seniors skiing Archives - Page 14 of 22

DeBooter: DeLovely Way For Easy (And Painless) Boot Removal

March 29, 2016/6 Comments/in Accessories, Features/by Jon Weisberg

A Smart Ski Boot Jack That Really Works.

DeBooter: Easy-to-use ski boot jack. Credit: OutDoor Logic Solutions

DeBooter: Easy-to-use ski boot jack. Click on image for demo. Credit: OutDoor Logic Solutions

They are the collective sounds of people removing their ski boots: the moans of agony and the sighs of joy heard in lots and lodges around the globe.

I’m simply relieved to get the damn things off, but getting the top of my foot past those two nasty tabs of plastic are akin to ripping a bandage off an old wound. I HATE IT!

No more. I recently had occasion to remove my boots with the DeBooter, an easy-to-use ski boot jack. It takes the pain and discomfort out of the process of taking off ski boots. You’ll still need to bend over to loosen your buckles and your booster straps (if you use them), but the struggle is over!

Place your boot heel in the designated area, step on the back of the device, and lift your foot out of the boot. It happens so quickly and so easily that you need to keep shoes close by so you’re not hopping around on one foot.

Wanting to verify my experience, I took the product around the Alta parking lot one afternoon as people were approaching their cars still wearing their boots. About a half dozen tried it. Using it is intuitive. The first few questioned why it was necessary. As soon as they tried it, they wanted to know where they get one for themselves. Another person who was wearing telemark boots had a little difficulty at first but quickly figured out how to make it work. Each and every one of the others appreciated the ease with which their boots popped off in full comfort.

The day had warmed up and the melting snow required shaking the product to get rid of dirty water. When faced with those conditions, keeping a towel in the car or using the DeBooter bag which can be purchased separately makes sense.

A great idea whose time has come. Get those boots off easily! Credit: Debooter

A great idea whose time has come. Get those boots off easily!
Credit: Outdoor Logical Solutions

The product is constructed of rugged plastic. It’s one of those things you purchase once and will to your favorite skier. It looks like it will last forever.

DeBooter is available in two versions: portable and commercial. I used the portable model, which sells online for $49.50. The commercial model gets screwed into a solid surface and is intended for use in condos, homes, and ski shops. It’s listed for $42.00. The company is a SeniorsSkiing.com advertiser and is offering readers a 20% discount. For more details, click here.

Seniors Snowshoe At Alpine Resorts

March 29, 2016/2 Comments/in Features/by Roger Lohr

Snowshoeing—Fun, Easy, Safe—Steps Into Ski Country. Find Out Where.

Snowshoeing lets you enjoy winter at a different pace.
Credit: Ski Utah

Not everyone who visits a ski resort wants to or is able to ski or snowboard, so resorts offer other activities. Among those options, guests can explore and enjoy the outdoors on snowshoes. These snowshoe outings at ski resorts range from guided naturalist tours to nearby destinations to athletic fitness treks reaching the top of the mountain. Snowshoeing options at ski resorts are booming and becoming ever more creative. This is especially important to seniors who want to enjoy the outdoors at a different pace than downhill or even cross-country skiing. Snowshoeing is also a great opportunity to spend time with grandchildren on the snow.

Smuggler’s Notch Resort, a prime Vermont family destination, has one of the most comprehensive mixes of snowshoe programs available. There are snowshoe treks for families with young kids, and outings for adults or families with older kids, who want a bit more in terms of the length of the trek, the topography covered, and the insights shared about the natural world and outdoor skills.

Snowshoeing at Smugg’s. Many different tours are offered at Smuggler’s Notch.
Credit: Smuggler’s Notch

Special family snowshoe programs that are easy include the S’mores Snowshoe Tour, which is a guided snowshoe trek on Wednesday’s 6-7:30 PM through the woods to a rustic pavilion and bonfire. The Sugar On Snow Snowshoe Trek is where you learn about Maple Sugaring. Back at Smuggler’s Nordic Center, enjoy a sweet treat of Sugar on Snow, a Vermont tradition. Smuggler’s Notch also hosts a dramatic dining feature atop Sterling Mountain for adults, who ride the Sterling lift to a mountain cabin lit only by candles. There’s a gourmet meal served with appetizer, salad, choice of main course, and dessert. After dinner, those calories can be burned off with a 40-minute snowshoe down to the Base Lodge.

Beaver Creek Resort in Avon, CO, has a variety of snowshoe tours via the Strawberry Park Express chair lift. There are guided naturalist snowshoe tours for two hours that include the gear and a map at $175 for two people. The group tours are $73 per person. On certain days the three-hour Fit Tour is available and there’s also the Wine Excursion Snowshoe Tour. On Fridays, there’s the Fondue & Snowshoe Tour and on Wednesdays the Women’s Walk and Wine is offered. The Family Tour is 4-5:30 with a guide, hot cocoa and snacks. The private guided snowshoe tours include the two-hour outing at $285, the half day at $395, and the All Day Snowshoe Tour is $600. Following each tour, the Osprey Fireside Grill welcomes guests into its slope-side, mountain-modern elegance—where Executive Chef Conor Shedor presents decedent culinary and wine pairings befitting of a post-snowshoe hike. Click here for Beaver Creek Resort.

At Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, MI, there are daily guided snowshoe tours and evening moonlight snowshoe tours. One of the popular treks is to the Michigan Legacy Art Park, which is a 30-acre preserve on 1.6 miles of hiking trails within Crystal Mountain. The Art Park features over 40 sculptures (20 in the winter), poetry stones, an outdoor amphitheatre (open in the summer). Click here for Crystal Mountain.

Stop by the Base Camp at Big Sky Resort in Montana for snowshoe adventures. They have a two-hour snowshoe tour on the Moose Tracks Trail for up to 10 people at a time led by two guides. There are designated trails for snowshoers to go out on their own, but they are asked to pay a $5 trail pass. Click here for a video about the guided snowshoe tours that are available at $50 for guests at Big Sky Resort.

