Features Archives - Page 27 of 33

Cycling Series: Black Diamond Mountain Biking In WV

September 7, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by Pat McCloskey

Correspondent Pat McCloskey Rides With Cycling Pro Over Technical Trails.

Not easy these WV rock pots. But that's why correspondent Pat McCloskey and his senior cyclist pals took them on. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Not easy these WV rock pots. That’s why correspondent Pat McCloskey and his senior cyclist pals took them on.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

What in the world is an ex-World Cup mountain bike racer doing leading a bunch of old guys around the rock strewn trails of West Virginia? Well, that is exactly what happened when Sue Haywood graciously agreed to lead our group of aging warriors around some of the most challenging trails you can ever ride.

Davis, WV, is a sleepy little town in the Monongahela National Forest which has been host to the grueling 24 Hours of Canaan back in the days of all-day and all-night team mountain bike racing. It is also a beautiful destination area for other reasons beyond challenging mountain biking. There is world class fly fishing in the area as well as the famous Blackwater Falls. Hiking is superb, and there are a lot of quaint little shops and cafes that have sprung up in Davis and nearby Thomas, West Virginia.

Here's correspondent Pat McCloskey with cycling pro Sue Hayward. Credit: Pat McLoskey

Here’s correspondent Pat McCloskey with cycling pro Sue Haywood.
Credit: Pat McLoskey

But back to the mountain biking. The trails here are challenging and to have a guide like Sue with her background lead us was a real treat. She was NORBA (National Off Road Bicycling Association) Short Track Champion in mountain bike racing and has many NORBA wins to her credit as well as 24 Hour Solo records and wins in China, Costa Rica, and all over the U.S. She makes her business in Davis, WV, and if you ever want to take part in her many clinics and workshops, look up information on her website.

To compliment your visit to Davis, check out Blackwater Bicycles for any assistance that you may need. Rob Stull, the owner is a friendly and very helpful guy who will rent mountain bike equipment and also has all the clothing, bikes and accessories that you may need to take on the Moon Rocks and other challenging trails in the region. The pizza at Sirianni’s Café is a “must stop” location along with Hellbender’s Burritos. Lots of nice places to bunk down for the night or weekend including the Bright Morning Inn with its charming rooms and delicious and sumptuous breakfasts.

After several long rides on the world famous trails, we took in the Brew Skies Festival which hosts really talented local and nationally famous bands with a country rock flavor. Coupling a mountain bike weekend with the Brew Skies Festival is a great way to spend some time in the Canaan Valley.

As followers of www.seniorsskiing.com, it is worthy to note that the Canaan Valley is also well known for Nordic skiing, and a visit to the White Grass Touring Center is a must for any visits to this area in the winter. The Whitegrass Café which is associated with the touring center also has wonderful cuisine which is comprised of healthy choices of local meats, fish and vegetables and fruit. Get their cookbook when you visit. Very user friendly and great recipes.

The Canaan Valley, the Monongahela National Forest and Davis, WV, should be on any outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list. If you come to ride the world famous trails, bring your “A” game. In skier lingo, the trails here are black diamond plus, but you will never forget the experience and the beauty of the area.

Editor’s Note: This is the last Cycling Series article for the non-snow season. We publish these because our surveys tell us cycling is a popular off-season sport for our readers. If anyone has places and experiences that are noteworthy, please let us know. Thanks to all who contributed this year.

Senior cyclists made the trip to the rock-strewn trails of West Virginia and found “Black Diamond” biking.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

All Hail The Ski Diva: 10th Year Anniversary

September 7, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by mikemaginn

Online Community For Women Skiers Reaches A Rare Milestone.

It’s not often you see a website/blog/forum on the internet last for 10 years. Truth be told, internet presence can be pretty ephemeral. Websites often rocket into cyber space, do an orbit or two and then fade into the ozone. Think AOL.com, AltaVista or MySpace. A notable exception is The Ski Diva, a meeting place for women skiers that is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.

Our friend and colleague, Wendy Clinch, The Ski Diva herself, created an online community that focuses on the interests and needs of women who enjoy snow sports. And it’s women-only. We love the idea of excluding men from the site and allowing women to focus on and discuss issues without feeling restricted or constrained.

Both men and women can join the birthday celebration, though. Just click here.

Every year, The Ski Diva leads a couple of ski trips that attract members of the community. It’s a lesson for us at SeniorsSkiing.com: There is vitality in pursuing a niche demographic, allowing it to find its own voice and providing a place for expression.

Thanks for being an inspiration, Ski Diva. Happy Birthday and keep on keeping on.

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Sept. 2)

September 1, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Snow In The Air, Crazy Alaskan Run, French Alps Resort Review, Our First Reader Ski Report.

Snow dusting at A-Basin, CO, August 30, 2016.

Snow came to high places in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado in late August. Pike’s Peak and A-Basin had a dusting. Colorado Springs had to bring out the plows to handle a hail storm. Looks as if a heck of a winter is brewing up out west. While we have been cautioned not to put too much stock in weather predictions, it looks like our La Nina July forecast might be holding up.

