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Tag Archive for: senior skiers

Short Swings!

April 12, 2019/1 Comment/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

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.

Reporting From the Italian Alps

March 14, 2019/8 Comments/in International/by Jon Weisberg

Italy’s Aosta Valley: Gateway to great skiing

Italy’s Aosta Valley is rich with history; even richer with places to ski. The Romans used the valley as a route to Gaul. In the intervening centuries, more than 100 castles were built. Starting in the early 1930’s, the Italians, the Swiss and the French started building ski lifts. They haven’t stopped.

The valley provides easy access to some of the world’s greatest ski resorts. At one end is Courmayer on Mont Blanc. Drive up a side canyon and you’re in Cervinia, on your way by lift and ski to Zermatt. Another short drive, and you’re at Monterosa.

We’re in centrally located Saint Vincent, a scenic and charming walking town, where every day we journey through scenic alpine villages to a different resort.

Centrally located Saint Vincent

It’s only the second week of March, and Saint Vincent is beginning to bloom. We’re staying in the aptly named Hotel Bijou, a gem of a hotel overlooking the town’s central plaza. The main street is lined with colorful three and four story buildings housing attractive stores and restaurants specializing in Aosta’s regional cuisine. Just a few blocks in either direction are an elaborate mineral bath complex reached by funicular and a sizeable casino.

After a full day of skiing, we don’t have energy for either.

We’re here with the owners of Alpskitour, a local guide service and SeniorsSkiing.com advertiser. Mauro Cevolo has taught and coached skiing in Italy, Austria, France, New Zealand and the US (Mammoth). Andrea Jory teaches mostly at Cervinia and Champoluc. He was on Italy’s national bobsled team and competed in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. Both are magnificent skiers and highly enjoyable companions. They’re intimately familiar with the many resorts in and around the Aosta Valley, including the best places to ski and where to stop for a gourmet lunch in an authentic surrounding.

The author with world speed ski champ, Simone Origone and Andrea Jory, Alpskitour

Wherever you go with them they’re warmly greeted. At lunch the other day, they bumped into Simone Origone who for 12+ years held the record for the world’s fastest man on skis (about 157 mph!).

An important benefit of staying in Saint Vincent over one of the resorts is the ability to decide, last minute, where to ski. The other day, when high winds had forced many of the resorts to shut down, we drove to the city of Aosta, boarded a gondola and climbed the mountain into magnificent mid-winter conditions at the Pila resort. Accustomed to Rocky Mountain resorts, Pila was a big surprise…emphasis on big. But it is small, relative to where we’d be going over the coming days.

La Thuile in Aosta Valley

The next day we drove past high-perched castles, ancient stone villages, and up a series of hairpin turns to reach Espace San Bernardo. We started at La Thuile, and after a gondola and a chair entered a landscape of endless peaks and glaciers. Following several long runs and more lifts, we crossed into France and descended to La Rosiere, another sizeable resort. After a few hours of skiing, we rode two long Pomas, crossed back into Italy and skied to Maison Carrel, where we lunched on regional cuisine in a modernized 19^thCentury stone barn. I had cabbage soup topped with a thick layer of Fontina cheese, one of many Aosta Valley products exported across the globe.

Combined, La Thuile and La Rosiere have 39 lifts servicing something like 7800 acres of terrain, mid-sized for the Alps. Nonetheless, it’s size is slightly less than Whistler Blackcomb, North America’s largest.

Monterosa’s Champoluc-Frachey

The story gets better. Yesterday we drove to Monterosa’s Champoluc-Frachey and skied two of its three massive valleys. We started on a super-steep, rail funicular and throughout the day used cable cars, gondolas, and a variety of open and bubble chairlifts. This place is humongous. Looking up into remote snow fields were tiny specks skiing gondola-accessed backcountry. We stayed on trail, at one point dropping down a long and steep sun-drenched trail…my kind of skiing.

The West won this season’s snow lottery. Last year, that prize went to the Alps. Coverage is adequate at the moment and skiing is a lot of fun. If it were deep powder, I’d be able to enjoy a handful of runs before calling it a day. We’re probably skiing 15,000 – 20,000 vertical.

Today is a self-imposed rest day. We’ll visit some of Saint Vincent’s treasures and drive into the city of Aosta to see its Roman ruins. Tomorrow we’ll be back on another mountain. Which one is a decision Mauro and Andrea will make in the morning. One thing I know: it will be big, beautiful, and interesting. That’s what defines skiing in and around the Aosta Valley.

More on this fantastic ski experience next week.

Sometimes Our Bodies Need Help

March 4, 2019/5 Comments/in Accessories, MedTech/by Jon Weisberg

There are times when we can benefit from some extra help, especially as we age or develop chronic medical conditions.

Nick Manley, a remarkable athlete with a degenerative neurological condition, swears by the Ski-Mojo knee bracing system. The product’s shock absorbing springs reduce the load on his knees, allowing him to continue to race and ski for the entire day without tiring.

I haven’t used it, but I have talked with Nick and at least a dozen other older skiers who tell me that it has made a profound difference in their skiing experiences. Ski-Mojo also helps maintain correct posture while skiing and makes it easier to ski longer.

If you feel you could benefit from some assistance, my strong suggestion is to visit Ski-Mojo’s site.

Now, on a limited basis, there’s another innovative approach to helping your knees. I wrote briefly about it a few months ago, when the company started advertising. The product, being developed by Roam Robotics, is called Elevate. It is a computer-influenced soft exoskeleton that utilizes pneumatics to assist movement in your legs and knees.

It may sound sci-fi, but it’s for real. Starting March 9, the company is making Elevate available on a unique demo basis in three locations: two in Lake Tahoe; one in Park City.

Rent the device, and Roam will arrange for one of its trained ski hosts to accompany you for a few runs or for the entire day, based on your preference. If you’re staying within a certain radius of their facilities, the company will deliver the device to you the night before and provide enough orientation so you’ll be good to go the next morning when you meet your ski host on the hill.

If this sounds a little protective, it is. As a product, Elevate is ready for prime time, but the concept is so new that the company wants to provide hands-on education about its use. It also wants to collect information about customers’ experience to improve future versions. All of this is to assure a smooth roll-out when it ramps up production and makes Elevate available more broadly in seasons to come.

The cost for a one-day demo is $109, which includes drop-off and ski host services. If you are in the Tahoe or Park City neighborhoods and want to try an entirely different approach to protecting your knees and getting more out of your ski day, this is your opportunity. To reserve a demo, click here.

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Powderhorn Mountain Resort

March 4, 2019/1 Comment/in West/by Jon Weisberg

The Grand Mesa in western Colorado is the world’s largest flat-topped mountain. Six-thousand feet higher than surrounding terrain. In places, it ascends to 11,000’. You drive through high desert, ranchland, tiny villages. Then you climb to the heights of Powderhorn Mountain Resort.

Powderhorn on Colorado’s Grand Mesa

Many of you have expressed interest in lesser-known ski areas. To those not in the neighborhood, Powderhorn qualifies as “lesser-known,” and it deserves your attention.

Powderhorn’s three chairs provide access to 1600 acres of trails and trees. The day I skied there, snow quality was outstanding, but snow depth prevented extensive exploration. At one point this winter, it should reach its average 250”.

At 1650’, the vertical is adequate. Unlike some other areas with more vert, Powderhorn’s trials offer a nice continuous pitch. Mountain stats claim 50% blue/30% black. The blacks I skied were more blue. Nonetheless, everything I was on provided an interesting skiing experience. Some mountains have that advantage over other more developed places: they’re interesting. Maybe it’s the fall line; maybe the layout. Whatever it is, Powderhorn has it. And on that particular day, through ever-changing clouds, Powderhorn offered up spectacular panoramas of distant desert landscapes.

The base lodge looks more ‘70s suburban bank building than ski lodge, but once inside, there’s a remarkably friendly and old-fashioned vibe. Not a lot of people around that Tuesday, but it seemed like everyone there came up to greet us and ask where we were from.

Instead of on-mountain lodges, Powderhorn opens its patrol shelters to the public. In addition to a few things to nibble and drink, they, too, have an uncommon feeling of gemütlichkeit. I felt like I was time warping into a kinder, gentler, less-commercial ski era.

Every Thursday, the 50+ “Young At Heart” program meets for guided skiing, lunch, and après ski. Regardless of when you visit, for those 75+, lift tickets are $38, season passes $179. The season pass includes benefits at 25 other areas. The under 75 rates also are attractive.

Slopeside lodging is limited. We chose to stay in Palisade, a scenic 28-mile ride. Palisade, adjacent to I-70, is known for wineries and peaches, and Wine Country Inn. For several years we’ve been driving by this attractive hostelry. This time we gave it a try. Our room was modern, spacious, and well appointed. What came as a surprise was the delicious food! We dined in both restaurant and bar. Breakfast, included, was a scrumptious buffet of freshly made everything, even a creative selection of home-baked goodies. We’ll definitely return.

Wine Country Inn

Here’s an idea for seniors seeking a varied ski adventure: Fly into Salt Lake City, ski at a few of those great areas, then head out to Colorado. Assuming the roads are in good shape, you’ll be in Palisade in 4.5 hours. Check in at Wine Country Inn, ski a few days at Powderhorn, then head east toward Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Loveland, or Arapahoe Basin. Drop off the car at Denver International and be on your way. Other routes will take you to Telluride and Crested Butte, or down to Las Vegas.

Alternatively, if you want a hassle-free, laid back ski vacation, with good prices, uncrowded slopes, outstanding food, and uncompromising friendliness, simply fly into Grand Junction, rent a car, stay at Wine Country Inn, and enjoy the skiing and scenery at Powderhorn. It’s a winning combination.

Click here for Powderhorn trail map

Click here for Powderhorn webcam.

Short Swings!

