington Post, this time describing where seniors can ski for free or for very little money.  [NOTE: You can only download this list from SeniorsSkiing.com. There is no download link in the Huff Post article.  See instructions in BOLD below.]

We are told by ski industry veterans that free skiing for seniors used to be much more widespread. However, a decade or so ago, some resort owners decided that they would rather cash in on seniors rather than gift them a ski lift ride in recognition for years of loyalty to the sport; big discounts and free skiing were gone.

From this list of 108 North American ski resorts, it appears that some more enlightened resorts might be swinging the pendulum back to free skiing.  Sure, some of these resorts are small- or medium-sized, but they are attracting seniors, filling lifts, especially mid-week, and perhaps hosting their families.  The impact of having a loyal group of seniors gathering at the lodge, skiing together, having lunch, staying occasionally for dinner is a huge positive for a ski resort.

Part of our mission at SeniorsSkiing.com is to show the industry the value we bring to their businesses beyond passes and tickets.

If you ARE a subscriber to SeniorsSkiing.com, you can download the list of resorts that offer free skiing by going to the top menu, click on COMMUNITY, then click on SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT.  In the drop down menu, you will find the list of resorts.  Re-enter your email address, and you can download the file.

If you ARE NOT a subscriber, sign up.  It’s totally free, and we have strived to bring our readers value in the form of ski recommendations for seniors, discounts from top brands, and a collection of historic ski posters from the International Ski History Association.  All free and focused on helping seniors continue to enjoy the outdoors and snow sports of all kinds.

 

mikemaginn

Find Ski Buddies Near You Through NSCF

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Now Our Readers Can Pinpoint Local Ski Clubs. Check Out Their Events And Activities.

Clubs rule. Ski with friends and the fun begins. Austria circa 1920s.

In Flying Solo, a recent article by XCSkiResorts.com publisher Roger Lohr, the joys of solitary skiing, nordic or alpine, are highlighted.  From the comments, many readers agree.  There are definitely benefits to going at your own speed, especially when you ski with people whose skills are at different levels.

On the other hand, wouldn’t it be great if you could find like-level companions to ski trip with? Share costs, enjoy group discounts, even socialize and form friendships with? Well, in last spring’s Subscriber Survey, we found that 49.33% of respondents wanted to find other skiers in their region to ski with.  That’s a huge need we identified in the senior sport sport enthusiast population.

With those needs in mind, we approached the National Ski Council Federation to see if we could work together to bring its resources together with our subscribers search for ski pals.

The National Ski Council Federation is an umbrella organization that serves 29 ski council across the US, providing communications, education and benefits to member councils.  Those councils are comprised of many ski clubs with a total membership of about 300,000 folks.  These ski clubs plan trips, both locally and to distant resorts, providing serious discounts on lift tickets, instruction and other expenses. You can decide to join a club or join a club’s trips to see if membership might be for you.

If you want to check out ski club activities near you, just go to SeniorsSkiing.com’s top Navigation Menu bar, click on COMMUNITY, then pick FIND SKI BUDDIES WITH NSCF.  There you will find a map you can click on that will take you to the NSCF site where you can drill down to discover ski clubs in your region, state, and city. From there, you can identify a club officer’s email.  Connection made.

Now don’t be shy.  Ask a friend to join you.  This might open up a whole new and improved snow sport experience.

All of this is offered to SeniorsSkiing.com readers, including non-subscribers, at no cost.

Special thanks to the National Ski Council Federation executives who worked with us to create this link.

The National Ski Council Federation can connect you to a local ski club.

 

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows announced that five of its skiers were named to the 2017 U.S. Alpine Ski Team. All are part of the area’s development system and have been successful in International Ski Federation (FIS) competition.

COLORADO

Numerous Colorado resorts offer free skiing for young children—a definite benefit for grandparents taking the kids for a ski holiday. Ages, dates, and other details vary by resort, and are worth checking on line or when making reservations. Among the resorts offering this perk: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Snowmass, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Loveland, Purgatory Resort, Steamboat, and Telluride.

MONTANA

Absaroka Dogsled Treks is based out of Chico Hot Springs in Pray, MT, about an hour from Bridger Bowl and two hours from Big Sky. The outfitter offers tours, ranging from $125 for a six mile trip (small kids free) to $450 for the day. Chico Hot Springs has a great natural hot pool where the community gathers to soak and an outstanding kitchen, recognized far beyond this little wonder, 45 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.

NEW ENGLAND 

Open Snow, the very excellent snow forecasting site, has reported that New England is in for “an arctic blast” for the next 10 days.  That means big time snowmaking.  But beware, it’s also going to be windy up there this weekend, so bundle up.

NEW YORK

Internationally renown artist Jeff Koons, 61 and a nascent snowboarder, designed the graphics for 50 boards that will be sold for $5,000 each at a fund raiser in New York City for the Chill Foundation, a charity established by the founders of Burton snowboards. The foundation helps children from underserved communities learn through competitive sport.

UTAH

Salt Lake City is offering the Ski City Super Pass with discounted tickets at Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude, free public transportation to get there, and discounted rentals. Available with lodging packages at participating Salt Lake City hotels. Staying in Salt Lake City and skiing different areas is a great way to experience the Wasatch Front. Many restaurant and entertainment options.

Park City’s KPCW radio interviewed SeniorsSkiing.com co-publisher, Jon Weisberg about (what else?) seniors who ski and why they’re important to skiing. The podcast can be heard by clicking here.  Jon’s comments start at 39:00 if you want to skip ahead.

Utah Olympic Park in Park City will host luge athletes from over 20 countries competing for a chance at a World Cup title, December 16 and 17, 2016.

WYOMING

Moe’s Original Bar B Que opened in Jackson Hole. FeaturingSouthern soul food, the chain resto was named one of the Top 10 Rib Joints in the U.S.

OTHER

Patagonia is offering 50% past-season products. The on-line deal is good for Tuesday, Dec 13, only.

 

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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trailmasterimage_CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows announced that the The Audi FIS Women’s Alpine World Cup at Squaw Valley (March 9 – 12, 2017) will be 100% carbon neutral. The area will materially reduce and offset emissions directly related to the event. Activities will include composting, fresh water stations (both areas discontinued sale of single use plastic ater bottles last season — the first in the nation to do so), and a variety of car-pooling and other eco-friendly transportation options.

Mountain High, 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Orange County, is open for the season. It bills itself as   Southern California’s learn to ski and snowboard resort. 70+ are free, every day.

NEW MEXICO

The Town of Taos was selected as the country’s top ski town in a USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice contest. Other cities in the running included Whitefish, Montana and North Conway, New Hampshire.

QUEBEC

The annual Quebec Winter Carnival will take place January 27-29. It is the classic winter event. If you plan to go, dress for the cold!