Here is the latest from NOAA Climate Prediction Center. The map on the left shows temperature, the one on the right precipitation. These are for Feb-Mar-Apr 2017. A means Above Normal, B is Below Normal, and EC is Equal Chance for Above and Below, meaning take your pick. Ideally, we want B temps and A precipitation, like we see in the Mid-West and Northwest.

Speaking of snow, we also have a spine-tingling video of pro-skier, extreme athlete Richard Permin skiing along a mountain ridge in Alaska. One wonders, and perhaps admires…

For those seeking a European ski vacation, contributor Val E. nominates Les 2 Alpes, a resort in the French Alps that offers free skiing for 72-plus skiers. Two interesting features of L2A: You can ski on a glacier at almost 10,000 feet; there is also a summer season!

Finally, Tom Levak, a very enthusiastic Seniorsskiing.com reader, offers his views on ON3P skis, a handmade product from Portlandia. Tom skis into the late spring on Mt. Hood; we know because he has frequently let us know well into June how much snow was left on the hill.

We hope to encourage more contributions from our readers like Val and Tom over the season. We depend on our readers to tell us what’s happening out there that other senior snow sport enthusiasts should know about. More about that as the season takes shape.

Meanwhile, more surprises and interesting features are coming up next week. Happy Labor Day! More snow on the way.

And remember, there are more of us every day and we aren’t going away.

The "two Alps" in the name do not refer to the two facing mountain-sides that comprise the resort, but rather to two adjacent areas of the original mountain pasture on the north-south plateau on which the resort was built. These pasture areas (or 'alps') are part of the two villages of Mont-de-Lans and Vénosc that lie in the deep valleys, respectively, to the north and south. Credit: L2A Promotion

Credit: L2A Promotion

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Aug. 26)

August 25, 2016/4 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Seven Word Food Maxim, Looking Back At Portillo’s FIS Moment, Water Park Fun In VT, Hits From The OR Show, NZ Ice Follies.

Fifty years ago, Portillo hosted the first FIS World Championship below the equator. It changed a lot of minds.

It’s been a busy post-vacation week here at SeniorsSkiing.com. We came back to lots of emails offering really good prices for season passes if you buy now. Once again, Sugarbush is offering its very excellent mid-week season pass for 65-plus for $119 before Sept. 14th and $209 after. Ragged Mountain NH is offering a season pass for all ages at $299 until Sept. 15th and then bouncing up to $349 before Oct 31th. Alta’s season pass for 65 plus is $649. Powder Mt is $540 for 62-74 and then $20 for 75-plus. Thanks, Powder Mountain. Do some searching now for some real deals. If you have any recommendations, please use the Comments Box at the bottom of this page to let us and our readers know.

Outdoor Retailers Summer Market is a huge trade show in SLC.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

This week, we hear from our West Coast correspondent Rose Marie Cleese, who bravely tells us about the downs and ups of the fitness journey she started last summer. She has some good news and not so good news. But she is inspired anew. Thanks for sharing, Rose Marie.

We also discovered that this year is the 50th anniversary of the first and only FIS World Championships held south of the equator. Portillo hosted all the world’s great skiers back in 1966 and this short video document shows some of the biggest names of the day recalling their experience ski racing in the Andes at 9,000-feet.

Correspondent Janet Franz brings us an idea for summer fun with grandkids, reporting on the awesomely diverse water parks (plural) at Smuggler’s Notch, VT. Still time for a weekend get away with the little ones.

The venerable and stalwart Harriet Wallis has visited the Outdoor Retailers Summer Market for us and brings news of some interesting and useful items for seniors. Welcome back, Harriet.

Finally, while it is warm where you are, it is freezing in New Zealand. We have a video clip of the brave lift operators dealing with ice rime at Whakapapa Ski Field, NZed’s largest winter resort. Strange weather everywhere, it seems.

Once again, thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. If you haven’t yet registered for the Promotive/Experticity discount that we have arranged for our subscribers, please email us at info@seniorsskiing.com. Just verify you are a subscriber and we will send you information on registering with Promotive/Experticity. There are about 40 top gear and clothing brands available to our subscribers with big discounts.

And remember, there are more of us every day and we aren’t going away! Tell your friends about us, please.

New Zealand’s Whakapapa has lots of ice.

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Aug. 19)

August 18, 2016/2 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

SeniorsSkiing.com Is On Vacation!

For the first time since we started publishing in 2014, we are taking a break. See you next week.

If you haven’t signed up for your Promotive discount, let us know.

Volcano on Chile's Nevado de Chillan Ski Resort

This Week in SeniorsSkiing.com (Aug 12)

August 11, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by Jon Weisberg

V for Vail, Vandals, Volcanoes…and Vacation!!!!

This week we report on V‘s: Vail (purchasing WhistlerBlackcomb), Vandals (destroying the world’s oldest skier image), and Volcanoes (erupting in Chile’s Nevado de Chillan ski resort). We figure it’s an appropriate use of the alphabet, since both Mike and I are taking Vacations next week. He’s with family on Prince Edward Island. My wife and I will be on a road trip to Colorado’s Western Slope, hiking, soaking in hot springs, taking it easy.

Out of respect to the adjacent letter, “W,” we’re including a quirky video from Whakappa in New Zealand. If you’re in a hot and humid place, watch it. You’ll shiver!