Back in Vermont, a resort that presents a different option is Mount Snow where snowshoe tours are available via Grand Summit Hotel lodge’s NatureSpa. There are planned and marked trail routes at the ski area and the unique “Guided Snowshoe Tour & Massage,” that includes (for $185) a guided snowshoe tour followed by a sorely “kneaded” massage after returning to the spa. Trail loops can take an hour or two and snowshoes are available to rent. Click for a link to the NatureSpa.

Snowshoeing a Mt. Snow where you can tour followed by a massage.
Credit: Mt. Snow

Guided snowshoe tours take about an hour for $45 per person including the snowshoes, poles and a group guide. There are also private tours available and outings offered to people who are more athletic and looking for a fitness workout on snowshoes or an environmental tour with a local Vermonter talking about animal tracks or local geography. Trail maps for snowshoers are available at Mount Snow Sports, where snowshoe rental equipment and a trail pass can be acquired. The trail pass is $10 per day and rentals are $25 per day or $15 per afternoon.

It was necessary this year for some of the Smuggler’s Notch snowshoe treks to be on the alpine slopes due to low snow in the valley. Snowshoers used the lifts to access a high elevation tour and a backcountry tour. The Smuggler’s Nordic Director commented, “When the skiers saw the people snowshoeing on the slopesides, they wanted to get out of their skis to come and try it.”

Road Scholars Ski Telluride

March 28, 2016/0 Comments/in Features, West/by Jan Brunvand

Wonderful Value With Close-to-Lift Lodging.

Nice town. Great mountain! It tops out at 13,320′. Credit: Pauline Simmons

“You can’t find a better value than Road Scholar” is their claim. My wife Judy and I decided to test it the first week of March with the Telluride program run for Road Scholar by the Mountains and Plains Institute of Fort Collins. The price of $1495 each seemed a bit daunting.

But, when I saw the window ticket prices at Telluride—$122 for adults, $107 for seniors—I figured we were already ahead of the game. We got five night’s housing, thirteen meals and daily guide service in the package; clearly a great deal in this quaint but pricey ski town.

Road Scholars from Alaska, New York, North Carolina, Utah and Vancouver. Credit: Jan Harold Brunvand

Our group had eleven skiers. Telluride is skier-friendly for anyone from low intermediate on up—way up, if you are so inclined. The others were from New York, North Carolina, Vancouver, and Fairbanks. We drove down from Salt Lake City, detouring at Moab for a hike in Arches National Park.

Our group leaders, Peter McCarville and Ashley Boling were super skiers and patient guides. They paced the four days to suit their elders and at times split the group to accommodate those who wanted more or less challenge. Since our lodge lacked meeting rooms, the planned “lectures” became on-hill chats about geology, history, and local color.

Guide Peter McCarville pointing out a geologic feature, his ski pole framing a view of the distant LaSalle Mts. of Utah. Credit: Jan Harold Brunvand

The lodge had no restaurant, but all rooms had kitchens. Peter took our breakfast shopping lists and delivered groceries the first evening. We liked this arrangement, but some said they preferred restaurant breakfasts. For on-mountain lunches we each got a Telluride gift card worth $60. At dinner the bill—alcohol excluded—went straight to Peter.

The big advantage of the aptly-named Mountainside Inn was location. A short walk across the nearby public parking lot (free overnight for Inn guests) took us to the Coonskin Lift which conveyed us over scary-looking, partly bare, mogul-strewn runs to the good snow above.

Despite a stretch of warm weather, the upper mountain was well covered with plenty of groomers to cruise. Our favorites were “Misty Maiden,” “Stormin’ Norman,” “Peek-a-Boo,” and “Polar Queen.”

From the 12,000 foot level the choices ranged from the delightful “See Forever” to Telluride’s signature steep run, “The Plunge,” which was so well groomed that the challenge was more in hanging on for the long descent than any problem staying upright.

Riding Coonskin Lift down at the end of a day. Credit: Jan Harold Brunvand

The first afternoon Judy and I joined the others in returning to town on the long winding run “Telluride Trail” that ended in our parking lot. But when we learned we could ride Coonskin Lift back down, we opted for that route on subsequent days. Not only was it a rest for our weary legs but it provided a fine view of town as we headed towards the hot tub.

The program was lots of fun and a true value. Next season we hope to try the Road Scholar program in Snowmass or Steamboat run by the same people.

Feds Auctioning Yellowstone’s Snowcoaches

March 28, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by Jon Weisberg

$10K for Previously Owned Bombadiers Could Make Your Commute Interesting.

Bombadier snowcoaches have operated in Yellowstone since 1954. Photo: brytta/iStock

For years, Yellowstone National Park transported winter visitors down snowy roads in large—no, humongous—Bombardier snowcoaches. Slow, noisy, and big-time gas guzzlers, their tank-like treads and heavy weight made them reliable. Now the fleet is being retired and auctioned off buy the Feds. The first batch fetched $10,000 to $12,000 per. If you’re a senior winter adventurer who always wanted a snow toy like this, or who needs back country access to a remote cabin, read more at outsideonline.com.

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Mar. 25)

March 24, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Serious Senior Discounts Now, A Seattle Ski Area That Challenges, A New Energy Bar That Tastes Good, Poll Results: Are You Done?, And Fun—A Ski Slope On An Incinerator and Feedback Time for Old Man Winter.

This week, we reveal the results of the latest SeniorsSkiing.com poll directed primarily at Easterners. We wanted to see how done with the season these folks are. The numbers show predictable Yankee stubbornness in the face of a tough winter. And, yeah, it snowed on the first day of Spring in Boston. Cue the horns of irony.

