Evelyn Kanter

Big Sky New Tram and Price Policy

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Big Sky celebrates its 50th Anniversary in the 2023/24 season with a brand new Lone Peak Tram and a new pricing policy for riding it.

The old tram opened in 1995, big enough – or small enough – for only 15 passengers at a time, making it feel like an elevator with windows. On powder days, it could be a one hour wait to reach the double and triple diamond chutes and couloirs, including the famous Dictator Chutes.

Pricing was dictated by conditions and demand.  On one of those blue-sky days after a knee-deep dump, it could cost close to $100 for a Tram-only lift ticket offering unlimited rides for the day.  Which could be 5-4 rides, if you started early and stopped only to find and devour the granola bars squirreled away in your parka pocket or daypack for lunch.

The new tram is a high-tech wonder which can hold 75, with gi-normous floor-to-ceiling picture windows that add excitement to the view and the anticipation.  Also new is the pricing – which will be cost per ride.  How much is the question.

The Big Sky website says $10 to $40 per ride –

https://bigskyresort.com/lone-peak-tram-faqs

which will change “dynamically, based on volume, conditions and other factors”, much like airline tickets.  So that knee-deep powder day still will cost more than the twenty-below wind-chill day in zero visibility fog (yes, I’ve skied Big Sky in both – haven’t we all). Rates will be posted daily, and not change during the day.

Season passes – including Ikon and Mountain Collective passes, and most Big Sky resort season passes including Twin Tip – do not include Lone Peak Tram.  You’ll still have to purchase an add-on ticket to ride.  There’s no information yet whether you’ll be able to pre-pay online – perhaps with the incentive of a discount – at base area ticket windows, at the base of the tram, or all three.

For other types of passes – it’s complicated.

Gold + Ikon Base and Gold passes have unlimited Tram rides, and Double Black Passes have 25 ski rides and 10 scenic rides pre-loaded on each individual’s pass.

Downhillers planning to ride the Tram without a Gold + Ikon Base, Gold or Double Black pass must enable Autocharge and provide a form of payment on their Big Sky Resort account. To create or update account visit shop.bigskyresort.com.

Check out the Big Sky video about the new tram.

Killington-Winter
Roger Lohr

A New Killington Village is Born

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Killington finally is getting a real base area village center.

In the March 2023 local election, residents of the town of Killington, Vermont, passed the TIF (tax increment financing) zone for a new village at Killington Mountain Resort.  It will take up to $47 million and about four years to build infrastructure including a new water system and road reconstruction plus guest facilities including housing, restaurants, and shops, for the planned village project, which has been under discussion for years.

The vote was 75% in favor of the TIF zone at the resort, which occurred due to the coming together of the resort, local businesses and residents to bolster the local economy.

Michael Sneyd, a resort development representative from Great Gulf Group, a firm from Toronto, joined Killington/Pico president and general manager Mike Solimano to present some of the plans to a group of local and regional journalists hosted by the Ski Vermont organization.

The project will take a couple of years to plan, design and sell while the construction is expected to take about four years.

The 4,229-foot Killington is part of Powdr, which also owns such other areas as Mt. Bachelor, Snowbird, Copper Mountain, Silver Star and others. Great Gulf has worked on similar projects at Stratton Mountain and resorts in Canada.

According to the industry trade publication Ski Area Management, it will be called Six Peaks Village, designed to serve skiers, bikers, hikers, golfers, music event attendees, and others in a true four-season center.

Phase 1 of the project would develop a walkable pedestrian avenue and 700 units near what is now Snowshed in the village that Sneyd said would incorporate a “ski beach” concept and be “animated for skiers and nonskiers.” The snowmaking pond would be featured and surrounded by a promenade.

Sneyd said there would be about 110,000 square feet of retail space in the village that will not be limited to Killington resort businesses. The living spaces would be whole ownerships – not fractional – as in many other such resort base areas – and there would be a rental program to be developed for residential owners.

Speaking to the development concept that is being planned Sneyd stated, “This is not a quaint Vermont thing.”

One of the intriguing aspects of the project is that the Snowshed and Ramshead lodges would be reconstructed and joined by a covered bridge spanning over what is currently the Killington Road.  The reconstruction of Killington Road includes installation of a multi-use path, sidewalks, pull-offs for buses, and a roundabout at the junction with East Mountain Road to relieve congestion, according to Ski Area Management.

Construction of Phase 1 is set to begin this summer.

The Killington village concept has been on the drawing boards for decades, and it appears that the community finally will have an opportunity to reap the rewards of the project coming to fruition.

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Hidden treasure 80+ Northeast Value Pass 

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To whom it may concern,

Vail’s 80+ Northeast Value Pass for $ 45 (+ $4.95 shipping & handling) is a hidden treasure that is NOT on their website, is basically unknown, is VERY hard to get accurate info about, and ONLY is in effect to the “Northeast” Areas which includes Mid-Atlantic and Ohio!! People on the toll free line insist it does NOT exist…but it does…confirmed by 2 independent Vail employees…

This from an email exchange with Vail: “Since the 80+ Northeast Value pass is a pass that not many people are able to buy (Guests have to be 80 Years old or older to buy), it is only available to purchase by calling our guest services team or by email. It is not a product we advertise for the general public. You may also call our guest services team to have them assist you in buying your 80+ Northeast Value Pass. When calling our number, I will suggest pressing the extension number 4 to get to someone who is located in our Colorado call center. Please note, the 80+ Northeast Value Pass is part of our product line, please don’t let the agents tell you it doesn’t exist, it does. Our guest services phone number is: (970) 754-0005. “

Unclear if this pass will be physical (probably)…or part of the program to put it on cell phones (which I think will be problematic)….I asked…and the answer was mumbo-jumbo…and I don’t really care….so did not follow up.  I can get a full season of skiing at Whitetail for less than a senior day ticket….seems wise economics to me!!

The fine print says 10 NON-CONSECUTIVE days at Stowe (my former home town)….I found out that “non consecutive”  means: can but need not be consecutive……ie I can ski at Stowe 10 consecutive days or 10 random days during the season…..

David Putnam

 

Rose Marie Cleese

Snow Sports Museum in Northern California on Track for Completion

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Back in 1955, it took Squaw Valley co-founder Alex Cushing, just six months to nail down his Northern California ski resort near Lake Tahoe as the site of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. The building of the museum that will preserve the history of the games along with the broader history of Sierra Nevada winter sports is taking far longer.

By the time the SNOW Sports Museum opens its doors in 2026 or 2027, it will have been two decades since the formation of the official non-profit foundation to create the museum, and close to seven decades since the 1960 Winter Games.

Just so you know – SNOW is an acronym for Sierra Nevada Olympic & Winter.

Longtime local resident and travel writer Eddy Ancinas, now 86, says there was support for a museum ever since the 1960 games.  He has been involved since the beginning and currently serves as vice president of the board of the SNOW Sports Museum Foundation.

The closest that came to happening was the Auburn Ski Clubs’ Western Ski Sport Museum, which opened in 1969 and fastidiously tended by legendary ski historian and snow sports journalist Bill Berry.

Located on Donner Summit near the base of Boreal Ridge ski area, it is filled with memorabilia and histories of skiing in western North America – especially California and Nevada—from the Gold Rush to the era of ski clubs and the advent of ski jumping. It also includes some 1960 Olympics memorabilia, and is expected to stay open even when the larger, grander, more modern new museum opens nearby.

The longtime Olympic Museum at High Camp at what is now Palisades Tahoe has closed, and it is expected that its collection will be absorbed into the new museum.  Says Ancinas, “Russell Poulsen [son of the late Wayne Poulsen, co-founder with Cushing of Squaw Valley, now Palisades] was the impetus behind the new museum. He was the one who rustled us all together in the early 2000s with the help of Bill Clark, executive director of the Auburn Ski Club.”

In 2008, two years before the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Winter Olympics, the Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation was formed, to find a site and develop a program that would tell the Olympic story and also the history of Sierra and Western winter sports. Since then, it has worked nonstop to launch capital campaigns, host galas, search for an ideal site, navigate the tangle of permits and environmental reviews, and deal with non-receptive government officials.

Recently, with the strong support of a newly elected local government, the foundation found a site, completed the environmental requirements, and hopes to break ground in 2024.

The foundation will lease approximately an acre of land from Olympic Valley Park (formerly Squaw Valley Park) just off State Route 89 and close to the Olympic Valley Entrance, where the original Tower of Nations and Olympic cauldron still stand and welcome visitors.

Plans are to build an 80,000-sqaure-foot, two-story structure to house its collections of ski memorabilia.

According to current foundation president, David Antonucci, 72, a civil environmental engineer and author of several books on Lake Tahoe and the 1960 Winter Olympics, three collections will form the core of the museum’s memorabilia:

  • the private collection of the Batiste family,
  • Palisade Tahoe’s collection, currently on display at the resort’s High Camp, and
  • the 10th Mountain Division memorabilia collection.

The contents of The Museum of Sierra Ski History and the 1960 Olympics, currently on display in the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City, also will move to the new museum.

This museum was opened in 2011 by Antonucci and fellow board member Stan Batiste and includes memorabilia and artifacts from the Auburn Ski Club Museum, the Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe Ski Clubs, and the Sugar Bowl ski area. Antonucci encourages anyone with Sierra Nevada or 1960 Olympics ski memorabilia to contact the foundation if they have anything to donate.

Eddy Ancinas emphasizes how important this new museum will be to the region and the state.

“I grew up in the Sierra Nevada, as did my father and grandfather, so I’ve lived much of the history the SNOW Sports Museum intends to preserve. The 1960 Olympics were like no other Olympics in the past, present, or future, yet Olympic Valley is the only Winter Olympic site in the world without a museum to commemorate those seminal events.

“Equally amazing are the stories and events that took place in the northwestern Sierra during the final days of the Gold Rush, when men and women in mountain communities traveled in winter on longboard skis—an activity that eventually led to competitions. A museum dedicated to the legacy of the Winter Olympics and California and Nevada’s unique mountain history is long overdue.”

Antonucci agrees, saying, “The SNOW Sports Museum will finally bring to life the compelling story of the 1960 Winter Olympics—the Winter Olympics that changed it all.”

To contact the foundation for more information or inquire about making a monetary or memorabilia donation, go to thesnowmuseum.org.

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Ageism in the Ski Pass Industry

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To whom it may concern,

As I get older, each year I have to reassess the value of purchasing an annual ski pass. And each year Alterra continues to practice ageism in its pass pricing structure!

You offer NO SPECIAL PRICING for forgotten senior skiers and riders (many of whom are on a fixed income) over 70 years of age who may only ski a few times per year compared to other pass holders. You offer discounts to college, military, nurses, young adult, child, 4 and under but nothing to those of us who have been your loyal bread and butter customers for years. Those of us who have brought up the next generation or two of new skiers and riders of whom you now benefit.

I have noted this discrimination to your company before but my concerns were met with indifference. Apparently corporate greed is more important than fairness in rewarding older skiers who have steadfastly supported the ski industry through thick and thin for decades.