March 1, 2019/0 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Many thanks to those who responded to our February fund-raising campaign. Your decals, patches, and hats are being sent. There are delays in shipments because the patch supplier is behind schedule. Thank you for your support!!!

Once upon a time, stores, malls and restaurants didn’t look the same. Places in different parts of the country looked and felt different, even if their offerings were similar. Today, the mall in Boston might as well be in Boise or Baltimore. To this observer, they seem similar and soulless; commercial palaces selling the same commodified goods.

Is something similar happening to our ski areas?

I hope not. But, despite physical and geographic differences, areas that are part of IKON or EPIC certainly present themselves and their pass offerings with similarity. It’s efficient, and their corporate bosses (most likely) require it.

In the process, local character and culture gets tossed in the blender, and we, the people who may have enjoyed the differences, lose out.

Early last week, Arapahoe Basin announced it was parting ways with Vail Resort’s EPIC Pass. The stated reason is A-Basin’s lack of parking capacity to accommodate increased traffic from it’s EPIC participation. Parking space is a legitimate issue and one of Arapahoe’s biggest challenges.

The official statement from Alan Henceroth ,Arapahoe’s Chief Operating Officer also read, “..the ski area has developed a very special community that feels like home. This decision (to leave EPIC) will allow us to continue to build on this spirit and the experience we have created.”

I don’t think Arapahoe’s decision is the canary in the mine for the rest of the industry. But it highlights the area’s interest in preserving its character and its community. I spent a bluebird day there a few weeks back. It has every type if skiing you’d want: bowl, trees, trails, above tree line. The lodges are lovely; the food, creative, interesting and reasonably priced. The Beavers, new lift-serviced acreage with blacks and blues opened this season. In 2020 the area will be 75.

Arapahoe is not the biggest and it’s not the most glamorous. But it is a wonderful ski area taking steps to preserve its character and its soul.

BRAVO Arapahoe!!!!!

Vail To Acquire Two Aussie Resorts

Vail Resorts will be purchasing two more ski resorts, both in Victoria, Australia. They are Falls Creek Alpine Resort and Hotham Alpine Resort. The purchase price is reported to be $174 million.

New Sun Valley/Snowbasin Pass

The new Sun and Snow Pass from Sun Valley and Snowbasin. Twill offer three days at each resort for $359 for adults and $89 for children. The pass also gives 50% off the window rate for subsequent ticket purchases. The pass has other benefits, as well. The $359 price rises after May 31. Click here for details.

2019-20 IKON Pass Now Available

Both versions of the pass go on sale March 5 for lowest prices of the upcoming season. Click here.

Alf Engen Ski Museum’s Head To Receive ISHA Award

When visiting Park City, the Alf Engen Ski Museum is an important stop. With stationary and interactive exhibits, it is the most entertaining of the nation’s ski museums. Connie Nelson, the museum’s executive director since inception, will be recognized by the International Skiing History Association with its Lifetime Achievement Award when ISHA meets in Park City in early April.

Entering Easily: Getting Into Your Boots

One of the most common complaints about ski boots is the difficulty of getting them on. Over the years, myriad homemade and commercial solutions have been developed. SeniorsSkiing.com advertiser, BOOTSTER, is a ski boot shoe horn that fits in parka pocket, incorporates Teflon-coated Kevlar fabric, and is genuinely effective. It was developed by an older skier who is also a professional engineer. Visit the company website to see how it works and to read user comments. If you’re fed-up with the aggravation of putting on ski boots, this $25 investment will give you many years of productive dividends.

Colorful Spring Fling Video From Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham Mountain Resort

It’s colorful. It’s youthful. It’s fun. Click here.

1920s Winter Sports Film

This compilation from British Pathé includes early skiing, skijoring, skating, etc. One of the weirdest clips has a guy with a parachute. It’s short.

Finally………

We’re working on improving the SeniorsSkiing.com Facebook page. If you visit it — https://www.facebook.com/seniorsskiing/ — please “like” us.

Short Swings!

February 22, 2019/5 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Many thanks to each of you who has generously responded to SeniorsSkiing.com’s fund raising campaign. We soon will be sending out decals, patches and hats. The campaign will run through February.

The Things We Carry

What do we really need for a week or two on the hill? Answers will vary depending on whether we’re flying, driving, or returning to a mountain home. Other factors are weather and whether or not skiing will be just one part of the journey.

Some of you may be familiar with Marie Kondo, whose organizing principles are presented in the new Netflix reality TV series, “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo.” Her process involves piling everthing in one spot, sorting though, and keeping only those things that “spark joy.”

Let me admit something my wife has been telling me for years: Some things I find hard to toss. Recently, I cleaned out my boot bag. You may ask, why even bother with a boot bag? It’s an important way to keep boots and accessories organized. I found a lot of old, expired, unnecessary stuff in there. One balaclava is enough. I got rid of two. Disposable hand warmers are always handy, but several were years past their due dates. Then the miscellaneous lip coatings, expired sunscreens, etc. I have a separate bag for powder cords, and over the years have assembled quite the collection of those colorful ribbons, not because I needed more, but because they were at home when I needed them at the mountain. The boot bag now has a single set. It no longer has dried-up contact lenses; ancient pain killers, old area maps, expired passes, multiple goggle defogging products, etc. etc. My boot bag now sparks joy.

I also have a large, rolling duffle with many zippered compartments, including a full-length “basement.” The monster is large enough to hold multiple parkas, ski pants, more layers than a Bermuda onion, socks, shirts…wardrobes for most skiing scenarios, après ski scenarios, receptions with royals, and a quick trip to the beach. The operative word here is “rolling,” and that’s helped by both a soft handle and a hard one that extends from the frame.

As I prepare for an upcoming, extended journey in the Alps and in big and small cities, that bag, intelligently packed and organized, will be a godsend.

Another confession: Since I don’t have the mental discipline to anticipate every possible travel scenario, I limit travel and ski garb to combinations of black and gray. Truth be told, that pretty much defines my wardrobe, in general.

Everything else – laptop, chargers, spare glasses, things to read, meds, and toiletries – go into a backpack that stays with me on plane, train and automobile. Everything, except for credit cards and cash; I’ll need those to purchase the things I forgot to pack.

West Coast Snow Report: DEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!

Squaw Valley has received 492″+ so far. That’s 41′; eight of them in the last week. Other California areas getting similar amounts. Boreal 432″; Kirkwood, 425″; Sierra at Tahoe, 400″. Super snow storms are creating travel and avalanche issues.

Well Worth Reading

Jackson Hogen, publisher of Realskiers.com (SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers can subscribe to Realskiers.com for $9.99) sends out weekly short essays about different aspects of the sport. His current piece, titled, “To Ski Better in All Terrain, Tweak Your Tactics,” offers sound advice on making small adjustments that render big results. Click here to read.

The One-Off Tesla Ski

Renoun is an award-winning maker of high-end skis. Among other innovations, it uses HDT, a putty-like material that causes skis to feel stiffer as they go faster. The Burlington (VT) company says the HDT makes them ski smoothly and with greater control. Renoun recently sent Elon Musk a custom pair sporting the Tesla logo. “The guy is a badass. He deserves badass skis,” said Renoun CEO, Cyrus Schenck.

March 2 Mont Tremblant Fund Raiser

Skiers young and old are invited to join the 6^th Legends Classic, a giant slalom fundraiser where participants rub shoulders with Tremblant’s mountain legends while supporting the Canadian Hall of Fame and the Canadian Ski Museum. Racers are eligible to win prizes, and spectators and racers are welcome to compete in the Vintage Skiwear Contest held during the Awards ceremony.

Fun Vintage Cartoon

Walt Disney’s “The Art of Skiing,” features Goofy learning to ski. Produced in 1941, and seen by millions, this 90 second excerpt will bring a smile. Click here to view.

Short Swings!

February 15, 2019/2 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Before I get into this week’s topic, I’d like to thank each of you who donated to SeniorsSkiing.com. This is the second week of our second annual fund raiser. The response has been enthusiastic. Your gifts will help us get closer to covering expenses. As important, they are telling us that this effort to form a community of older snowsports enthusiasts is appreciated. If you have not already done so, please consider making a gift. If you already have, you’ll be receiving a personalized thank you. In the meanwhile, THANK YOU!

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This season, I’m visiting areas I haven’t been to before (or haven’t been to in a very long time). Last week, Pam and I completed a tour of five Colorado ski areas and resorts. The difference between a resort and an area is that resorts have onsite lodging. Ski areas don’t.

Like most road trips from my youth, this one required a lot of moving around, a lot of taking suitcases to and from rooms, a lot of unpacking and repacking…you get the picture. We’re both of an age where the schlepp began to wear us down.

Pam would have preferred staying in one place. I don’t disagee.

Even at this age, road trips can be fun. You get to see and ski more places and, if conditions aren’t good in one place, you might be able to find pow someplace else. (As it turns out, conditions were good throughout our 10 day Tour d’ Colorado).

But there’s something delicious about parking yourself at one place, exploring the area’s terrain, restaurants, etc. Before moving to the West, some of my best ski holidays were without cars at Alta and Snowbird. You landed at the airport, collected your gear, took a shuttle to the resort, and every day, got up early, clicked on your skis, and enjoyed the terrain. End of day, you hung out with others who had done the same thing. I’ve had similar experiences elsewhere. You’re there. The car, if you brought one, is in the garage (if there is a garage). You’re not dragging luggage. It’s probably what it’s like when checking into a luxe hotel at a luxe resort. It’s what Pam would prefer. And now that I think about it, me too.

What do you think is the best way to take a ski vacation? One place? Road trip? Something else? Full disclosure: We leave for another skiing road trip in a few weeks. This time by plane, train, and automobile in the Alps.