If you’re contemplating purchasing a season pass, now is the time to do it. The cost of resort and multiple resort passes generally increases after Labor Day. Some resorts, like Snowbird, include a variety of goodies for early purchasers.

SeniorsSkiing is taking a break next week — our first since we started publishing in 2014. We’ll have some interesting and exciting developments to share as we approach the 2016-17 season. More on those when we return August 26!

In the meanwhile, keep doing what you do to condition for Winter. It’s going to be a great season for older skiers. There are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away!

Vandals Destroy World’s Oldest Skier Image

August 11, 2016/2 Comments/in Features, International/by Jon Weisberg

Picture Used as Lillehammer Games Logo.

5,000 year old Tromso rock art skier before and after

The world’s oldest known image of a person on skis — a 5,000 year old petroglyph on the Norwegian island of Tro — has been destroyed by vandals. The image was used as the logo for the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics.

Image used for Lillehammer Olympics

This is a tragedy for those interested in skiing history. It also is a tragedy for Norway, which considers the picture among it’s national treasures.

The vandals were young people who claim they were trying to improve the visibility of the faint petroglyph.

I live in an area with an abundance of ancient rock art. A short walk from my home takes me to a major panel made by people from the Fremont Culture, who were here about 1,000 years ago. There are pictographs (painted images) and petroglyphs (pecked and carved images). Over the past century, visitors have carved names and dates. Archaeologists consider these more recent markings “historic.” Over the past few years, the site has degraded as vandals have defaced the 1,000 year old images, scratched in their own graffiti, and used charcoal from the site to leave drawings, names, and stupid sentiments.

Ancient rock art is rare. Many people do not understand its importance as a connection to prehistory. Nor do they understand that it should be left alone.

Some educational programs encourage people to “Respect and Protect” ancient rock art. I recently met with personnel from the Bureau of Land Management to discuss ways to protect the panel near my home.

For a cultural treasure so important to the Norwegians, what measures were in place to prevent young idiots from to destroying this iconic ancient skier?

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (August 5)

August 4, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Falling From The Sky, More Snowless—And Rough—Skiing, Promotive Discount Reminder, First Resort Review Of Season, Free Skiing Endures.

It’s been a busy week at SeniorsSkiing.com. We have some far-reaching stories that may help you through the latest heat wave.

Co-Publisher Jon Weisberg reports on a daredevil who jumped from a plane to the earth without a parachute or batwings. No, it’s not skiing, but it’s a visual rush. Hold onto your seat and enjoy.

From Finland, we have the latest episode from Real Skifi, a group of very athletic teens who basically—how can we say this—ski through the streets and parks of their home town. Urban skiing at its best.

On a more serious note, we report the results of our most recent poll which suggests that many subscribers are not taking advantage of really significant discounts via Promotive. As a subscriber to SeniorsSkiing.com, you are automatically eligible for the same kind of discounts that pro skiers and instructors get on top-brand gear and clothing. Check the article to find out how you can sign up if you missed the opportunity when you subscribed.

We are also posting our very first resort review of the 2016-2017 season. It’s from Jim Barber who lives near and loves Mt. Baldy, BC, a small but very senior-focused resort that gets big powder snow every season. We promise you that you will not believe the price of a senior season pass.

Finally, we update the story about the NH state legislature’s attempt to wipe out free skiing for state resident seniors. The news is good; we salute the spirit of offering free skiing for seniors. Along those lines, we are updating our listing of US and Canadian areas that offer free skiing for seniors which will be coming along before the first flakes fly. Watch for it.

Thanks again for subscribing to SeniorsSkiing.com. Please tell your friends about us. Remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

Here are just some of the top brands available to SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers.

Don’t Try This At Home!

August 3, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by Jon Weisberg

Luke Atkins Drops 25,000 Feet Into Giant Net.

Luke Aikins caught like a butterfly after his 25,000 fall with no parachute.

Okay, our focus is on the 50+ snow sport enthusiast, and this article is about a 42 year old skydiver. By now you’ve probably read about or watched Luke Aikins’ history-making 25,000 foot descent without parachute or wingsuit. He jumped and directed himself (using GPS technology) to a 10,000 square foot net suspended high enough above the ground to catch him safely. The stunt was dubbed “Heaven Sent,” but he could just as well have named it “Catch and Release.” Aikins, a third generation skydiver, has a lot of experience, reportedly more than 18,000 jumps. But this one is a doozey!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qF_fzEI4wU

Urban Skiing: Snowless Daredevils From Finland

August 3, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by mikemaginn

Impossible but true.

Crazy kids in Finland ski in the city without snow. What gives?

Several years ago, four Finnish teen boys played around with skiing without snow in their city of Jyvaskyla. In parks, streets, and into rivers and ponds, they would skid, slide, crash and burn. Since beginning in 2011, these lads have made 16 episodes showing their mischief and athleticism, and they’ve been viewed more than three million times around the world. Their site is called Real Skifi. Check it out here.

Meanwhile, here’s the latest episode. Fun or foolish?

Poll Results: Promotive Discounts Underutilized!