You’re probably thinking why should Ikon offer a senior discount when Epic doesn’t? That’s bad business thinking. Why not be the leader in offering seniors a proper deal like many of the smaller resorts like Loveland do? Not to mention that Snowy Range who offers free lift tickets to the over 70 crowd! Not only would you attract more older skiers and riders but also their children and grandchildren.

Offering discounts to nurses, military members, young adults, etc. demonstrates respect for them and what they do for our society. Seniors have contributed and continue to contribute a great deal to our lives, yet all too often, they receive less respect and are kicked to the curb. Refusing to include seniors with nurses, military, and young adults is a slap in the face and denies them the respect they deserve. Most of the seniors who ski have done so for a large part of their lives and want to affordably continue. They are not the (discount treated) hotdoggers who often endanger the lives of other skiers and riders.

I know that your company doesn’t really care but I felt the need to give my opinion. Maybe by the time I’m 80 your company will give my generation a little respect by offering us the discounted ski passes we deserve.

Avid skier since 1960,
G.S. Wood

Evelyn Kanter

ICYMI for May

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Evelyn Kanter at Snowbasin 2023

Even though this amazing snow season is winding down, there’s still some important news for skiers and riders.

Here is our monthly ICYMI – in case you missed it – tidbits of this and that, including extended operating days at resorts in the US and Canada.

Utah

The state has received a record amount of what it markets as The Greatest Snow on Earth, including some 700 inches at Brighton and Alta.

Ski Utah reports these new closing dates for resorts still operating – if your favorite destination is not on the list, it has already closed for the season –

  • Alta – April 23, 2023
  • Brian Head – April 30, 2023
  • Brighton – May 29, 2023
  • Deer Valley Resort – April 23, 2023 (extended beyond original date!)
  • Park City Mountain – May 1, 2023 – (extended beyond original date!)
  • Snowbasin – April 23, 2023 – (extended beyond original date!)
  • Snowbird – Open daily through May 14. Then open Friday–Sundays and holidays through Memorial Day. With no closing date in sight, Snowbird will continually assess operations past Memorial Day based on conditions.
  • Solitude – May 21, 2023 – Open daily until May 21. More info here.
  • Woodward Park City – to be announced for chair closure but the jib park is open until the snow melts!

Montana –

Big Sky is offering a selection of resort-specific passes for next season, including $60/day Twin Tips deal. Purchase before April 27 to get the low price. Big Sky is also an Ikon Pass member.

Alaska –

Alyeska Resort will join the Ikon Pass community for winter 23/24 with no blackout dates.  Ikon Base Pass holders will have access to five days, with select blackout dates. Alyeska Resort is also available on the Ikon Session Pass.

The addition of Alyeska Resort brings the list of Ikon Pass resorts 56 mountain destinations across 11 countries and 16 states.

Alyeska Resort is a playground for all levels of skiers and riders, located just 40 miles south of Anchorage, Alaska, in Chugach State Park, offering glacier-filled vistas and Northern Lights sightings. The mountain is home to a 60-passenger aerial scenic tram with panoramic views, 1,610 acres of varied terrain, 76 trails and over 669 inches of snow annually, plus seven dining experiences, including Seven Glaciers, a AAA Four Diamond Award restaurant with unparalleled views overlooking seven hanging glaciers.

Visit in March as I did a few years ago, and enjoy the start of the famous Iditarod Race in downtown Anchorage.  It’s a fun day with parades and other events.

Canada –

Whistler Blackcomb has closed the Peak 2 Peak Gondola and the Whistler Village Gondola for the season.

But spring skiing is still accessible on Blackcomb Mountain on weekends until May 22, via the Blackcomb Gondola.

Elsewhere –

The winter ski/snowboard season is just beginning in Chile and New Zealand.  (Click here for details on the 70+ Ski Club New Zealand Trip this August.)

Season Passes –

Have you bought yours yet for next season?  Epic, Ikon, Mountain Collective, Indy. All offer great deals for multiple destinations.  But don’t delay – early-purchase deals have expiration dates, and some passes have capped numbers, so when they’re gone, they’re gone.

See you next month!

Richard Anglin

Giving Back

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Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

The definition of a “cohort” is a collection of people who share characteristics or experiences over time. It’s one of many descriptions of us skiers and riders. We seek and revel in the mountain life and its experiences and invite others to share in our reverie. Our life view is expansive, embracing all.

Giving back to others is deeply embedded in the psyche of skiers and riders, and an active part of our mountain ethos. Sometimes all it takes is someone or a group of skiers and riders gathering to have an impact.

In February 2023, residents and businesses in Tamarack and Boise did just that, by honoring a beloved cohort with a huge and fund-raising effort to help feed the less privileged in Idaho.

The Idaho Foodbank reports that nearly nine percent of the state’s population, including more than 46,000 children, face food insecurity. Nearly 7,000 Idaho seniors are at risk of not getting enough to eat, which leads to exacerbating health issues.

In 2022, The Idaho Foodbank provided 27.2 million pounds of food, enough for 22.6 million meals, enough for about 184,000 people per month.  Managers say they can provide four meals for every dollar donated. It takes the combined efforts of farmers, food product manufacturers, distributors, community organizations, government, and individual citizens to make this happen.

The food bank fundraiser was to honor the memory of Larry Gebert.  It was the idea of Dan and Kathy Boespflug, Tamarack locals.  Dan and Larry grew up together in Montana.  They were neighbors and attended kindergarten thru college together and stayed friends – cohorts – their entire lives.

Larry died of a massive heart attack April 1, 2022.  He was actively involved in more than 40 charities in Idaho.  One of his favorites was The Idaho Foodbank.  So, Dan and I decided to give to the Foodbank in Larry’s name,” wrote Kathy.

She turned to a local rider, homeowner, and realtor, Trisha Sears, to create and sponsor an “Ending Hunger Spring Challenge” event here at the Tamarack  Resort. Kathy and her husband Dan pledged to match donations to The Idaho Foodbank up to $25,000.

A group of about 50 skiers, mostly seniors and those approaching senior status, convened on a Friday evening in February to take up the challenge. What’s the best way to incentivize skiers and riders? With  food and wine, of course.

A builder family, Delain and Dana Kemper, who live here at Tamarack hosted the gathering in a recently completed home for sale (yes, we were all careful about spilling wine or dropping food on the floor). Holesinsky Vineyard and Winery, 2022 Idaho Winery of the Year, donated the wine. Brian Auger, Ken Callan and Jeff Hemmes brought their Oonis to make pizza. Salads and hors d’oeuvres were also donated.

How did we do? We raised more than $17,000, which Dan and Kathy Boespflug matched. But, we were not done.

Rex and Mary Beth Chandler, owners of the top-rated Chandlers Steak House in Boise, donated a special luncheon for 35 people to add to the match. The luncheon was oversubscribed. Boise Channel 7 showed up for the luncheon and ran reports on the Idaho Today Show and also the evening news in Larry’s honor.

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-today/idaho-today-spring-challenge-with-idaho-foodbank/277-6237dd1b-552a-4127-9e03-633f463e2341

https://www.ktvb.com/video/life/boise-couple-idaho-foodbank-donations-honor-larry-gebert/277-7a9cd676-d429-404e-afc7-7a675eb73b61

With these events, Dan and Kathy Boespflug and their skiing and riding cohorts raised $65,500. Not too shabby!  It’s a heart-warming example of how skiers and riders, thinking locally, drinking locally, giving locally.

What are you doing at your local ski area to give back locally?

David Sartwell

Powder in the Glades

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Glade skiing is not about speed and power, but about grace under pressure. It is dancing a ballet on snow crystals where a mistake can really hurt.  It is that fine line where fantasy and reality meet, especially when you are knee-deep in a fresh blanket of powder that rests lightly between the trees.

When you find that rhythm where decisions become subconscious rather than worrisome; when you get to that skill point where you can relax and the whole run slows down in your brain, then trees don’t go whipping by, they ghost on past you.

You no longer see tree trunks or boulders, but only the white avenues between them.

There is an intimate relationship between powder snow and me. Neither of us actually speak, but I sometimes feel a door opening, a finger beckoning, the seductive music welling up from underneath, and the flashing danger of boulders and trees that go rocketing by.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, most famous for writing The Little Prince, once said that, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” However, you can’t plan a descent down through a mountainside of trees and boulders. So, I guess it follows, then, that a drop down into a tree-covered vertical snow field is simply a wish that has come true.

For some of us, the ultimate thrill is to go where there is no path and leave a trail.  I want to go farther. I want to go where no one has gone before, where the wind and snow cover my run so no one will ever know I have been there.

Carve your own patterns.  Be a performance snow artist. Look back up the mountain and marvel at your own creative genius.

Grooming a trail is like putting a goopy gel in your hair to make it behave. Powder, on the other hand, is like the long flowing tresses of Mother Nature that move gently in the wind, enfolding you in their thick lovely strands.

I pitched down into the sea of green-spotted white, my skis floating on an uncertain medium. The wide powder skis disappeared into the fluff and all I could see, if I looked down, was a vee of snow peeling away from the top of my boots.  But in powder skiing you don’t have time to look down.

What you are forced to look for is the white openings. If you concentrate on the trees or boulders you are in trouble. There has to be an internal calmness that realizes every turn is a leap of faith; that you know there will be a way out even when you can’t immediately see it.

I know I am there only at the pleasure of the snow Gods. The deep crystals invite me in close and protect me, allowing me to penetrate and then let me float through the cold smoke as if there is no yesterday and no tomorrow but only the here and now.

I never assume that I am in control because I know there is always the danger of a stump just under the surface of the snow, put there to remind me of my limitations.

Unlike groomed runs where you power up the downhill ski, here you get both skis equally involved in floating just underneath the surface of the snow.

Gentle pressure, forward movement, never looking down. Find the snow, find that small chute that gives you the lane down the mountain. When you put your skis together, all you need is enough space to get the core of your body through. Sometimes the opening is so narrow you have to turn your shoulders to fit.

Think of a narrow doorway in your house. If you can find an open lane about that size you can move on down. The trick is to seek out a series of doorways as you drop down the mountain. Every turn requires that you know in your heart that another opening will revealed when you round this boulder or that tree.

That doesn’t mean you can’t stop and enjoy the moment, but what it does mean is that you are in the woods where all you will hear is the occasional locational shout from companions who have joined you in this roller coaster of joy.

What fascinates me about glade skiing is that you have to make a series of choices, sometimes in a nanosecond, to avoid hitting something very hard. You turn when Mother Nature demands, not when you happen to want to, as on an open groomer or even a mogul run.

You don’t control the course, only your reaction to it. This is not a hostile environment until you introduce speed and movement. Speed is what brings the challenge, and it is in that process of control that I find the most solace.

No one is in control of my movement. No one else says turn right or left. No one else says go fast here or slow there. It is my challenge, and I control the pace of my movement.

At first, I struggled a bit, trying too hard to be analytical. Conscious choices, which take time to process, gave way to simple reaction. A really great Robert Johnson blues song started to work its way up from the recesses of my mind, and my body started to simply react.

Soon, I became a tiny figure on the surface of a huge mountain, dropping down its uncaring sides, finding spaces where there were none, turning and dropping ever downward. At first, there was a heartbeat and air rushing into demanding lungs, then there was music to replace it, and then even that fell away as I simply disappeared.

