Appalachian Mountain Club Archives

Considering a ski trip to the Alps? Here are a few suggestions from our four-week journey in Italy. They may make your trip a bit easier.

Travel light: We didn’t, and we regret it. Unless you’re going for the entire season, take one parka (possibly a shell), one pair of pants, and a variety of fast-drying layers. I took two parkas, two pairs of ski pants, etc. Unnecessary, heavy, space-consuming, and, overall, a burden. On the Ski Safari the few things we carried had to fit into a small backpack. It’s surprising how little you really need.

Rent equipment: The Alps are studded with high-end ski shops renting quality equipment at reasonable rates. Rental equipment is included in the cost of the Alpskitour and Inspired Italy packages. Most terrain we skied was groomed. The shop’s ski recommendation was perfect for terrain and conditions. Ditto with boots. I was having difficulty with the boots I brought and easily could have left them at home. I’ve always advised taking boots and renting skis, but if you don’t have foot issues, it’s fine to rent when you get there.

Wash your clothes: It’s better than carrying more than you need. Underwear and layers are easily washed in your room. One of our hotels provided free laundry service, others had free washers and dryers.

Rely on local expertise: Unless you’re staying at a single resort, use the services of local guides. In the Aosta Valley we relied on Mauro Cevolo and Andrea Jory of Alpskitour. They organized all details, including daily decisions about which resorts would have the best conditions and the fewest people. It gave us the opportunity to explore a variety of great resorts without the hassle of figuring out how to get there and where to go once on the hill. In the Dolomites, Tim Hudson and his partners at Inspired Italy organized every detail.

Do not think about renting a car: For the most part, cars are unnecessary. Trains and taxis will get you where you want to go faster and more comfortably, especially if travel plans take you into cities. Trains are terrific, especially if you’re not toting too much luggage. Depending on the length of your stay and your cell phone service provider, you may want to use your mobile while traveling. It can be expensive. Our Iphones don’t use SIM cards. Next visit, I’ll take an inexpensive SIM-card compatible mobile and purchase a card when I reach my destination.

Make sure you’re covered: Medical and evacuation insurance are advised and sometimes required. Some carriers (e.g. WorldNomads) don’t write policies if you’re 75 or older. Others (e.g. Allianz) require you to sign up prior to departure. In the Aosta Valley it’s possible to pay a small surcharge for adequate coverage when purchasing lift tickets. Inspired Italy requires each participant to be covered. We purchased through Global Rescue. My 7-day policy cost $238; Pam’s was $119.

Congratulations, Lee!!!!

Lee Kneiss at Ski Santa Fe with his Panda Poles

The winner of the fantastic looking (and performing) Panda Poles picked randomly from all of you who contributed during our recent fundraiser is Lee Kneiss of Santa Fe. He’s pictured here at Ski Santa Fe with his new handcrafted bamboo poles and his SeniorsSkiing.com hat. Enjoy the Pandas, Lee, and many thanks to Tanner Rosenthal, CEO, Panda Poles, for his ongoing support of SeniorsSkiing.com.

Cranmore’s Longest Season

Cranmore Mountain (North Conway, N.H.) registered the longest season in its 81 years. The area was open 118 days, starting Nov 17 and closing April 8.

Solitude Has $55 Lift Ticket

The Utah resort scored 500” this season and is celebrating with $55 lift tickets for anyone showing a season pass from any other resort (including IKON and EPIC).

High Fives Foundation Raises $55,000 at Recent Squaw Event

The 5th Annual Mothership Classic raised $54,544 for individuals and Veterans with life-changing injuries. Participants got supporters to pledge 25¢ a lap. Using every type ski imaginable and dressed in vintage ski attire, they spent the day on Squaw Valley’s legendary KT-22. The organization’s Empowerment Fund has granted over $3.2 million to 236 individuals and Veterans since inception in 2009.

Very Good Idea

Indoor ski centers are getting a toehold in the United States, thanks to the efforts of Indoor Ski USA. The company distributes a variety of European-made, technologically advanced ski decks. They’re used to train competitive skiers and to prepare occasional skiers for their next holiday in the mountains. There are two facilities in the US: The Alpine Factory in Minnesota and Inside Ski near Washington, D.C. Both offer reasonably priced lesson packages.