UTAH

Brighton Resort is open and operating from top to bottom.

Park City Mountain Resort lifts are now running for the season. It is the largest ski resort in the US and has something for every skier and boarder. Like most other Utah resorts, it’s a short ride from the airport.

VERMONT

Okemo announced that opening day featured top to bottom terrain, a feat it has achieved for four opening days in a row. Thank you, snow making crew!  Okemo is also planning demo days on 12/10-11.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Several resorts are planning to open this weekend in New Hampshire.  Black Mountain, Cranmore, Gunstock, and Ragged Mountain are making snow and grooming.  Check conditions before you go with Ski New Hampshire. 

OTHER

Patagonia’s Black Friday sales hit $10 million, 100% of which was donated to grassroots environmental organizations working around this fragile planet of ours. Thank you, Patagonia!

Mountain Collective provides two days of skiing at 14 iconic North American resorts, including Alta/Snowbird; Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Jackson Hole, Revelstoke, Whistler Blackcomb, and Stowe. The pass costs $419. Pass holders get 50% off additional days (no blackouts). It is ski value at its best if travel plans take you to those great locations.

Timber Creek Lodge is a new relaity show on the Bravo network. It’s set in an upscale ski lodge and, based on the trailer, features a selection of curvaceous and hard body youngsters doing what they can to please the patrons and each other. Premiers Monday, December 5th at 10pm ET/PT.

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Short Swings!

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historic7_

Congratulations!!  Two SeniorsSkiing.com Advisory Council members have been named to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame:

Gretchen Besser “…for her unprecedented career as a ski patroller and first aid instructor… and her impact as an historian, international liaison and visionary in the world of skiing…”

Bernie Weichsel “As an advocate and creator of an organized freestyle competition circuit. His innovative SKI USA worldwide promotions continue to bring thousands of international skiers to U.S. slopes and his consumer ski and snowboard expos attract tens of thousands of visitors each year.”

CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows got 15 inches and was planning to open this week. Last season delivered 41 feet. The resort has a new lift-accessed guided backcountry skiing/boarding operation.

Sequoia National Park hosts its annual Trek to the Tree event on December 11. Visitors walk to The General Grant Tree, designated as the Nation’s Christmas Tree. Since 1925, Trek to the Tree has honored the Armed Forces.

CANADA

Whistler Blackcomb opened this week with almost three feet of coverage. More expected over coming days.

COLORADO

Purgatory opened last week, just got 17″.

Wolf Creek opened Thanksgiving Day, with 16″ of new.

Telluride received 11″.

Copper Mountain opened with two feet of base and fresh.

Arapahoe Basin and Loveland are open. Each just received 7″.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Bretton Woods has opened for its 43rd season.

UTAH

Ski Utah reports that high elevation Brian Head, in the south of the state, received 15” this week. Any Utah resort receiving a foot or more is designated as a Monster Dump on Ski Utah’s outstanding website.

Deer Valley Resort was named United States’ Best Ski Resort by the World Ski Award. The resort has received the title for four consecutive years.

Other

VinniBag
 protects and insulates anything that might break or leak, including wine & spirit bottles. The reusable travel bag uses inflatable air chambers and stores flat, rolled or folded when not in use. A terrific and unusual gift at $28 ($25@ for two or more).

Gripforce is a dual-purpose boot that, with the flip of a switch, transforms a boot into an ice cleat in less than a second. Developers say It is as safe to wear on glistening ice as it is on hardwood floor.

Patagonia is donating 100% of its Black Friday store and online sales to grassroots environmental groups.

 

 

 

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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historic7_

CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Introduces “Women of Ski Patrol” Calendar. Proceeds from the $25 item help fund avalanche safety education scholarships. The calendar showcases 13 female patrollers from last season’e Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol Teams. Calendars can be pre-ordered online now for $25 and will be available at retailers throughout the Village at Squaw Valley®.

CANADA

Whistler Blackcomb has a 30″ base. More on the way.

COLORADO

Crested Butte has a four night Christmas family deal at The Grand Lodge. Two adults and two kids get lodging and three days of passes for $1099 (+ tax and fees): http://www.skicb.com/deals.

On December 10, Crested Butte plans to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of skiers in full Santa suits (top, bottom, hat, and beard). Arrive in costume and get at $23 lift ticket. www.cbsantacrawl.com. Memo to Santa: Please bring snow!

Eldora’s Annual Ugly Sweater or Elf Costume Contest, is schedued for December 24. Prizes for the ugliest; www.eldora.com.

Purgatory  acquired Coloado’s largest snowcat skiing operation. Purgatory Snowcat Adventures  has guided cat skiing for skiers/boarders with access to 35,000 acres. Snowcat tours for non-skiers also available.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Loon Mountain Resort celebrates 50 years with a special anniversary weekend scheduled for January 28-29.

Ragged Mountain Resort‘s MISSION: AFFORDABLE program offers season passes for $449. Rossingol’s Learn to Ski & Ride program offers three free lessons to newbies.

Cranmore Mountain’s $79 Value Card provides a one-day lift ticket plus $20 off all subsequent lift ticket purchases (no restrictions). Card holders get a free lift ticket after every 7th visit.

Mount Sunapee offers half-price mid-week lift tickets when purchased four days in advance, online (holiday blackouts apply).

Waterville Valley Resort‘s new Frequent Skier Card gives the first lift ticket free and a $15 discount on future tickets.

UTAH

Alta postponed opening day scheduled for November 18 due to warm weather and lack of snow. The resort also announced that Lucy, a puppy, has joined its patrol. As an Alta passholder, I can report that watching a patrol dog working its way down the mountain in deep pow is a source of pleasure. Best wishes in your new job, Lucy!

Brighton has free skiing for anyone dressed as Santa on Christmas Day.

Numerous Utah areas have torchlight parades on skis during the holidays. They’re memorable. Dates/locations: Deer Valley (Dec 30); Park City (Dec 24); Snowbird (Dec 24); Solitude (Dec 31); Snowbasin (Dec 24).

OTHER

Ted Heck, longtime snow sports writer with a quick wit, passed away. He was 94.

Year-end gift giving: Consider a gift to a ski museum. Some accept tax-deductible donations of vintage gear. All welcome financial support. Two of our favorites are:

  • The Alf Engen Ski Museum in Park City, UT. It’s a must-visit facility with superb displays, including interactive exhibits utilizing the best of digital technology
  • The New England Ski Museum in Franconia, NH. It has a comprehensive exhibit of skiing history with an emphasis on New England. On display through mid-April 2017 is a wonderful exhibit on the 10th Mountain Division.