Speaking of which, we received a really funny video from Killington where the GM gives Old Man Winter a little performance review feedback. If you’ve had any corporate background, this one may appear familiar. We guess laughing at this winter in the East is a lot better than crying. Much better to look ahead.

If you are looking ahead, you will see some amazing and short-availability discounts for seniors this year. New Hampshire-based Joan Wallen names a few places in New England where season passes are cheap. Sugarbush is offering a $99 mid-week pass for seniors again this year, but only until May 4. Other offers are in Joan’s report.

Seattle correspondent John Nelson visits Alpental, a Snoqualmie Pass resort about 50 miles from town that offers a lot of thrilling skiing and deep, deep senior discounts.

Pat McCloskey reports on an alternative to bland-tasting energy bars. Munk Pack, his discovery from Canada, has flavor plus a decent amount of carbos.

Finally, co-publisher Jon Weisberg reports on another important development in urban skiing. We’ve seen ski slopes from the top of condo developments. For this one, a ski slope loops down from a energy-generating incinerator. And it blows smoke rings. Don’t ask. Just read.

Preview

We’re expecting a season wrap from California, some more fun product information, and whatever comes in over the transom. We’d love your comments, advice, suggestions.

In a few weeks, we will be posting our Subscribers’ End-Of-Season Survey. It will be short and to the point.

And thanks for subscribing to SeniorsSkiing.com. Remember, there are more of us every day, and we are not going away.

Seniors Save Big in New England

March 24, 2016/6 Comments/in East/by Joan Wallen

Fabulous Deals For Senior’s Next Season Passes Are Happening Now.

Sugarbush offers a $99 mid-week pass for seniors. Act now. Price goes up on May 4.
Credit: Sugarbush

It’s never too early to think about next winter. Most ski areas have opened up season pass sales for next winter with some big savings for seniors if they plan ahead and purchase their passes now. Here are a few of the highlights.

If you’re 65 or older and planning to ski at least a couple of days at Sugarbush next winter you can’t go wrong with the Boomer All Mountain 5 Pass. This season pass is good mid-week, non-holiday at both Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen.

At a price of only $99 it may be one of the best deals in New England. It does require quick action as this price only holds until May 4^th. After that it goes up to $199, still a very good deal.

Bolton Valley requires a little faster action. It’s Senior Pass (ages 65-74) is $199 and the Senior Plus for those 75 and up is a mere $29 if purchased by April 4^th.

In New Hampshire early bird deals are available also. Gunstock offers a mid-week only Super Senior Saver pass for ages 65-80 for $149 with a May 1 purchase cut-off date.

King Pine’s Midweek Adventure Pass includes skiing and riding, XC skiing, ice skating and snowshoeing for those 65+ for $120 and if you’re 70+ you are not limited to weekdays – an Anytime Adventure Pass is $100.

Many other resorts encourage seniors to get on the slopes, especially midweek, with season passes at around the $300 mark. Senior rates usually begin at age 65 with some Super Senior values offered to those 70 and over. Check out your favorite areas. The best deals usually have a purchase deadline in the spring.

“Waste” Deep Skiing Due Soon In Copenhagen

March 23, 2016/1 Comment/in Features, International/by Jon Weisberg

Incinerator With Skiable Roof to Open in 2017.

Skiable incinerator being built near Copenhagen. Credit: BIG Architects

For reasons I can’t fully explain, Denmark ranks at the top of the 2016 edition of the United Nations “World Happiness Report.” I’ve been to Copenhagen a few times and enjoyed the people and the food. Skiers there have painfully few options: a few tiny runs and an indoor facility.

Skiing off the roof, there will be a beautiful view of downtown Copenhagen.
Credit: BIG Architects

That’s about to change with the addition of a massive waste-to-energy incinerator under construction near Copenhagen. Designed by innovative architectural firm BIG in New York, the building has 41,000 square meters of roof which will have trees, hiking trails and a ski slope with synthetic snow. It is scheduled for completion in 2017.

BIG is headed by Bjarke Ingels, whose work includes 2 World Trade Center in Manhattan, the recently announced stadium for the Washington Redskins, and many other eye-popping projects around the globe.

In addition to its skiing feature, the incinerator will remind those in the neighborhood about their disposable consumables by sending a single smoke ring skyward every time a ton of carbon dioxide is produced.

See how the project works in the video below.

Poll Results: Easterners’ Sense Of Done

March 22, 2016/4 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Short Year Of Skiing For Seniors In The East.

As you can see, the results of our recent SeniorsSkiing.com poll reveal that about half of Eastern respondents are done or almost done with skiing this season. On to taking the cover off the boat, cleaning the bike chain and even gassing up the lawn mover.

However, note that there are a healthy number of respondents who are heading to western snowfields. And about a quarter of respondents are still going. There is snow in those hills, thanks to the heroic efforts of snow groomers and makers across New England.

Now, Western skiers, how say you? When is done?

Clif Bar vs Munk Pack: A Jolt In A Bar

March 22, 2016/3 Comments/in Nutrition/by Pat McCloskey

Comparing Veteran And A New Comer Energy Boosters.

Sometimes we need a little boost.

Energy bars and gels have been on the market for a long time for endurance athletes and weekend warriors alike. Cycling, running and skiing require a positive store of energy that can be augmented by a power snack stored in a cycling jersey, pack or ski parka. It is especially important to seniors who are active to have some form of nourishment during activities that require fitness and skill. Depleting carbohydrates can drain muscle power and lead to injuries.

The Veteran

The gold standard for energy replacement has been Clif Bars for the last several

The Newbie

years. Energy bars, mini bars, gels and Clif Shots have all been part of the active outdoors persons arsenal . Recently, Clif Bars has joined a movement that emphasizes non-GMO, Gluten free, organic ingredients included in packaging that is non-toxic and able to be re-sealed.