SeniorsSkiing in the Dolomites

InspiredItaly conducts Ski Safaris in Italy’s Dolomites. I’ve written about the weeklong experience in the past, and, next month, will experience the adventure for the first time. Two SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers recently completed the tour. This video tells their story.

Loveland’s Valentine’s Day Mass Wedding

Loveland Ski Area — Valentine’s Day Mountain Matrimonial.

With a name like LOVELAND, getting hitched is a natural. Yesterday, Valentine’s Day, the Colorado area celebrated its 28^thAnnual Marry Me and Ski For Free Mountaintop Matrimony event. Couples got married or renew their vows outside Ptarmigan Roost Cabin (elevation12,050’). Participants are encouraged to wear wedding clothes, and the best-dressed get rewarded for their effort. The 30-minute ceremony is followed by run down the hill and a party with wedding cake, music, and prizes.

Winter Hiking Featured in New York Times

The growing cold weather pastime is explored in this short, interesting article. Let us know where you go winter hiking and if you’d like SeniorsSkiing.com to run some articles on the subject.

Lookout Pass

Deep. Deep. Deep. Lookout Mountain, Idaho

One side of Lookout Pass is in Idaho, the other side in Montana. The area is about a 90-minute drive from Missoula, MT or Spokane, WA. It’s not big, 540 acres; 1,150’ vertical. But does it get snow! Average annual snowfall is 400”. Keep an eye on this place. It’s about to double in acreage and increase its vert. Check photo taken this week!

100″ in Utah Since Feb 1

Yes, you read that correctly.

CMH Virtual Reality Tour

Canadian Mountain Holidays is presenting a 5-minute virtual reality film at ski resorts around the country. Filmed in Canada’s Cariboo range “Lines of Sight” is said to the the first film of its kind in the tech and ski industries. In resort pop-up lounges, viewers don VR goggles to watch the action. As they turn their heads, they are able to explore the full field of vision. You can watch the same film by clicking here. As you watch, place your cursor over any of the four arrows in the upper left corner to extend your vision left, right, up, and down. CMH says it created the film to immerse viewer into the experience and to dispel the myth that Heli-Skiing has to be extreme. Remaining screenings are scheduled for Mont Tremblant, March 7-12, Mammoth Mountain, March 22-24, and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, March 29-31 and April 5-7.

BRR! Skincare Winter Balm

BRR! is an all natural face-protecting balm for skiers and boarders. Winter Balm was crafted with a unique blend of botanicals to protect skin against the effects of cold and wind. No nasty, toxic ingredients. Can be applied to the face (cheeks, nose, and lips) prior to outdoor activity to protect or after exposure to soothe. First rate. Click here.

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Steamboat

February 13, 2019/5 Comments/in Destinations, West/by Jon Weisberg

At first glance, Steamboat is the ideal senior skier resort. It’s big. It’s predominantly intermediate. It’s anchored by a substantial town with hot springs, shops and many good restaurants. There are lodging options, galore. But Steamboat also has its challenges. If you’re not part of the IKON Pass, a day ticket can cost $129-159 (advance online). And reaching the lift from where you’re dropped off is always a hike.

Many of you associate Steamboat with two of the great mid-century names in the sport: Buddy Werner and Billy Kidd. Werner was raised there. He competed in the 1956, ’60, and ’64 Winter Olympics and died soon after in a Swiss avalanche. Part of the area is named in his memory. Kidd won silver and bronze in the 1964 Olympics and bronze and Gold in the 1970 FIS World Chamipionships. Now 75, Billy Kidd has been Steamboat’s Director of Skiing for almost 50 years. Most days at 1PM, he’s available for a run with the guests.

The resort is expansive: 2965 skiable acres spread across two mountains and offering 3668 vertical feet. At 6900’, the base is good for breathing. The lift-serviced part of the mountain tops out at 10,384’. Storm Peak has the most steeps. Sunshine Peak has more greens and blues than blacks. Morningside Park, the backside bowl, is mostly blues and blacks.

I was there on two particularly cold days, but enjoyed the effects of the inversion that produces warmer air at higher elevations. Unlike the smoggy inversions in the Salt Lake Valley, in Steamboat cold valley air stays clear.

The resort is in the northwest corner of the state. The most efficient way to get there is by flying into nearby Hayden which receives non-stops from most major airports via Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, and United.

First day on the mountain, I was fortunate to ride up the gondola with an instructor on his day off. He volunteered to show me around. Greg Lambert knows his stuff.

We started at what locals call Wally’s World (aka Sunshine Peak). From there radiate numerous trails and glade runs. One set is named for breakfast foods (Cowboy Coffee, Hot Cakes, Biscuits, Gravy); another set for their sundial effect (High Noon, where the sun is directly overhead at noon; One O’Clock, Two O’Clock, and Three O’Clock).

We worked our way toward Storm Peak, where there’s generally steeper terrain and almost endless opportunities to duck into the trees. A bit fatigued, I left Greg and worked my way over to Thunderhead Lodge, then down a long wide run called Valley View. The panoramas of Yampa Valley and distant ranges are spectacular.

Yours truly tapping Buddy for good luck.

Day Two, I was back on Storm Peak. At the top there’s a bronze bust of Buddy Werner. Local lore says tapping his noggin with a pole brings good luck. I tapped and felt fortunate to be there.

One night we dined at Low Country, which serves authentic (and outstanding) Southern style cuisine. The morning before heading out, we had a terrific breakfast at Creekside Cafe.

Steamboat is big and beautiful. It legitimately prides itself for friendly cowboy cuture and its legendary “Champagne Powder.” The town has everything you’ll need during your stay. Free shuttles are available to take you everywhere.

But to get to a lift, you need to carry your gear through Gondola Square and numerous short sets of stairs. Yes, we saw a storage facility and wagons to pull things, but negotiating the journey was tiring. Eight or ten years ago it wouldn’t have been an issue, but at three-quarters of a century, I felt it. At one point, I’d like to return to Steamboat. By then, maybe they’ll have a moving sidewalk or a team of sherpas to ease the burden.

Short Swings!

February 1, 2019/10 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Why aren’t skis designed for and marketed to the 20% of the U.S. skiing population over the age of 52? In other words, is the industry ready for a senior’s ski?

I’m asking now, because this is the week ski manufacturers write orders for next year’s crop. They’ve gathered at the Denver Convention Center for the Snow Show, the industry’s annual trade exposition.

There will unisex skis, women’s skis, and kids skis. But nothing specifically for the older skiing population.

One question is why should there be? We know that numerous models in the unisex category are suitable for older skiers. In his annual ski review process, Jackson Hogen of Realskiers.com identifies the characteristics that define skis for the older set. They generally have softer flex, which helps them engage with snow with minimal exertion. This allows skiers to turn more easily and to ski longer without tiring. (Readers can locate the list of Best Skis for Senior Skiers by clicking “Community,” then “Subscriber Only Content.”)

Shouldn’t older skiers simply shop for those characteristics when they shop for skis?

Alberto Varagas illustration from WWII honoring ski troops.

A similar argument could be made for women’s skis. When they were introduced, with few exceptions, manufacturers simply changed the cosmetics of existing models and targeted them at women. There were some companies that designed skis specifically for female size and physique, assembling panels of racers and others to help define what should go into the female model.

The manufacturers recognized the potential for women’s skis. It seems they made a good bet.

Why aren’t they placing a similar bet on a ski for seniors? Older skiers ski more frequently than the national average. Our reader surveys show that 25% intend to purchase new skis in the coming season. The surveys also show that 68% are financially independent (i.e. they have money to spend).

I’ve heard the argument that older skiers might be reluctant to admit or to accept their age status. That may or may not be a real obstacle.

I’ve also heard that the state of the ski industry is such that manufacturers are shifting money from marketing to providing retailers with bigger discounts. That way, some brands are able to dominate display space and account for a larger share of the retailer’s sales.

If a ski manufacturer simply wanted to explore the possibilities, it could apply different graphics to suitable existing models and test them in a handful of outlets. Alternatively, it could select existing models best suited to the older skier and identify them with a sticker or a hangtag, or give sales staff the information that would help present the skis to older customers.

Those are possibilities. But visit the ski section of the Snowshow, and virtually everyone representing the ski companies – the marketers, the salespeople, etc – are young. Can we really expect them to understand the value of making or marketing a ski that may appeal to the one-in-five U.S. skiers who ski more, spend more, and try new products in order to stay in the game?

Industry To Try Luring Drop-Outs

National Ski Areas Association is looking at new goals for increasing the number of skier/boarder days. They include getting people who left to return to the sport. One estimate indicates that in the past decade, up to 8.5 million skiers/boarders dropped out for more than a year. Other figures suggest that up to 15 million skiers/boarders left for a year then returned. Given rising costs of getting on a hill, competition from Disney, Princess Lines, etc., student loan and mortgage payments, and stagnant wages, it’s not hard to see why the number of skiers/boarders in the U.S. hasn’t grown in 35 years.

Climate Change Initiative Heats Up

This week, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), SnowSports Industries America (SIA) and National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) formed the Outdoor Business Climate Partnership to provide leadership on climate change. Several state ski area trade associations immediately followed suit. They are Colorado Ski Country USA, Ski Utah, Ski California, Ski Vermont, Ski Areas of New York, Ski New Mexico and the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association. The announcement from the state groups included the following statement:

“Pursuit of climate change solutions is a defining issue for ski areas across the United States…As economic drivers in our respective states we urge policy makers to understand that we can’t wait for lasting, bipartisan action to reduce carbon emissions, promote energy innovation and support a rapid, responsible transition to a clean energy economy. We applaud and join with the broader outdoor recreation community and the National Ski Areas Association as they pledge leadership and advocacy for climate solutions across the country. We pledge to do the same with our respective state advocacy efforts.”