Jan Brunvand

Add This Great Book About Skiing History to Your Bookshelf

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To Heaven’s Heights: An Anthology of Skiing in Literature It’s an eclectic mix of stories celebrating skiing as sport, transportation and more.  It’s for anybody who loves skiing – even reading about skiing.

Many of the selections are nostalgic accounts of learning to ski, or descriptions of ski treks of long ago and far away. Others are exciting accounts of accidents, avalanches, competitions, skis in warfare, and daring ski chases from spy thrillers by writers like Ian Fleming and Brad Thor.

About half the selections are originally in English, and others are translated from the foreign languages, including some  translated by Christophersen herself, who was born in Norway. The rest is a scattering of French, Russian, German and Italian writings and even a little “skiers and hunters ditty” from Mongolia.

Altogether, this hefty book is a wonderful collection of interesting readings about our favorite sport.

Christophersen arranged her selections in twenty-three chapters, but there is overlap among headings like “Humour,” “Romance,” and “Poems.” The chapter titles “Miscellaneous” and “Just Skiing” reflect how difficult it is to sort such material into discrete categories.

No matter.  This is a book for pleasurable browsing that inspires the reader to explore further in the works excerpted.

The first book I looked up was Peter Kray’s 2014 novel,  The God of Skiing, which I am enjoying now. Another revelation was the work of French author Henri Troyat, whose 1957 novel Tender and Violent Elizabeth should be great, if the excerpt here is a fair sample.

The fiercely independent and feisty heroine is not  only a terrific skier but also a striking young lady with problems to solve concerning her repressive parents and two aspiring lovers. I ordered a British edition because it has a ski resort scene on the cover instead of the bodice-ripper illustration of other editions. I can’t wait to see how Elizabeth works things out.

Sometimes only sketchy or slightly incorrect information is given, making it a bit tough to track down originals.

For instance, the American writer Swain Wolfe (1939-2021) is introduced in the present tense with a paragraph quoted from an out-dated website. His first name is misspelled as “Swaine” and the title of his book from which the selection comes is The Boy Who Invented Skiing: A Memoir (2006) not simply “I Invent Skiing” as the excerpt is titled.

My personal favorite in the book is the last piece, John Updike’s story “Man and Daughter in the Cold” from The New Yorker, 1968. The skiing experience in blizzard conditions is perfectly rendered, while the exploration of relationships between the title characters raises the story to the level of true literature.

With so much to praise about Ingrid Christophersen’s award-winning book, I feel almost ungrateful suggesting a few more things that might have been included. On the other hand, second-guessing an author is part of the enjoyment of an anthology.

So I wonder—with all the wonderful pieces from Norwegian works that few of us would ever be able to read in the originals—why not include something from Stein Eriksen’s Come Ski With Me (1966)?

Also, alongside vignettes of skiing as a way of life among Norwegians, it would be appropriate to include selections from English writers who travelled to Norway and emulated the native love of the sport. Good examples are found in such books as Mrs. Alec Tweedie’s A Winter Jaunt to Norway (1894) and J. H. W. Fulton’s With Ski in Norway & Lapland (1912).

Probably every reader will think of other works that could be mined for skiing in literature.  Maybe there’s enough for a sequel.

Although we are all adults here, I feel warnings should be sounded about two items in the book that may put off some readers.

The piece titled “The Seducer” by a contemporary Norwegian writer includes a long and rather graphic sex scene. And there’s a selection by the German film director “Leni” Riefenstahl who produced propaganda films for the Nazis.  While describing Berlin in 1932, before she made an “escape to the mountains” of Switzerland, the Nazi sympathizer recounts receiving a leather-bound copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf from Joseph Goebbels as a Christmas present. Ugh! Who needs this?

Ingrid Christophersen’s book was published in London by the Unicorn Publishing Group ( unicornpublishing.org ), 2021. 336 pages, hardbound. Available from online booksellers, including as a Kindle edition.

Proceeds from sales will go to Snow Camp, the UK’s National Snowsports charity, www.snow-camp.org.uk which gives young inner-city children the opportunity to experience the mountains and in many cases turn their lives around.

So it’s a good read for a good cause. 

Evelyn Kanter

Vail Resorts Introduces Season-Long Rental Program

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Photo by Jack Finnigan on Unsplash

It’s called “My Epic Gear”, and it allows skiers and riders to reserve the same boots, skis or snowboard for an entire season at participating Vail Resorts destinations.

Skis and boards are top models from top manufacturers. Boots are fitted with customized insoles and boot fit scanning technology.  Everything offers free slopeside pickup and drop off, and there’s a new app to guide you to choose the ideal gear.

The My Epic Gear program launches in the 2023/24 season as a pilot program to Epic Pass holders, at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone.

The following season – 2024/25 – Vail Resorts plans to expand the program to Whistler Blackcomb, Park City Mountain, Crested Butte, Heavenly, Northstar, Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow, with further expansions planned for future seasons.

Of course, it all depends on the success of the pilot program next season.

How it Works

Choose a model of ski or snowboard at the beginning of a season, and be guaranteed that model will be available any day of the season, fully tuned.

Try a different model of ski or snowboard any day, such as powder skis, based on availability.

Select from the most popular and latest skis, snowboards and boots.

Choose from name brand, high-quality ski and snowboard boots with customized insoles and boot fitting process.  Or, opt out of the boot offer and use your own.

The plan includes free slope side pickup and drop off every day, at every participating mountain resort.

The new My Epic app will manage the entire experience, from gear selection to boot fitting to delivery.

What it Costs

A full season membership for adults will cost $50, plus a $50 per day rental fee.

My Epic Gear also promises to keep your reserved skis or board properly tuned and waxed.

Depending on how often you ski or ride, that’s less than the average daily cost per season for owning gear, including paying airline baggage fees or shipping costs, and waxing and tuning during the season.

And, the $50 daily fee is about half the daily demo price premium equipment just about anywhere in snow country.

By my limited math skills, it sounds like the gear program will pay back in one week of skiing or riding – just like the Epic Pass and/or IKON Pass.

Child pricing will be introduced as part of the full launch of the program for the 2024/2025 season.

Choose Your Gear

At the beginning of the season, members can select a favorite model of ski or snowboard, and that gear will be tuned and available to them every day, at any participating resort, guaranteed.

There are 15 different leading brands and more than 50 of the most popular and latest ski and snowboard models available, including personalized recommendations to help guests determine the right gear for their needs.

Customized boot fittings leverage scanning technology, and members will have access to name brand, high-quality boots with insoles for a customized fit. Members can also opt out of choosing boots, if they prefer to use their own.

In addition to choosing favorite gear for the season, members can sample other brands and models of skis and snowboards for all terrains, weather conditions and skill levels, subject to availability.

My Epic Gear will collect guest feedback throughout the season and will recommend the best option for a guest based upon their experience level, conditions, and the latest equipment choices, as well as reviews from members in the program.

SeniorsSkiing Feedback

We welcome your comments, too. Do you think this is a good deal? Why? Why not?

Mike Roth

Utah’s Best Kept Secret Slopes

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Powder Mtn

We all know there are many options to ski Utah – Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude, Park City, Snowbasin, Deer Valley.  But none can hold a candle to Powder Mountain.  Why is this, you might ask?

Powder mountain boasts the largest ski/snowboard area in North America, with 8,464 acres of groomed trails and un-groomed of pure skiing pleasure.

You are at an elevation of 7,500 feet to almost 9,000 feet at the top, and because of the high elevation the mountain produces over 500 inches of light fluffy powder annually. They do boast the greatest snow on earth with no snowmaking.

It’s easy to lose track of what you’re skiing since the area is so vast.

I was amazed that we had skied most of the day and noticed we had only skied 15 runs. Even though there are – literally – miles of downhill options, there are a few  lifts.  Most are older fixed grip chairs. The vertical ranges from a short 582 feet vertical at the Village lift to 1,609 vertical at Paradise lift, and an impressive 1,268 for the high-speed.

All the lifts service some very good long runs from beginner to expert (they are also open till 9pm on one lift, for night skiing on the Sundown chair).

On one day, I decided to ski only the Hidden Valley hi-speed lift.  From 9am to 3pm, I skied 25 runs and 29,000 vertical feet. That was a max for me, and I wasn’t tired from it because I found the “zone”.

Limiting Guests

Something important to mention is that Powder Mountain limits the number of skiers to 1,500 season pass holders plus day-trippers. So, even on a busy weekend you can expect about 2,200 to 2,500 skiers on 8,500 acres.  That’s 3.5 acres plus or minus for each skier.

It’s also important to note that Powder Mountain offers FREE skiing to anybody 75+, which makes it a popular destination for senior skiers and riders – and there are lots of us.  The 70+ Ski Club includes a day at Powder Mountain in its annual Utah trip.

There is a reservation system, so if you don’t want to be blocked out and you are purchasing a daily ticket, do it ahead of time online. Also for 75+ senior skiers, who need to reserve online, not at the ticket window.

The limits on daily skiers and riders meant that it was few and far between that I was passed by another downhiller.  As you look up a slope from any chair you might see a dozen people on any given slope.

So, safety wise, it was a delight. As a matter of fact, at least eight of about 50 who passed me on the entire week of skiing made announcements of “on your left” or “on your right”.  When was the last time you heard that on a crowded slope?  Utah, or anywhere else?

Powder Mountain is a throwback to skiing in the 60’s and 70’s, with a basic and unpretentious lodge, compared to some other resorts in the west.

Many of the skiers/riders here are diehards, with about 45% locals and the rest of 55% from out of town.

For the adventurous, there is also the opportunity to go Cat Skiing on a per ride basis. Next season – 2023/34 – Powder Mountain plans to provide full day cat skiing with the strong possibility of having an additional 20,000 acres beyond what they already have.

As the area expands, they are trying very hard to keep the current “down to earth” feel of the area.  Everyone from lift attendants to mountain hosts, to all the staff, are very friendly and cheerful.

And chairlift conversations were equally friendly and cheerful, including tips on where to stay nearby, since there is no base area lodging. On one lift ride I was offered a prayer session!

 

Season Passes and Other Tips

Powder Mountain season passes are hard to come by. There’s a waiting list of about 6,000 people and currently 3,000 pass holders, do don’t hold your breath. I maintain mine, which I received five years ago, so I don’t have to worry about getting a reservation.

If you are going for a longer period, buy a five-pack early in the season, which can be used on a choice of days during the season.

The area’s goal is to provide the best snow conditions to serious skiers and riders, which it is able to do by limiting the number of downhillers on any day.

You will never see a long lift line here,  as you might find at other areas on weekends, especially on a powder day.  The longest lift line I encountered in a week here was just three minutes long on a weekend day when they had reached the max number of skiers for the day.  Mostly, I just skied right up to the lift with just a one or two chair wait for the few people in front of me.

What a delight it is to ski Powder Mountain.  I’m already planning my trip for next year………

Roger Lohr

Thoughts on Aging and Ageism

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“You haven’t aged a bit.” “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” “Young at heart.” “So when are you going to retire?” “Still skiing at your age?”