Recently a competitive producer has been gaining ground in the energy food world. Munk Pack is produced in Canada and has focused on the energy food packs that have all natural flavors and able to be resealed. They specialize in Oatmeal fruit squeezes that include whole grain oats, delicious fruits and flax, to produce sustained energy. At $14.99 per six pack, they are reasonably priced and have four delicious flavors.

Personal Observations

Both Clif and Munk Pack emphasize the quality of ingredients. In my estimation, Munk Pack has an edge because, by comparison, their packs have 90 calories and 1% or one gram of total fat versus five grams of total fat and 140 calories for the Clif product. Some people value low calorie/ low percentage of fat grams in their intake of power snacks. Munk Pack delivers impact in terms of performance and recovery with the least amount of calories and fat. Both products are 120 gram packages. I found that the Peach Chai, Blueberry Acai, Rasberry Cocoanut, and Apple Quinoa Cinnamon also had an edge in exotic flavor over the Clif selections and utilizing the natural sweetness of the ingredients adds to the flavor enhancement. Both products are comparatively priced, but Clif ranges from $13.99 per box to $18.00 per box of six depending on flavor. Munk Pack is $14.99/six pack for all four flavors.

Clif has a wide range of products that suit different needs for the modern day athlete. But Munk Pack seems to have cornered the market on fresh ingredients, taste, and price. Their logo features a chipmunk which has significance in their mission. ” We take inspiration from nature to create delicious brands of pure fruit and grain. Like the chipmunk, we gather only high quality, real ingredients for balanced nutrition on the go. ” A great addition to the pocket of your ski parka or cycling jersey.

Why, Winter, Why? Snow On First Day Of Spring In Boston

March 21, 2016/0 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Yes, folks, last year we had too much. This year, too little. Now this. Too little, too late.
Credit: CBS News/Chantee Lans WBZ

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Alpental—Accessible And Challenging

March 21, 2016/1 Comment/in Resort Reviews, West/by John Nelson

A Short Ride From Seattle, Alpental Super Seniors Ski For $12.

A skier rides the upper-elevation Edelweiss Chair at Alpental.
Credit: John Nelson

It was a rare sunny winter day in Seattle, and I was stuck working in my office. I kept looking out the window, thinking, “I wish I was skiing.”

Why not? Daydreaming wasn’t getting the work done, so I bolted out of the city, and an hour later, I was on the slopes of Alpental.

Sometimes, access is everything. This challenging resort offers an easy way to fill a yearning to turn. What’s more, senior skiers who seek Alpental’s steeps will get some enticing price breaks.

On the day I visited, Alpental provided a great excuse to play hooky. Recent storms had left its empty midweek terrain soft, with powder pockets just waiting to be found.

Snow, terrain and more

Location: Alpental (the German word for “alpine valley”) is one of four areas at Snoqualmie Pass, all owned by the same company. It is about 50 miles east of Seattle just off Interstate 90, the main east-west route in Washington state.
Snowfall: More than 400 inches fall annually at Snoqualmie Pass, with considerably more pounding the higher peaks at Alpental.
Terrain, lifts: Alpental has some of the most challenging terrain in the Pacific Northwest. The lower mountain is primarily intermediate skiing, served by a high-speed quad (Armstrong Express) and two double chairs; the cliff-strewn upper mountain is for advanced skiers only and served by a double chair (Edelweiss). The experts-only back bowls of Alpental are accessed through gates off the Edelweiss chair.
Vertical: 2,280 feet from base (3,140”) to top of Edelweiss (5,420”).
Olympics connection: 1984 giant slalom gold medalist Debbie Armstrong grew up skiing at Alpental; the lift Armstrong Express and run Debbie’s Gold are named for her.

Lot to lift access

Weekends are crowded during high season and are best avoided. Once you park, skiers must take a short walk across a covered wooden bridge to the base of the ski area. Weekdays are much easier; I arrived in early afternoon and parked 30 yards from the bridge.
Shuttle service: Seattle Ski Shuttle delivers skiers from various locations in the Seattle metro area; a free intermountain shuttle operates between the four ski areas at Snoqualmie Pass.
Accommodations: Plentiful along I-90; the ski area is just 50 minutes from downtown Seattle.

Culture

The vibe: Alpental has a big-mountain feel on a fairly small footprint. Consequently, it feels like a club for people who love its challenging terrain. Lifties are friendly and helpful.
Dining: The day lodge at the base area has cafeteria-style food and adult beverages.

Bottom line

The senior skier will find some great deals here. Regular adult passes (ages 16-61) are $66; seniors aged 62-69 pay $48. If you’re a “super senior” (70 and older) your ticket is only $12.
The upper-elevation Edelweiss Chairlift takes advanced skiers into dramatic, cliff-strewn terrain; the double-diamond, peak-to-base run International is one of the best drops you’ll ever ski.
Access is everything: You’re on the slopes an hour after leaving Seattle.

Trail Map Click Here

Webcam Click Here

Skiers negotiate the cliff area of Rollen on the Edelweiss Chair at Alpental.
Credit: John Nelson

Product Review: NuDown Parkas and Vests Use Pumped Air to Stay Warm

March 17, 2016/2 Comments/in Accessories/by Jon Weisberg

Reduces Layering. Improves On-Hill Comfort.

For the past several weeks, I’ve been skiing in a NuDown parka designed to keep you comfortable regardless of outside temperature and without dressing in multiple layers. It utilizes a hand-operated air pump system to create an adjustable layer of air, which, warmed by the body, serves as an effective insulator against the elements.

Here’s the NuDown parka I tested. Removes the hassle of layering.
Credit: NuDown

It works. My problem is that, given the relatively warm temperatures since using the parka, I’ve been unable to test it in extreme cold conditions.