Join Us in the Alps

Join us the week of March 10 when we ski in the Aosta Valley with guides from Alpskitour. Each day, we’ll go to a different resort in Italy, Switzerland and France. The all-inclusive price — $4,500 to $5,500 per person– depends on where you fly to and whether you stay in a 3 or 5 star hotel. Orsden is a sponsor and giving a parka to each participant. If interested, email me: jon@seniorsskiing.com.

Coming Soon: SeniorsSkiing.com Annual Fundraising Campaign

In a few weeks, we’ll start our second annual fundraising campaign. Please support our efforts to bring you weekly information and to advocate on behalf of older snow sports enthusiasts. Thank you!

New Feature: Ask An Expert

January 31, 2019/4 Comments/in Ask An Expert/by Jon Weisberg

Ask An Expert is the new SeniorsSkiing.com feature that answers your snow sport questions with responses from experts. Send in your questions, and we’ll find the experts to answer them. The feature will appear as frequently as we have your questions.

We start the series this week with this question from reader, Terry Kureth:

While skiing with a friend not long ago, we were talking about the recommended techniques for skiing moguls. My friend said he had heard that it is advantageous to loosen the top buckle of one’s boots in order to more easily assume a deeper knee bend needed to be a better mogul skier. Any thoughts?

For an expert opinion, we turned to Seth Masia, founder of the skiyoungernow.com instructional approach, offered at the Aspen/Snowmass Ski School.

I’ve occasionally recommended loosening the top buckle but only when it’s clear that the boot is too stiff to begin with. No one can ski efficiently unless there’s some way to articulate the ankle — knee flex without ankle flex just results in back-seat skiing, not a recipe for safe skiing anywhere and certainly not in moguls. By the way, a boot that’s even half a size too big is likely to be too stiff.

In teaching seniors to ski in bumps, I emphasize hand discipline and speed control. The hands MUST be forward and the pole plant ready early. This enables keeping the shovel of the skis in the snow, and turning — hence speed control. When the shovels come off the snow, the only way to turn is to swivel, and that puts a torque on knees and hips — not a good technique for those of us above a certain age.

Have a question about technique, gear, destinations, travel, or any other aspect of winter sports? Send it to mike@seniorsskiing.com, and we’ll do our best to find an expert to respond.

Short Swings!

January 25, 2019/7 Comments/in Accessories, MedTech, Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Have you ever been in or near an avalanche? Big Mountain skiers everywhere are accustomed to hearing and feeling the reverberations of bombs and other technologies used to dislodge slides, making the areas safer.

A few years ago, Taos added a chair to improve accessibility to Kachina Peak. Last week, following inspection by patrol, a slide there killed two.

At the top of NinetyNineNinety at Park City Mountain Resort (the part of the area formerly known as The Canyons), there’s a gate and signs clearly spelling out avvy risks of going into that part of unpatrolled backcountry. Similar warnings probably exist on Kachina Peak.

Warnings at the top of NinetyNineNinty

Several years ago a friend instructing at The Canyons joined a search party looking for a couple whose car was in the otherwise empty parking lot and who hadn’t picked up their child from daycare. My friend explained the methodical nature of combing the post-avalanche slope where the couple was thought to be buried. It was late in the day, but there was ample light. My friend, a geologist, had been trained to seek anomalies…things that were different from the surroundings. Looking up the slope, he detected something angular, possibly the back corner of a ski. He told the search leader, who advised him and the rest of the party to continue probing the cement-like snow to detect what might be buried below. They found nothing until they reached the angular ski tail jutting from the snow. It led them to the two buried bodies. A tragedy.

Last year, I became friends with a man in his 40s who was rescued from a backcountry avalanche. I don’t remember his full description other than how horrific an experience it was and how, after months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, it altered his life.

The website of the National Avalanche Center, a unit of the National Forest Service, shows 551 US avalanche fatalities since 1998. All but five (on Mt Washington in NH and on Mt Mansfield in Stowe) occurred in the West. Most were in back and side country. 177 skiers died. 68 boarders died. 2 were snow shoers. 196 were snowmobilers. 48 were climbers. Five were ski patrol.

This year, alone, there have been 26 snow-related deaths at European resorts.

Once, skiing a remote in-bounds section of The Canyons, I set off a minor slide. It only made it to the tops of my boots, but it was dense and difficult to get free.

There are older skiers who seek out the adventure and solace of side and back country. I no longer have the lungs to climb, but if conditions are right, I rarely hesitate to take a gate or duck a rope for a promising patch of powder on the other side. But with every year I think a bit longer before I do.

Free Lift Tickets for Furloughed Government Employees

Mad River Glen (VT), Sugarbush (VT) and Snow King (WY) announced free skiing benefits to furloughed government employees. Sugarbush upped the ante by extending the freebie to immediate family members. The deals will end when the shut-down ends.

Knee Issues?

Ski-Mojo and Elevate are products for those experiencing knee problems. Both are advertisers. Ski-Mojo is a set of light-weight shock absorber springs that reduce pressure on the knees by 33%. Worn under ski pants, the device reduces pain and fatigue. The people I’ve talked with who use Ski-Mojo, swear by it. Elevate is a soft, robotic ski exoskeleton that boosts quad strength and reduces muscle fatigue and joint pressure. The product causes loads to pass the knee entirely; improving knee stability and preventing normal wear and tear. Elevate is available to demo at locations in Lake Tahoe and Park City.

Saturday is Ski California Safety Day

Resorts throughout California and Nevada will participate in Ski California Safety Day this Saturday, Jan. 26. Each of the 15 participating resorts will host activities designed to inform guests about skiing and riding safely. Topics range from avalanche and deep snow safety to proper chairlift loading and riding. More at skicalifornia.org.

Will Renovated Snowpine Bring New Vibe to Alta?

That’s the question explored in an article this week in The New York Times Travel Section. The Snowpine Lodge was the funkiest of Alta’s five lodges. I know this from multiple stays at each of them over my 45+ years skiing Alta. Accommodations were less than luxe. Food was okay. Guests – maybe because we were all subjected to the same musty smells and low, head-bumping passageways – always seemed to bond. That was back then. The new Snowpine is said to be super-luxe, Aspen or Vail style…with prices to match. It may raise eyebrows among readers who know and love Alta, or simply raise the bar for the other lodges.

Solitude to Host FIS World Snowboardcross and Skicross Championships

The world’s best snowboardcross and ski cross athletes will compete at Solitude, Feb 1-3 in the 2019 FIS World Championships. It will be the biggest winter event in Utah since the 2002 Olympics.

Mont-Tremblant International Airport

The single strip airport is about 20 miles north of the resort. Porter Airlines and Air Canada flights connect through Toronto. A quick check shows that New Yorkers and Bostonians can get round trip fares are as low as $275. Both airlines include free flights for kids and free lift tickets. Click here for details.

Breckenridge to Ski to Memorial Day

That’s the plan for this and future seasons, conditions and US Forest Service permitting.

Videos Worth Watching

Teton Gravity Research generally produces interesting ski videos, and this one (4+minutes) is no exception. It focuses on the challenges a young skier faces at the top of a cornice before skiing a beautiful, steep line.

Kings and Queens – The Evolution of Corbet’s Couloir is fun. The 7+ minute video shows a competition of men and women skiing and boarding Jackson Hole’s famed chute. Please comment if you’ve had the Corbet’s Experience, and we’ll compare notes.

Experience Something New at Whiteface

Mirror Lake Inn ,in Lake Placid, is a lovely place to stay when visiting Whiteface Mountain and other North Country attractions. Starting this season, Andrew Weibrecht, son of the Inn’s owners and an Olympic medalist, is available to ski with Mirror Inn guests at Whiteface. For details, click on the adjacent ad.

Cell Phone Dying on the Mountain?

Try the GearBeast phone holder. The $9.99 – $12.99 device (SeniorsSkiing.com readers receive a 20% discount; enter SENIORS-SKIING at checkout) fits over the neck and under the parka where your body warmth keeps the phone battery from draining. Other benefits? You won’t drop the phone when using it on the lift. And the mini pocket for credit card, ID and a few bills lets you leave bulky wallets in the car or lodge. Click on the company’s ad.

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Magic–Where Skiing Has A Soul

January 23, 2019/4 Comments/in East/by Tamsin Venn

Magic Mt. Has $29 Tickets On Thursdays!

Magic is right-sized for seniors and families.

We are zipping down Wizard, a 1.6-mile-long intermediate trail that hugs the West Side, in seven inches of new snow with lots of woohoos and yippees. At many areas, this trail would be flattened by now. Not so at Magic Mountain in South Londonderry, Vt.

Groomers will leave the snow to powder hounds until the weekend. They will, however, smooth trails out on the more easy going East Side to keep everyone happy.

Is Robert Frost hanging around Magic Mt? Credit: Tamsin Venn

Natural snow makes some of the East’s most interesting, fun, and challenging trails and glades all the more sweet. Add a trail mainly to yourself midweek, friendly locals, and reasonable prices – Throwback Thursdays lift tickets cost only $29 – and it’s like skiing back in the old days.

When Swiss instructor Hans Thorner started Magic in 1960, he picked Glebe Mountain for a reason: exciting, wooded terrain that reminded him of his home in the Alps. Back in the 60s and 70s, Magic Mountain had a huge following. Thorner sold it in 1985. After, the vagaries of skiers, investment, real estate, and weather meant customers drifted away because they could not count on it to be open, and it has had its ups and downs since then.

President Geoff Hatheway and his band of 16 investors (Ski Magic) are changing all that. They have launched an ambitious five-year plan to make Magic appeal both to die-hard skiers, families, and the 18- 19– year-old set. The group is investing in snowmaking (now at 60 percent) and lifts. Notably they are putting in new lifts to provide mid-mountain skiing and more lift capacity to the summit.

Hatheway typifies the die-hard Magic loyalist. He skied here in 1998 and his kids went through the racing and free skiing programs. Like others he appreciated the family friendly alternative to nearby Stratton Mountain.

