Tag Archive for: New Hampshire

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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This week’s column is devoted to asking you to donate to SeniorsSkiing.com.

When Mike and I started the publication in 2014, we had no idea that this free, weekly digital magazine would become so popular.  

Most of you are US-based, but each week, SeniorsSkiing.com gets emailed to readers in Canada, throughout the EU, Australia, and New Zealand.

It takes a lot of time and costs quite a bit to do this. We don’t pay contributors or ourselves. But we do have considerable back office and related expenses. Some of this is defrayed by our handful of advertisers.

We are asking for your help so we can continue to advance the interests of older snow sport enthusiasts. We do this by publishing relevant and useful information; encouraging an engaged, online community, and advocating on your collective behalf.

Through SeniorsSkiing.com Reader Surveys, you informed us of your deep concerns about being hit by younger, reckless skiers and boarders. As a result, we introduced the Incidents and Accidents feature and are running a series on how ski areas deal with (or don’t deal with) the problem.

We’ve also learned about the important role grandparents play in introducing their grandkids to the sport. This is an important understanding at a time when the ski industry is trying to attract newcomers. 

Please help.

Every donor will receive SeniorsSkiing.com stickers. Readers donating a minimum of $65 will receive a terrific tote bag to carry their ski accessories. They’ll also get a sew-on SeniorsSkiing patch. Donations of $35 will receive the sew-on patch, $25 will get our Mountain Man stickers. 

Click here to link to the digital donation page or send a check to: SeniorsSkiing.com, Box 416, Hamilton, MA 01936.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

It’s Primary Season in New Hampshire. Time to Go Skiing!

That’s the title of an article in last Sunday’s New York Times in which veteran political journalist, David M. Shribman, explains how his two favorite sports – politics and skiing – are easily exercised and covered in New Hampshire. Click here to link.

Downhill: New Film Starring Will Ferrell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Downhill is the name of a feature film starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The comedy will be released February 14. They and their kids are on a ski holiday in the Alps, when an avalanche strikes, forcing them to reevaluate their lives and how they feel about each other. Based on the brief description and the trailer, it looks like a Hollywood remake of Force Majeur, the Swedish comedy-drama from 2014.

New Liftless Area in Colorado

Bluebird Backcountry is the name of the nation’s first liftless ski area. The 1500 acre area is located between Kremmling and Steamboat Springs. It will open Feb 15 for a “test season.” Amenities include patrol for medical emergencies, warming huts, and backcountry gear rentals and lessons.

Half of US population Doesn’t Recreate Outdoors

Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association, released its latest Outdoor Participation Report. The good news is that about half the U.S. population participated in some form of outdoor recreation in 2018. The bad news?

  • Less than 20 percent recreated outside at least once a week.
  • Americans went on one billion fewer outdoor outings in 2018 than they did in 2008.
  • Kids went on 15 percent fewer annual outings in 2018 than they did in 2012.

The report also shows a continued gap between the diversity of outdoor participants and the diversity of the U.S. population; more specifically, non-Caucasian ethnic groups reported going on far fewer outings in 2018 than they did five years ago.  

Another finding: of the people who report they participate in outdoor activity, 63 percent report they go outside within 10 miles of their home. 

Essential Product for Bad Air

Vogmask is a breathing mask that, unfortunately, will become essential gear as air quality declines and we run into health isses such as the coronavirus. The Korean import carries an N-95 rating, which the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for most cases of air contamination. These filters are designed to seal tightly around mouth and nose and are made of material certified to block 95% of particles roughly the size of a single virus. Vogmasks come in a variety of sizes and are designed to fit closely around nose and mouth. One version has a single valve to facilitate exhaling; another carries two valves. They are attractive,  washable and reusable. Older skiers living in the Salt Lake Valley or other locations where air quality often is compromised by frequent inversions would be prudent to visit the Vogmask website.

X-Games Postponed Due To Coronavirus

Chongli Ski Resort

Forbes reports that ESPN’s first-ever X Games winter event on Chinese soil, has been postponed until a later date, due to continued coronavirus concerns.

X Games Chongli was scheduled to be held February 21-23 at the Secret Garden ski resort in Chongli district within the city of Zhangjiakou.

 

 

 

Tamsin Venn

Coasting Most Of The Way

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Senior Cyclists Love Gravity And Vice Versa.

Franconia Falls offer a cooling off spot. Bring your bathing suit! Credit: Tamsin Venn

Pedaling up and down hills on a mountain bike has its rewards, but we prefer trails that have an emphasis on the downhill. We suggest three great places in the White Mountains of New Hampshire at or near ski areas to do just that. Important: We use suspension mountain bikes that absorb the bouncing over roots and rocks.

The Lincoln Woods Trail off the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) just west of Lincoln, N.H., is one good trip. You cross the suspension bridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River and follow it on a gradual climb 2.8-mile bed of an old logging railroad (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whitemountain/recarea/?recid=74669). At the next bridge, you turn left up the trail to Franconia Falls, which is spectacular with a natural water slide. Go ahead, jump in and cool off. The return trip is a screaming downhill all the way back to the parking lot. You dodge some of the old ties and rails still visible. Total trip 6.5 miles up and back.