Between the outer and inner shells is a bladder with a zigzag pattern of air chambers. A small and easy to use hand pump in the left pocket inflates the chambers. On brisk mornings, I’ve found that 15 pumps is sufficient to be comfortable. Later, when it warms, I press the release valve, which deflates the parka.

Typically, the more cold I expect, the more layers I wear, a technique that can get a bit bulky and result in in overheating as the day warms.

This parka, new to the market, and going by the name NuDown, eliminates the layering hassle. Having used it in not overly cold conditions, my positive experience and common sense tells me that it should perform effectively when it gets truly frigid.

The NuDown parka also is good-looking, even when fully inflated. And it sports a neat little zipper pocket near the left wrist for an RFID lift pass—the increasingly popular lift-pass technology used to open gate to the lift. Simply wave your arm to enter and save the chest pocket for your cell phone. A very nice detail.

The zip-off hood is sized to cover a helmet.

There’s been a lot written about improvements in down and being sensitive to the animal rights issues associated with down production. Some downs are processed not to clump when wet. Some are advertised as being humane. NuDown substitutes air for feathers. It lets you leave the layers at home, and it lets you adjust the air insulation so you can be comfortable in a variety of conditions. In the lodge, it’s a conversation starter when people ask about the zigzag air chambers, especially when inflated.

It’s not as light as down, but, in my experience, that’s not an issue.

NuDown technology currently is available in men’s and women’s parkas and vests. It will be available at retail in the fall and, like most everything else in the world, is available on line. Currently the NuDown site is offering a 30 percent discount.

From The Tippy Top Of The Matterhorn

March 16, 2016/0 Comments/in International/by seniorsskiing

When You Run Out Of Challenges, There’s Always The Matterhorn.

Nicolas Falquet, a 37 year old athlete from Switzerland, starts his run from the top of the world’s most impressive mountain. He has a GoPro camera attached to a wand device from the top of his helmet. Bet there was no line for the lift. Thanks to Milkyway Scientists and GoPro for this one.

The Matterhorn is 14, 692 feet high. And it certainly looks like it has a very pointy top. That’s where Nicolas filmed this clip. Hold on, folks, it’s a long way down. Yikes!

Confessions Of A Senior Snowboarder

March 15, 2016/3 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

He Went To From Skier To Boarder. Here’s How And What Happened.

Heading down to Powder Mountain lodge, Dave Hayes took a couple of years to make the transition from skier to board.

I have to confess, I was once one of you before I moved to the Dark Side. Yes, I skied in the East Coast and the West Coast, in the Rockies and also in Austria, enjoying the feeling and stability of two boards under my feet and with poles to move me along when needed.

Former skier, now boarder, Dave Hayes with son learning how-to.
Credit: Dave Hayes

However, with two young sons and the misguided idea that I could spend more time with them if I took up snowboarding, I dropped the two for one and took up Boarding. As an older adult I joined the Dark Side where most of the much younger participants seem to be oblivious to common sense or at least common manners as they drop down to sit in front of you blocking your path. As skiers we all enjoy being edged off the trail as the boarders race by often jumping on nonexistent drifts and seem to purposely nudge you out of their way.

I was once like you but now, I am committed and far happier as a Boarder. I truly enjoy the sensations of a snowboard on powder with the glide and edging making the effortless turns that seem to be only available on a Board.

OK, you skiers need to know that there are two forms of falling while learning to Board, front — which means your hands and wrists are at risk, or, like me, backward fallers —where you learn the meaning of word coccyx, which means tail bone. I hurt my tailbone so badly in my attempt to learn boarding that after my return home I decided to go to the Doctor convinced that something had broken. I learned that severe bruises also hurt like hell and that even a Doctor can laugh at his long time patient who seemingly is not acting his age.

The learning curve was, well, both long and painful. I remember during my private lessons (pride would not allow me to take group lessons) spending a lot of time on my rear to the point that after the end of the day of lessons (ok, mostly falling) I had a real challenge sitting down. After the first week and a very sore backside I spent most of the time standing on the 4.5 hour flight home. Which, you might understand in a post 9/11 world, makes you the object of a lot of suspicious glances until you explain that your tail hurts from learning to snowboard. I believe I noted a few snickers from the cabin crew.

The next vacation on the snow and after more lessons, a very patient instructor told me of the padded appliance appropriately named Azz Pad that snow park participant’s sometime use during training. Quickly getting on the internet and with the gift of overnight delivery I was quickly proud owner of the aforementioned Azz Pad and I have never looked back. My wife shook her head at my new found rear end protection and my two sons derided my apparel but I found comfort in the added padding and when combined with a highly recommended beginner’s board I developed courage, stability and the dissipation of fear (or at least in regard to my tailbone bruises).

Moving ahead a few years and with more than just a few snow days behind me, I am no longer wearing the Azz Pad, I have now five snowboards for differing conditions and also, well, just because I can! I regularly board black runs and often do the snowcat program at my favorite ski (I mean snowboarding) resort.

One son is now a certified snowboard instructor and the other is seemingly an Olympic class snowboarder (at least in my eyes). So, I looked forward to boarding with my sons; at leasst, that was the plan. Guess what, not a chance, they prefer hitting the slopes without old Dad holding them back.

However, I am grateful that my boys were the catalyst for me learning the sport that I now love. I still enjoy the feeling of one board in powder and the sense of victory that comes with learning a difficult (at my age) skill, and with no small measure of pride, learn it well.

Look around you, boarders of all ages are now on the slopes and if you see a gray haired nattily attired boarder with a smile on his face and a groove in his glide from the tunes in his helmet music system, ask him if he is named David.

Editor Note: If you’re interested in snowboarding as a senior, check out GraysOnTrays for the adult snowboarder.

About The Author:

David Hayes is an engineer turned contractor living in central Florida but in his mind is in Ogden Valley’s SnowBasin and Powder Mountain, UT. Click below for a short video from the world of the boarder.