“Here’s what you won’t find at Magic, a high speed lift and trails groomed Soup to Nuts,” says Hatheway frankly.

Magic President Geoff Hatheway likes early runs on snowy days. Credit: Tamsin Venn

What you will most like find are other senior buddies either on the lift or in the Black Line Tavern, a popular locals’ watering hole. Throwback Thursdays extend to food and drink specials here, the bands are live, and no one is in a hurry.

Magic is open Thursday to Sunday, plus holidays, and on any day it snows 6 inches or more. It has a daily sales ticket limit of 1,500 to keep lift line wait times short and glades uncrowded.

Mountain Facts

Vertical Drop 1,500 feet

205 skiable acres

29 trails, 11 gladed runs

3 Chair Lifts, 3 Surface Lifts

Tickets

Seniors (70+) day $54; season pass $499

Buy online in advance and pay as little as $44.99

Throwback Thursdays $29 (except holidays and powder days of 6” or more) with purchase of Throwback Card ($149)

Magic Mountain Trail Map Click Here

Magic Mountain Webcam Click Here

There it is. An accessible mountain that has something for every senior. Credit: Magic Mt.

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Brian Head Resort

January 22, 2019/2 Comments/in West/by Jon Weisberg

Brian Head is Utah’s southernmost ski resort. But its base elevation is the highest. At 9600’, the bottom of Brian Head is higher than the top of Deer Valley. It took about a day before I got acclimated.

In terms of Utah ski resorts, Brian Head is relatively small: 650 acres and a 1320’ vertical. It’s possible to add another 300’, but that would require a steep out-of-bounds climb.

Because of its location, Brian Head can be a snow magnet, especially when southern storms are prevalent. I skied the resort after a modest but windy storm. Every now and then the clouds lifted to reveal glimpses of the dramatic red rock countryside. On a bluebird day, the views must be magnificent.

The resort got going in the mid-60s when Alta’s Alf Engen was invited down by the first of several owners to help lay out the trail system. The place has developed significantly over the years.

Today, there here are two mountains connected by a ski bridge. Navajo Mountain is gentle; Giant Steps Mountain, a bit more challenging. Eight chairs are available. The #7 chair and the black diamond area it serves were closed during my visit. My impression is that Brian Head’s blacks would be considered blues at other resorts,

Getting from parking lot to lifts is effortless. We only visited Giant Steps Lodge where we booted up in the lower level (coin-operated lockers available for storage) but needed to exit and walk a short slope to get to cafeteria and restrooms…a minor detail unless you have the urge.

Senior pricing is good: If you’re 65+, weekday tickets are $30; weekend tickets are $43. Holidays, the price climbs to $57. Season passes are available to 62-69 year olds for $329; 70+ for $219. Season pass holders also get three days at each of 15 other smallish areas in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. It might be worth the purchase for that benefit alone!

Another Brian Head price advantage is the low cost of its ski school. A weekend lesson is $75. The resort has other attractive instructional offerings as well.

Lodging options are limited to two hotels and a whole lot of condos. We stayed in a pleasant one bedroom in one of the hotels, Cedar Breaks Lodge. It has underground parking and easy elevator access to all floors. The first night we ordered pizza and wings in its restaurant. All I can report is that the beer was good and the hamburgers delivered to other guests looked edible.

The other hotel is the Best Western Premier. It’s nice looking, serves a respectable sit-down breakfast, and features a basic-menu steakhouse.

Other than the day lodges there are only two non-hotel restaurants: Pizanos Pizzeria (which we didn’t try) and Sook Jai Thai Cuisine, a Thai home-kitchen with acceptable dishes and a lack of central heating.

Contemplating a stay of more than a few days? Investigate the many condo offerings and stock up on food in Parowan (at the bottom of the 13 mile access canyon) or in the larger community of Cedar City, 32 miles away.

Brian Head is a 3-hour drive, from Las Vegas, where winter flights often cost less than flying in and out of Salt Lake City, 4½-hours north. The resort would pair well with a visit to Vegas or one to nearby Zion National Park and/or Bryce Canyon National Park.

If I wanted a laid-back, inexpensive, Western ski vacation, perhaps with grandkids learning to ski or board, I’d look into the southern comfort of Brian Head.

For Brian Head Trail Map Click Here.

For Brian Head Giant Steps Webcam Click Here.

Short Swings!

January 18, 2019/0 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

There’s a pattern to most chairlift conversations. I usually start mine by asking: “Are you local?” My other go-to intros are a comment if it’s cold as hell or if it’s a bluebird day. Use any of these ice-breakers, and most people drop into the groove as easily as a needle on an old 78 (remember them?).

A double or triple provides the ideal number of conversationalists. Quads and six-packs can be a challenge. I’m sure you’ve experienced those multiple conversations.

Topics generally are benign, although I’ve been exposed to strong political points of view and strong racial epithets. Since the chair is both public and private space, when that kind of ugliness occurs, I have no compunction making my point of view known.

One time, on a triple, I listened to someone describe an active money-laundering scheme. I bit my tongue, anxiously waiting to get away.

I enjoy riding with youngsters and learning what’s on their minds. What they like in school. What they like to read, movies they’ve seen, etc. Those can be some of the best lift conversations.

Many chairlift chats become boasting platforms. Cliff-hucking. Days skied. Resorts visited. The fancy lodge where others on the chair aren’t staying. Etc.

Generally, there’s a brief lull before it’s time to raise tips, check for loose clothing, and tell the others to “Have a good run.” Every now and then when skiing alone, I’ll ask a fellow chair mate if he or she wants to take a run. Some of those have resulted in a pleasant few hours.

Increasingly, people riding the chair are plugged into some electronic device and remain incommunicado. It bothered me for a while, but I got used to it. What I’ve never gotten used to are the people, generally on the younger side, who get on the lift and choose not to say a word. It’s probably more my problem than theirs, but sitting next to a totally silent bump on a log suspended 40’ or 50’ off the ground is weird and seems to be a violation of conventional chairlift etiquette.

And there’s the occasional pleasant experience of riding solo. A time to enjoy the scenery and to feel the sun or the wind or the cold. Sometimes it’s just nice to be on the chair alone.

Innovative Robotic Ski Device Reduces Muscle Fatigue and Joint Pressure

Elevate is the new robotic ski exoskeleton that boosts quad strength and gives greater control, stronger turns, and longer runs, while reducing muscle fatigue and joint pressure.

Sensors and smart software on the exoskeleton anticipate the skier’s intent and uses air actuators to automatically adjust torque at the knees. The device is fully adjustable and follows the body’s lead, helping the skier feel lighter and more energized. As you’ll see in this video, the skier is always in control.

https://youtu.be/VPnh0j7lPj0

I haven’t experienced the device yet, but from my perspective, it has the potential to be an important addition to the older skier’s toolkit.

Elevate is advertising with SeniorsSkiing.com and offering readers a 10% discount on rentals at its Lake Tahoe and Park City locations. At this time it is only available as a rental. Click on the ad to learn more.

Discounted Backcountry Guides at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Alpenglow Expeditions, located at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, conducts lift-accessed backcountry tours of the National Geographic Bowl and Tram Ridge zones at Squaw Valley and the Munchkins zone at Alpine Meadows. Tours are guided by American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) trained ski guides. Go with them midweek and get a 20% discount. More info at alpenglowexpeditions.com. If booking online, use promocode SquawAlpine20 at checkout.

Monday is Pizza and Powder Night at Brighton

Brighton Resort at the top of Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon is often overlooked by those visiting Utah to ski. That’s a mistake. The area has great terrain and is a magnet for snow, often getting more accumulation than areas around it. Unlike most other Wasatch areas it has an old-fashioned, homey vibe. It’s a wonderful place to ski. If you’re in the area on a Monday night, Brighton is offering four passes and a large pizza for $125. Click here for more.

Monday is Value Night at Jiminy Peak

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in western Massachusetts has a seven-hour night skiing lift ticket for $19 on three Monday nights in January: Jan. 14, 21, and 28.

Safe Descents Ski and Snowboard Insurance

You’re older. You’re going skiing. You want protection. Safe Descents is ski and snowboard evacuation insurance costing $56.99 for the season or $4.75 for a day. The policycovers ambulance or air evacuation services from any ski resort in the United States. It also covers sending a loved one to the hospital and/or getting the insured back home following a hospital stay. Policy holders are covered for a maximum of $25,000. Safe Descents policies are underwritten by the global Starr Indemnity and Liability Company. For more information, click on the Safe Descents ad.

Join Us in the Alps

Coming Soon: SeniorsSkiing.com Annual Fundraising Campaign

In a few weeks, we’ll start our second annual fundraising campaign. Please support our efforts to bring you weekly information and to advocate on behalf of older snow sports enthusiasts. Thank you!

Jeeves, Please Hand Me My Skis

There are many skiers of every age who take to the hills once or twice a year, often schlepping skis that aren’t suited for their destinations or gear that is simply out-of-date. Ski Butlers is a white glove rental/delivery service that solves those problems. Give them your info ahead of time, and they deliver gear and accessories to where you’re staying. Their technicians help you get the right fit. If you don’t like what they delivered, they’ll meet you and provide alternatives. Ski Butlers services most big name resorts throughout the West (Whistler Blackcomb, included) and France. Click here for more info.

Short Swings!

January 11, 2019/4 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

I write this column every week to share information and ideas about being in and on the snow. I haven’t yet had the pleasure of being there this season. It’s still a week or so off.

Sometimes it’s clear what I’ll write about: there’s a new survey; we’ve published one of our annual lists; Big Skiing, Inc. is systematically removing senior benefits. Those and other topics get a fair number of responses. Other times, the subject d’jour doesn’t present itself so easily and the dearth of reader comments reflects it. But, I always enjoy assembling the words.