August 2, 2016/13 Comments/in Features/by mikemaginn

Results Show That SeniorsSkiing.com Readers Not Taking Discounts.

Here are the results of our most recent poll:

Question: Have you signed up for Promotive discounts?

Yes, I’ve signed up 7%

Yes, I’ve signed up and bought stuff 2%

No, I haven’t signed up 26%

No, I didn’t know about Promotive 51%

Hmmmm.

One of the clearest and most unambiguous findings from our two most recent reader surveys revealed that discounts are very important to our subscribers. Well, big discounts on clothing, gear, goggles, gloves, you name it are now available to you, our readers. When we saw the overwhelming interest in discounts, we approached Promotive, an online accumulator of discounts from name brands.

Here are just some of the top brands available to SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers.

What Promotive does is offer discounts to groups of professionals that they form into “teams”. Examples are Professional Skiers, Ski Instructors, Ski Team Members. Promotive formed a special group just for us called “Snow Sports Influencers.” So when you subscribe to SeniorsSkiing.com, you can register with Promotive and get huge discounts from big-name brands like:

Helly Hansen
Outdoor Tech
Fisher
Swix
Injinji
Scott
Obermeyer

and many more. Many vendors are taking 40% off suggested retail prices.

What to do if you didn’t notice the instructions for getting registered with Promotive when you subscribed to SeniorsSkiing.com?

Contact us via email, confirm you are a subscriber, and we will send you the step-by-step instructions to become part of the SeniorsSkiing.com Snow Sport Influencers team.

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (July 29)

July 28, 2016/1 Comment/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Trump and Hillary on Skis, How to Hike, Hiking With Wild Flowers, New Stein Eriksen Exhibit, Ski Club Just For Seniors.

Wildflower Festival hike at Alta
Credit: Maura Olivos

Note of explanation to SeniorsSkiing.com’s non-US readers: The U.S. is in the middle of a Presidential Campaign. Please be understanding and stifle any laughter.

A quick search shows that both major party candidates have some snow skiing experience. Donald Trump’s ex, Ivana, was a Czech racer in her youth. And Hillary Clinton was reported “skiing on a sunny day” several years ago in Park City, Utah, when daughter, Chelsea turned 19.

Whichever candidate you favor, you’ve probably experienced some heartburn. When that happens, I usually pop a few antacids and head for the trail.

Two of this week’s features are about hiking. Steve Hines’ piece, How I Choose Hikes, provides excellent advice for anyone thinking about hoisting a daypack and going for a walk. And Sue Z’s account of hiking Alta’s wildflower-carpeted Albion Basin is a treat. So are the fantastic photos by Alta’s Maura Olivos.

Harriet Wallis made it up to the Alf Engen Ski Museum in Park City for the opening of its new Stein Eriksen exhibit. Harriet has a terrific ear for anecdotes, and her article made us chuckle.

Finally, the 70+ Ski Club is the first SeniorsSkiing.com advertiser to use its sponsored content page. That page tells the story of the oldest and largest ski club of its kind. It was founded by his famed radio-broadcasting grandfather, Lloyd Lambert, a name many of you in the Northeast will remember.

Last week we promised publication of the list of Trail Masters, those of you who reported skiing your age or more last season. We’ve rescheduled publication for mid-August.

As always, thank you for following SeniorsSkiing.com, especially during these hot summer days. The interesting thing is that every week—even during the summer—your numbers are growing. It’s a reminder that there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away!

The Alf Engen Ski Museum in Park City opened the Stein Eriksen exhibit this month.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

70+ Ski Club Is New SeniorsSkiing.com Advertiser

July 27, 2016/3 Comments/in Features/by Sponsored Content

SeniorsSkiing.com Is A Perfect Match For This Senior’s Ski Club.

Club leader Richard Lambert personally leads senior ski trips around the globe.
Credit: 70PlusSkiClub

The 70+ Ski Club is known to be the oldest and largest ski club of its kind. Lloyd Lambert, a popular upstate New York ski reporter and broadcaster, founded the club in 1977 when he saw many seniors giving up the sport. He led the effort to get free senior skiing and remained a tireless advocate for senior skiers until his death at age 96. Today, his grandson Richard continues the legacy of encouraging skiers to keep skiing for as long as possible and in as many places as possible. While you need to be 70 years old and an active skier/boarder to be an official member, younger skiers/boarders can and do join club trips. This is because many members ski with younger friends.

Many people join because they want to meet new people their own age to ski with. Richard says there is an amazing amount of camaraderie in the group which includes both singles and couples. The club has even resulted in some marriages, including a recent wedding of a two members who met on a summer ski trip to Argentina. Richard describes most of the group as solid intermediate skiers, but that there is a wide range of abilities. People who think they might quit skiing soon, quickly rethink that after seeing the energy in this extraordinary group which boasts over 3,000 members nationwide and over 150 in their 90’s.

Richard, who leads most of the trips, is known for his attention to detail and effort to make sure everyone has a good time. A longtime member from Pennsylvania expressed a sentiment shared by many members. He says he has been blessed to take many ski trips with numerous clubs that have run the gamut from “great” to “lousy” largely attributable to the organization and management. Relative to all those he says the 70+ has earned the status of nonpareil! For 2017 the club will offer many trips and events at several ski resorts in the US & Canada. Check out the website here: www.70plusskiclub.org.