Another terrific choice is the International Skiing History Association (ISHA), which is dedicated to preserving and advancing knowledge of ski history. It’s bimonthly magazine, Skiing History, covers topics from early resorts and prominent skiers to the presence of the sport in our material and advertising culture. Members and donors receive Skiing History as a benefit. Membership in ISHA is a great stocking stuffer!

Craving fresh veggies and herbs this winter but living in a mountain town? OPCOM Farm indoor hydroponic gardening systems are worth exploring. Cost is about that of a season pass ($499 – $599.) www.opcomfarm.com

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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historic7_

CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows made a $150,000 donation to the High Fives Foundation as part of its Military to the Mountains program, which hosts and trains injured US Armed Forces vets on its slopes. The resort offers active duty US military personnel a Silver Tahoe Super Pass for a $25 donation. Last season, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows provided 13,800 complimentary lift tickets to active duty military.

CANADA

Western Canada has the biggest accumulations of early snow. Snowpack at Whistler is 252% of average for early November and Lake Louise is 169% of average.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Jackson Ski Touring Center in Jackson, N.H., has added four new trails totaling six km (3.75 miles); and eight new trail bridges. It is the largest x-country ski center in the Northeast.

PENNSYLVANIA

Bear Creek Mountain is offering mid-week (Tue/Wed/Thurs) passes for $22 with a Loyal Ski Club membership. Holiday blackouts apply.

Shawnee Mountain is stocking a large inventory of top-notch rental equipment, making it easy to arrive at the mountain unburdened by outdated gear.

JACK FROST and BIG BOULDER season pass holders can add Hunter Mountain to their skiing options. Pass holder also have skiing privileges at Mount Snow, Attitash, Crotched Mountain and Wildcat.

UTAH

Powder Mountain day passes for 75+ are free. For 75+ not wanting to go to the ticket window, a season pass is $20!

Sundance Resort day passes are $30 for 65 and older; season pass (available anytime throughout the season) is $150. Thank you, Robert Redford, for great prices on a terrific mountain!

OTHER

Best deals on Vail Resorts’ Epic Season Passes (including Whistler/Blackcomb) end November 19.

Clean Trails is the non-profit committed to keeping wild places and the trails that access them free of litter. Studies show the highest indicator that someone will pick up litter is if they Sugarloaf Mountain witness someone else picking up litter.

CNL Lifestyle Properties, a real estate investment trust (REIT), sold 15 ski North American ski resorts, including Brighton (UT), Crested Butte (CO), Jiminy Peak (MA), Loon and Mount Sunapee NH), Okemo (VT), Sierra-at-Tahoe (CA), Stevens Pass and Summit-at-Snoqualmie (WA), Northstar-at-Tahoe (CA), and Sunday River (ME). Operations of each resort are expected to be unaffected by the sale.

Patagonia gave all of its employees Election Day off , and encouraged them to vote.

 

schusser_2_skier_491
Jon Weisberg

This Week in SeniorsSkiing.com (Nov. 11)

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Keep up the snow dance.

schusser_2_skier_491

The season has started at Arapahoe Basin with a few open trails. A dump is expected in Colorado next week. 

There’ a terrific interview with Jackson Hogen, publisher of realskiers.com. He shares views about the impact of corporate vs. family-owned ski areas, growing old on skis, and the importance of older skiers to the sport.

Part 2 of the Shape Up series has a variety of exercises that will get you ready for the season.

And there’s a video on synchronized skiing in the Alps. Pure grace on snow.

There are more seniors skiing every season. If you like what we’re doing, please tell your friends and on FaceBook, “like” us and “share” our articles.

Thank you!

John Nelson

Skiing North America: Every Resort, Everywhere

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An 85-Year Old Believes Someone Has To Do It; It Might As Well Be Him.

John Andrew points out ski areas he's skiied on a the wall-sized map in his Renton, Wash., home. Credit: John Nelson

John Andrew points out ski areas he’s skiied on a the wall-sized map in his Renton, Wash., home.
Credit: John Nelson

So many ski areas, so little time.

Yet at age 85, John Andrew is still busily crossing them off his list. Over the past 20 years, Andrew has been on a mission to ski all 700 alpine resorts in North America. He’s currently at 528, and he has several new targets in sight for this winter.

“I’m going to die trying to finish my quest,” says Andrew, a retired Boeing executive from Renton, Wash. “I won’t get it done, but I’m going to keep trying.”

It’s a big project, one that has consumed Andrew’s life since he retired at age 65.

It began innocently enough with a book. Andrew and his wife Jewel were shopping for a vacation home in the mountains using a guidebook of every ski resort in North America. Instead of narrowing the choices, the book opened up possibilities in Andrew’s mind.

“If we were going to buy a ski condo, I didn’t know where I wanted to buy it,” he remembers. Then, leafing through the resort guide, he wondered, “Why don’t we ski them all and find out?”

John Andrew and his wife Jewel on the slopes of Pine Creek Ski Area in Wyoming last February. Photo courtesy of the Andrews

John Andrew and his wife Jewel on the slopes of Pine Creek Ski Area in Wyoming last February. Photo courtesy of the Andrews

Over the following years, the Andrews embarked on their quest with gusto, sometimes with friends, sometimes with family, always keeping detailed records, grabbing trail maps, souvenirs and taking pictures. Jewel skied with John until 2007, when she quit the slopes after a knee replacement surgery. She still comes along on most trips.

“We are still skiing North America as a team,” he says.

“I think it’s fun,” Jewel says. “It gets you to all these places that you’d never go to—in the dead of winter.”

Their longest road trip covered 13,000 miles across the northern U.S. and Canada, when they hit 45 resorts in 16 states and provinces, including White Hills, the easternmost ski area in North America near St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Other trips took them to California, to New Mexico, to the mid-Atlantic, to the Deep South. They skied Cloudmont in Alabama, Ober Gatlinburg in Tennessee, Hidden Valley in Missouri. It’s all there, detailed on the spreadsheet and on the wall-sized map where Andrew places blue dots for the completed ski areas, red dots for those he has left to do.

Andrew gets the biggest thrill out of skiing places like Sawkill Family Ski Center, N.Y., with its 70 vertical feet, the smallest hill in North America.

When he stopped in at Sawkill, the lifts were closed. Andrew asked at the resort office if he could hike up and ski down, but the friendly general manager offered to drive him to the top in a pickup truck instead.

They roared up, Andrew hopped out, clicked into his skis and another resort bit the dust.

As he ages, Andrew has slowed down a little. Expert runs are a thing of the past—now it’s mostly greens and blues.

“It’s easy to get hurt and I don’t take foolish chances,” he says. “I look at the slope and if I don’t think I can do it, I won’t do it.”

“There’s a lot more to do,” he says as he gazes at his ski map on his living room wall . “But I like a job that’s tough. Even if I don’t get there, it’s something to do.”

