Tag Archive for: nsaa

heliskiers
Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Over the past few weeks, we’ve received numerous emails from ski industry and other leaders supporting Black Lives Matter. Mike and I want to add our voices to this and to other expressions of social justice.

Many of you will remember Bob Dylan’s 1964 song, “The Times They Are A Changin.” His anthem to social change and the consequences of ignoring it takes on new relevance during this time of social, environmental and economic uncertainty and disease.

Each of these issues is evident in skiing, boarding and other winter sports. There should be more people of color on the hill, but for many, the effects of historic social injustice have prevented their participation. 

We are constantly reminded of the unfair treatment of those whose skin color relegates them to economic and educational disadvantage and the lifelong consequences of those disadvantages.

The ski industry has acknowledged the need for change. For years, National Ski Areas Association has reached out to minorities in an attempt to attract them and add diversity to the sport.

It appears that decades after Dylan released “The Times They Are A Changin’,” things, finally, are changing.  It’s about time.

National Brotherhood of Skiers

The National Brotherhood of Skiers the group of African American skiers founded in 1972. Its history is fascinating, and its programs introducing black youth to the sport are encouraging. Learn more about NBS by clicking on the image above an watching a first-rate video produced by REI. 

95-Year-Old Heli-Skier Sets Guinness Record

World’s oldest heliskier Gordon Precious and grandson. Credit: CMH Heli-Skiing

Gordon Precious, 95, of Hamilton, Ontario, recently set a new Guinness World Record for oldest heli-skier. A lifelong skier, he achieved the record last year and shortly before his 95th birthday. The previous record was set by a 91-year-old. 

Liftopia Stiffs Ski Resorts

Liftopia, the biggest online lift ticket seller, owes more than $3MM in ticket sales to Alterra, Mountain Collective, Aspen and other resorts. Sources report Liftopia will seek bankruptcy protection.

Mountain Collective Lowers Price; Adds Resorts

Good News: Mountain Collective is giving 2019-20 passholders $50 off their 2020-2021 passes. And it has added these resorts: Sun Peaks Resort, BC; Grand Targhee, WY; Panorama, BC; Sugarloaf, ME, and Chamonix, France. There are now 23 top-raking destinations on the pass.

Less Than Good News: “No Questions Asked” refund deadline for purchasers is October 16, 2020; slightly early to know about the health of the ski season when COVID’s second wave may be reaching shore.

Portillo Postpones Opening “Indefinitely”

Portillo

A letter this week from Ski Portillo states that the legendary Chilean resort will remain closed indefinitely because COVID-19 is at peak levels in Chile, quarantines, and travel restrictions.

Reliable Source of Reliable COVID Supplies

KN95 Mask                                                                  Type II Surgical Mask

I keep on hearing about people ordering face masks online and getting ripped off. An acquaintance thought she was purchasing COVID masks and was sent tiny, mouth-only coverings, unusable for COVID or any other protection. A recent column mentioned that Masterfit, ski boot footbed manufacturer and SeniorsSkiing.com advertiser, now sells high quality KN95 (comparable to the US’s N95) and Type II surgical face masks.

  • KN95 masks fit securely around the face and provide maximum fluid resistance and filtration efficiency. They’re good for those interacting closely and frequently with the public. 
  • FDA Certified Type II surgical masks are what many surgeons wear. They’re lightweight and provide excellent protection through the triple filtration face barrier. Type IIs comfortably wrap around nose, mouth and under the chin. While not designed to make an air-tight seal, it does provide significantly greater virus filtration protection than a simple dust, particle or homemade mask.

Masterfit also sells reusable face shields and an excellent COVID disinfectant spray. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers enjoy a 10% discount on masks. Pre-discount prices : $35 per package of 10 KN95 masks and $39.50 per package of 50 Type II surgical masks. Click here to access Masterfit’s PPE products. For the discount, enter  FOMCOVID1910 at checkout.