[Sponsored Content by 70Plus Ski Club]

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (July 22)

July 21, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Industry Leader Interview, Artificial Snow Trending, Cycling In The OC.

Ride down to the ocean after you ride up from the beach.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

Summer is at its height, and it’s really hot in North America. Our readers continue to do their summer activities on the water, trails and roads; thanks for letting us know how you’re doing. We are officially noting that the start of Autumn is nine weeks away.

This week, we start our new Snow Sport Leader interview series with a Q&A with Earl Saline, the director of educational programming for the National Ski Area Association. He offers his views on the issues facing the resort industry, where senior snow sports enthusiasts fit in the picture, and his own career in the snow business. We’ll be following other industry leaders throughout the season. Stay tuned.

Construction for Buck Hill’s summer snow hill should be starting about now. (July 2016)
Credit: Buck Hill

We also read with growing interest about yet another artificial ski hill experiment. Well, its more than an experiment. Buck Hill, MN, is installing a slick surface that reportedly imitates the gliding of snow on its hill this summer. Curious that we are seeing a number of these attempts to extend the season growing in number this year.

Finally, we hear from Pat McCloskey and his Cycling Series report from the Orange County coast. He tells of the Laguna Wilderness where you can engage miles of trails in the coastal range overlooking the sea. Very cool. Thanks, Pat for your cycling reports. Anyone else have a fav place to spin?

Next week, we have a very special event. We will be announcing our list of Trail Masters, those SeniorsSkiing.com readers who report they have skied their age in the 2015-16 season. Skiing your age means you’ve been out on the slopes (or trails) a number of days that equals or exceeds your age. It’s an impressive list, and we have some great ideas for our Trail Masters.

Once again, thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. There are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away!

Snow Sports Leaders: Earl Saline, National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)

July 20, 2016/0 Comments/in Other News, Snow Sports Leaders/by Jon Weisberg

Editor’s Note: With this article, SeniorsSkiing.com begins a project of publishing interviews with snow sports leaders. We want our readers to learn more about the people who are influential in snow sports development and their views of the role of older participants in skiing, boarding and snow shoeing.

Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming for the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)

Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming for the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), has spent most of his 47 years on snow and around the snow industry. At NSAA he develops education programming for ski areas and their employees, including safety campaigns directed at patrons. Earl has taught at ski areas in the US and in New Zealand, at times managing ski schools with 700+ instructors. Before joining NSAA, he was Education Manager for the Professional Ski Instructors – American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) where he oversaw education and credentialing for 32,000+ members.

How did your early career lead to your NSAA position?

For years, I’ve worked with instructors and trainers across the US teaching skiing and boarding. My wife and I even went to New Zealand where I taught, trained, and examined snowboard instructors. In 2009 I took a position with PSIA-AASI focusing on education and credentialing programs. Ski area management was an important stakeholder in these programs, which led me to NSAA in 2014.

What issues face the ski area members of NSAA?

The big one is attracting and retaining customers. This involves three critical phases, which we identify as “trial,” “conversion,” and “retention.” Areas work hard to bring new skiers and riders to the sport and to their facilities. If they like the experience, they’re more likely to return, improving their skills and enjoying the sport. That’s the conversion phase. As they identify as skiers and riders, our hope is that they return year after year. We define that as ‘retention.’ Ideally, these converted skiers and riders then share their newfound passion with friends and family.

Our member areas compete year-round with their guests’ work and family obligations and with other recreational and non-recreational pursuits. Many activities don’t require the same time commitment as being on the hill. That’s why we work with areas to keep skiing top of mind when people think about where and how they want to spend their winter.

What is your/NSAA’s thinking about the role of the 50+ snow sports enthusiast in the overall skier population?

Research shows that the majority of new participants are introduced to skiing and riding through family and friends. Grandparents have tremendous influence on getting the rest of their family into skiing, especially when they own property at or near a resort. Many areas are embracing 50+ skiers because they may influence their peers, sometimes bringing new people to the sport. Areas like Crystal Mountain, Michigan are leading the charge with programs specifically aimed at experienced and at new 50+ skiers.

Please comment on other macro-issues impacting the industry.

Time poverty is one of the greatest issues facing increased participation. Many Americans lead busy lives, even after retirement. Family and other activities compete for attention, time, and financial resources.

Reliable snow is another. Areas have invested heavily in snowmaking. Snowmaking technology helped Eastern areas survive last season.

Areas also are investing in the beginners’ experience. Snow-shaping in beginner areas and equipment designed specifically for beginners is making it easier to learn to ski and ride. And new lifts make the beginner’s experience more enjoyable. Last season, areas in the East, put extra effort into keeping beginner areas open. This was critical to get newcomers into the “trial” phase and increasing their likelihood of conversion.

Qualified, trained instruction is crucial for first timers and for more experienced skiers wanting to stay fresh on snow.

These and other advances and improvements make skiing and riding accessible and better than ever. They are among the most enjoyable ways to spend wintertime with family and friends.