John Andrew, 85, skis at Crystal Mountain, Wash., last March, checking another resort off his list. Credit: Emilio Trampuz

John Andrew, 85, skis at Crystal Mountain, Wash., last March, checking another resort off his list.
Credit: Emilio Trampuz

Karen Lorentz

Warren Miller’s Story: You May Be A Skier Because Of Him

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New Autobiography Shows How Miller Created Skiing’s Visual Brand.

Ski Pioneer Film-Maker Warren Miller lacing up at the Matterhorn. His beautiful and fun-filled films brought new people to skiing in the 60s and 70s. The WME company continues to produce over the top visual feasts.

Ski Pioneer Film-Maker Warren Miller lacing up at the Matterhorn. His beautiful and fun-filled films brought new people to skiing in the 60s and 70s. The WME company continues to produce over the top visual feasts.

For any senior who’s ever attended a Warren Miller film, Freedom Found, My Life Story will provide an intriguing look at skiing history as well as Miller’s success story. The autobiography is a must-read for anyone with a mindset to dig into the ups-and-downs of skiing—and real life.

Freedom Found is also a candid, moving, and adventurous story of how Miller became America’s most famous and prolific maker of ski and sports films.

As Miller details his journey from childhood deprivation to filmmaker success, he delves into the effects of being an “invisible” child during the Depression. In sharing his dysfunctional family life—alcoholic father doesn’t work, mother incarcerated, embezzlements—he shows how parental neglect led to his own drive to work hard.

He also acknowledges the saving grace of grandparents who provided attention at just the right times—an inventor grandfather who teaches him skills in his workshop and pays him for work; a grandmother whose gifts (bicycle, roller skates, Scout uniform) provide the attention and help needed. Living with them for two years while his mother was “away,” Miller finds the support that “changed my life” and gets to join the Boy Scouts in 1936 at age 12, another life-changing event.

Loving the outdoors, he enjoys hiking and learning to ski with his troop. By taking Scout trip photos with his 39-cent Univex camera and selling a print, he discovers the profit motive, commenting, “This was the kernel of the idea that taking pictures of great places would be a good way to make a living.”

It was skiing and surfing—he lived in Hollywood near the ocean and a teacher helped him make his first surfboard—that provided an escape to a world of delight and freedom. Miller graduated to even more freedom with his driver’s license, and soon his filmmaking turns into a career, starting with Surfing Daze in 1949 and Deep and Light in 1950.

An “original ski bum,” Miller lived out of a trailer and cooked over a camp stove to afford his ski habit and to make films. Marketing his ski features as fundraisers—for ski shops, clubs, organizations—he built his touring business into a huge success by personally narrating the showings (narration tracks came later). He entertained us with wry humor and comedic ski scenes—frustrating rope tow struggles, awkward situations (splitting stretch pants, etc.), crazy crashes—and inspired us to ski with his thrilling action shots and gorgeous scenery.

Warren’s success helped build skier participation and was a major contributor to the 1960s and 1970s ski boom. I saw that firsthand after showing The Sound of Winter (1970) to two high school assemblies and at an evening fundraiser: several non-skiing students joined our ski club and parents came forth to chaperone! The proceeds paid for the bus to Whiteface and made possible a $70 six-day trip (skiing, lessons, lodging, meals). To say thousands took up skiing because they enjoyed his films is an understatement.

Warren sold his film company in 2004, but the Warren Miller Entertainment (WME) film tour lives on. This year’s feature Here, There, and Everywhere (reviewed here by Seniorsskiing.com co-publisher Jon Weisberg) weaves the Warren story into several segments.

The just-published, 444-page biography, written with collaborator Andy Bigford whose 35 years in publishing include SKI Magazine and WME, is available at bookstores, warrenmiller.net, and via online outlets. Suggested retail price is $29.95.

Order Freedom Found by Warren Miller from Amazon, WME or at your bookstore.

Order Freedom Found by Warren Miller from Amazon, WME or at your bookstore.

 

Jon Weisberg

Warren Miller’s ‘Here, There And Everywhere’ Ushers In 2016-17 Season

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He’s 91. This Is His 67th Production.

Get ready for the new season with some mind candy from Warren Miller.

Get ready for the new season with some mind candy from Warren Miller’s Here, There, And Everywhere.

Warren Miller is back. The patriarch of outdoor adventure films is 91 and at the beginning of the trailer for the 2016-17 film Here, There And Everywhere, he asks, “What do people really get out of skiing?”

His answer? “It satisfies our innermost urges…for freedom.” He mentions being in square boxes, “This building…is square. The walls are vertical.” Then he delivers a prototypical Warren Miller punch line: “Out there nothing is straight. It’s all crooked.”

The beauty of the outdoors and the freedom of skiing are Warren Miller's trademarks.

The beauty of the outdoors and the freedom of skiing are Warren Miller’s trademarks.

And suddenly we’re transformed to the magnificent Warren Miller landscape we’ve come to know and to anticipate over the years: blue skies, bottomless powder, and endless runs.

Miller’s first film was presented 67 years ago. Since then, the genre he created has psyched and pumped snow sports enthusiasts for the coming season. Here, There And Everywhere features elite athletes descending exotic terrain in Alaska, Montana, Greenland, and Switzerland. Other locations might be more familiar to viewers, including Deer Valley, where the film pays tribute to the late Stein Eriksen. Warren, himself, participates in the narrative—a return to his origins when every Warren Miller film presentation featured him in person.

I haven’t screened the film yet, but I know it will be terrific. How could it not? It’s Warren Miller, and it’s the beginning of another ski season!

The website for Here, There & Everywhere has trailer, film excerpts, and a full schedule of where the film will play.

Blackcomb Mountain
Jon Weisberg

Vail Purchases Whistler Blackcomb

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Chinese Skiers Expected to Fuel Growth.

Aerial view of Glacier Creek, Glacier and Jersey Chairs

Aerial view of Glacier Creek, Glacier and Jersey Chairs

Vail Resorts Inc. has reached an agreement to buy Whistler Blackcomb Holdings, owner of Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. The C$1.4 billion deal is expected to result in Vail’s marketing machine to attract greater numbers of international visitors to Whistler Blackcomb.

“We have felt for a long time that Whistler (Blackcomb) is really the best positioned North American resort to benefit from the growth that we expect in outbound Chinese ski visitation, especially as China starts to ramp up towards the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics,” explained Vail CEO Rob Katz.

News of the sale had a positive impact on Whistler Blackcomb shares, which jumped to C $36.63 per share in Toronto, up by C$11.49 following Monday’s announcement.

Earlier this year, Whistler Blackcomb announced a C$345-million infrastructure and real estate expansion.

David Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb CEO, will remain chief operating officer.

Whistler opened in 1966, with a four-person gondola, a double chairlift and a day lodge. It merged with Blackcomb in 1997. The combined areas comprise the largest and most visited ski resort in North America

Pat McCloskey

Cycling Series: Join A Charity Ride This Summer

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Cycling With A Champion On A Charity Ride: Priceless.

SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent Pat McCloskey with cycling great Greg LeMond. Credit: Pat McCloskey

SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent Pat McCloskey with cycling great Greg LeMond.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

One of the more enjoyable events in cycling are those which support a charitable cause.  Throughout the country there are road rides where participants receive donations per mile or flat donations to support different organizations.  These are usually marked with support from the local motorcycle club escorts, food vendors and volunteers at the rest stops, and colleges or other venues that provide camping or room facilities with showers and dining hall options.  Sometimes these are one-day rides of 25- to 50-miles.  Others are multi-day events culminating with a large sponsored finish line party.   The events are well organized and many of the event organizers are well known non-profits like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation , the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society , and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society .  All of these organizations have local and national events.  America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride around Lake Tahoe is a MS sponsored event and I had the privilege of riding in that one a few years back, and it definitely deserves the moniker.  Gorgeous views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

One of the more interesting rides that I have participated in recently was an event put on by an organization called 1in6.  This organization provides support to men who were abused as children.  The honorary chair person for the ride was none other than our three-time Tour De France Champion Greg LeMond.  The event is called the Catoctin Challenge held annually in Maryland.  The compelling thing about riding with a Tour de France Champion like LeMond is how affable and easily approachable he is.  Surrounded by people all the time, LeMond tirelessly signed autographs late into the evening and was willing to answer any question that anybody had at the event.  With his wife Kathy at his side, he is surely the poster child of any charitable bicycle ride and I was fortunate enough to be with him for two years running.

The amazing thing to me was the fact that most people on the ride preferred to ride by themselves or ride with their friends.  There were only 6 of us who rode both days of the weekend with LeMond including our host Scott Weiner of MHW Corporation.  Being a former road racer, I was kind of in awe about this opportunity because I have been a big fan of LeMond for decades.  He is a little slower now, thankfully, which allowed me to ask him many questions.  What was Sean Kelly like?  How did you get on with Fignon?  How about the psychological battles with Hinault?  I peppered the guy and he was gracious in all of his responses including some of the issues with the recently defrocked seven time TDF Champion.  In all, it was a true pleasure to ride with him in two events in recent years and I can’t say enough about the guy with his entrepreneurial spirit ( He developed the aero bar, Giro Helmets, and many other cycling accessories along with his own bicycle brand.)  Truly a gracious champion and all around good guy.  Great sense of humor, too, in that one guy in our group kept trying to hammer him, and LeMond got ahead of us and hid in the bushes until the guy rode by.  We all laughed at our buddy trying to kill himself looking for LeMond in the distance.

If you ever get the chance to participate in a charity bicycle event, do it.  As the saying goes ”a great cause and riding the miles for smiles.”

Tour de France winner Greg LeMond snapping pics on charity ride with Pat McCloskey.

Tour de France winner Greg LeMond snapping pics on charity ride with Pat McCloskey.

seniorsskiing

Skiing In Oz: The Season Is Just Beginning

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Here’s A Snapshot Of Skiing Down Under.

Popular Mount Hotham's summit is at 6,100 feet (1,862 metres) Credit: Kman Tran

Popular Mount Hotham’s summit is at 6,100 feet (1,862 metres)
Credit: Kman Tran

[Editor Note:  This was written by Melbourne, Australia-based Marg Malkin, a retired ski industry veteran who spends February and March at SilverStar, BC.  She is SeniorsSkiing.com’s first Australian contributor.  We hope to see more news from her.]

Australian seniors only have a very small window to enjoy skiing in Australia given the ski season is a short 14 weeks from the first weekend in June through to the end of September. Historically, the season is a bit “scratchy” when it begins and then the snow comes with a blustery vengeance, often covering the slopes with almost a metre of snow. Given the elevations of ski resorts vary between 1300 and 2000 metres in altitude, a two metre snow-depth season is a good one.

Ozzie ski resorts are clustered in the southeastern states: Victoria and New South Wales Credit: Wikipedia Commons

Ozzie ski resorts are clustered in the southeastern states: Victoria and New South Wales
Credit: Wikipedia Commons

The major ski resorts—Thredbo, Perisher, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount Buller—are all located in the high country of New South Wales and Victoria, the South Eastern states of Australia. The resorts also serve as summer hiking, mountain bike riding, and bush walking destinations. Only one resort, Mount Buller is an easy day-tripper resort, two-plus hours access from Melbourne.

The other Victorian resorts are three and a half hours away, so therefore overnight destinations. New South Wales ski resorts are a five-hour drive from Sydney, however they are easily accessible from the Australian capital city of Canberra.

Unlike the New Zealand resorts, all these Aussie resorts are accessed by car or bus right into the main resort areas within easy distance from the accommodations.

View from Mount Hotham summit. Credit: Kham Tran

View from Mount Hotham summit.
Credit: Kham Tran

The resorts began with small private lodges (or cabins) built by a few die hard skiers walking in with skins. More private lodges developed in the 50’s and 60’s, and, in the 70’s, commercial investors began developing private condo complexes and licensed taverns, most of which thrive today. Generally most of our “baby boomer” sector began as members of private lodges, these lodges becoming open to the public in the 80’s to cover infrastructural costs.

Majority of the ski fields are surrounded by National Parks, and there is a fair amount of government infrastructural control throughout the ski fields. The Australian ski lift companies make skiing very attractive to our generation, providing over 65-year-olds with 50% discount of lift passes. And if you are inclined to keep skiing after 70, then your ski lift pass is free! However there is a government entry fee per car for the ski season to access the Victorian resorts.

For current ski conditions in Australia, click here.  Looks like the “scratchy” start of the season is here.

For more information about skiing in Australia, click here.

Sunrise on Mount Jagungal. Credit: Jerry Nockles

Sunrise on Mount Jagungal in Kosciuszko National Park, NSW.
Credit: Jerry Nockles

 

Pat McCloskey

Cycling Series: Finding And Riding The Lost Coast Trail

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Senior Skiers Shift To Mountain Bikes To Ride Coast Of California.

Cycling By The Sea, the Lost Coast Trail has spectacular scenery. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Cycling By The Sea, the Lost Coast Trail has spectacular scenery.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

So, my ski buddy Eric says to me, “Patrick, let’s ride the Lost Coast of California”.  The next thing I know I am winging westward to Sacramento with my mountain bike packed securely in my bike box and looking forward to a week of “van camping” with my good friend from Tahoe.  Now when I say van, the vehicle is really a Sportsmobile—a van conversion that is an amazing off road vehicle equipped with everything including a pop up compartment on the roof which was my room for the week. We have used this vehicle for skiing, but it also serves to house two old guys wandering around the Lost Coast which is about 160 miles north of San Francisco.