Jack Frost Senior Day: A Model For Other Resorts

March 15, 2016/2 Comments/in East/by seniorsskiing

A Get Together Of Senior Skiers Combines Fun, Learning and Friends.

A healthy lunch and presentation on fitness, diet were just a part of Jack Frost’s Senior Day.
Credit: Bill Runner

Our mission at SeniorsSkiing.com is to promote the value of senior snow sport enthusiasts to the ski and snow sports industry. This year, we’ve discovered that some ski resorts are, in fact, focusing on their older demographic through “Senior Days”, a variety of no-cost, low-cost events that are seniors-only activities.

For example, Dodge Ridge, CA, has a twice-a-week Master’s Clinic in February, focusing on day-long instruction for seniors who were returning to skiing after a hiatus or injury, or who just wanted to get rid of bad habits. The idea came to Dodge Ridge’s ski school director John Mahanna when he realized seniors need some help adjusting to shaped skis. San Francisco correspondent Rose Marie Cleese attended a Thursday clinic in February and observed, “I learned to ski with more ease and efficiency and not be exhausted after a full day of skiing.”

Senior Day at Jack Frost included instruction and demonstrations.
Credit: Bill Runner

Ski instruction like the Master’s Clinic is only part of what ski resorts can do for its seniors. Waterville Valley Resort, NH, supports the Silver Streaks, the oldest senior ski club in the country. In addition to senior instruction, Waterville also has racing, amenities like close-in parking, social events and awards ceremonies. The result is a tight, friendly and upbeat senior community at the resort.

All season long, seniors can take a free, one-hour clinic on Wednesdays.
Credit: Bill Runner

Jack Frost, PA, also pays attention to its seniors. Famous for its Jack Frost Geezers ski club, the area also supports all its seniors big-time. In addition to a weekly special free, one-hour clinics for seniors, this year Jack Frost held a Senior Day in early Feb. A group of 40 regulars participated in demonstrations of telemark skiing and snowboarding, presentations on resort history, diet, exercise, and how to prepare for the ski season.

Held with the support of the local Area Agency on Agency, the event is a positive example of how a ski resort can take some simple steps to provide added value to its seniors.

So the question is: Why shouldn’t other ski resorts support these kinds of low-cost, no-cost activities for its loyal seniors?

From Socks to Scarves in Sixty Minutes

March 14, 2016/0 Comments/in Accessories/by seniorsskiing

A Terrific DIY Gift Idea!

Ski season is winding down, and some of us may be returning to other activities. Suzy Z.* will be doing needlework. Suzy, a seniorsskiing.com subscriber, had this terrific idea for sock-scarves while shopping last fall for ski hose. It uses ski or knee socks to create a scarf for your winter jacket or turtleneck.

Relatives, grandkids, and friends will be receiving a different gift this Holiday Season.

Photo 1. You’ll need two pairs of socks, matching, if possible, or with compatible colors and prints.

Photos 2, 3 and 4. Join each pair of socks by sewing the tops of the socks to each other.

Photo 5. Cut the foot off one sock in each pair.

Photos 6 and 7. Turn the just-cut ends under, and sew them to each other.

Photo 8. Now you should have four socks, end to end, with a foot on each end. (If you want to be really funky, you could stop here.)

Photo 9. Cut the foot off each end of the scarf.

Photo 10. Turn the just-cut ends under, and sew them shut.

Photo 11. Here’s your scarf!

Suzy Z., the Alta sock stitcher.

*Sue Z., born in Brooklyn, is now a senior skier who likes to spend her time at Alta. When she is not skiing, she likes to paint in acrylics, plays the piano, and has taken several years of drum lessons. The “sock to scarf” idea came about while she was looking for a scarf for her new ski jacket; she came across knee socks in fun colors, and thought she could sew them together to create just what she was looking for.

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Sugar Bowl And Royal Gorge—A Winning Combination!

March 9, 2016/0 Comments/in Resort Reviews, West/by Rose Marie Cleese

Do a little downhill, then a little cross-country at these history-rich neighbors near Donner Summit.

Pow-ing down to the Sugar Bowl village. Always lots of snow for playing.
Credit: Sugar Bowl

Sugar Bowl, the venerable ski resort that sits majestically atop Donner Summit, is as steeped in history as it is endowed with famously steep runs. In December, 1939, the Tahoe region saw the beginnings of its first major ski area when a small village with a Tyrolean-style lodge opened its doors and the one-person Disney chair (California’s first chairlift and named after one of the area’s early investors, the Walt Disney) started carrying ski enthusiasts up the mountain. The operation was the brainchild of the Austrian ski racer, Hannes Schroll, who had been heading up the Yosemite Ski School at Badger Pass, but was drawn to this cluster of Donner Summit peaks and its location in the path of the Sierra Nevada’s most prodigious snowfalls.

In the 77 years since, the privately held Sugar Bowl has managed to retain its old-world charm, pristine mountain atmosphere, and overriding commitment to a quality ski and board experience, thanks to the members of the Sugar Bowl Corporation, some of whom are fourth- and fifth-generation descendants of the original founders. The members’ surnames are a “who’s who” of prominent San Francisco and Bay Area families, many of whom have owned cabins in and around the village for decades.