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (July 15)

July 14, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Breaking News, Weather Prediction, Super Video, Road Trip.

Credit: NOAA/NWS

Breaking News: The terminal foundation at the top of Sunday River’s Spruce Peak chairlift has collapsed, leaving the bull wheel, cable and chairs in disarray. This disturbing incident is being investigated by state officials and Sunday River engineers. At presstime, the cause is a mystery as is the future of this ski lift.

In more pleasant news, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center is releasing information about La Nina conditions in the central and eastern Pacific ocean. We know what El Nino did to snow in the East and West last season. Find out what is predicted for next year when La Nina’s impact hits North America.

Heli-Skiing in the Canadian Rockies: A peak skiiing experience.
Credit: CMH

We couldn’t resist posting a really spectacular video from CMH Heli Skiing, a scion of Han Gmoser’s original heli-skiing business. The views of carving through powder in the high Canadian Rockies are worth a look, especially in these hazy, hot, humid summer days.

Finally, co-publisher Jon Weisberg relates an exciting road trip to the so-called Four Corners area in southwestern Utah. Indian runes, landscape and history are all part of the experience.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be announcing the names of SeniorsSkiing.com’s Trail Masters. These are the readers who responded to our Spring Subscriber Survey 2016 and who have skied more days than their age. It’s quite a list, and we are very proud of their achievement.

Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. If you haven’t taken advantage of our SeniorsSkiing.com Promotive discount for top-brand gear and clothing, please check it out. You guys wanted deals, and we got them for you.

And remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

Winter Wx Forecast: La Nina In Charge

July 13, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by mikemaginn

What Will This Winter’s La Nina Bring To Snow Country?

In a La Nina year, the polar jet stream typically gets bent south, bringing cold air to southern Canada/northern US.
Credit: NOAA/NWS

El Nino, the inflow of warm water in the east/central tropical Pacific, has faded away. The El Nino event which started in March 2015 and lasted until early 2016 was one of the warmest in the past 30 years. You know the result: Lots of snow in the West, not so much in the East.

This year, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center is reporting those warm waters off Peru have cooled off. In fact, the June surface water temperature is even cooler than they were in May this year. So, in El Nino’s place comes La Nina. She can cause as much mischief with the weather as her brother.

Briefly, La Nina causes the polar jet stream to move southward, bringing colder temperatures than normal to the northern US and most of Canada. On the other hand, temps are typically warmer in the Southwest and southern plains. As for precipitation, La Nina usually brings wet weather to the upper US and Canada and drier weather in a band that goes across the southern half of the US.

Ergo, cold temperatures plus wet weather equal more potential snow in the northern band (including New England, Hallelujah!) and not so much in the southern half.

Remember, this is a prediction and not a forecast. Don’t book your vacation plans yet.

Stay tuned, we will be watching winter predictions as they develop.

The Perfect Southwest Road Trip for Fit Seniors

July 11, 2016/0 Comments/in Features, West/by Jon Weisberg

Ten Days of Ancient Cliff Dwellings and Thousand Year Rock Art.

It’s the 100th Anniversary of the National Parks Service, so my wife and I invited a friend to join us on a ten-day road trip to the Four Corners where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. We spent two nights each in Mesa Verde National Park, Canyon de Chelly, Bluff, Utah, and then headed north to Capitol Reef National Park. Each place is rich in ancient cliff dwellings and thousand year old rock art.

The trip combined scenery, culture, nice lodging, and, at times, unusual shopping experiences. It’s an ideal journey for seniors who are fit and who don’t expect super luxe or expensive hotels. The longest leg was the six hour drive from Salt Lake City to Mesa Verde, but the views and a few interesting stops along the way made it go by quickly.

Read the entire account in The Huffington Post.

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (July 8)

July 7, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Murder Mystery, Departure Of A Legend, Cycling With A Legend, Kayaking The Legendary Maine Island Trail.

Sven Wiik, cross-country pioneer, passed away this week at 95.

Hope you had a pleasant and safe Independence Day in the US, and a “nice” Canada Day, too. This short week has us exploring some summer themes and remembering a departed skiing hero.

First, we’ve just discovered an old-fashioned murder mystery by Wendy Clinch, our friend The Ski Diva. Double Black is all about murder in ski country, quirky characters and page-turning cliff-hangers. What more could you ask for in summer reading?

We also pay respects to Sven Wiik, a legendary cross-country skiing pioneer who as one of the early promoters of the sport in North America. He passed away this week in Steamboat Springs, CO, where his Scandinavian Lodge was a long-time presence on the mountain. He was 95.

Tamsin Venn, the publisher of The Atlantic Coast Kayaker, offers a snapshot of the Maine Island Trail, a pathway through the off-shore and coastal islands that threads its way from Casco Bay to Eastport. If you have any interest at all in kayaking, it is worth checking out.

The coast of Maine has hundreds of beautiful islands that can be visited by kayak. MITA can tell you where and how to do it.
Credit: Tamsin Venn

Finally, our Cycling Series continues with report from Pat McCloskey about riding with Scot Nicol, the founder of Ibis bikes and an early mountain bike pioneer. We know many of our readers spend time on bikes over the summer. Pat has been wonderful about pointing out some interesting rides around the country. Stay tuned for more.