Nick Howe: RIP

Nick Howe

Nick, a former contributor to SKIING Magazine and correspondent for the U.S. Women’s Ski Team passed away on April 4. He was a the consummate New Englander, an Appalachian Mountain Club hut man in the White Mountains, Middlebury student and Goddard graduate, magazine contributor including Yankee, Outside and Backpacker. His book, “Not Without Peril,” published by AMC, chronicled accidents in the Presidential Range. Nick was a longtime columnist for The Conway (NH) Sun. He also was an accomplished banjo and fiddle player. A reception in Nick’s memory will be held at the Eastern Slope Branch of the New England Ski Museum in North Conway, N.H., on April 27 at 4 p.m.He was 85.

Patagonia’s 50% Off Sale

Patagonia’s online 50% off sale ends April 16. Many superb deals. Click here.

One More Run?

Many resorts are extending their seasons this year, especially in the West. Check websites to make sure lifts are running before you go.

**March-April Skiing History Magazine Now Available**

SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers can get the digital version free. Click here.

A Video Worth Watching

Lee Cohen started skiing Alta in the early 1980’s. Nearly four decades later, he’s established himself as one of the most influential ski photographers of his generation. His son, Sam, is a professional skier and one of Lee’s favorite photographic subjects. This 4:30 video tells the story.

Long-Time Friends Take To The Maine Woods On An XC Adventure.

Steve Hines (R) and his pals venture into the AMC’s wilderness camps every year.
Credit: R. Boucher

A fresh three-inch snowfall covered the winter parking lot as we arrived for our annual winter ski trip. We felt a quiet confidence as we loaded gear into the gear shed for transport to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Little Lyford Pond Camps (LLPC). The camp is on the outskirts of Greenville, Maine. At about 9:30 that morning, we put on skis and shouldered day packs for the 6.8 mile trip from the parking lot to the camp. The four of us—ages 63 to 70—are all experienced outdoorsmen.

Head of the Hedge Hog Gate Trail into the LLPC. Credit: R. Boucher

Trips like this were not new to my group of friends. But, what makes people our age want to continue to take adventures like this? Hadn’t we all earned our rest? Shouldn’t we be shopping for “over 55” living arrangements? Perhaps the answers would be revealed during the week.

AMC owns three camps which are on land the club purchased near the Katahdin Iron Works region in north central Maine. The camps had been fishing and hunting camps for “sports” from Portland, Boston and New York, typically wealthier men looking for a respite from their harried lives in large cities. LLPC opened in 1873 during the so-called gilded age in America. These were the days of JP Morgan, the Rockefellers and the Carnegies. Now, the three camps: LLPC, Gorman Chairback, and Medawisla are all updated and modernized for 21^st century adventurers.

LLPC was our destination this time, and the only way to get there is to ride a snowmobile or ski in on either Hedgehog Gate XC ski trail or the KI Road (logging road) to Upper Valley Road to the camps. Either way, the conventional wisdom is that intermediate skiers have the best time but beginners beware. Two of us decided on the trail and two on the roads thereby observing the “never ski alone” rule.

LLPC at twilight. The AMC maintains three wilderness camps in Maine. Credit R. Boucher

A few hours later, we four were reunited at the lodge at LLPC having lunch and telling stories. The staff at the camp were all on the job less than six months but were eager to please. In a short time, they’d become veteran innkeepers. Food at LLPC ranges from good to excellent, and we all found plenty to eat. The camp staff also accommodates special needs like vegetarians and gluten free. Trail lunches are provided as part of your stay.

The trail system around LLPC is extensive also ranging from comfortable “kick and glide” trails to challenging, ungroomed trails like Gulf Hagas.

Cross Country skiing isn’t the only winter sport enjoyed in the area around LLPC. Snowshoeing is also popular too. And the Lodge has snowshoes to loan.

While we had many conversations around our wood stove over the course of our stay, there were no clear answers to the existential questions listed at the beginning of this article. We did agree, however, that we all look forward to our next winter adventure.

Snowshoeing around the pond at LLPC. Credit: R. Boucher

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Short Swings!