 

seniorsskiing

NSP On Role Of Patrol Re: Speedsters

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A Reply From Meegan Moszynski, Executive Director, National Ski Patrol

[Editor Note: On Oct 1, SeniorsSkiing.com published an article by correspondent Roger Lohr recounting his hit-and-run collision that left him with a nagging back problem. Many readers responded to that article by citing their own on-hill incidents with speeding or out-of-control skiers/boards. The question emerged: Who is actually responsible for lifting ski tickets from people who are discourteous, unsafe, or just acting dangerously? The ski patrol, right? No, said some; yes, said others. So, SeniorsSkiing.com asked Meegan Mosynskyi, the executive director of the National Ski Patrol, to clarify what the NSP’s role is in controlling dangerous skiers/boarders. Here is her response:]

Thank you for reaching out and inviting NSP to provide some input to this important topic.

The Responsibility Code is a courtesy code that all areas and guests are encouraged to follow. The Code was developed by NSAA and is supported by many other leading organizations in the ski industry, including NSP. As an education and training organization, NSP provides the standard of training. The standard of care and the actual roles and responsibilities of patrollers who work or volunteer on the hill is up to area management. Some areas ask patrollers to regulate and react to skiing speeds and other on-hill behavior to the best of their ability, and some do not. 

We are always interested in working to promote safety in skiing. We work closely with NSAA and others to do this, and to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the skiing public and the areas that host them. Any communication that can be shared with the skiing public via your channels would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you for all you do. Let’s hope it’s another great winter!

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (July 22)

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Industry Leader Interview, Artificial Snow Trending, Cycling In The OC.

Ride down to the ocean after you ride up from the beach. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Ride down to the ocean after you ride up from the beach.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

Summer is at its height, and it’s really hot in North America.  Our readers continue to do their summer activities on the water, trails and roads; thanks for letting us know how you’re doing.  We are officially noting that the start of Autumn is nine weeks away.

This week, we start our new Snow Sport Leader interview series with a Q&A with Earl Saline, the director of educational programming for the National Ski Area Association.  He offers his views on the issues facing the resort industry, where senior snow sports enthusiasts fit in the picture, and his own career in the snow business.  We’ll be following other industry leaders throughout the season.  Stay tuned.

Construction for Buck Hill's summer snow hill should be starting about now. (July 2016) Credit: Buck Hill

Construction for Buck Hill’s summer snow hill should be starting about now. (July 2016)
Credit: Buck Hill

We also read with growing interest about yet another artificial ski hill experiment.  Well, its more than an experiment.  Buck Hill, MN, is installing a slick surface that reportedly imitates the gliding of snow on its hill this summer.  Curious that we are seeing a number of these attempts to extend the season growing in number this year.

Finally, we hear from Pat McCloskey and his Cycling Series report from the Orange County coast.  He tells of the Laguna Wilderness where you can engage miles of trails in the coastal range overlooking the sea.  Very cool.  Thanks, Pat for your cycling reports.  Anyone else have a fav place to spin?

Next week, we have a very special event.  We will be announcing our list of Trail Masters, those SeniorsSkiing.com readers who report they have skied their age in the 2015-16 season.  Skiing your age means you’ve been out on the slopes (or trails) a number of days that equals or exceeds your age.  It’s an impressive list, and we have some great ideas for our Trail Masters.

Once again, thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com.  There are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away!

 

Jon Weisberg

Huff Post: 98 Resorts Where Seniors Ski Free

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SeniorsSkiing.Com’s Co-Publisher Reports On Where You Can Get Free Skiing

Huff Post’s Post 50 Blog features our own Jon Weisberg reporting on the 98 resorts in North American where seniors can ski for free.  The list of resorts both large and small were compiled by the National Ski Area Association and also published in Ski History magazine.

Regular subscribers to SeniorsSkiing.com will be emailed a copy of this listing.  New subscribers will receive a copy as well as an ebook of historic ski posters.

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