We’ve all heard, read or experienced comments like that, because American culture is grotesquely youth-centric.  The notion is that it is sad to be old, that wrinkles are embarrassing and so on.

There is ageism in the workplace, in the doctor’s office, and in the bedroom, all reinforced by pervasive myths developed throughout our lifetime.

Even The Beatles questioned aging when they sang, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I’m 64.”  That was in the 60s, when they – and we – were in our 20s and 30s, suggesting perhaps that there is a question about love and relationships for older people.

The well-regarded Pew Center found recently that accepted “hallmarks of aging” include obvious perceptions about gray hair, having grandchildren and being retired.  More importantly, perhaps, the research revealed a common view about us older people that includes forgetfulness, problems with bladder control and decreased sexual activity.

Before you start claiming that this “ism” is just more “woke,” the stereotype of ageism lies in the assumption that all members of the older people (elders) group are the same – too old for a certain type of car, specific haircut, type of clothing, how to speak, etc.  Not to mention too old to ski, snowboard or X-C.

Despite seeing more grey-haired and otherwise older models in commercials, there is an overwhelming and incessant daily barrage of messages of socially sanctioned prejudice.  That message is – simply – that people who are no longer fashionably young and fashionably slim  find themselves exiled to the margins of society.

Aging is perceived with weakness, forgetfulness and decline. We are afraid of aging, are in denial about aging, and many societal norms keep us blind to the many benefits of aging (and this is not referring to senior discounts offered at the movie theater or on the ski slopes).

There is research that shows that on average, those with positive perceptions about aging live eight years longer than those with negative beliefs about ageing. This is due in part to their motivation to take better care of themselves and/or their engagement with meaningful activities.  Like skiing/riding.

Negative stereotypical beliefs can impact health through psychological and behavioral pathways. They operate unconsciously and increase in power as they become more self-relevant and these beliefs are internalized within American society from childhood throughout a person’s lifespan.

Negative beliefs such as “having a senior moment” have pseudo-scientific legitimacy. Age related frailty and similar age-oriented miss-attributions can influence how we even think about ourselves and if not counteracted by positive beliefs these thoughts can impact how we feel and act.

There are no biological markers for reaching “old age”, despite the prevalence of social security, senior discounts, and retirement age.

“Elderspeak” which is using simplified language, sing-song cadence, and a louder than normal voice is not acceptable as a method for communicating with all older people. Serious mental decline is NOT a normal or inevitable part of ageing.

Aging and memory have much to do with environmental factors and how we approach and think about aging, and the way we tell ourselves how to grow old. The accepted stereotype that the brain inevitably deteriorates as we get older is false.

If you relate to statistics here are a few:

  • 75% of those over 85 years old perform everyday activities (i.e., dressing, cooking, relieving themselves) without personal assistance;
  • 90% of older folk who are not in nursing homes can think (finding their slippers, making their way) just fine;
  • Only 3% of Americans older than 65 are in nursing homes and that rate is down from 5% in the last decade while 9% of those older than 85 are in nursing homes;
  • 3.6% of those aged 65-75 in the US have dementia and those rates have been declining;
  • of 145 medical schools in the US, only five have a geriatric department and all medical schools require pediatric training compared to less than 10% that require geriatric training.

Do you think that elders are bad drivers? Statistics show that as a group we have fewer accidents, we are more likely to use seat belts, follow speed limits, are not intoxicated, don’t text while driving, and drive much less at night. Hmmm.  Sounds like seniors are smarter behind the wheel than their kids or grandkids.

If you want to know more about the slow and subtle shift away from labeling us 50+ folk as doddering idiots, check out these two books –

“Breaking the Age Code” by Dr. Becca Levy (Vermilion, 2022),  and “This Chair Rocks, A Manifesto Against Ageism” by Ashton Applewhite (Celadon Books, 2016).

They cover a litany of age-related topics ranging from sex, workplace issues, legislation to address discrimination, the longevity economy, caregiving, independence and self-reliance, retirement living, loneliness, the value of intergenerational relationships, and so much more.

Just in case you don’t already know the answer to the question of whether you’ll still need me and feed me when I’m 64 – ask me on the chairlift.

Roger Lohr

Tips for Elder Cross Country Skiers

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Herman Smith Johannsen also known as Jackrabbit Johannsen was known for cross country (XC) skiing at 102 years old. He was a man who popularized XC skiing in Quebec and later in America. He lived until he was 111 and was always inquisitive about what was on the other side of the hill. The Jackrabbit kids’ ski program in Canada was named for him and there was also a Jackrabbit ski wax. I don’t know if there is a direct correlation for Johannsen proving that XC skiing helps you live longer, but it is a nice theory.

Among the 4-5 million American XC skiers, about 11.2% are aged 55 or older while 30% of the general population falls into that age group. For those elder individuals who live in or near snow country, they might want to consider the benefits of XC skiing to help them live healthier and longer lives like Johannsen.

As a recreational activity, XC skiing is one of the most acknowledged forms of aerobic exercise and there is scientific evidence that the sport’s characteristics are excellent for mental well-being, too. Recommendations are for older people to undertake vigorous physical intensity (exercise) for 75 minutes per week or moderate intensity for 150 minutes each week. XC skiing is a sport that even when done at a slow pace can raise the heart rate for fitness. The well-being associated with XC skiing is derived not only from the physical exercise involving all the body muscle groups, but it is an outdoor activity that takes place in nature in the winter. This “forest bathing” or immersion in nature has been explained in the book “The Nature Fix” and according to scientific evidence besides the fitness biological benefits, there are very positive psychological and medicinal impacts derived from the activity. The sensory experience of getting outdoors is a kind of eco therapy and a prescription for lowering stress, restoring attention, and boasting mental health and cognitive clarity.

Many XC ski areas offer programs catering to elders from weekly meet-up group outings to special lesson programs and of course, discounted rates for those aged 65 and older. The social aspect of XC skiing occurs when meeting others on the trail junctions or in the lodge and evidence shows that interacting with friends and family is significant factor for living a long and healthy life.

Ski lessons (or a refresher clinic) are recommended to make the sport easier and more satisfying. Ask for an instructor who specializes in teaching older skiers.

Some recommendations for older XC skiers include talking to the doctor if uncertain about strenuous exercise (and remember that you are able to take it easy and ski at a slow pace). There are tips for first timer XC skiers at https://www.xcskiresorts.com/resort-features/2022/1/7/best-secrets-about-cross-country-skiing which suggest to stay within your limits and not to ski too long or too far. Going to a XC ski area is a great idea because the trails are groomed and tracked which makes the sport easier. Additionally, the ski area will have patrollers, rental equipment and ski instructors to provide technique pointers if needed. The new XC ski gear for skiing on a groomed trail is light and lively. The bindings are adjustable to give the skis more glide (go faster and glide further) or more grip (go slower) and this adjustability can also help address how the ski performs in different snow conditions. If a trail is too steep another option is available as it is not a crime to remove the skis and walk down the difficult section (or side step on the skis to avoid speeding out of control).

Another good idea is to know where you are going and where you are on the trail network. Many trail configurations can be confusing and you don’t want to get lost particularly if you are tired. Check the trail signs along the trails and carry a trail map if one is available – and check the map to know where you are in the trail network.

Dressing for cross country skiing is about layering (see What to Wear article at https://www.xcskiresorts.com/new-blog/2016/7/21/cross-country-skiing-apparel) with a light  base layer, a shirt and a light jacket. Only use heavier layers when it is very cold because overdressing can be a problem as you create heat when XC skiing. Keep in mind that you can remove layers if you become overheated. Socks, gloves and a hat are important components of your outfit and each plays a key role in keeping you comfortable. 

Socks should be comfortable and keep your feet warm and dry. There are many brands of ski socks that are produced to perform. XC ski gloves are available in various thicknesses and if you have problems with the cold, get a heavier XC ski glove or mitten but avoid alpine ski gloves because they are too heavy and are not made for the movement with XC ski poles. Hats could include a lightweight knitted cap or a headband. If your jacket has a hood, that works perfectly on a very cold day.

Sunglasses can minimize the glare off the snow but they also keep the wind out of your eyes. Another job for sunglasses may include improving flat light on the trails, but for the most part this is less important because XC skiing is not too fast so you can handle terrain without worrying about the visibility due to flat light.

Injuries are minimal with XC skiing but be aware of issues such as falling, exhaustion, dehydration (always bring water and take gulps a few times on your outing), and frostbite (if it is very cold). If you are not a regular XC skier, expect to be sore in some muscles (such as back, neck, arms or legs) on the day following your outing and Advil should successfully address such soreness.

When done regularly XC skiing is soft on the body and delivers a general well-being that it can bring you. Hopefully these tips will help you to enjoy the winter outdoors on XC skis!

 

Evelyn Kanter

ICYMI for April 2023

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The days are longer and warmer, which means more sunlight to enjoy spring skiing and riding, and fewer layers.  Some resorts have extended operating hours and even days, while others are closing despite an abundance of snow.

Here’s our monthly ICYMI (in case you missed it) collection of this and that.

The fun and games at season’s end includes pond skimming contests. Here’s where to watch and cheer, since we do not encourage senior skiers or riders to participate without the approval of their cardiologist and/or psychiatrist.

Slush Cup at Whistler

Pond Skimming at Park City

April 6-8 – End of Season party featuring a competition style pond skim. With prizes for the biggest splash, best costume and best overall skim, with tons of raffles and giveaways.

Telluride Closing Weekend Events Including Pond Skimming

Sat., April 1st – Telluride Brewing Company hosts its annual Goose Chase Scavenger Hunt on the mountain, 11am to 3 pm. To participate, groups of 1-4 must register and pay a $20 fee.  After the Goose Chase, there’s a happy hour and raffle until 5pm. Also the Terrain Park crew will be hosting their annual Hannorama Jama Rail Jam in honor of the life and memory of Hannah Smith. This event is at the base of Lift 4 in Mountain Village at 3:30 pm, and no registration is needed.  before the event.

On closing day, Sun., April 2nd, celebrate the great season with the annual Closing Day Party at Gorrono Ranch and the annual pond skim, Noon to 2pm. DJ Wombat will be performing throughout the afternoon to keep the celebration going on.

More information here about Telluride’s closing weekend events.

https://tellurideskiresort.com/daylight-savings-end-of-season-events/?A360=60302323

Pond Skimming at Solitude

Sat., April 8 – Bust out your best costume, slather on the sunscreen and show off your skimming skills at the annual Pond Skim Beach Party. Registration required.

https://www.solitudemountain.com/things-to-do/events-and-activities/pond-skim-beach-party

Or simply show up and watch the show. New this year, after the completion of the Pond Skim Beach Party, the party continues with live music from The Sweet Lillies.

Pond Skim Solitude

World Pond Skimming Championships at Vail

April 7-10 – Who knew there was a championship event for pond skimming?

According to Local Freshies

https://localfreshies.com/most-unique-pond-skimming-events-in-north-america-2/

it started as a spoof on the World Alpine Championship in 1999. Now as part of the “Spring Back to Vail” Festival, it is a rowdy event filled attended by thousands of spectators, plus music and other events to close out the season. But if you do want to try for the Golden Skimmer, the top male and female finishers will receive a 2022/23 Epic Pass.

