Tag Archive for: Apex Boots

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Most people who love skiing take an interest in its history. Preserving and promoting that history is the mission of the International Skiing History Association (ISHA), a volunteer and membership organization that deserves our collective support.

Among other things, ISHA publishes Skiing History, a delightful bi-monthly magazine available in digital and print versions. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers are eligible to receive a free one-year digital subscription. Click on “Community” at the top of this page.Then click on “Subscriber Only Content” in the drop down box. Scroll to”Free One Year Subscription to Skiing History Magazine” and follow the instructions.

Earlier this week, I attended ISHA’s Skiing History evening at Hickory and Tweed, the venerable ski shop in Armonk, NY. About 60 people showed up for a nice spread and an entertaining presentation about the relatively negative but highly amusing portrayal of skiing on TV sit coms. Jeff Blumenfeld, a member of ISHA’s Board put the show together. The program started with the popular 1950’s Topper program (in which two main characters and a drunken Saint Bernard are buried in an avalanche) and continued with a variety segments from the Dick Van Dyke Show, Here’s Lucy (when Lucille Ball actually had a broken leg), The Brady Bunch, Ellen DeGeneres (on a broken chairlift with two nervous friends), Cheers, and others. ISHA intends to promote use of the presentation by ski clubs, thus building awareness of the association and increasing its membership.

If your club is interested in using the presentation, email: jeff@blumenfeldPR.com.

An article on the same topic, by Jeff, appears in the September/October 2018 issue of Skiing History.

NYC Ski Gatherings

SeniorsSkiing.com Birthday Party!! — We’re ramping up for our 5th Anniversary party, 5:00 – 8:30PM, Wednesday, November 14 in The Rumpus Room of E’s Bar (Amsterdam Avenue, between 84th and 85th Streets) in Manhattan. We’re providing the place and the food. Advertisers and others are providing raffle prizes and SWAG. Prizes include a pair of Apex Boots (courtesy Apex Boot Systems); a ski trip to Okemo in Vermont (courtesy 70+ Ski Club), two Orsden parkas (courtesy Orsden); DeBooter ski boot jacks (courtesy Outdoor Logics Solutions); Bootster ski boot horns (courtesy Bootster); discounts for a variety of Masterfit ski boot products(courtesy Masterfit), GearBeast cell phone carriers (very cool product), and superbly warm socks from The Buffalo Wool Company. Except for your bar bill, it’s all on the house. You’ll meet other older skiers. You might win a prize. You’ll certainly have fun. Add it to your calendar. Your RSVP will help us plan for the event: jon@seniorsskiing.com.

Friends of Alta is the non-profit protecting Alta’s environment, preserving its unique character and heritage; and encouraging stewardship and sustainability of Alta’s environment and community. The group ishosting an event, 6:00PM – 8:30PM, Thursday, November 15, at The Explorers Club in Manhattan. For more information, click here.

Five Minutes of Deep Powder Joy 

Icelantic Skis produced this outstanding deep powder short film on the slopes of Mt. Yotei in Japan. There’s some cliff-hucking and one scene where a skier skims off a powder-topped tree branch…the stuff of younger skiers. But the shots of deep powder turns are dreamy.

An Offer No Serious Skier Should Refuse

Realskiers.com is a website that reviews skis. The reviews are more detailed and refined than what you’ll read in one of the ski magazines. And the site is rich with opinion about the sport. Realskiers.com is a written and published by Jackson Hogen, whose irreverence is reflected in his self-proclaimed moniker, the Pontiff of Powder. For youngsters, an annual subscription is $19.95. For SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers, it is $9.95. To subscribe at the reduced rate, click here and enter SS18 for the discount code.

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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I rode a chair last season with a couple who got upset when they saw a dead porcupine on the trail below. They “knew” the animal from skiing there for several months. It looked like it had been attacked.

I’ve seen a lot of animals while skiing over the years. Nothing larger than the moose who frequented part of The Canyons. I’m confident that even with Vail’s acquisition of that wonderful area (now part of Park City), the herd still hangs there, occasionally moseying out on a trail .

Deer Valley had many weasels and, if I have it right, ermine. The critters are long hot dogs making a slinky wave as they run across trails. I had to swerve more than once to avoid trail-kill.

The Catskill and Adirondack areas had occasional deer and lots of porcupines. I remember one tree where the chair passed a porky perched there most of the season.

Rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, birds of all persuasions, an occasional raccoon. They appear on slope and trail. More often it’s their tracks, but look, and you’ll see them.

And dogs, especially those trained for avalanche rescues. Bless them for their excellent skills and stellar service.

Among the most curious creatures encountered to date are Snowbird‘s and Alta‘s leopard and zebra. They’re a couple who frequent the place and everything they wear — cape to boot — is themed accordingly. He’s the leopard. I’ve bumped into him, solo, a few times on the tram or in the lot and told him how much I enjoy his outfit. His response is always the same: “You ought to see my wife. She’s a zebra. I’m always chasing her down.”

SeniorsSkiing Fifth Anniversary Party!!

5:00 – 8:00PM, Wednesday, November 14, Manhattan.

We’d love you to be there, meet other senior skiers, win cool raffle prizes and help us celebrate our fifth. Prizes and SWAG from Apex Boots, 70+ Ski Club, Masterfit, Orsden Parkas, Buffalo Wool Company, Solitude, Powder Mountain, DeBooter, Bootster, GearBeast (the perfect skier’s cellphone carrier), International Skiing History Association, and others. We’ll provide the nibbles. Open bar. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to jon@seniorsskiing.com. Location: E’s Bar (Rumpus Room), 511 Amsterdam Ave. (bet 84th and 85th Streets), Manhattan.

Snowing Across the West!!!!

The resorts and state ski associations are reporting snowfall, snowmaking, and opening dates. A few examples: Wolf Creek in southwest Colorado got 20″ and will have limited skiing this weekend. The Utah resorts received more than a foot of snow. One of them, Snowbasin, got its first big dump in September! Opening days at the Utah areas range from November 21 to December 21.

Warren Miller, Posthumously

Face of Winter is this season’s Warren Miller film, the first since his passing earlier this year. Click here to find when it will be playing near you and to purchase tickets.

Squaw Valley Extremes

For six minutes of pure skiing fun, watch Drop Everything, a video of the recent history of extreme skiing in Squaw Valley. Click on the name to get you there.

New Ski Utah Magazine

Ski Utah outdid itself with this new, free annual magazine. There 100+ pages. Available in print and digital editions. Not your typical ski industry promotional fare. There’s a page dedicated to the wisdom of George Jedenoff, who celebrated his 100th birthday last July with several runs at Snowbird. Ski Utah is essential reading for everyone from regulars to those planning their first visit. To order a copy or send one to a friend click here.

Skiing History Night

If you’re in the New York area, International Skiing History Association is hosting a free pizza/wine/beer Skiing History Night at Hickory & Tweed (410 Main Street, Armonk). 6:30-9:00 PM, Monday, October 15. Highlight of the evening: ISHA’s Jeff Blumenfeld will present how skiing has been portrayed on TV over the decades. RSVP requested: kathleen@skiinghistory.org.

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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historic5aNATIONAL

SeniorsSkiing.com salutes The Ski Diva for winning the prestigious Harold S. Hirsch Award for Best Ski Blog from the North American Snowsports Journalists Association. Wendy Clinch, a refugee from the advertising business, started the Ski Diva, a women’s ski blog, in 2006. Since then, she has written on a wide-range for topics for women snowsport enthusiasts and has attracted about 5000 readers to her very active online forum. ‘Way to go, Ski Diva!

COLORADO

Apex Ski Boots announced its XP Big Mountain Ski Boot. The Apex is infinitely adjustable and features a soft walkable inner boot and a hard shell exoboot. They’re sold online and through select retailers.

NEW YORK

The Northeast Ski & Craft Beer Showcase, presented by Alpin Haus, will take place at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, NY, Friday, November 4 through Sunday, November 6.

QUEBEC

Mont-Tremblant received its first dusting on October 23.

UTAH

Ski Utah reports the following resort opening dates:

  • Alta – Nov. 18
  • Beaver – TBD
  • Brian Head – Nov. 18
  • Cherry Peak – TBD
  • Brighton – As early as possible
  • Deer Valley  – Dec. 3
  • Eagle Point – Dec. 17
  • Nordic Valley -Dec. 10
  • Park City – Nov. 18
  • Powder – TBD
  • Snowbasin – Nov. 23
  • Snowbird – Nov. 18
  • Solitude – Nov. 18
  • Sundance – Dec. 9

Park City may hold the world record for simultaneous shot ski drinkers. Confused? Wasatch Brew Pub bolted hundreds of skis together and mounted shot glasses for the momentous occasion. 2000 people showed up for the Big Gulp — double the number expected. They’re waiting for Guinness to confirm the record, previously held by Breckenridge, which attracted 881 participants. he event was a fundraiser for a local Rotary Club.