Correspondent Rose Marie Cleese practices her balance at Royal George’s practice track.
Credit: Dave Eastwood, director Royal Gorge x-c ski school

In 1953, Sugar Bowl launched its gondola, the West Coast’s first aerial tramway, that carried skiers from the highway to the village, touted as “America’s only snowbound village”—which today still exudes its original early-days-of-skiing ambience, and where Schroll’s Tyrolean lodge, extensively updated and enlarged, still stands as the village’s focal point. In 1983, the gondola was replaced with a faster gondola with more cars, and in 1998, Sugar Bowl opened Judah Lodge, a day lodge and parking lot half a mile east of the gondola parking area and situated at the base of Mt. Judah. In 2012, Sugar Bowl entered into an agreement with the Tahoe Donner Land Trust to lease and operate Royal Gorge, the largest nordic ski area in North America. Begun by Jon Slouber in 1971, Royal Gorge has more than 200 kilometers of set-track trails spread out over some 6,000 acres of spectacular high-mountain terrain. Although there are cross-country trails linking the two resorts, unless you’re an advanced nordic skier, some climbing and side-stepping is involved; it’s easier to drive between the two.

Senior X-C skiers gliding along with Royal Gorge behind their right shoulders. Credit: Snow Bowl/Royal Gorge

Senior X-C skiers gliding along with Royal Gorge behind their right shoulders.
Credit: Sugar Bowl/Royal Gorge

I first skied at Sugar Bowl back in the late 1960s when the gondola was called “The Magic Carpet” (wonder if Walt had a hand in giving it that name!) and triple and quad and high-speed chairs were not even dreamed of. Returning recently after an absence of many years, I was thrilled to see that Sugar Bowl is sweeter than ever, succeeding in transporting me back to the past while at the same time very carefully and thoughtfully bringing the historic resort into the 21st century.

Snow and Terrain (Sugar Bowl)

Snow, snow, and more snow! Sugar Bowl has the highest average annual snowfall—500”—of any Northern California ski resort. (Remember the Donner Party famously snowed in during the winter of 1846–47? They were trapped at the bottom of the summit just a few miles east of Sugar Bowl.) Powder hounds have a better chance of finding the fluffy stuff here than at most other wintersports resorts in the region. Location, location, location!
Vertical/Elevation: Sugar Bowl’s 1,500-foot vertical offers more skiing and boarding than that vertical rise would suggest. The resort’s runs snake down to a 6,883′ base at the village from the tops of four peaks: Crow’s Nest Peak (elev. 7,954′), Mt. Disney (7,953′), Mt. Lincoln (8,383′), and Mt. Judah (8,238′).
Terrain: 1,650 skiable acres; 103 trails; 17% beginner, 45% intermediate, and 38% advanced.
Lifts: 5 high-speed quads; fixed grip lifts: 3 quads, 1 triple, and 2 doubles; 1 surface lift.
A trail runs through it: The 2,650-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail that goes from Mexico to Canada passes through Sugar Bowl, crossing several runs on Mount Judah before it drops over Sugar Bowl’s ridge near a ski run at the top of Mt. Lincoln.

Snow and Terrain (Royal Gorge)

Snowfall: Awesome.
Terrain: 200-plus kilometers of groomed terrain spread across 6,000 acres.
Trails: 34% beginner, 42% intermediate, and 24% advanced; extensive network of “snowshoers only” trails; several “dogs allowed” cross-country trails between Sugar Bowl and Royal Gorge in the Lake Van Norden area.

Lot-to-Lift Access (Sugar Bowl)

If you’re heading for the lifts at the village base, go three miles up Highway 40 from the I-80 Norden/Soda Springs exit and park at Sugar Bowl’s Village Gondola parking lot. If you’re staying at the Lodge, you can park in the covered garage. Once parked, head to the gondola for the seven-minute ride to the village. If you’re heading for Judah Lodge and the Mt. Judah runs, continue one-half mile past the Gondola lot, and park at the main lot for Judah Lodge.

Lot-to-Trails Access (Royal Gorge)

Take the Norden/Soda Springs exit off I-80 and proceed up Highway 40 approximately 1/2 mile, turn right at the Soda Springs Station, then right on Pahatsi to reach the parking lot in front of Royal Gorge Summit Station.

Culture

The ambience at Sugar Bowl is unlike that of any other resort in Northern California: dripping with history (walls in the Lodge are covered with old photos going back to when Hollywood stars would bend elbows at the Lodge’s famous bar, as well as original European ski resort posters from the 1930s)…a relaxed atmosphere (no cars, no crowds, short lift lines)…and an incredibly polite and genuinely friendly staff—from the lift operators to the wait staff in the Lodge.

Amenities (Sugar Bowl)

Dining: The legendary Belt Room Bar in the Lodge, which was recently remodeled for the first time in decades, offers casual dining, a full bar and is open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM; the Lodge’s comfortable Dining Room serves dinner nightly, featuring French-inspired California cuisine and beautiful views of the mountain. The Nob Hill Café serves breakfast and lunch fare on weekends and holidays and the Sierra Vista Bar & Grill in Mt. Judah Lodge is open daily from 7 AM to 4 PM and serves breakfast and lunch items.
Lodging: The beautifully refurbished rooms in the Lodge look out onto the slopes and the Disney Express chair. Guests at the Lodge are given a locker for their equipment. From Sundays through Thursdays except holiday periods, several rooms are available for $199 a night.
Working out and kicking back: The new Sporthaus adjacent to the Lodge offers Lodge guests a lap pool, hot tubs, spa, sauna, yoga studio, and a roomful of cardio and weight training equipment.

Amenities (Royal Gorge)

The café in the Summit Lodge serves breakfast and lunch delectables and draws discerning café goers from miles around—everything is fresh, all-natural, homemade, and delicious. Trailside, Royal Gorge has one café and nine warming huts for when skinny ski skiers need to cool their heels.