All participants get a special Helly Hansen backpack,  and other prizes are awarded for the best crash, best costume, and more.

Slush Cup at Whistler/Blackcomb

April 16 – Prizes for the Best Costume, Best Trick, Best Wipe-Out and more.

The pond skimming contest is just one of a collection of closing week events.  There’s also traditional on-slope races, a contest to produce the best 3-5 minute film about Whistler, live music, and more, all part of the week-long Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival.

https://www.whistler.com/events/world-ski-snowboard-festival

Music on Weekends at Big Sky

Every Fri.-Sun. through April 16, enjoy DJs and apres ski events in the MountainVillage Plaza.

Big Sky’s closing date is April 23.

Remember that closing dates have nothing to do with how much snow is on the ground, or even still falling.  Closing dates are determined by other forces, including leasing arrangements and  spring elk and moose migration.

Closing Dates in Colorado

These are the projected closing dates at publication. Be sure to check with the resort website in case closing dates change, or to confirm “TBD”, shorthand for “to be determined”.

  • Aspen Highlands – April 16
  • Aspen Mountain – April 23
  • Beaver Creek – April 9
  • Breckenridge – May TBD
  • Buttermilk – April 2
  • Ski Cooper – April 16
  • Crested Butte – TBD
  • Keystone – TBD
  • Loveland – May 8
  • Purgatory – April 23
  • Steamboat – April 9
  • Snowmass – April 16
  • Telluride – April 2
  • Vail – TBD
  • Winter Park – Mid-May TBD

Closing Dates in Utah

  • Alta – April 23
  • Brighton – April 30
  • Deer Valley – TBD
  • Nordic Valley – April 9
  • Park City Mountain – April 23
  • Powder Mountain – TBD
  • Snowbasin – TBD
  • Snowbird – TBD
  • Solitude – TBD
  • Sundance – April 2
  • Woodward Park City – TBD
  Resorts planning to stay open through Memorial Day
  • Palisades and Mammoth, California
  • Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
  • Killington in Vermont

How and where are you celebrating the end of a great ski/snowboard season?  And who are you celebrating with?

Herb Stevens

The Skiing Weatherman March 24, 2023

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First of all, please accept my apologies for missing the last edition.  After attending a hectic three day trade show near my home here in Rhode Island, I rushed home and packed my bags for a flight to the Netherlands, where my wife and I met our first grandchild…a memorable event that I will never forget.  I simply had a brain cramp and forgot to submit an article.  Hopefully you didn’t miss it because you were out enjoying the fresh snow that FINALLY made its way to the Northeast early this month!

The weather pattern has unfolded pretty much the way I anticipated, although the cold air that has supported some healthy March snow amounts did not reach as far south as I thought it might.  Most of the substantial snow has fallen north of Interstate 80 and although the past few days have been mild and wet at times all the way up to the Canadian border, the pattern is about to cool down again and I believe that there will be at least a few more meaningful snowfalls across the Northeast before the curtain comes down on this season.  This weekend a relatively weak storm will move across New England with only a marginal amount of cold air with which to work, so we are looking at another elevation event that will bring mixed precip types to the Adirondacks and the mountains of northern New England and southern Quebec. The resorts north of U.S. Route 4 have the best shot at picking up a moderate amount of snow…along with some other “stuff”…but this will not be a blockbuster storm.

Here’s why I believe that the weather pattern still has legs in terms of cold and snow.  If you look at this jet stream forecast for April Fools Day…

You will see an orange area over Greenland.  That is an upper level ridge, and it has hardly moved for about 3 weeks.  That blocking ridge was a product of the sudden stratospheric warming episode that I wrote about last month.  By remaining in essentially the same place, it has acted as a block against upper level troughs (the blue circulation off to its southwest) from zipping out to sea.  Instead, the troughs have been forced underneath the ridge, and many of them have moved through the Northeast this month, supporting surface lows as they spun through the region.  The troughs also break off a chunk of cold air from the high latitudes and deliver it to the lower 48.  Here’s a look at the temperature anomalies at about 5,000 feet for the same time step of the jet stream map…

Temperatures about a mile above the surface are a very dependable proxy for forecasting surface temperatures, and the dark blue on this map suggests that air that is cold enough to limit melting and potentially support late season snow will be present as we head into next month.  If we fast forward to April 5th, we see that it looks as though those deviations from normal will only deepen…

Now, the colder air that we can reasonably expect around April 5th will be offset to an extent by the rises in normal temps that will be occurring over the next few weeks…normal highs and lows are rising 2 to 3 degrees per week in the Northeast right now.  That shot of cold will help sustain some very nice skiing and riding right through Easter weekend by the looks.

So, from where I am sitting, I remain very bullish on the prospects for winter sports for at least the next few weeks…if your timing is right, you could even sneak in a powder day or two…enjoy!!!

Stanley Rubenstein

Val d’Isere: Totally Over the Top

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Everything about Val d’Isere, is over the top; the excitement of skiing on so many World Cup pistes, the snow, the lift system, the extensive possibilities from Le Fornet to Tignes, the restaurants, the traffic to and from Geneva Airport, the prices, the number of skiers on the pistes with you, and the skiing atmosphere in the village.

The Village

In early in March 2023, we skied for a week in  Val d’Isere, the home of Jean Claude Killy.  The village is situated at 1,850 meters and the skiing goes up to 2,850 meters, and 3,456 meters on the Grand Motte glacier in Tignes.  What makes skiing in Val d’Isere great is that many of the best pistes are easily accessible from the village center. 

Take the Olympic Gondola from the village center to the top of Bellevarde, turn left and you are on the formidable Men’s Downhill World Cup, The Face. The top half is a joy to ski.  Arriving a bit above the middle of the run it turns steep and straight-down until the finish line at the entrance to the gondola station. If you have the nerve and the legs, go back up for another breathtaking run.

Exit Olympic Gondola – lots of skiers!

Ski straight as you come out of the Olympic Gondola and you get to the OK piste which is the start of the former Men’s World Cup Downhill course before they opened The Face of the Bellevarde for the 1992 Olympic games.  This course is a blast to ski. 

From the top there is a series of short, moderately steep sections with some flats between them.  This takes you down to the Folie Douce Restraunt, where there is a DJ every afternoon on the restaurant roof complete with scantily clad dancing girls, loud music, lots of beer and dancing on the tables.

Fly past the restaurant on your left,  go into dog-leg turn right turn and come out cruising your way down to La Daille. Hop on the gondola at the bottom to get back to the DJ and the dancing girls, or ski across to the funicular which takes you back up to the top of Bellevarde.

La Folie Douce

You still have the legs for it?  Get back to the village center and take the Solaise Gondola up to the start of the Woman’s World Cup Downhill course. Start out on a big open slope, mix it up with short turns on the side of the piste and big GS turns on the wide-open slope. 

Somewhere near the mid-point prudence should send you to the left on a long enjoyable run back to the village center.  Still have legs?  Take the Solaise Gondola back up and head for the Manchet lift, which is, believe it or not my favorite run in Val D’Isere, 1,921 meters long with a 691-meter vertical, pure pleasure. If you can, ski it non-stop.

But it’s really not all pure pleasure.  Saturdays at the Geneva Airport is chaos:  people, suitcases, ski bags. You get your stuff, your rental car and you think you’re home free, think about bumper-to-bumper traffic from Annecy to Moutier.  If you get to Val d’Isere in less than 4 ½ hours consider yourself lucky. 

Oh, you didn’t stop along the way to eat something? Val d’Isere has many great restaurants; just make sure you have arranged off-street parking in advance.  The skiing is great, it’s worth all the hassle, and seniors over 75 ski for free.  

Jan center, Group Photo, Albion Lodge, 03 23 23DSC_0881
Jan Brunvand

Jan Brunvand Turns 90!

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Congratulations to SeniorsSkiing correspondent Jan Brunvand on schussing into his 90’s!

Alta’s Wild Old Bunch celebrates Jan’s 90th. Jan center. Photo by WOB member George Ramjoue.

Enjoy Jan’s top ten reasons he enjoys being a senior skier.  (Originally published December 2017)

#10. I have nothing to prove.

 I don’t need to ski bumps, steeps or crud. It’s challenging enough just skiing blues at age 84.

#9. Skiing impresses my non-skiing peers.

When folks ask “Are you still skiing,” they mean “still” as in “At your age?” not “still” as in “Is there still any snow up there?” I try to be a ski missionary and convince some old friends to return to skiing or to try it for the first time.

#8. Everything works better than when I was a kid.

Skis turn more easily, bindings release when they’re supposed to, and boots are actually comfortable. Ski clothes are lighter, warmer, and drier than in the good old days of wool and windbreakers.

#7. I have a built-in excuse for just about anything . . .

. . . like taking green runs, skiing half days, having extra coffee breaks, asking the liftie to slow it down, and forgetting where I parked.

#6. Skiing half days.

Did I mention this? I forget. Anyway, my wife and I ski what we call the “middle half”—start about 10:00 and quit about 3:00. We take at least five runs to count it as a ski day.

#5. Skiing with grandkids.

Until they’re about ten, the grandkids ski at about the same pace as us, and afterwards they’ll fetch us a coffee while we sit out a couple of their runs on the steeper stuff. If you ski with the kids you may be able to keep them from going to the dark side—SNOWBOARDING!

#4. Skiing midweek.

We avoid Saturdays, but sometimes ski Sundays, starting early, if that’s the only other time the grandkids are free. (If brought up properly, they can sometimes be convinced to skip school.) If you must ski weekends or holidays, split with your partner and use the singles line. You might meet someone interesting, hopefully not more interesting than your partner.

#3. Meeting other active seniors.

The 60+,70+, 80+ occasionally even 90+ jacket patches give your fellow oldsters away. Thin and graying hair under the helmets IDs them in the lodge. I always chat with peers asking where they learned to ski, and moving on to other important topics like how many grandkids do they have, are they fly fishers, and do they remember Studebakers. (I have a ’53 Commander, a good conversation starter with older people.)

#2. It’s a good kind of tired.

After a nice half day of skiing, by the time I get the boards off the car and myself out of my long underwear, I’m very sleepy and mellow, ready for a nap, a shower, and a drink before dinner. Ah, bliss!

And the #1 reason I enjoy being a senior skier. Senior discounts.

At my age in my area, season passes are free at Alta!

Alan Engen

When Errol Flynn Skied at Alta

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Many famous Hollywood movie stars came to Alta to ski during the 1940s. Two of the best known were Claudette Colbert and Ray Milland, but most famous of all was Errol Flynn, the swashbuckling leading man.

My uncle, the late Sverre Engen, was Alta’s Ski School Director in 1946 when the legendary action hero visited Alta for a ski outing. I remember my uncle telling me, with a big grin on his face, about the experience.

As I remember, Sverre said that Flynn arrived with great “fanfare,” accompanied by several assistants to make sure that he received the finest treatment possible, on and off the slopes.

The morning after his arrival, it was snowing and visibility was somewhat marginal.  However, Flynn made it known among the other guests at Alta Lodge that he was not intimated and was going to tackle the challenging Alta mountain terrain regardless of limited visibility conditions.