Another good coaster is The Franconia Notch Recreation Path (https://www.traillink.com/trail/franconia-notch-recreation-path/). The asphalt path runs the length of the Franconia Notch State Park, following the Pemigewasset River for nine miles, ending at the Flume Gorge, then merging onto Route 3 for the last five miles back into Lincoln. The first leg is a bit of a climb up to Cannon Mountain, then the path drops, tempting you to whiz down the hills after you’ve crawled your way up, but there is a 20 mph speed limit (!)

The path passes Echo Lake, the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tram, The Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site, where you can use a brilliant visual gizmo to recreate the old stone face above you (the Old Man tumbled down in 2003). You also pass Lafayette campground (ice cream anyone?), The Basin (icy water cool down?), and finally the Flume Gorge. Bring a lock for your bikes. This trip is eminently doable thanks to Rodgers Ski & Sport (http://rodgersskiandsport.com/) which will shuttle you from its store in Lincoln to the path’s start for $10 a person.

Remember the Old Man? Here’s a unique tool to bring him back, sort of. Credit: Tamsin Venn

Next day, we zipped south to Waterville Valley Resort via I-93. The extensive well-maintained cross-country ski trail system is a blast for biking. You cut through the woods and explore a variety of trails for all abilities through the National Forest. Everything from meandering dirt fire roads to gnarly single-track is available, plus lift access to biking trails on Snow’s Mountain, the first ski trails in Waterville Valley. (http://www.waterville.com/adventure-center/).

Our favorite run is to take the Snow’s Mountain Chair ($9 single ride and $21 all day pass) and zoom down the wide Livermore Road back into town, crossing babbling brooks and wood bridges, in an Eden-like setting. We branch off onto Swan’s Way, a single track, which leads you back to the Town Center. More scenic is to follow the Connector past the Mad River. Then relax outside with live music and cold drinks, even if you didn’t necessarily break a sweat.

Trail junctures post YOU ARE HERE maps (a good printed map is also available), graded beginner, intermediate, expert in XC ratings, so you always know where you’re going.

Do you have a coasting trip you could recommend? We’re open to suggestions.

At the top of Snow Mountain Chair at Waterville Valley. Credit: Tamsin Venn.

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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For me, this has always been a melancholy time of year.

Most North American lifts stop running, and the joy of winter shifts to summer diversions. Some people use the time to push their limits. Years ago, I’d drive to New Hampshire to ski Tuckerman’s Ravine on Memorial Day. It was an Eastern skier’s rite of passage. When older and commuting into Manhattan, I bumped into a neighbor also waiting for the train. It was a dreary day, but his face was glowing fresh with sun. He had returned the night before from skiing Tuckerman’s. It was at least 8-hours each way. He had driven up Friday night where he stayed in a lodge in Pinkham Notch. Saturday morning he hiked the 2.4 miles to the base of Tuckerman’s then skied all day. No lifts; just climb and ski. At the end of the day he hid his equipment and returned to his lodge. Sunday morning, he awakened to rain, had breakfast, and hiked up to get his gear. Once there he looked around and determined that it wasn’t raining hard enough to keep him from taking a few more runs. Telling the story, he said, “Jon, I figured, what the hell, I might as well enjoy it while I’m here.” George Herzog was 76 when that happened. It was at least 30 years ago.

CALIFORNIA

National Geographic Bowl is adjacent to Squaw Valley, a few feet out-of-bounds from the top of Granite Chief Peak. It now will be accessible by lift and with guides from Alpenglow Expeditions.

COLORADO

Power Pass, on sale now through Apr. 28, provides unlimited skiing plus a host of other benefits (e.g. 12 buddy passes) at five Southwest areas: Purgatory Resort, Arizona Snowbowl, Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort, Pajarito Mountain, and Hesperus Ski Area. Purchasers also ski free or with discount at Copper Mountain (CO), Loveland Ski Area (CO), Monarch Mountain (CO), Crested Butte (CO), Grand Targhee (WY), Eldora Mountain Resort (CO), Diamond Peak (NV), Mount Bohemia (MI), Ski Cooper (CO), Kiroro (Japan), Panorama Mountain Resort (Canada).

MONTANA

Now that winter is winding down, the Montana Office of Tourism is promoting it’s craft beer producers. If visiting the state this summer, there’s no shortage of finding a locally-produced brewSKI. For example: check this short video.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

An avalanche earlier this week in Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mt. Washington was caught on this short but dramatic video.

UTAH

Powder Mountain announced that its day ticket limit is being reduced from 2,000 to 1,500. Powder Mountain is the largest skiable resort in North America. Lift accessible terrain is close to 8,000 acres! With fewer tickets available, there will be more untracked pow available to visiting skiers. The resort had 500″ of snow this season.

WYOMING

A split board is a snowboard that separates for climbing and can be reattached for descents. They’re popular for backcountry adventures. Jones, a leading split board manufacturer, issued a terrific photo and video account of their use in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. The scenery and boarding are fantastic.

OTHER

Rice University bioengineering students are building a device to help people with impaired sensation in their feet stay upright and avoid falls. A brief video explains what these innovative youngsters are up to.