More than one reader has accused me of naiveté because of comments about the amounts seniors spend when they go skiing. We explored that area in a reader survey at the end of last season and found that 56% of respondents reported they spent between $1000 and $5000 per person last season on skiing, boarding, and related activities. More than 10% spent $5000 or more, per person.

Those figures are “grossly in error,” wrote one reader who claimed the figure should be closer to $5 per day. Our data comes from survey questions that had almost 2000 responses. The resulting information reflects input that shows higher levels of spending. I can’t argue with what the reader observed in the lodge at her area of choice – those elderly $5-a-day brown baggers are found at many areas – but our surveys collect data from a large group. Unless readers have conspired in a massive fib fest, I’ll accept the survey results as closer to what actually happens when seniors go skiing.

Another recent survey result is that grandparents play a major role introducing grandchildren to the sport. This may be obvious, but I don’t think it is fully appreciated – especially by Big Ski, Inc., which relies on newbies to fuel its future. In the past 35 years, the number of skiers and boarders hasn’t grown. I have two young grandkids just starting out. We encourage them with related gifts. The survey that validated this concept. It showed that once introduced, almost 95% of the grandkids stay with it.

Like all surveys, ours are not perfect. But the questions are carefully written and the number of responses large enough to be accurate.

If you have topics you’d like explored in Short Swings!, please let me know. Alternatively, if you’d like to express your own interests on these paperless pages, we’re always open to article ideas and article submissions. They could be about your personal experience, your ski club activities, interesting skiers you know, etc. Click here for submission guidelines.

Vermont Adaptive Snow Ball Fundraiser, Feb. 2 at Sugarbush

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports will host its fourth annual Snow Ball fundraiser, Thursday, February 7, at Sugarbush. Tickets are $40 for individuals and $70 for couples. For more info, click here.

January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month

January is the 11^thannual Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Resorts across the country have great deals on beginner learning programs. Since its inception in January 2009, resort partners have provided 957,250 beginner lessons during the month of January. For more info, click here.

Liftopia Launches Hosted Ski Bus Trips

Liftopia, the largest online and mobile marketplace for ski lift tickets and mountain activities recently launched “Liftopia Experiences,” hosted ski bus trips. Liftopia Experiences are available in major metro markets in the U.S. and Canada including Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Minneapolis and Toronto. The trips include round-trip transportation to ski area along with lift tickets, rentals, lessons, and accommodations. For more information, click here.

Join Us in the Alps

Coming Soon: SeniorsSkiing.com Annual Fundraising Campaign

In a few weeks, we’ll start our second annual fundraising campaign. Please support our efforts to bring you weekly information and to advocate on behalf of older snow sports enthusiasts. Thank you!

FAQ: Why Do I Have To (Constantly) Re-Enter My Email?

January 7, 2019/2 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

We Get This Question From Time To Time. Here’s What Happens And How To Solve This Problem.

If you are being asked to re-enter your email to confirm your subscription to SeniorsSkiing.com, you might be a bit annoyed. We don’t blame you, but there is an explanation.

You are accessing SeniorsSkiing.com through a device that is different from the one you originally signed up on. Subscribing to SeniorsSkiing.com puts a “cookie” on your device. If you use a different device, no cookie, so you are viewed as a non-subscriber. If you re-enter name and password, you’ll be okay with the new device.

You have disabled cookies or cleared browser history on your device. Even iPads can accept or disable cookies. Turn cookies back on, and you’ll not have to re-enter again, or leave it disabled and realize you have to re-enter each time. Your call.

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Short Swings!

December 21, 2018/7 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Some interesting comments on last week’s Short Swings! asking if older skiers and boarders are invisible to the people making business decisions about skiing.

Reader Rich Spritz, a Breckenridge instructor, wrote that seniors don’t spend money and it makes sense that, resorts, being businesses, don’t give seniors their attention.

There’s no question that the group he describes exists. I see them sitting around lodges, nursing a cup of coffee; shooting the breeze. But they don’t represent all older skiers. Our reader surveys indicate that on day trips, seniors spend about $100 per person per day and, on vacation, $250 per person per day. Last year we asked how much they spent per person on skiing and skiing-related activities for the season. 56% reported they spent between $1000 and $5000 per person for the season. More than 10% spent $5000 or more. Note that their ages averaged around 67. It may be that older people like to sit around and socialize. But even the most hard-hearted corporations should keep a soft spot for loyal customers who for decades have supported their (or their prior owners’) operations. Considering that most older skiers are at the mountain mid-week, when operations are at full capacity and usage is not, letting older, dedicated skiers hang out over a cup should not a hardship for anyone.

Catherine Meyer wrote that PSIA now offers Senior Specialist credentials to instructors interested in working with older skiers. Many of these instructors are organizing special programs at their home resorts to cater to older skiers and riders.

SeniorsSkiing.com would like to publish a list of areas offering special programs for older skiers and boarders. We’d appreciate information about those programs from readers.

Bob Ohrt wrote that skiing has always been young adult oriented. The pics you see in ads are almost always the young and the beautiful. That is fitting…When skiing we don’t think of ourselves as Seniors.

Bob is correct. One of our reader surveys asked for actual age and how respondents felt after a good day on the hill. The average actual age was 67; the perceived age was 47. That’s consistent with age perception surveys in non-skiing sectors. For most people, behavior (e.g. spending and lifestyle decisions) is influenced by perception, and when we perceive ourselves as younger, we behave that way. I’m in favor of keeping that 20-year subtraction in our age arithmetic.

And Ellen wrote, Senior skiers are the healthiest seniors I know, it would be awesome to see us depicted in some ski ad!! I…bet lots of the youth and families out there are being bankrolled for these pricey endeavors by grandma and grandpa.

Ellen, you are spot on!

Summit County (CO) 50+ Winter Games to be Held Feb 10-12

The 39th Annual 50+ Winter Games in Summit County, Colorado will be held February 10 – 12. Seniors compete in Alpine and Nordic events, figure and speed skating, and “hockey shoot skills.” The event also features a series of social events. It’s a fund-raiser for the Summit County Senior Nutrition Programs. Inexpensive to participate and sounds like a lot of fun. Click here to register or for more information.

Tribute to Stein and Best Pow Vids of the Year

Stein Eriksen was born in and died in the month of December. His grace on skis transformed the sport. I had the good fortune of riding the lift and skiing with him a few hours one morning at Deer Valley. It was in the late-80s or early-90s. This 41/2 minute tribute to his skiing accomplishments is wonderful.

Powder Magazine,which always publishes mind-boggling ski pix, issued this 3 minute video compilation of the best powder videos of the year. My guess is that the skiers pictured are between 16 and 24.

Ski Cakes!!!!!

Last week I showed a picture of my ski-oriented brithday cake and asked to see some of yours. Please keep them coming…

Marilyn Edman sent in this beauty made by her friend Sue McEvoy on the occassion of Marilyn’s 70th.

And Kelli Majiros sent in this from her Tuesday morning Ski Divas group at Jack Frost in the Poconos. Group leader, Bernie Oldroyd, leads an annual Susan B. Komen Ski for the Cure fundraiser.

Skiers’ Travel Trailer?

Reader Scott Colesworthy asks if anyone can recommend a travel trailer made for winter conditions: insulated, cold-resistant plumbing, etc. Please register suggestions in Comments following this article.

Happy Holidays!

Mike and I are taking a break for the holidays. SeniorsSkiing.com will be back January 4.

How Cozy Are Your Feet?

December 17, 2018/10 Comments/in Boots, Other News/by Jon Weisberg

Cozy Feet. Happy Skier. That’s the headline for the APEX Ski Boot System advertisement at the right of this article. It’s worth taking notice…especially with the unusual, limited time 20% discount to SeniorsSkiing.com readers.

In a reader survey from a few years ago, we asked which new equipment you intended to purchase in the coming season. 25% of you responded “ski boots.” Your reasons generally had to do with issues of comfort and support. Cold feet. Painful feet. Blackened toe nails. The need to spend more time than wanted in the lodge. Difficulties getting the damn things on and off.

APEX offers an excellent solution to these and other problems. It combines a comfortable snowboard-type boot with a hardshell partial exterior. The beauty of this approach is that it allows the wearer to walk to the lift or the lodge in the soft boot only and carry or leave the hardshell in the bindings.

There are many ways to adjust the boot and many sources of help to get it right.

The boot was conceived by Denny Hanson, whose Hanson rear-entry skiboot was popular in the 1970s and is still favored by some older skiers who fell in love with the comfort it provided.

For some, finding a boot that is functional and comfortable is enough of an obstacle to get in the way of their favorite winter outdoor activity. If that includes you, or if you are curious about stepping into a new, comfortable, and proven ski boot design you may want to 1) demo the APEX (free to SeniorsSkiing.com readers) at any of its dedicated demo centers (click here for locations), or 2) take advantage of the company’s rare 20% discount (exclusively for SeniorsSkiing.com readers) by entering SENIOR3000 at checkout.

Piece of Cake

December 13, 2018/2 Comments/in Home Top Box 1/by Jon Weisberg

Here’s a picture of the birthday cake that, along with a lot of other things, surprised me last weekend. The side you don’t see had pine trees around the bottom. Looked good and tasted delicious.

Jon’s surprise birthday cake.

If you have a ski-related cake or other confection you’d like to share with the SeniorsSkiing.com community, send a picture to jon@seniorsskiing.com or mike@seniorsskiing.com.

Short Swings!

December 11, 2018/21 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Are older skiers and boarders invisible to the people making business decisions about skiing?

Unless, you’re a marketer selling reverse mortgages, extended care facilities, pharmaceuticals, or walk-in bathtubs, most companies ignore our market segment.

In the world of skiing corporate ski area consolidators are eliminating senior discounts, and ski makers haven’t bothered to present a product designed and presented for our unique needs. There are exceptions, but the norm is to focus on youth.