My uncle was requested to be Flynn’s personal escort for the anticipated ski outing.  Sverre wrote about the experience with Flynn in his book, Skiing a Way of Life (1976).   Here is what he had to say:

“When Errol Flynn got to the Alta Lodge, he wasn’t in very good physical condition, but was anxious to get up on the mountain. In the morning, the porch was full of people watching him put his skis on, curious to see what kind of a skier he was. This was his penalty for being famous.

Flynn insisted on taking the lift to the top, but this was something he never should have done. It took most of the day to get halfway down.

I would get him started in a slow traversing position, but he would gain more speed than he could handle, head for the trees, and sit down. I would help him up, and we would do the same thing over again.  We worked our way down the mountain until he wore himself out completely.

Finally, I had to call the ski patrol for help.  He gratefully crawled up on the toboggan, and the patrol took him the rest of the way to the Alta Lodge.  His pride was bruised a little, but he was still a good sport and smiled when he got up from the toboggan and walked into the lodge.”

Personally,I have always wished I could have been there to see the famous “swashbuckling” actor arriving back at the Alta Lodge, without his skis, and facing his adoring public.  As my uncle inferred, I am sure Flynn’s ego was impacted – perhaps even deflated – at that particular moment.

I mentioned a few of the celebrities who frequented Alta ski area in the 1940s.  Since then, there have been many others, from film and politics, and I was lucky enough to know some, including skiing with them. To name a few –

Lowell Thomas, the national commentator who pretty much invented travelogues; “Gunsmoke” star James Arness; famous TV host Art Linkletter; Senator Charles Percy; Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara; former Ambassador to Belgium Tom Korologos; and  Dr. Henry Heimlich, who invented the maneuver named for him, which has saved many lives from choking.

All were outstanding individuals and several, like Senator Robert F. Kennedy – who skied at Alta just a few months before his tragic assassination in 1968 – were excellent skiers. Senator Kennedy, as I remember, liked to ski fast.

 Time continues to move forward, and even though I retired as Alta Director of Skiing in April 2012, I am sure there are many more celebrities who have since frequented the beautiful mountainous resort of what some have referred to as “Romantic Alta.”

Ski Heil!

Historic photos provided by Alan K. Engen

Photo of Errol Flynn at the bottom of the old Collins chairlift, circa 1946 is by Ray Atkeson. It has been provided to Alan Engen by Alta Ski Area with the understanding that it would be used exclusively for Alta related ski history.

Photo of Alan, Alf, Corey and Sverre Engen is circa mid-1950s.  All four are inductees of the National Ski Hall of Fame.  Photo part of the Alan Engen Ski History Collection, which resides at the University of Utah J.Willard Marriott Library, Ski and Snow Sports Archives.

Evelyn Kanter

Winter Sports at Aspen Snowmass Besides Skiing/Snowboarding

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I’ve always said that life should be downhill in winter.  But sometimes it’s fun to try something else besides skiing, riding, or even X-C skiing or snowshoeing.  Here are five other winter sports available in Aspen/Snowmass, including one that is an Olympic sport.

Curling

If you’ve ever been bowling and thought, “we should be doing this on ice” then curling is for you.  Dating back to 16th century Scotland, curling pits two teams of players against one another.

But instead of rolling balls at pins at the end of a long polished wooden alley, curling competitors slide 40-pound stones with handles across a sheet of ice towards targets of concentric circles. The name referrers to the rotation of the stones on the ice, as they “curl” towards their targets.

The Aspen Curling Club hosts matches every Wednesday at the Aspen Ice Garden, and Aspen Snowmass offers a quick introduction to the sport at Game Of Stones each Thursday at the Snowmass Base Village Ice Rink.

Fat Biking

Aspen is a cycling mecca in the summertime, but a little snow on the ground doesn’t mean the wheels stop spinning.  So-called fat bikes, which feature oversized tires and fenders to protect riders from the elements, allow for comfortable year-round riding.

The fat tires are typically run at a lower PSI.  Such under-inflation allows  more surface area to contact the ground, and that provides better grip and stability even on snow.  Note that under-inflation is okay for bikes, but not for cars.

Fat bikes are available for rent at bike shops around town or at the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Center. They are perfect for conquering trails around town or for a ride to the Maroon Bells if you’re feeling especially adventurous.

Snowbikes

Snowbikes—not to be confused with fat bikes—do not have pedals and are actually designed to be ridden downhill on ski slopes.

Originally known as skibobs, snowbikes have seats and frames similar to bicycles, but the wheels are replaced with skis. Riders wear boots with small skis attached to assist in steering. Rentals and lessons are available on Snowmass.

Ice Karting

Sliding sideways behind the wheel of a vehicle on ice or snow normally is a harrowing experience. But it’s all part of the fun at Aspen Ice Karting, a pop-up cart racing operation on Kodiak Lake in Willits, where a little drift is expected – even welcomed – through the turns.

Ice karts are equipped with spiked tires for traction on their frozen lake. Speeds can reach 50mph on the straightaways, ensuring a heart pumping winter driving experience.

Uphilling

We said earlier that life should be downhill in winter – but have you tried uphill?

Aspen Snowmass is an uphill-friendly ski resort, meaning uphillers can enjoy climbing the four mountains and skiing down them via designated routes. Locals across the Roaring Fork Valley — and elsewhere in the Rockies — are passionate about uphilling, and you can get in the game by renting uphilling skis of your own.

All four mountains at Aspen Snowmass, including Highlands and Buttermilk, accommodate uphill travel, but an uphill pass is required. Uphillers are asked to follow the designated routes to ensure safety as well as a scenic and enjoyable route to the top.

Know before you go: There are occasional closures for safety reasons, crowd-control, and snow mitigation, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with this information.

Learn more here about each mountain’s rules and routes, including elevation gain.  https://www.aspensnowmass.com/discover/experiences/guides/uphilling-guide

Evelyn Kanter

IKON Pass for 2023/24 Season Offers Many New Benefits

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Photo by Kipras Štreimikis on Unsplash

Next season’s IKON Pass offers a new collection of discounts on travel and brand-name gear, along with free access to First Tracks programs and dropping reservations requirements, and more.  It’s a long list of perks for the 2023/24 season, including for new passholders, who get spring season this season as part of the purchase.

Passes go on sale Thursday, March 16, with the lowest prices for next season for access to more than 50 destinations in 11 countries on five continents. Here are the details.

Discounted Travel with Ikon Pass Travel

For a limited time, any purchased 23/24 Ikon Pass includes unlimited $100 ($130 CAD) savings toward any single 23/24 winter booking made on Ikon Pass Travel before May 5, 2023.

Ikon Pass Travel is an online travel planning service exclusively for passholders, offering the ability browse and compare airfare, hotels, and activities across Ikon Pass destinations to create a customized vacation package, or be matched with an Ikon Pass Travel specialist for assistance.  Requirements include a minimum$1,000 spend per booking including lodging.

Discount on Smith Eyewear & Products

Every Ikon Pass purchase includes two discount codes from Smith. One is for sunglasses or prescription glasses; the other for goggles on any additional product on smithoptics.com.

The North Face

Ikon Pass holders can get an exclusive discount of 20% when purchasing $200 ($200 CAD) or more on thenorthface.com. (Limited time offer. Terms and conditions apply.)

Free Outside+ Membership

Ikon Pass holders will receive a free one-year $59-valued ($80 CAD) membership to inspirational, award-winning content from Outside. Access unlimited content from Outside Magazine, SKI, Warren Miller catalog, Backpacker, Climbing, VeloNews, Pinkbike, Cycling Tips, Outside TV, Warren Miller, Yoga Journal, and more.

Plus, get access to mapping apps Gaia GPS and TrailforksPro, NASTAR courses, event entries, training plans, recipes, and interactive experiences with editors, pro athletes, coaches, and other experts.

Access Changes:

For winter 23/24, Taos Ski Valley will no longer require lift reservations and has been added to the Ikon Base Plus Pass. For an additional $220 ($290 CAD) from the Ikon Base Pass, Ikon Base Plus Pass holders also get five-day access at Taos. Ski Valley in New Mexico. The destination will no longer offer access on the Ikon Base Pass and Ikon Session Pass.

Deer Valley Resort will require lift reservations for winter 23/24.

Renewal Discount

For a limited time, renewal discounts are offered to 22/23 Ikon Pass holders, with savings of up to $100 ($130 CAD).

Buy Now Ride Now – 2023 Spring Access for New Pass Holders

  • Access available immediately upon purchase to Big Bear Mountain Resort, Snow Valley, Blue Mountain, Snowshoe, Stratton, Sugarbush
  • Access available starting April 3 at Solitude, Tremblant
  • Access available starting April 10 at Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Palisades Tahoe, Winter Park Resort, Steamboat (April 10-16)
  • 2023 Spring Access is not available on the 23/24 Ikon Session Pass

 Ikon Pass First Tracks
23/24 passholders can access untouched powder and corduroy before the lifts open one designated morning per month in January, February and March 2024 at participating destinations. Ikon Pass First Tracks applies to the 23/24 Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Pass, Ikon Base Plus Pass and Ikon Session Pass based on pass access.

Payment Plan

For a limited time, lock in your purchase for as low as 0% APR, and split the cost over 3, 6 or 12 months.

 Child Pass Promotions

For a limited time, save up to $200 ($280 CAD) on Child passes with the purchase of any Adult pass. To provide additional value for families looking to ski and ride together, pass holders can purchase up to two discounted Child Ikon Passes or Child Ikon Base Passes for children ages 5-12 with the purchase of an Adult Ikon Pass or Adult Ikon Base Pass.

No Hassle Deferral

If a 23/24 Ikon Pass holder decides not to use their pass after purchase, for any reason, by December 14, 2023, they can elect to defer their pass to receive a full credit for the purchase price of their unused 23/24 pass to be used toward the purchase of a 24/25 Ikon Pass. Additional coverage options can be purchased through Spot Insurance. Terms and conditions apply.

Covid Closure Credits

If passes are used and there is an eligible COVID-19-related closure at any North American Ikon Pass destination from December 16, 2023 – March 3, 2024, Ikon Pass holders will receive a credit toward a 24/25 Ikon Pass based on the percentage of days closed.

 23/24 PRICING

Ikon Pass starting at $1,159 ($1,539 CAD)

Ikon Base Pass starting at $829 ($1,099 CAD)

Ikon Session Pass starting at $259 ($339 CAD)

For all Ikon Pass products and pricing, please visit https://www.ikonpass.com/en/shop-passes.

IKON PASS:

Unlimited, 7-day and 7-day combined access at 54 destinations, with no blackout dates.