Fast forward: We have our RV spot right on the ocean in Fort Bragg, CA., and are ready to ride 150 miles of single and double track which is easily accessed from the camp site.  Most of the trails are in the Jackson Demonstration State Forest, Woodlands State Park, and Big River State Park.  We were amazed at the variety of trails which are loamy and smooth and give you a great appreciation for Redwood trees which are ever present and ancient.  You can even ride through an old Redwood which is called “The Drive Through Tree,” a fun diversion from the standard mountain bike trail.

SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent Pat McCloskey switched a mountain bike for his skis and headed out up the Lost Coast Trail. Credit: Pat McCloskey

SeniorsSkiing.com correspondent Pat McCloskey switched a mountain bike for his skis and headed out up the Lost Coast Trail.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

The amazing thing about riding in this area is the lack of riders and general feeling of remoteness.  The only riders we encountered were the original designers of the trail and are the current trail stewards.  They are all in the late 60s and 70s—amazing senior mountain bike riders.  Jack Columbe, a 74-year-old ex fireman and World Senior Games champion and Roo Harris have mapped out, carved out, and maintained this 150 mile network of trails that stretch from Mendocino to Ft. Bragg.  At 48,652 acres, Jackson State Demonstration Forest is one of California’s crown jewels and is maintained by CalFire (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection).  In speaking with Pam Linstedt, a 24-year veteran of CalFire, we learned that although tourism is replacing some of jobs lost after the 2002 closing of the GP lumber mill in Ft. Bragg, research and logging are still first and foremost priority in the California forests.  With the efforts of the senior cycling community under the guidance of Jack and Roo, mountain biking is becoming an attraction which they hope will once again put Ft. Bragg and Mendocino on the map for riders all over the world.

The amazing advantage of riding in this area is that you have access to the coastal mountains but you can camp or stay right on the ocean in Ft. Bragg or Mendocino.  Lots of available bed and breakfast options as well as an abundance of RV parks which seems to be the preferred way for Californians to see the coast inexpensively.

As we made our way northward, we rode a trail called Paradise Royale near the Lost Cove area in Humboldt County.  The trail is filled with berms and features and one wonders who maintains this nationally known trail literally in the middle of nowhere.  After finishing our time in Lost Cove, we drove our way through the Redwood National Forest which was truly a visual cornucopia of thousand year old gigantic trees.  Camping out under those behemoths really make you understand that you are only passing through life in a very short time period.  These giants have been around for over a thousand years and still flourish today under the California sunshine and coastal mists.

Lot to Trails

From any campsite or Bed and Breakfast on the coast, the access is available by bike in only a matter of a few miles. We rode to the McDonald’s for breakfast in Ft. Bragg and were on the trails in less than 15 minutes.

Terrain

None of the trails in this area are overly technical.  I would rate them intermediate with the exception of the Paradise Royale trail which had a killer of a climb stretching over 4 miles of vertical ascent.

For More Information

Fort Bragg Cyclery (707-964-3509) can provide rentals and accessories like complete maps to the area.  Most of the rides are currently on MTBProject.com

Also, Mendocino Bike Sprite can provide tours at a nominal fee.  707-962-4602.  Ask for Amy.

Not too often can a couple of 62 year olds van camp and ride trails as pristine as these, and the only guys we ran into were older than us.  Senior riders rule!

Remote and beautiful, the Lost Coast Trail had few other cyclists. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Remote and beautiful, the Lost Coast Trail had few other cyclists.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

John Nelson

Cycling Series: Around Crater Lake

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Riding The Rim Was One Of The Best Rides Ever.

Crater Lake water is pure and deep blue. It's 33 miles around the rim and 4000 vertical feet of ups and downs. Credit: John Nelson

Crater Lake water is pure and deep blue. It’s 33 miles around the rim and 4000 vertical feet of ups and downs.
Credit: John Nelson

As I topped a ridge near 8,049-foot Llao Rock on the north rim of Oregon’s Crater Lake, I had that giddy moment cyclists get when everything comes together.

I felt great. I had just finished one of my biggest climbs of the day. And I was alone on a road ringing one of America’s natural wonders.

I picked up speed on the downslope and screamed for joy.

Climbing along East Rim Drive on the south side of Crater Lake National Park. Credit: John Nelson

Climbing along East Rim Drive on the south side of Crater Lake National Park.
Credit: John Nelson

It was early October. I had left my home in Seattle a week before on an extended road trip around the west. I had no real itinerary, except to camp, hike, bike and enjoy beauty.

I hadn’t planned on coming to Crater Lake National Park. But while camping on the Oregon Coast, I met a fit retiree who had just done the 33-mile ride around the rim.

“It’s incredible,” he said in a hushed tone over the campfire. I decided then and there I had to try it.

A few days later, under cool, clear skies, I clipped in and started what would be one of the best rides of my life.

When you tackle the Crater Lake ride, the first thing to understand is that almost none of it is flat. You’ll do more than 4,000 vertical feet of climbing over the next few hours, so get used to the long ups, and the lovely, all-too-quick downs.

A stop at an overlook along East Rim Drive at Crater Lake. Credit: John Nelson

A stop at an overlook along East Rim Drive at Crater Lake.
Credit: John Nelson

I started at the park headquarters and immediately had a 1,000-foot climb to the rim of the lake. Cresting the top of the rim, I was treated to views of something really special.

Crater Lake is America’s deepest lake (1,943 feet deep, to be precise) and rests in the caldera of Mount Mazama, which collapsed during an eruption 7,700 years ago. The average annual snowfall here is 44 feet, which melts in warmer months, keeping the lake filled with some of the purest water on earth. Its color is a dramatic deep blue.

The rim road sits many hundreds of feet above the lake. From a car, the view is stunning. From the seat of a bicycle, it’s much more than that—you become part of the earth, water and sky as you grind past each jaw-dropping viewpoint.

If you go

Which direction? Most people choose to go clockwise, which puts you on the lake side of the road on your journey. Starting at park headquarters gets a big climb out of the way early when you have the energy to do it.

Fitness concerns: The ride is strenuous and not to be taken lightly. Besides the many ups and downs, you’ll be pedalling at up to 8,000 feet elevation. Temperatures vary wildly from below freezing to well into the 90s.