Black Diamond has issued Live, Ski Repeat, a one-minute video preview to the season.

WYOMING

Teton Gravity Research issued its latest film, Tight Loose, with exceptional powder beauty shots. Tour Dates: http://www.tetongravity.com/films/tight-loose/tour

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Killington is now open for season pass holders.  First in the East (again).

Wildcat Mountain is kicking off its 59th season with snowmaking operations, thanks to cold temps and natural snowfall above 3,000 feet.

Mountain Collective, the consortium of 14 iconic ski resorts is offering two day passes at each resort for a total of $419. Under 12 kids pass is $99. Season pass holders at Alta and other Mountain Collective resorts get half-price skiing at participating reports.OTHER

mikemaginn

Skis Just For Women

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Should We Have Ski Equipment Just For Seniors, Too?

Jen Gureki saw a clear need for women's skis and founded Coalition Snow. Credit: The Ski Diva

Jen Gureki saw a clear need for women’s skis and founded Coalition Snow.
Credit: The Ski Diva

At the ski shows last fall, we heard rumblings in the ski industry about products for specific segments.  Now, our friend and colleague The Ski Diva has tracked down and interviewed Jen Gureki, CEO and Founder of Coalition Snow, which manufactures skis for women.  Her rationale for developing a ski for women is interesting to us at SeniorsSkiing.com: The segment was getting second shrift from the industry.  Existing women’s skis were shoddy, filmsy and didn’t meet the needs of advanced skiers.  So, Jen designed and manufactured skis to meet their needs.  Pursuit of opportunity. Just like perenial innovator Denny Hanson did with senior-friendly Apex Boots.  Read her story and let us know what you think about segment-specific equipment.  If someone made senior skis, what would they be like?  What about cross-country equipment?  Boots? Clothing?  We think there is something here to dig into, don’t you fellow senior snow enthusiasts?  Click below for the whole interview.

SkiDiva

Ski Boots for Seniors: The Apex Innovation

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Hey there, Senior Skier:  Time for a moment of honest reflection.  While ski boots have come a long, long way from the old days, comfort-wise, they still suck, right?

But, what if ski boots didn’t hurt after three hours of riding hard pack?  What if you could walk around the lodge or to your car in comfort, without the cadence of a hobbled horse?  What if you could get the damn things on without wrestling, straining, tugging, and grunting?  Well, you can.  That’s the whole idea behind the Apex boot which promises comfort and performance without the feeling of having your feet in a clamp.

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The Apex takes its inspiration from ski board riders, who can perform all day on the mountain and then dance to the music in their boots in the lodge.  Basically, the Apex consists of two elements: a walkable support boot that promises a custom fit, and an external carbon-fiber frame—an exoskeleton, if you will—that can be tuned to different flexes.  The boot locks into the frame, and the result, according to Apex, is the Holy Grail of precise edge control and comfort.

We learned of the Apex boot from Senior Skier Billy Kidd, who, at 70, is still very much on the hill. As the 1964 Olympics silver medalist said in an interview with CBS Denver, “At 20 years old, I didn’t care about comfort.  I still need to have control, but the top priority for me now is comfort.”  Now, we at SeniorsSkiing totally endorse Billy’s urgency for comfort; it’s a core philosophy around here.  That’s why the Apex looks so interesting.

The innovative genius behind Apex is none other than Denny Hanson.  In 1970, Denny and his brother Chris rocked ski industry traditionalists with what was then the revolutionary Hanson boot, the first rear-entry design that also featured comfort and easy to get into.  The Hanson boot caught on with racers and freestylers, and what was once considered radical became accepted.

Here’s Denny showing off the Apex.

Couple of things.  Apex boots aren’t cheap.  On the other hand, reviewers are really effusive about praising the performance-comfort benefit.  Also, dealers are spread out pretty thinly.  Check the website for a dealer within a day’s drive.  Or a short plane ride. Or head over to Apex Ski Boots.

Comments on Apex boots?  Anyone? Anyone?