 Destinations:

Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, Winter Park Resort, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Eldora Mountain Resort, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, Snow Valley, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Big Sky Resort, Sun Valley, Stratton, Sugarbush Resort, Killington – Pico, Windham Mountain, Snowshoe, The Highlands, Boyne Mountain, Crystal Mountain, The Summit at Snoqualmie, Mt. Bachelor, Schweitzer, Tremblant, Blue Mountain, SkiBig3, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, RED Mountain, Cypress Mountain, Panorama Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks Resort, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Loon Mountain, Taos Ski Valley, Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, Snowbasin, Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley, Dolomiti Superski, Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, Kitzbühel, Zermatt, Thredbo, Mt Buller, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt, Niseko United, Lotte Arai Resort, Valle Nevado

Benefits:

  • 10 Friends & Family lift discounts offering a 25% off the cost of a single ticket at the window rate at Ikon Pass destinations, with no blackout dates, (excludes Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley, Dolomiti Superski, Kitzbühel, Zermatt, Lotte Arai Resort, Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, and CMH)
  • Ikon Pass First Tracks at select destinations
  • Deferral option for unused passes through December 14, 2023
  • Access to Ikon Pass Travel
  • Early winter booking privileges and 15% off summer reservations at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures
  • Each Ikon Pass comes with a one-year $20-value Team POW membership with Protect Our Winters, including an exclusive annual Team POW membership sticker, 15% off all POW merchandise all year long, early event registration, members-only event access, partner discounts and access to exclusive digital content. Learn more: https://www.ikonpass.com/en/protect-our-winters
  • Additional destination benefits and discounts are available at ikonpass.com
  • Discount on Ikon Pass Travel, Smith eyewear and products, The North Face products, and a free Outside+ membership

IKON BASE PASS:

Unlimited, 5-day and 5-day combined access at 48 destinations, with select blackout dates.

Destinations: Steamboat, Winter Park Resort, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Eldora Mountain Resort, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, Snow Valley, Big Sky Resort, Stratton, Sugarbush Resort, Killington – Pico, Windham Mountain, Snowshoe, The Highlands, Boyne Mountain, Crystal Mountain, The Summit at Snoqualmie, Mt. Bachelor, Schweitzer, Tremblant, Blue Mountain, SkiBig3, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, RED Mountain, Cypress Mountain, Panorama Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks Resort, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Loon Mountain, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, Snowbird, Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley, Dolomiti Superski, Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, Kitzbühel, Zermatt, Thredbo, Mt Buller, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt, Niseko United, Lotte Arai Resort, Valle Nevado

Ikon Base Plus Pass Access

For expanded Ikon Base Pass access, five days can be added at Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Taos Ski Valley, Sun Valley, Snowbasin and five shared days between Alta-Snowbirdwith select blackout dates, for an additional $220 ($290 CAD). With this purchase, other 23/24 Ikon Base Pass destination access, benefits and blackout dates apply. Friends & Family vouchers are valid at Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Taos Ski Valley, Sun Valley, Snowbasin and Alta only with the upgrade purchase.

 Ikon Base Pass Benefits:

  • 8 Friends & Family lift discounts offering 25% off the cost of a single ticket at  the window rate at any Ikon Pass destination (excluding Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, Alta Ski Area, Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Dolomiti Superski, Kitzbühel, Zermatt, Lotte Arai Resort and Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, and CMH), with select blackout dates
  • Ikon Pass First Tracks at select destinations
  • Access to Ikon Pass Travel
  • Early winter booking privileges and 15% off summer reservations at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures
  • Each Ikon Pass comes with a one-year $20-value Team POW membership with Protect Our Winters, including an exclusive annual Team POW membership sticker, 15% off all POW merchandise all year long, early event registration, members-only event access, partner discounts and access to exclusive digital content. Learn more: https://www.ikonpass.com/en/protect-our-winters
  • Discount on Ikon Pass Travel, Smith eyewear and products, The North Face products, and a free Outside+ membership

IKON SESSION PASS:

Offering 2, 3 and 4-day access to 39 global Ikon Pass destinations, with select blackout dates. Each day can be used across multiple destinations or pass holders can use all days at a favorite mountain. Visit here for more Ikon Session Pass access details.

Destinations: Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Eldora Mountain Resort, Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, Snow Valley, Big Sky Resort, Stratton, Sugarbush Resort, Killington-Pico, Windham Mountain, Snowshoe, Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, Crystal Mountain, The Summit at Snoqualmie, Mt. Bachelor, Tremblant, Blue Mountain, SkiBig3, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, RED Mountain, Cypress Mountain, Panorama Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks Resort, Schweitzer, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Loon Mountain, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, Mt Buller, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt, Valle Nevado, Niseko United

Benefits:

  • Ikon Pass First Tracks at select destinations
  • Access to Ikon Pass Travel
  • Each Ikon Pass comes with a one-year $20-valued Team POW membership with Protect Our Winters, including an exclusive annual Team POW membership sticker, 15% off all POW merchandise all year long, early event registration, members-only event access, partner discounts and access to exclusive digital content. Learn more: https://www.ikonpass.com/en/protect-our-winters
  • Discount on Ikon Pass Travel, Smith eyewear and products, The North Face products, and a free Outside+ membership

IKON Pass by the Numbers                                        

  • Destinations: 55
  • Continents: 5
  • Countries: 11
  • States: 15
  • Canadian Provinces: 4
  • Total Acres: 177,250 (does not include CMH stats)
  • Trails: 7,108
  • Lifts: 1531

Ikon Pass goes on sale for winter 23/24 on March 16, 2023.

For more information, please visit www.ikonpass.com.

Roger Lohr

Snowshoeing at Vermont’s Alpine Ski Resorts

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Sugarbush Snowshoe Program

Snowshoeing is an excellent way to get some outdoor physical and mental fitness in the winter and it can be a great warm-up for skiers or snowboarders. At alpine ski areas snowshoeing can be a great activity for those joining family or friends who may not want to ski at the resort.

Recognizing a market when they see one, many ski resort operators in Vermont over the past several decades have continually increased their snowshoeing offerings, including snowshoe-specific trails, tours, and rentals. Moreover, each resort tries to carve its specialized snowshoe niche, just as they do for the other aspects of their ski and snowboarding business.

Here, in alphabetical order, are some snowshoeing highlights at some of Vermont’s alpine ski and riding resorts. Each resort has a wide variety of rates, rentals, and tours so contact them directly for additional details.

Bolton Valley Resort

Aside from section 22 of the Catamount Trail (the longitudinal Vermont statewide trail), Bolton Valley has 5,100 acres of backcountry terrain and a connection to Mount Mansfield State Forest. The Bolton Valley Nordic Center https://www.xcskiresorts.com/bolton-valley, which provides this backcountry access, also offers snowshoe rentals and lessons. Snowshoe rentals are available and once equipped there’s 100 km of snowshoeing and cross country ski trails.

During the snow season, the resort offers a variety of guided tours, which they often modify based on the whims and abilities of the snowshoers. For example, some tours are easy, and some bushwhack around Bolton’s sometimes steep forests. Most tours usually last 1 – 1.5 hours for those aged 10+. The Bolton Valley Resort base is at a higher elevation compared to most of the other resorts in Vermont. 802-434-3444 X1071

Burke Mountain

Burke Mountain in the town of Burke provides access to the Dashney Nordic Center https://www.xcskiresorts.com/dashney-nordic-center and nearby Kingdom Trails for snowshoeing. Dashney Nordic Center is on the access road to Burke Mountain and it offers 18 km of ski and snowshoe trails. Also, just down the road, Kingdom Trails (well-known for mountain biking) opens ungroomed trails and groomed fat bike trails to snowshoers in the winter. However, you’ll have to leave your pup home to access Kingdom Trails. Snowshoe rental equipment is available at Dashney 802-626-1466.

Jay Peak Resort

Jay Peak Resort https://jaypeakresort.com/ is a mecca for daring tree skiers, but the northern Vermont resort also has trails for snowshoe enthusiasts. The Jay Resort Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Center has seven short snowshoe trails up to 1.7 miles (2.7 km). The resort also typically offers guided snowshoe tours throughout the season, which may include equipment, guide services, and hot beverages around an outdoor fire pit. Call to make reservations. Snowshoe rentals and guided tours available (minimum of 3 people) in the Tram Haus Lodge 802-327-2199

Killington

Near the Killington Resort is Base Camp (https://basecampvt.com/, 802-775-0166) which is a retail outlet on Route 4 at the junction of the Killington access road that has snowshoe rentals and guided tours. A two-hour snowshoe rental is $20 and a 90-minute tour on flat terrain which includes a waterfall is $70 ($40 for kids). If you’re interested in an extended stay for more snowshoeing, try the snowshoe-friendly XC ski area at the Mountain Top Inn https://www.xcskiresorts.com/mountain-top-inn-and-resort in the nearby town of Chittenden.

Mount Snow

At Mount Snow https://www.mountsnow.com/ in southern Vermont, there are guided tours and trails all over the valley. Check out the NatureSpa 802-464-6606 for a snowshoe tour package ($66 per person for snowshoes, guide for 1.5 hour hike) out of the Grand Summit Resort Hotel and Mount Snow Sports. Timber Creek XC https://timbercreekxc.com/ is directly across the Mt. Snow access road off Route 100 and they have snowshoe rentals and trails. 802-464-4041.

Okemo

In Ludlow, Okemo Resort https://www.okemo.com/ has dedicated snowshoe trails at the golf course at Fox Run Nordic Center https://www.foxrunnordic.org/, separate from the Nordic ski path, along the banks of the Black River. There are 10 kilometers to snowshoe, but snowshoers can wander off the trail to explore meadows and forests in the shadow of Okemo Mountain. Fox Run has a restaurant, snowshoe rentals, and an indoor golf training facility. Okemo also has an ice house and snow tubing that is great for the family if you want a break from snowshoeing, skiing, or snowboarding. 802-228-1396

Smugglers’ Notch

Family-friendly Smugglers’ Notch https://www.smuggs.com/ in Jeffersonville offers a wide range of snowshoeing programs, tours, rentals, and lessons. Smuggs programs range from a gentle introduction to the joys of stomping through the winter woods. Take advantage of some of Smugglers’ special guided tours. The Vermont Experience provides the opportunity to search for animal tracks and learn about local history. Look for the bear claw marks on the beech trees. Other guided tours explain the maple industry and the process of making maple syrup while snowshoeing the forest. Or, for the adventurous, learn winter survival skills while you snowshoe. The apres dinner/drink experience on the Snowshoe Adventure Dinner takes snowshoers up to a mountain slope cabin for those aged 18+. 802-644-1173

Stowe Mountain Resort

Stowe Resort https://www.stowe.com/ has rental snowshoes, backcountry equipment, and gear for children aged three or older (including kids snowshoes). You may want to book your equipment in advance.

The trails take snowshoers on guided tours into the state forest. “No road crossings, no buildings, no skiers,” said a staff member. 802-253-3658. Also nearby is the Trapp Family Lodge https://www.xcskiresorts.com/trapp-family-lodge which has more than 100 km of trails.

Stratton Mountain

Stratton https://www.stratton.com/ and the Sun Bowl Nordic Center offer guided snowshoe hikes highlighting the magical scenery among the trees. Try the Sunrise Snowshoe Hike on Sundays or the Nordic Lights tour on the lantern-lit trails Saturday evenings. Before or after your hike, you can enjoy snowshoeing on the 3 km of snowshoe trails at the Stratton Mountain Nordic Center. Snowshoe rentals available. 802-297-4567

Sugarbush

Keeping with their adventurous motif, Sugarbush https://www.sugarbush.com/ in Warren, VT, offers both self-guided and Outback Guide-led tours that include snowshoes rentals and a lift ride to access trails at higher elevations on the mountain. Take the lift with rented snowshoes for $79 ($64 with your own snowshoes).