Safety: Auto traffic can be heavy in the summer months, and rubber-necking drivers don’t always watch for cyclists while taking in the views. Wear bright clothing. If you want to avoid cars, visit on one of these dates in 2016: Sept. 17 or Sept. 24, when the East Rim Drive will be closed to automobiles for runners, walkers and bicycles. Information is here.

Water, food: The Rim Village Visitor Center is a good place to load up. Bring lots of water for the ride: There are no drinking fountains along the rim. The Visitor Center has cafeteria-style food service if you want a meal.

Stops: There are 30 overlooks that ring the lake; plan on stopping frequently to rest, take pictures and enjoy the views.

Accommodations: Inside the park, the historic Crater Lake Lodge has commanding views from its location at Rim Village. You’ll need to make reservations a year in advance to book one of these in-demand rooms. The Cabins at Mazama Village have scattered availability through summer and fall of 2016. Reservation information is here.

Camping: Two campgrounds are available. The full-service Mazama Village Campground has 214 tent and RV sites. A limited number can be reserved, the rest are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The primitive Lost Creek campground has 16 non-reservable tent sites.

National Park Bicycling Info:  Highly useful guide to the Rim Drive, including safety, camping and ride information.

Crater Lake National Park Map: A beautiful map of the lake and surrounding area.

National Park Service Map of Crater Lake. Hills and altitude make the ride around challenging.

National Park Service Map of Crater Lake. Hills and altitude make the ride around challenging.

 

 

Cannon
mikemaginn

Free Senior Skiing Under Threat In NH

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State Legislature Considers Ending Decades Of Free Senior Skiing At Cannon Mountain.

Cannon Mountain is a state-owned area, famous for its aerial tram and free skiing for 65+ seniors. Credit: Cannon Mountain

Cannon Mountain is a state-owned area, famous for its aerial tram and free skiing for 65+ seniors.
Credit: Cannon Mountain

Since 1973, state-owned Cannon Mountain has been the only ski area in New Hampshire to offer free skiing to seniors 65-plus.  This year, a second attempt to end free skiing for seniors was introduced to the legislature.  The change would mean seniors would pay a discount of two-thirds ticket price on weekends and one-third on weekdays.  Free skiing is currently only available during the week.

Supporters of the repeal of free skiing say that the additional revenue is needed to help the NH Division of Parks and Recreation become self-sufficent, a requirement of 1991 legislation.  Opponents say that many seniors in the region are far from wealthy and view the change as a “tax” on seniors who usually ski during the week when the slopes are nearly empty.

In a close vote, the bill, SB 411, was passed by the House and now goes to the House Ways and Means Committee for review before coming back to the House for a final vote.

There are currently about 97 ski areas that offer free skiing in North America, according to the National Ski Area Association.  A handful of small resorts start free skiing at 65, while the majority offer the privilege to 70+ skiers.  An adult ticket currently cost $75 at Cannon; the senior discount would mean a $50 weekend ticket and $25 for weekday.

SeniorsSkiing.com has recommended that the free skiing benchmark should be raised from 65 to 70, still providing access to skiing for the many skiers in the region while creating a reasonable discount for 65-70.  A season pass reflecting a deep discount for 65-70 is also recommended.  We hope the State Legislature of New Hampshire acts with a sense of compromise and fairness in this matter.

What are your thoughts?

mikemaginn

Take A Course From NOLS: True Adventure Awaits

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These High Activity Courses Are Challenges For Active Seniors.

NOLS Horsepacking Course teaches you horsemanship, packing and camping skiis. Credit: Kelsey Week/NOLS

NOLS Horsepacking Course teaches you horsemanship, packing and camping skills.
Credit: Kelsey Week/NOLS

When it comes to a non-snow vacation get-away, as a senior snow-enthusiast, you’re probably not the type to get on and off a tour bus at museums and churches in Europe or who are going to be happy shuffling from one tourista tchotchke shop to another. If you want adventure, then consider these high action options from NOLS, the National Outdoor Leadership School.

NOLS is actually a leadership school founded in 1965 that focuses on using the backcountry as a classroom. Students also learn competencies in outdoor skills, so this is an opportunity to challenge yourself. NOLS Prime Courses are designed for adults. According the NOLS, they usually see a wide range of ages in students including many who are in their 50s and 60s.

Be advised, these are not your typical book club vacation trip to see where the Brontes lived; these are demanding, rugged learning and doing experiences where you can come face-to-face with the Big Outdoors.

Wilderness Horsepacking: You can learn the fundamentals of horsemanship while packing through the Rockies for 14 days. You’ll learn to care for your horse, ride, and camp and travel through magnificent backcountry near Jackson Hole, WO.

Wind River Wilderness Hiking and Fishing: This is an outdoor backpacking expedition through the Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains, renowned for its pristine lakes and rugged beauty. This is another 14-day adventure where you can learn fly fishing and practice camping skills.

Alaska Mountaineering: This one takes place in south central Alaska where there is hiking above the snow line over huge snowfields and glaciers. The emphasis is on learning how to care for yourself and your equipment, fellow expedition members and the environment. And you will learn real mountaineering skills like belaying, avalanche rescue, navigation and more.

Being fit and prepared for these demanding expeditions is a clear prerequisite. If you’re an active senior, you might want to consider contacting NOLS to find out more.

Alaska Mountaineering takes you into the high country where you learn climbing skills. Credit: Alexis Alloway/NOLS

Alaska Mountaineering takes you into the high country where you learn climbing skills.
Credit: Alexis Alloway/NOLS

Paolo Gaudiano

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Italy’s Dolomiti Superski

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­Winter wonderland in one of the largest ski areas in the world.

Although I was born and raised in Italy, I did not do much skiing until I moved to Colorado for college. So I jumped at the occasion to join some old friends for a week of skiing in the Dolomites—a portion of the Italian Alps characterized by their stunning rocky outcrops, sufficiently beautiful to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A view of Sella Massif from the south. Credit: Paola Gaudiano

A view of Sella Massif from the south.
Credit: Paolo Gaudiano


Dolomiti Superski is a resort encompassing some 12 connected ski areas totaling 1,200 Km (750 miles) of trails served by 460 lifts. While a few of the areas require a bus for the connection, you can literally ski all day without ever doing the same trail twice, while experiencing a wide variety of terrains and stunning views.

Terrain

The area is accessible to all levels, but in general is aimed toward families, and as such there is a preponderance of easy and medium slopes. I was pleasantly surprised by the large number of older skiers—for once, I did not feel like a rarity because of my gray hair.

As with most European areas, the vast majority of the terrain is groomed, and if you like moguls or off-piste this place is not ideal. On the flip side, when the snow is abundant (which this year it was not), if you find places to go off-trail safely, you will likely find lots of untouched powder even a few days after the last snow.