Promotive Discounts Are Still Available

Our recent poll (in the right side bar, scroll down if you can’t see it) asks about our Promotive discount. We are surprised to see that only about 25 percent of our readers have taken advantage of this free discount opportunity. When you subscribed to Seniorsskiing.com, you should have received some information about signing up. You get access to big discounts from top-brands, gear and clothing. Probably the easiest way to get Promotive instructions is to, gulp, unsubscribe and then sign up again. You will get information about registering on Promotive with your confirmation email. It’s free, folks. Try that and see what happens.

Thanks so much for your continued interest in SeniorsSkiing.com. Remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

Skiing In Literature: The Ski Diva’s Double Black

July 7, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by mikemaginn

Perfect Summer Book: A Mystery With Vermont Skiing, A Cheating Fiance, A Spunky Ski Bum From Boston, Dead Bodies, Love Affairs and Gemutlichkeit.

When and if you take a break from hiking, cycling, kayaking and all the other activities our frisky senior readership engages in over the summer, you will can look forward to delicious flights of fancy with a Ski Diva mystery. Yes, our friend The Ski Diva (aka Wendy Clinch) has written a pot boiler involving murder and mayhem in snow country Vermont. Actually, Double Black was published in 2013, and we’re just catching up with it.

A full review will follow, but meanwhile, if you’re growing tired of reading Ron Chernow’s Hamilton, or the second volume of Proust, time to lighten up with a good, old fashioned murder mystery set among the ski trails of New England. Comfort reading for senior snow sport enthusiasts!

Order on Amazon, download and you can imagine you’re back in February, making some nice tight turns down Chin Clip or Nose Dive, chasing murders.

Woo-hoo!

Cycling Series: Riding With A Mountain Biking Legend

July 5, 2016/2 Comments/in Features/by Pat McCloskey

Scot Nicol, A Founder Of Mountain Biking, Is A Heck Of A Rider In His 60s.

Scot Nicols keeps "just keeps riding", a great lesson for seniors. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Scot Nicol “just keeps riding”, a great lesson for seniors.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

Dirt Fest is an annual event that is presented by Dirt Rag Magazine and always takes place in May at Raystown Lake, Pa. The nationally known Alligrippis Trails are there, and it is an opportunity for 5,000-plus people to attend, ride the trails, and intermingle with industry types who set up shop with demo equipment. One of the exhibitors is Ibis Bicycles of Santa Cruz, California headed up by their founder Scot Nicol. Scot is an icon in the world of mountain biking and at 61 years old, one heck of a good rider. One of the stops on their way from Santa Cruz is always in Pittsburgh, Pa to North Park which is a county park north of the city that has 42 miles of very enjoyable trails. An added attraction is the OTB Café which is situated in the boat house on North Park Lake. A great meeting place with great food and fellowship with the active set. The scene was set for an enjoyable stop and demo on the way to Dirt Fest by the Ibis crew.

Fast forward to the ride. It was quite a vision to see the trails filled with about 30 riders on Ibis Ripleys, MojoHD3, and other new versions of dual suspension and hard tail design. The local trails did not disappoint, and the riders eventually split into separate groups but riding with Scot was a priority for me since we were both senior riders of the same age. Interestingly, we were the elder statesmen of the ride by a good 20-plus years, but, as an industry icon and a guy who takes his fitness seriously, Scot has the ability to ride a great line on trails with which he is not familiar. The younger set were amazed as Scot and his California crew rode at the front of the group. As we descended the final trail, I was at my limit with a fast and furious pace driven by a guy who is a very talented senior rider.

Now most people our age would consider flying over the rocks and the roots of Eastern single-track impossible. Many of them would even scoff at why we would even be interested in “punishing” ourselves rather than kicking back and enjoying our older years. When I discussed this on the road back with Scot, he looked at me with that California cool and said, “Just keep riding and don’t even think about it.” Validation for me for what I think is a healthy lifestyle that I would like to continue for a long time.

Every year you have benchmarks where you can compare and test yourself. Skiing the chutes and the black and double black diamonds are always a benchmark test for me and other senior skiers. Riding with Scot Nicol and the younger set of our mountain bike group is always another benchmark test. “Just keep riding.” So true for all of us in so many ways.

Dirt Fest Riders on the Alligrippis Trails in Raystown Lake, PA. Dirt Fest is an annual event sponsored by Dirt Rag magazine. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Bike Riders in North Park, PA, a warren of 42 miles of trails just north of Pittsburgh.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

Maine Island Trail: Kayaking Paradise For Seniors

July 5, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by Tamsin Venn

For Seniors New To Sea Kayaking, Join The Maine Island Trail Association.

The coast of Maine has hundreds of beautiful islands that can be visited by kayak. MITA can tell you where and how to do it.
Credit: Tamsin Venn

If you’re new to sea kayaking, and if you live in the Northeast, one of the best resources for where to paddle is the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) Guidebook. You know summer has arrived when this annually updated treasure trove arrives in the mail. Or, “digital members” can download new online version from iTunes. For the price of membership, you can get down to some serious paddling adventure planning this summer.