If you’re interested in self-guided tours, explore their marked snowshoe trails (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) daily between 9 and 4 pm. If you didn’t bring your snowshoes, they have rentals available at the Farmhouse Building at Lincoln Peak in Mt. Ellen Base Lodge.

The guided tours will give more than an afternoon jaunt on snowshoes. For example, one 2.5 to 3-hour guided tour brings guests to the Slide Brook Wilderness Area, a prime habitat for bears, moose, and lynx. Guides will often find tracks and lead the group to them. As an alternative, the guided tour of their advanced trail, the Gate House Loop, which also includes a large variety of wildlife and animal tracks. 802-583-6504

SnowshoeMag.com and Matt Sutkoski contributed to this content.

anne-nygard
Evelyn Kanter

2023 24 Epic Passes Now on Sale With New Benefits

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Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

The only thing better than locking in a season pass is to do it now, at the lowest prices of the year.  2023/24 Epic Passes are on sale now, starting at $909 for a full pass and $676 for a local pass to dozens of Vail Resorts destinations in the US, Canada, Europe and beyond.

New features for next season include additional ski/snowboard resort in the Alps and Dolomites, additional Buddy passes, new hands-free technology, and a new no-reservations-needed policy.

Those are the headlines.  Now that we have your attention, here are the details:

Mobile Pass:

Epic Pass holders will be able to store their pass directly on their phone, put the phone in their pocket, and get scanned, hands free, via Bluetooth® Low Energy technology. This eliminates the need to wait in the ticket window line or wait for your pass to arrive in the mail. It also will help reduce plastic and RFID chip waste.

Plastic cards still will be available for those who cannot or do not want to use their phone as their pass. Mobile Pass will be available on the new My Epic app, coming in the fall of 2023.

Additional European Partner Resorts:

Last year, Vail Resorts acquired a majority stake in Andermatt-Sedrun in Switzerland. Next season, Epic Pass expands its European resort access with the addition of Switzerland’s Disentis as a partner resort.

Disentis is the neighboring mountain to Andermatt-Sedrun. When combined, Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis offers the largest ski area in the heart of Switzerland.

Epic Pass also signed partnership extensions with Les 3 Vallées in France, Ski Arlberg in Austria, and Skirama Dolomiti in Italy, and has an existing partnership at Verbier4Vallées in Switzerland. Additional international partners include Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu in Japan, and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies in Canada.

Buddy Tickets:

Pass Holders who purchase early will receive 10 Buddy Tickets and six Ski with a Friend Tickets to bring friends and family to join the ski and ride experience at a significant discount.

No Reservations: 

No reservations will be required at any resort on the Epic Pass for the 2023/24 season, with the exception of Telluride Ski Resort. Find information on how to make reservations at Telluride next season here.

Epic Mountain Rewards:

Pass Holders receive 20 percent off on-mountain food and beverage, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more. Pass Holders also receive summer benefits at eligible resorts, including Summer Scenic Gondola rides, 20 percent off summer food, lodging, bike rentals and golf.

Epic FlexPay:

Pass Holders have access to easy monthly installments with Epic FlexPay, powered by Uplift. The deferred payment option includes zero down payment, zero interest, and if purchased early, zero payments until September 1, 2023.

Epic Coverage:

Passes are non-refundable except through Epic Coverage, which provides refunds for certain resort closures and personal events such as job loss, injury or illness. Epic Coverage is provided at no additional cost. Review the Epic Coverage Terms and Conditions.

Lift tickets are fully refundable but do not provide the value or flexibility of passes.

Epic Pass Choices:

There is a brain-numbing array of pass choices. Take a deep breath and decide now where you want to ski/ride next season, and with who, then purchase the pass that best fits your plans and needs.

Here are the details of what each Epic Pass offers:

$909 Epic Pass

Unlimited, unrestricted access to 42 resorts – including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Whistler Blackcomb, Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Stevens Pass and more.

With additional partner resorts like Telluride, the Epic Pass unlocks access to more than 80 resorts. No reservations required at any resorts, except Telluride.

$676 Epic Local Pass
Unlimited, unrestricted access to 29 resorts including Breckenridge and Keystone, as well as peak restricted days access to resorts like Park City, Heavenly and Stowe, and 10 days total to use at Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb.

$555 Northeast Value Pass
Access to 21 resorts across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including Stowe, Hunter, Mount Snow, Okemo, Wildcat and Seven Springs.

Epic Customizable Day Pass
Skiers and riders can build their own pass, choosing from three levels of resort access, one to seven days, and whether or not to include peak restricted days.

Offered ahead of the season, Epic Day Passes provide savings up to 65% compared to lift ticket prices. Examples:

All Resorts Access: Ski or ride at resorts like Vail, Breckenridge and Whistler Blackcomb from $86 per day

32 Resorts Access: Ski or ride at resorts like Keystone, Heavenly and Stowe from $66 per day

22 Resorts Access: Ski or ride at local ski areas from $41 per day
$159 Epic Military Pass

This discount pass honors the service of Vail Mountain’s founders from the 10th  Mountain Division, and men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, Canadian Armed Forces and Australian Defence Force.

Unlimited, unrestricted access to 42 resorts – including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Whistler Blackcomb and Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis for Active and Retired Military and their dependents.

 Compare all Epic Pass offerings, including discounted senior passes, on the Epic Pass website.

NASTAR Racing Seniors
Pat Moore

NASTAR Racing for Seniors

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Pat Moore

Have you ever tried ski racing? Maybe now is the time. Resorts throughout North America offer NASTAR, the world’s largest recreational ski and snowboard racing program.

It’s not just for the young! Age groups in NASTAR run as high as 95+ and participation among us senior skiers is very high. The 70+ Ski Club participates in a popular race at Okemo Mountain in Vermont every year.

Begun in 1968, the program has seen more than five million participants. Many current and former US Team members got their start in the program.

Participation is open to everyone regardless of ability. Here’s how it works:

The system determines which medal you earn, based on age, gender and – of course – how fast you go. At each resort, there are certified Pacesetters whose performance has been measured against NASTAR’s National Pacesetter.

When the pacesetter at your course makes a run, the system factors in the difference between his/her ability and that of the National pacesetter to determine the theoretical time that the National Pacesetter would have recorded. Then, when you run the course, your personal “handicap” is calculated into the mix.

If you were 25% slower, your handicap is 25. Then according to a chart, you can earn Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals.

The thrill of winning your age group at the Nationals is felt in all medal divisions, from pre-teens to the seniors who are their grandparents.

NASTAR has a National Ranking system you can follow online and compare your progress with folks of similar ability in other parts of the country.

You don’t need to have been an accomplished racer when young! Following a 34 year hiatus from skiing, I returned to the sport (and took up snowboarding) in the winter of 1996-97 at the age of 50. It was another two years before I stumbled across Okemo’s NASTAR course and tried a run.

An older skier encouraged me to try it and then raced me head-to-head. He beat me decisively.

Over the next couple of years I made only a handful of runs,  but then caught the bug in 2004 and I attended my first National Championships at Park City, UT.

Since then,  I’ve raced on skis and snowboard at nearly every National Championship and have made many friends across the country.

I had been told by more than one person that racing improves your overall skiing and I found that to be true. Instead of turning when and where you want, the course of gates below you dictates the path you need to take. On crowded slopes, when free skiing, that skill is invaluable –  especially for us senior skiers.

Visit NASTAR.com to find a venue near you.

Stanley Rubenstein

5 Tips from a Senior Skier

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Stanley and Son on DH course

Having celebrated my 80th birthday in November, 2022, I guess I’m an old skier, not just a senior skier. It was the pandemic which stopped me from skiing in 2020 and 2021, not age.

In January, 2020, I skied a week in Chamonix, and then the pandemic nixed my downhill program for the remainder of the 2020 season, along with the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Now I’m back on skis, older than I was, and noticing a few things which have become apparent in two years of not skiing.

Flat light and white-outs

These never bothered me much before, but now I’m paying a lot more attention to seeing the piste I’m skiing. Finding the right goggles to accommodate my eyeglasses has become an issue.

As an older skier, make sure you’re seeing the piste with all its contours and changing snow conditions. Get new goggles if you have to.

A bag can save your knees

Walking around in ski boots won’t help your arthritic knees. Minimize the distances you walk in ski boots, get a good sized back pack and carry your ski boots to the base lodge or lift station.

Senior skiers also should consider so-called “cat tracks”, which are rubberized soles that slip over the bottom of your boots.  They cushion your walk on hard surfaces while protecting you from slipping and sliding, and also saving both your knees and wearing down your boot heel.

Looking for a nice place to ski?

Find the pistes where the racers train or race and ski there, or on an adjoining parallel piste.

Race courses and training pistes have the best slopes, not agonizingly steep with no long flat sections, pure skiing!

Use the best equipment to maximize enjoyment.

If you are renting equipment, take skis that are appropriate for your level of skiing and make sure the ski edges are properly prepared to minimize “sliding” around.

Use boots which are not too soft. You want the pressure transferred to your skis and not absorbed by boots.

If you’re using your own equipment, prepare the edges at least once a week, or after 3-5 ski days, and more often if you are skiing on artificial snow and/or ice.

Stretch

You can’t really ski well unless you can FLEX.  Always stretch before your first run.

Stretch your calves and quads, which work so hard during a downhill day.

Stretch your arms, because you might be skating and poling for a stretch of flat terrain.

Harriet Wallis

US Ski & Snowboard Team Race Suits Have Climate Message

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Goodbye traditional red, white and blue suits. Hello race suits with a climate message. It’s a whole new concept in race suits.

The blue and white pattern is based on satellite photos of icebergs breaking up and floating in the ocean. The design is intended to draw attention to climate change.

The new suits were showcased by the U.S. Team skiers at the recent FIS Alpine World Championships in Meribel, France,  where the Mixed Team Parallel won its first ever gold medal, besting Norway, the frequent winner of the event.

 

Mixed Team Parallel includes both men and women, with two racers in head-to-head competition on parallel courses.

Also wearing the iceberg race suit, it was gold for Mikaela Shiffrin in the Giant Slalom and then a silver in the Slalom. The world saw the new race suit on the iconic ski champion.

Three organizations teamed up for this unique race wear design –

  • U.S. Ski & Snowboard;
  • Kappa, a high end Italian manufacturer of technical sportswear and speed suits; and
  • Protect Our Winters (POW), a non-profit that promotes non-partisan climate policies and urges outdoor enthusiasts to help protect the winter sports they love.

“A warming winter is one of the biggest threats to the future of snowsports,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “In the 2022-23 winter, teams around the world have had to cancel races due to lack of snow. Some courses are made entirely of machine-made snow, and athletes are racing in 50-degree temperatures in the middle of winter.”

This year, it’s iceberg design race suits. Will there be a new message on race suits in the future?

Kappa will outfit all teams with outerwear, speed, and race suits for events at home and the FIS World Cup events through the 2032 season. In addition, the company will outfit all U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes who compete in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy and in the 2030 Olympic Games.

Will their race suits have an iceberg theme, or another climate message?