Reader Submission: 80 and Pushing Ahead
Author Elliot Entis and his son
Once upon a time, perhaps two years ago, a torch was passed. I know that is an overdone, banal expression. But it does resonate. Or maybe it was just another downhill ski trail. My son and I were floating down the trails at Bretton Woods silently carving and slipping when he saw the sign for one more double black diamond. An invitation to exuberance, tinged with chills of danger. For many years it was I, the experienced fearless leader who had rushed ahead, exhorting the children, now growing older and more composed, to follow, to learn, enjoy and repeat. But when I saw the sign, with the narrow gnarled tree branches reaching into the twisting bumps, I hesitated, and told my son, “No, you go ahead”. He was surprised; he gave homage to the past, and I believe with some sadness he honored the giant image of parenthood. “”The great Elliot Entis is afraid?” And he whooshed ahead, leaving me to find a gentler decline.
Elliot Entis
80 and Pushing Ahead
- Reader Submission: 80 and Pushing Ahead - October 23, 2025
- Letter to Editor: Waiting For Snow in the Carolinas - September 2, 2025
- Letter to Editor: Appreciation for Skiing in North Carolina - February 6, 2025
A hard but smart choice. Now 70, I ski in a way so I can ski another day.
Certainly the wisdom of age although the decision does not come easy. At 76, the parameters for another good day on the snow begin to narrow but…I can still do it and enjoy the feel of carving a turn and being with friends on a bluebird day!
Passing the torch. Nicely done! I’ve often commented about recognizing when my kids surpassed me on their snowboards (also like Elliot often at Bretton Woods). But admittedly it happened decades ago when they were young teens.
How true! Elliot’s article about “torch passing” on his ski run reminded me of a related observation I had while canoeing. When paddling out from a Boundary Waters trip with a friend, I was looking across the lake at other canoes and noticed older guys sitting the bow of the canoe and younger men in the stern. It prompted me to wonder if those were fathers and sons, and at what age that torch was passed when dad gave up his seat in the stern to his son, just as Elliot passed on the opportunity to follow his son down the double black diamond. Being a senior skier, I would have followed Elliot’s path. “Live to ski another day!”
I’ve skied Brettonwoods many times and it’s probably the only local ski area where I could handle a black or double black diamond trial as the grades are fairly modest say compared to Cannon. But I totally agree, that if I’m lucky enough to ski at 80 I’d make the exact same decision. Far far better to be able to ski ANYTHING too to bottom in New England at that age, so why take the chance! Live to ski another day indeed!
i am well in my 70s and have made the same move last winter not only to our grown children but our grand children with a little sadness but mostly pride that the skiing torch has been passed onto two more generations.
i still ski most double blacks but the conditions and light have to be perfect
Now 80 years old and enjoying skiing more than ever. I think in terms playing to my advantages. For example, the quality of turns on moderate terrain (but not narrow runs). And experience evens the scales (somewhat) with younger skiers on ice and crud.
I totally agree about passing the torch. At 78, approaching 79 my priorities when skiing now are be safe, have fun, learn something new, in that order. I also want to ski another day!
Been there, done that. Approaching 83. I have given up the steeps and moguls at Killington a few years ago and now have my kids and grandkids waiting for me at the bottom rather than the other way around. I have been skiing Killington since the early years of operation. Last season I only got a half day in due to a bad knee that was made it impossible to ski. The kids said that it was not the same not waiting for Pop. I now have a new knee and am ready to ski with the kids once again.
Hoping to get that free lift ticket at 80.
Wisdom is a growing strength and builds on: should do and shouldn’t do. It’s the same strength to decide when your ski day should stop. Most decisions are made with whatever wisdom you’ve gained. Your torch is still guiding your light. It’s not that you couldn’t ski that particular black D, it’s more like, not today. I’d wait until you have fresh batteries on board!
Im turning 75 soon and bought a pair of cross country skis in May – I live in the mountains and have skied most my life being from a family that taught skiing – but I just don’t want any more surgeries having had 2 hip replacements and one knee over 20 years ago — I think ill go maybe a few times during the season – I will truly miss it
Elliot, i know what youu mean. I sm 83 my skiing buddy eill be 85, we have digressed to skiing the edges of trails on the more gentler slopes. 2 reasons, 1- my friend does not like bumps as anymore and staying away from the expert trails makes it a easier to stay away from the crazy fast skiers flying by you as we try to negotiate the mogels.
I have to admit that I will ski a steep trail with mogels but the conditions need to be right. I just am happy to break on my skis at my age and enjoying every turn.
Comment on Roger’s answer above. How about that day we were at bretton woods on the far right trail facing the mountain. We thought it was an easy trail! You and I had an easy time coming down. However Ann, David & Mike were not happy!
Luckily for me, I got the bizarre urge to become a “part-time” ski instructor around age 60. And the urge to teach arrived before the fear of aging set in! I know that, because it was during my first 6-7 years of instructing that I experienced my worst falls: being hit by a too-fast skier, while in my bright red instructor jacket (did a flip into soft snow at trail’s edge), flopped while skiing too fast with a client in sticky fresh powder…you know, the typical stuff! So I’ve also dialed it down, and now more than ever I’m enjoying my time as a ski instructor at Stratton, where I’m 100% focused on helping kids, teens and adults become better skiers from wherever they start with me. Whether it’s from never-ever-dom, or somewhere beyond that, I continue to get tremendous satisfaction from helping everyone I teach to get better and better, and in the process loving to ski.
At 70, I feel I should be so lucky to still be skiing at 80. G
At 76, my torch was passed a number of years ago. The King is (not quite) dead, long live the new King, and his descendants. While still thrilled to be able to ski, I look at risk and reward. The former far outweighs the possible momentary thrill of the latter. Keep carving, stop counting, and have fun everyone.
I’m 81, both knees replaced. About 4 years ago I was sking with my son and 8 year old granddaughter(he’s an raced as a kid, she was racing in the Vail program, both way better than I ever was). We took the Pima to the top of Snowmass-at the top was a trail to the right and a sign to the left that said “gates”. Told my son I was headed to the right but he said you can do it Dad, so I headed with them to the gates. Made it down with them waiting for me and it did expand terrain I try. Avoid moguls but will see most anything black so long as conditions are decent but days of off groomers in less than good conditions are well behind me. Still having as much fun as ever!
Skiing is cool for many but not most importsmt thing in life BY FAR