The Maine Island Trail is a 375-mile recreational waterway that spans the entire coast of Maine. It connects more than 200 island and mainland sites open for day visits or overnight camping. The Maine islands are some of the most beautiful spots you can kayak to. Think smooth granite ledges, islands decked with fir trees, clear water colored Caribbean blue from crushed white shells, spectacular sunsets, and friendly visits from porpoises and seals.

Many of the islands are close together, making island hopping eminently doable.

The annual Trail Guide has comprehensive descriptions and usage guidelines for the islands, and offers details on accessing dozens of privately owned sites that are not open to the general public. The online app has photos of the islands so you can put a place to a name on the nautical chart.

The concept of the Maine Island Trail was founded on the simple premise that those who paddled to these islands would also want to engage in their stewardship. That premise has been born out, by the increasing number of private owners who entrust their islands’ care to MITA.

The guidebook always sends me into flights of fancy. Will this be the summer I paddle the entire trail, from Kittery Point to Machias? Or will I revisit a well-loved spot, like the Deer Island Thorofare, or discover a new place, with family and friends?

Note that while the Trail offers enticing journeys, it is a maritime environment with all the vagaries of ocean conditions, including strong afternoon winds. Kayakers who have accidents tend to become debilitated from cold water and hypothermia more than any other cause. Traveling here is not for the uninitiated. It is best to go with a tour operator (there are many good ones in Maine) or get some instruction and safety information under your PFD (personal floatation device). A good place to start is the guidebook.

The guidebook explains the areas that are riskiest for kayakers but also covers the essentials like what to carry for safety measures, wildlife protection and viewing, camping regulations, leave-no-trace ethics, what to do with waste and trash, afternoon winds and weather, and how to tie some sturdy knots. All of it is incredibly useful information, admonitions interspersed with basic know-how.

MITA also offers volunteer island clean-ups and meet-ups, a great way to get to know other senior kayakers.

Summer is not summer without a trip to a Maine island. For the price of membership in MITA, you have all the information you need to make that happen. Go to www.mita.org.

See you on a Maine island this summer!

This is the 25^th year Tamsin Venn has been publishing Atlantic Coastal Kayaker Magazine. For a subscription, go to www.atlanticcoastalkayaker.com

Dick Gilbane (rowing) and Kristen Roos (paddling) pass Little Ram Island in the Sheepscot River.
Credit: Tamsin Venn

Happy Independence Day!

July 4, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Credit: Tufts Ski Team

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (July 1)

June 30, 2016/3 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Amazing Andes Skiing, Boot Fitting, Sniagrab Gone Forever?

Four pro skiers at the tippy top of somewhere in the Andes.
Credit: GoPro

This week we continue our summer theme of “remembering snow” with a truly incredible video clip from GoPro. Featuring four pro skiers, GoPro takes them into the high Chilean Andes and drops them via helo and off they go. Worth a watch if you are trying to beat the heat.

Also, we are lucky to have boot fitting expert Steve Hines give us some clear and useful tips on getting the right size hiking boots. Some of his tips are pretty nuanced, but if you miss them when you buy boots, you can be in for some uncomfortable steps. Incidentally, this post was shared quite extensively already on Facebook.

Our ace correspondent Harriet Wallis marks the passing of Sniagrab, a Salt Lake City Labor Day tradition that is or rather was a pivot point in a skier’s year. What’s Sniagrab? Read on.

Finally the results of our latest survey on how you read SeniorsSkiing.com. These results surprised us. We didn’t think so many people read our online magazine on a Smartphone! Useful to know.

Laptop 18.5%
Smartphone 33.3%
Desktop 33.3%
Tablet 14.8%

Check our new poll in the right column which asks if you’ve taken advantage of your SeniorsSkiing.com Promotive discount yet. Our Spring Subscriber Survey 2016 confirmed—once again—that our readers want discounts. Promotive is one source for you; the other is Liftopia. And check out the 20 percent discount offered to our readers by Vail Realty. Hey, we listen.

Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. Remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

A Western Tradition Bites The Dust

June 27, 2016/2 Comments/in Features/by Harriet Wallis

The “Sniagrab” Is Gone Forever.

Ouch. Another major retail chain bites the dust and with it goes the famous “sniagrab” sales.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

“Sniagrab” is the word “bargains” spelled backwards. More than just a catchy name, Sniagrab was the famous Labor Day blowout sale held by sporting goods retailer Sports Authority. Everything –skis, boards, boots, and all gear and clothing – left over from last season was assembled in a warehouse-type setting and sold at rock bottom prices.

People would wait for hours to be the first through the doors to snatch up the hottest deals. And while waiting in line, there often were handouts and give-aways to stoke the fever. Here in Salt Lake City, many of the state’s 14 resorts had booths and sold season passes at the lowest pre-season prices. Sniagrab was a Labor Day addiction.

Sniagrab created a frenzy that heralded the upcoming ski season. When I lived in New England I chomped at the bit to move West and get to a famous Sniagrab sale. But now the 60-year Sniagrab tradition is kaput, never to happen again.

Sports Authority, a nationwide sporting goods retailer, announced bankruptcy in March and now all 450 stores are closing. Will you experience Sniagrab withdrawal symptoms?