When’s the last time you opened one of the dwindling number of ski magazines and saw an ad showing anyone from our set?

This isn’t a complaint. It’s an observation. We represent 20% of all skiers/boarders. We ski more frequently, spend more money, and have more influence on introducing people to the sport.

Maybe if we simply started to speak about the issue with each other, we’ll start a process that will help older skiers gain greater visibility. With visibility comes recognition. With recognition comes value. And with value, comes respect.

If you have a point of view on this matter, please share it with other readers in Comments.

Weight Training Reduces Strokes, Heart Attacks

A study published in October in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise provides evidence for the first time that even a little weight training might reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. It is based on healthcare data of thousands of men and women getting annual checkups at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas. Risk of experiencing heart attack, stroke or death was about 50% lower among those who lifted weights occasionally compared to those who never did.

Seeking Financial Support for Military With Disabilities

Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES), the non-profit adaptive sports program based in Mammoth Lakes, CA, is seeking contributions for its 13th annual week-long sports camp for active duty and veterans with disabilities. More at www.WoundedWarriorsMammoth.org/Donate .

Skiing Through a Straw

This 90 second video is amazing. It shows Cody Townsend skiing what appears to be an almost vertical narrow slot canyon somewhere at the top of the world. AMAZING!

Holiday Gifts For Senior Skiers

December 11, 2018/1 Comment/in Accessories, Other News/by Jon Weisberg

If you’re still looking for something different and/or special for older snow enthusiasts, the following suggestions are discounted for SeniorsSkiing.com followers and can be ordered online.

APEX Ski Boot combines a removable Open Chassis with a walkable boot.

APEX Boot System is offering 20% off retail for SeniorsSkiing.com readers. This is the boot many olderskiers are talking about. It’s a good performer, comfortable, and let’s you walk with ease. No issues getting it on or off. Enter Senior3000 at checkout.

Panda Poles have bamboo shafts and are beautifully hand-crafted in Idaho. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 30% discount off the regular price of $95. Enter SENIORS30 at checkout.

Orsden makes wonderful parkas and pants in great colors. They’re sold only online. Comparable products in stores sell for twice as much. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 30% discount through December 31. Enter WINTER30 at checkout.

The Buffalo Wool Company makes socks, gloves, hats from bison down mixed with silk, yak, wool, and cashmere. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 10% discount. Enter SeniorsSkiing in the discount code window at checkout.

DeBooter is a skiboot jack, that makes boot removal a breeze. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 20% discount. Enter SENIORSSKIING at checkout.

GearBeast is a colorful smartphone carrier attached to a comfortable neckstrap. While skiing, the phone is under the parka, keeping it warm, accessible, and safe. GearBeast has a little built-in pocket to carry credit card, driver’s license and a few bills. SeniorsSkiing.com readers receive a 20% discount (regular price: $9.99 – $12.99) by visiting gearbeast.comand entering SENIORS-SKIINGat checkout.

Wild West Jerky makes great-tasting, all-natural, jerky products. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers receive a 20% discount off full retail. Enter seniorsskiing in the promo code window at checkout

Happy Holidays!

Short Swings!

December 7, 2018/2 Comments/in Accessories, Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Twenty-seven thousand, three hundred and ninety-four days. Exactly, nine hundred months. On Wednesday I turned 75. For all but the first nine years, skiing has been my passion.

Two things about me contribute to this craziness: I love being outside in the cold, and what I lack in athleticism, I’ve made up for with persistence.

In Okemo’s early days, when I was 11 or 12, I spent the better part of a season determined to ride the Poma without falling. Eventually, I conquered that demon.

For several years, it seemed I was condemned to the stem, functional but awkward. I remember the moment at Mount Snow when a mogul inadvertently caused me to parallel turn. Before long, I had to think twice before stemming.

There were times when I was bedridden. Regardless of time of year, crumpled sheets became mountain ranges, and my mind took me places where I would ski.

In my teens and twenties, friends and I would jump-turn down Eastern trails, stopping with the occasional tip roll. We wore double leather boots wrapped with long thongs. More than once, I’d get to the bottom and realize my skis were splintered.

There were long weekend rides from Manhattan to Killington and Stowe. On the Stowe Road, the LaMarr’s provided a bunk bed and a hearty breakfast for $5.00. On one of those trips another car spun out of control and wrecked my new MG Midget. Hitchhiking that weekend put me on the road to getting hitched. One of the girls who picked me up became my bride.

Soon, skiing shifted to the West, starting in Alta in 1972. It’s been a rare season since when I haven’t
skied that magic mountain. At one point I fell in love with powder. Those of you who have been up to your knees or thighs or waist will understand. When it’s that deep, steep is your friend. It’s a joyful experience, and, like the word, “joy,” it’s ephemeral.

Over the years, I’ve learned to follow the snow. It’s great to spend the day seeking out the best conditions. It might take you to blacks, blues, or greens. If you know how to use your equipment with the least amount of effort, and if you enjoy making graceful turns, you’ll understand this preoccupation with the physics of poetry.

These days, I’m deliberately slow. Wherever I go – and if I feel up to it – I like to play with the fall line, skiing slowly, making well-formed turns. Some kid me about getting more turns per vertical foot. Others get tired of waiting.

I view skiing as a metaphor for life. We develop and use a range of skills. Some days are bluebird; some are dark. There are times of confusion when we feel our way into clarity. Other times it can be cold, miserable, and ugly. But most of the time, skiing is an expression of love.

Legally Younger?

A 69 year old in the Netherlands tried to legally change his age to 49, which, he says, is how old he feels. The Dutch government rejected the request. He plans to appeal, based on the idea that other forms of personal transformation, such as name and gender, are gaining traction in the Netherlands. In one of the SeniorsSkiing.com reader surveys we asked about your actual age and how old you felt after a good day on the slopes. Your ages averaged about 67. How old did you feel? Twenty years younger!

Rare 20% Discount from Apex Ski Boot System

If you’ve been thinking about slipping your feet into a pair of Apex boots — they provide comfort and performance and, like the ad states, let you Ski Hard and Walk Easy — now is a good time to do it. The company is offering a 20% discount to the first 50 SeniorsSkiing.com readers who respond (shipping to the lower 48, included). Offer ends Christmas day. Go to the Apex website, make your selection, and enter SENIOR3000 on checkout.

Ski Whiteface with an Olympian

Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, is a lovely place to stay when visiting Whiteface Mountain and other North Country attractions. Starting this season, Andrew Weibrecht, son of the Inn’s owners and an Olympic medalist, is available to ski with Mirror Inn guests at Whiteface. It’s on the pricey side ($450 for 8:00AM to noon, lift ticket included), but for the deep-pocket set, it sounds like a fun experience.

Vermont Adaptive Honors Volunteers

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, the nationally-recognized group empowering people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming, announced its Volunteers of the Year. They are Phil Crowell, of Plainfield, N.H., and Jackie Levine, Barry Whitworth, and Ryan Kennedy, all of Burlington, VT. Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports provides services regardless of ability to pay.

Stoking Your Inner-Pow

I don’t know where this video was shot, but it’s titled “First lines of 2018 – skiing some powder.” Enjoy.

More Great Holiday Gifts for Older Skiers

I just purchased a dozen GearBeasts– all different colors – as holiday gifts for my skiing friends. They’ll use and love this neat, little smartphone carrier. It fits over the neck and under the parka, keeping the phone warm, accessible, and safe. Warm, because it’s close to the body and helps keep the charge. Accessible, because it’s always there and no need to search pockets. Safe, because the phone can be used on the lift without concern for accidental drops. GearBeast has a little built-in pocket to carry credit card, driver’s license and a few bills. When I use it – and I use it often — I leave my wallet in the car. As a holiday gift to SeniorsSkiing.com readers, the company – an advertiser – is giving 20% off its regular prices that range from $9.99 to $12.99 (I bought the $9.99 version.) Go to gearbeast.com (or click on the adjacent ad) and enter SENIORS-SKIING when checking out.

A thoughtful gift for any older skier visiting Aspen/Snowmass is a one-day Ski Younger Now session with Seth Masia: $820 with 7 day advance booking.

Other Recent Gift Giving Suggestions:

Panda Poles have bamboo shafts and are beautifully hand-crafted in Idaho. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 30% discount off the regular price of $95. Enter SENIORS30 at checkout.

DeBooter is a skiboot jack, that makes boot removal a breeze. SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers get a 20% discount. Enter SENIORSSKIING at checkout.

The Bootster is a compact skboot horn. It’s small enough to be carried in a pocket. $25.00

Safe Descents is emergency ski and snowboard evacuation insurance. Among other benefits, it covers ambulance or air evacuation services if injured in-bounds at any ski resort in the United States. The policy is available to residents of all but five of the lower 48. $56.99 for the season.

Join Us in the Alps

Join us the week of March 10 when we ski in the Aosta Valley with guides from Alpskitour. Each day, we’ll go to a different resort in Italy, Switzerland and France. The all-inclusive price — $4500 to $5500 per person– depends on where you fly to and whether you stay in a 3 or 5 star hotel. Orsden is a sponsor and giving a parka to each participant. If interested, email me: jon@seniorsskiing.com.

Klaus Obermeyer Turns 99

December 4, 2018/3 Comments/in Snow Sports Leaders/by Jon Weisberg

Klaus Obermeyer, the legendary skier and innovator, whose eponymous ski clothing brand is found almost everywhere, recently has his 99th birthday. The following interview with Klaus appeared in SeniorsSkiing.com, January 27, 2017:

“It’s Easier To Ski Than To Walk.”