The main attraction of this area is Sella Ronda, a 40 Km loop around the Sella massif, spanning four valleys and offering a variety of stunning views. The loop is great for intermediate skiers, and it’s possible to head off for side detours for more advanced skiing.

Marmolada and its glaciers. Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

Marmolada and its glaciers.
Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

Getting there

I flew into Munich, which gave me the best combination of price and relative convenience. Depending on which town you choose, it is somewhere between three and four hours from Munich, about two-three hours from Innsbruck, two-three hours from Verona and three-four hours from Milan. You can also take a train and bus combination if you want to avoid driving, but travel times will be longer.

Lodging

The entire area is dotted with small towns and hundreds of hotels. Most of them offer mezza pensione, which includes breakfast and dinner. Our group was based at Hotel Alpi, a three-star hotel in Campitello Di Fassa that cost €85/night for a single, or €130/night for two. The food, service and amenities were excellent. There are many stores nearby and a Ski Bus that connects all the towns, making it really easy to get around.

Food and Culture

As with most of Italy, part of the experience is the food. One of my favorite things about skiing in Italy is that there are lots of restaurants on the slopes that serve great food and are relatively inexpensive. On the downside, most of these places do not allow bringing and eating your own food. I brought sandwiches every day, and sometimes I just had to find a bench somewhere to eat.

Bottom Line

Skiing in Italy is much cheaper than most of the US. I paid €240 for a 5-day pass giving access to all the areas. Coupled with the inexpensive food and lodging, you’ll pay the same if not less than flying to Utah from the East coast.

Discounts are offered for skiers over 65 (roughly 10 percent off).

Trail Map Click Here

A view from Paolo's hotel room, showing the dolomite rock the region is named for. Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

A view from Paolo’s hotel room, showing the dolomite rock the region is named for.
Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

John Nelson

SeniorsSkiing Guide: White Pass, WA, Free For 73+!

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Kudos To Senior-Friendly Ski Resort Three Hours From Seattle.

A skier heads off the top of Great White Express at White Pass. Credit: John Nelson

A skier heads off the top of Great White Express at White Pass.
Credit: John Nelson

As I got ready for a day of skiing at White Pass, I ran into a gregarious septuagenarian with a big smile on his face.

“It should be a great day,” he said to me happily as we crossed paths.

Fresh snow had fallen on the empty weekday slopes. And if you happen to be of a certain age like my lodge acquaintance (73 and older), your day at White Pass just got better: You ski for free.

West Ridge at the top of Paradise Basin leads skiers into gladed off-piste powder runs. Credit: John Nelson

West Ridge at the top of Paradise Basin leads skiers into gladed off-piste powder runs.
Credit: John Nelson

Besides that benefit, White Pass has many other great qualities: Beautiful scenery, vast terrain, reasonable pricing and ample lodging options nearby.

During my visit, two inches new had fallen on top of meticulously groomed slopes, yielding buttery smooth turns and fresh tracks all day long.

Snow, terrain and more

  • Location: The ski area is on the White Pass Scenic Byway section of U.S. Highway 12, one of the major east-west routes in Washington state. The byway has fantastic views of 14,410-foot Mount Rainier to the north and is a jumping off point to explore the volcanoes Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams to the south. It takes about three hours to drive to White Pass from Seattle.
  • Snowfall: More than 350 inches fall annually, and snowmaking keeps the mountain covered when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
  • Terrain: White Pass feels like two mountains on its 1,500 acres. The “frontside” has the area’s only steeps and also has a variety of intermediate runs. The “backside,” known as Paradise Basin, offers intermediate skiing on its higher-elevation slopes. About 20 percent is rated advanced; 80 percent is beginner and intermediate.
  • Vertical: 2,000 feet from base (4,500”) to the top of Paradise Basin (6,500”).
  • Lifts: Two high-speed quads (Great White Express on the frontside) and (Couloir Express in Paradise Basin) do most of the people-moving at White Pass; the ski area has four additional chairlifts.
  • Views: On clear days, Mount Rainier is the big dog on the skyline to the north; the Goat Rocks Wilderness and Mount Adams to the south are also visible.
  • Olympics connection: Medal-winners Phil and Steve Mahre grew up skiing at White Pass and still drop in now and again.

Lot to lift access

  • Weekends and holidays can be busy, but for the most part, parking is easy. A passenger unloading zone is available next to the day lodge and regular shuttles ferry skiers from distant parking. On weekdays, parking is a breeze; I pulled in 10 minutes before opening and parked right next to the lodge.
  • Accommodations: Options are plentiful along U.S. 12, including the on-mountain White Pass Village Inn. The tourist-friendly towns of Packwood and Naches are short drives from the ski area, and Yakima, a center for many of Washington’s wineries, is about an hour’s drive to the east.

Culture

  • The vibe: Everyone seems to know everyone at White Pass, and visitors are welcomed. I met some friendly retirees who treated me like an old friend as the day progressed.
  • Dining: The best option is the cozy High Camp Lodge in Paradise Basin, with a variety of menu options, exceptional craft brews and wine. The day lodge has cafeteria food and the Sitzmark Lounge.

Bottom line

  • If you’re 73 and older, it’s $5 for your initial ticket; after that, reloads are free. Adult tickets (ages 16-72) are $63 (reloads are $58).
  • Grooming is exceptional on the ski area’s many intermediate runs, and when it’s clear, you’ll have commanding views of Mount Rainier.
  • The upper-elevation Paradise Basin offers rolling groomers and gladed off-piste powder.

Trail Map Click Here

Webcam Click Here

The Great White Express on the frontside of White Pass accesses the area's steepest terrain. Credit: John Nelson

The Great White Express on the frontside of White Pass accesses the area’s steepest terrain.
Credit: John Nelson

 

seniorsskiing

Special Edition: Great News for SeniorsSkiing.com Subscribers!

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Subscribers to SeniorsSkiing.com are now eligible to receive substantial discounts on a wide variety of equipment, gear, accessories, clothing, etc.

Flipping out: Lofoten, Norway Credit: Oystein Aasheim

Flipping out over deals for SeniorSkiing.com subscribers!
Credit: Oystein Aasheim

We have arranged for this subscriber benefit with ProMotive.com, the online community for industry experts and influencers that matches qualified members with exclusive discounts on top brands.

These offers—the same as or similar to those available to professional ski and snowboard instructors—are based on the understanding that SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers influence buying decisions by their peers.

There is no cost for being a SeniorsSkiing.com subscriber, and there is no fee for using ProMotive.com.

Look for emails from us soon and over the coming weeks. They will explain the simple registration process and will link to ProMotive’s “Snow Influencers Team.”

Our Subscriber Survey revealed our readers want discounts for seniors. We hope you enjoy this new subscriber benefit!

Mike Maginn, Jon Weisberg, Co-Publishers