Klaus Obermeyer is a skiing legend and innovator. The 97 year old founded Sport Obermeyer Ltdbased on insights about ski wear while working in the late 40’s as an instructor in Aspen. One of his many innovations was the down ski parka, stitched together from a goose down comforter. Other product innovations include high-altitude suntan lotion, turtlenecks, nylon wind-shirts, and mirrored sunglasses. In 1961, the first Sport Obermeyer factory warehouse opened in Aspen, and innovations continued with “soft-shell” jackets, double lens goggles, pre-shaped gloves, the first waterproof, breathable fabrics, a built-in ski boot canting system and fashion-conscious, technically responsible skiwear.

What are the most significant changes you have observed in the world of skiing?

Skis have gotten shorter and wider. Their advantage is that you can float at lower speeds in deep snow. They make it easier for everyone to ski deep snow. They also allow those who climb mountains to use a lot more of the mountain with or without the lifts.

During your time, which well-known skiers have had the most impact on ski fashion?

Maria Bogner probably.

Please comment on the role of form and function in ski apparel?

For ski apparel to function well, for example, ski parkas, they need:

– To be waterproof and breathable;
– To have stretch material in places where stretch is needed;
– Be lightweight;
– Look terrific

For many years, you have been a role model for older skiers. Do you think equipment and apparel manufacturers would benefit from using older models and showing older people in their advertising and marketing?

The older models are slowly dying out and the young ones are tomorrow’s old ones. I think age makes no difference as far as technical performance of clothing.

What advice would you give older skiers who are still healthy but thinking about hanging up their boards in favor of other activities?

I think one should never give up skiing as it keeps the legs in good shape and even improves your walking after you’re over 80.

What advice would you give ski area operators to encourage older skiers to remain in the sport?

Have parking places for older skiers so you don’t have to walk so far in those awful ski boots.

Of all people past and present with whom would you like to ride the lift?

With the best looking girl!

Please add any comments not covered above.

Skiing and boarding are sports that are absolutely unique and wonderful. The make you appreciate the incredible beauty of being outdoors in the mountains and give you tremendous choices of how fast to go, where to put your turns, and where to jump to get a zero G feeling. In the end it’s easier to ski than to walk.

Short Swings!

November 23, 2018/6 Comments/in Short Swings!/by Jon Weisberg

Here’s an idea that may be of interest to a handful of readers. As part of our month-long ski trip to the Alps, I will spend the week of March 10 with Alpskitour, skiing with a guide in Italy’s Aosta Valley. I’m inviting a handful of SeniorsSkiing.com readers to share the experience.

Alpskitour is based in the small city of Saint Vincent, and every day, based on conditions, we’ll ski different areas accessible from the valley. Some, like Zermatt, Monte Rosa, Mont Blanc, and Courmayer, are famous; others, like Champoluc, Gressoney, and Pila, less so. But they have wonderful skiing and outstanding scenery. There’s a choice of a 3 or 5 star hotel in Saint Vincent, and a guide will take us to a different place each of the five days.

This is different from skiing in the States or Canada. Mountains are massive and there’s rich history everywhere. Many areas are contiguous and skiable with a single pass. On-mountain restaurants are individually owned, serving wonderful local cuisine. I chose March because of the reliable snow and likely clear skies. Each group is limited to 6 people. If more want to join, Alpskitour will arrange an additional group. Skiers should be strong intermediate or higher.

Saint Vincent is a scenic, old city with history and beautiful architecture. It has a well-known natural mineral spa and casino. Cost depends on where you fly in to and your choice of hotel. It ranges from $4,400 to $5,250 (using the current €/$ coversion rate)and includes airport transfers, hotel (6 nights), all meals, local shuttles, ski rental, lift tickets, guide/instructor services, and a variety of amenities. Orsden, the online ski clothing company that makes one of the best parkas I’ve ever owned (great looking; virtually every ski-related feature) is including a free parka for each participant — a $330 value (comparable to a $600 in-store parka). I’ve used mine three seasons, and it still looks new. I’ll be rounding up some other free merch for those who join in.

If interested in learning more, visit the Alpskitour site or drop me a line: jon@seniorsskiing.com.

APEX Boot System Black Friday Special

APEX is advertising a Black Friday special: $100 off if purchased at participating dealers between Nov 23 and 26. For a list of dealers, click here, call (303-530-3340), or email Apex info@apexskiboots.com.

Ski Younger Now

Ski Younger Now, the innovative retraining program for older skiers, and skiers returning to the sport after recovering from an injury, has moved its base from Vail to the Aspen/Snowmass Ski School. The program teaches low-impact, low-torque techniques to enable efficient skiing in all kinds of terrain. Seth Masia, who developed the program, trained several Vail instructors who will continue to offer it at Vail.

Deer Valley Wins Multiple World Ski Awards

It was named best United States’ Ski Resort for the sixth straight year. Stein Eriksen Lodge was recognized as the country’s’ Best Ski Hotel,” and Goldener Hirsch Inn, as the country’s best Ski Boutique Hotel.

IKON Adds Three NZ Resorts

Ikon Pass added Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mt Hutt on New Zealand’s South Island. Ikon’s other Southern Hemisphere partners are Thredbo (Australia) and Valle Nevada (Chile).

Unusual Ski Videos

“Ski Photographer” is a nine minute account of Oskar Enander, a colorblind photographer, specializing in ski photography. the film is shot is Engleberg, Switzerland, where he lives. It has beautiful imagery. Watch it to the end and you’ll be treated to a series of exceptional stills.

This five minute video from Teton Gravity Research shows 11-year-old Kyle Jones skiing Jackson Hole. OMG!!!!!!

“Off Piste: Tragedy in the Alps” is important for anyone interested in avalanche safety. It starts with the stories of US Ski Team racers Bryce Astle and Ronnie Berlack, who were killed in an avalanche in Solden, Austria. The BRASS Foundation was formed in their memory and is dedicated to creating educational programs and best safety practices for snow sports athletes to further their physical and psychological well-being. It is very well done.

Great Holiday Gifts for Older Skiers

Panda Poles: I ski with Panda Poles. They have bamboo shafts and are beautifully hand-crafted in Pocatello, Idaho. Most older skiers I know would be delighted to own a pair. Panda also makes kids poles, trekking poles, selfie sticks, and wading and camera wands, among other interesting uses of bamboo. The company is offering a 30% discount to SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers. That brings the adult pole from its regular price of $95 to $66.50! It is a very sweet deal. Go to https://www.pandapoles.com, make your selections (there’s 2-minute tutorial to help make the correct choices), and enter SENIORS30 upon checkout. Alternatively, click on the adjacent coupon.

Orsden Parkas/Pants

I’ve written about Orsden parkas in the past. I was wearing mine while shopping last week when someone commented about the great color. I explained that the parka is designed for skiing, but perfectly suitable for other uses as well. I showed her the multiple strategically placed pockets, the removable powder skirt (since she never skied, that required some explanation), the waterproof zippering system, detachable hood, etc. In the process, I realized the parka – despite three seasons of hard use – still looked as fresh as when I first wore it; that despite multiple runs through the washer. She was surprised when I told her that it’s priced at $330, about half of what similar parkas cost at retail. The company is able to do that because it only sells on line. Since I learned about Orsdan, it has added $200 ski pants. I intend to purchase a pair. If they’re anything like the parka, they’ll be winners. Orsden is offering SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers 30% off through December 31. Shop at Orsden.com and enter WINTER30 when checking out.

Olympic Visionary And Snow Safety Team Earn Honors At Ski History Gala

November 19, 2018/0 Comments/in Features/by Harriet Wallis

Their Behind-The-Scenes Work Makes The Winter Sports We Love Even Better.

Honoree Howard Peterson (r) is warmly congratulated by Ski Archives Advisory Board members Tom Nielson (l) and Richard Hughes. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Soft-spoken Howard Peterson grew up in a skiing family in Maine, became the ski director at New Hampshire’s Bretton Woods, and then moved west where he became the executive director of the U.S. Ski Team. He was already making an imprint on the ski industry.

Then, while the 2002 Winter Olympics plans were on the drawing board, Peterson rallied officials to build venues that would endure as training sites long after the Games were over.

Soldier Hollow, a venue of rolling hills and vast open space near Salt Lake City, became the 2002 Olympic Games venue for cross-country, biathlon, and Nordic combined. But it didn’t stop there.

Since the Games, thousands of children have been introduced to the sports there, and it’s a renowned training site for elite international athletes.

Mission accomplished!

Peterson earned the Joseph Quinney Award at the recent Ski Archives gala in Salt Lake City. The award is named for the late ski visionary and founder of Alta.

The other top award, the J. Willard Marriott Library History-Maker Award, went to the Utah Avalanche Center and U.S. Forest Service.

Part of the US Forest Service and Utah Avalanche Center team. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Here in Utah where the snow is legendary, the Utah Avalanche Center and the U.S. Forest Service work hand-in-hand to educate snow-lovers so they can “stay on top of the snow and not be buried underneath it.”

Predicting avalanche potential combines science, experience, and total dedication to help keep snow-users safe. Educating the public is crucial. Avalanches play no favorites.

In 2003 on the day after Christmas, three young snowboarders hiked into the back country to try their new gear. An avalanche swept them to their deaths.

The other part of the US Forest Service, Utah Avalanche Center team. Credit: Harriet Wallis

As a result, and with the support of the snow safety team, forecaster Craig Gordon spearheaded the “Know Before You Go” program—basic avalanche savvy 101. The program was presented to every outdoor group possible: snowmobilers, Boy Scouts. high schools. And then the program went worldwide.

What is Ski Archives?

The Utah Ski Archives is the country’s largest ski history research organization and repository of historic material. The Archives collection currently contains 500,000 images, 250 manuscripts and 6,000 audio,video and films.

Every year, it holds a gala fundraiser to help support its mission. And the gala honors individuals and organizations that set a high mark for their influence on the ski industry.

The Ski Archives collection is open to the public and is located in the University of Utah campus library in Salt Lake City.