Bottom Line

Sugar Bowl: Seniors get a little break on daily lift ticket prices: seniors 65–74, $84; super seniors 75+, $60; afternoon (12:30–4 PM) ticket prices: seniors 65–74, $72; super seniors 75+, $51. (The regular adult all-day lift ticket price is $103.) Online ticket prices: seniors 65-74, $71; super seniors, 75+ $51.
Royal Gorge: Senior nordic skiers fare a little better on trail passes—skiers 75 years of age and older ski free! All-day: seniors 65–74, $28; super seniors 75+, free; half day: seniors 65–74, $22; super seniors 75+, free. (The regular adult all-day trail pass is $33.) The adult rental package (skis, poles, boots) is $28. Royal Gorge has a terrific ski school with two pairs of practice tracks. When it comes to getting proficient on cross-country skis, ski school director Dave Eastwood has two words for you—timing and balance, and one image—be a tall Norwegian. He almost broke me of looking down at my skis!

Sugar Bowl trail map click here

Royal Gorge trail map click here

Sugar Bowl web cam click here

Royal Gorge web cam click here

Yes, the West Coast and Royal Gorge have had lots of snow. Snow shoeing in fluffly snow is great exercise and outdoor adventure. Credit: Snow Bowl/Royal Gorge

Yes, the West Coast and Royal Gorge have had lots of snow. Snow shoeing in fluffly snow is great exercise and outdoor adventure.
Credit: Sugar Bowl/Royal Gorge

Snowless Skiing in Stockholm: The Future?

March 7, 2016/1 Comment/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Swedish Ingenuity Overcomes Lack of Snow. Boston, Pay Attention!

Where there is snow, there will be skiing. Cwazy Wabbits.
Credit: Real Skifi

Cheer up New England skiers! There may be no snow, but with some guts and imagination all things are possible. Just look at what these young skiers in a snowless Stockholm did to ring their skier chimes.

Skiing With Life-Long Pals: Annual Trips, Memories, Friendship

March 7, 2016/3 Comments/in West/by Pat McCloskey

Do You Have Skiing Buddies From Way-Back When?

SeniorsSkiing.com polls show that most seniors like to ski with their friends. Our ski group of seniors has banded together for decades, getting together in March each year for epic skiing in Tahoe or Utah depending on the conditions. The common denominator in our group is our fearless leader Eric Durfee, Incline Village, NV. In the group picture, Eric is seen as second from left flanked by Mark Hutchinson of Vermont and Proctor Reid formerly of Vermont and now D.C. These guys grew up together and raced together as juniors.

Pat McCloskey's gang of life-long ski buddies. This lucky bunch of seniors meets yearly for Big Skiing. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Pat McCloskey’s gang of life-long ski buddies. This lucky bunch of seniors meets yearly for Big Skiing out west.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

The balance of the group on the right is yours truly and Bart Smith, formerly of Seattle and now residing in Utah. Bart was a college racing pal of Eric’s, and Eric’s wife Helen is an old friend of mine from skiing as a kid. I met Eric at his wedding, and we have had a lifetime of adventures ever since. Missing is our friend John Ingwersen who rounds out the group as a former college racing friend of Eric’s from Cornell. That was a long time ago.

Aside from Eric being the glue to this fun loving group, what makes a group like this stick together for those many, many years? Hutch says it best when he states , “We love the fresh air, the scenery, the exercise, the chats on the lifts, and dinners together.” He goes on to say, “We are lucky to have a leader who affords us a nice place to stay in Nevada. He does the planning of where we are to go and does a

Skiing pals at the top of Northstar where you can see forever.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

fantastic job of organizing us. He has taken a few individual, devoted, ski loving guys and provided them with an ideal situation to enjoy what we enjoy most.” Bart provides an alternative landing spot in Utah if Tahoe conditions aren’t terrific. Finally, Hutch states, “We have a wonderful mix of his (Eric’s) friends who have become great friends to each other.”

Between hip replacements, torn rotator cuffs, bad backs, and various worn out parts, this group of old guys managed to break an iPhone app record a couple of years ago when we logged on and managed 57,000 vertical feet of skiing at Northstar in one day. The next day, we each logged 52,000 at Mt. Rose. The app developer contacted me and asked who we were since we had broken the individual day record, and I recounted to him that we were just a bunch of old guys in their 60s who love to ski together and enjoy each other’s company. He was astounded.

The saying goes, if you finish your life with a handful of friends, you are a lucky man. This is our handful.

[Editor Note: Pat McCloskey is lucky to be skiing with friends he met many, many years ago. Do you have a group of stalwart skiing companions? Let us know your group’s story.]

The Colors Of Passion

March 7, 2016/3 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

An Artist Paints En Plein Air On Ski Slopes.

[Editor Note: We are pleased to present a painter-on-skis, Judy Calhoun, who regularly brings her artist kit to the ski slopes. Her biographical and contact information is below.]

Oil-on-canvas by Judy Calhoun captures the Wasatch.

I try to find a pleasant rhythm as my skis follow the feel of the mountain. With the weight of my cumbersome pack and the ten years I didn’t ski, I know I’ll need to learn to trust my legs again. I take my time making wide, cautious parallel turns. If I tip over, my imagination will turn my heavy pack into a make-believe shell and I’ll feel like a turtle on it’s back! Yikes, don’t want that! Right now, I am pleased in the knowledge the muscles in my ski legs are coming back. Hopefully, I’ll soon feel strong enough to telemark in more of the steeper areas.

Here’s Judy Calhoun capturing a scene on canvas at the top of an Alta run.
Credit: JCalhoun

The texture of the snow beneath my feet makes me feel like I’m flying. Up in the sky, an electric blue sparks my awe. Where shall I stop? Ahhhhh, here!! Perched on the ridgeline, I know that the wind will whip at my pochade box and canvas. I eagerly start setting up. My painting pack settles with a ‘plop!’ on the snow. I secure my tripod to the pack, knowing that its weight will prevent the wind gusts from playfully stealing anything from me. That was a lesson quickly learned from other times that I’ve dangled near the edge of these dramatic drop-offs. Ohhhhhhh, how I love to look out over everything!

Will I be able to capture the dazzling white of the distant peaks, the grayed, geometric patterns of color of the valley? What about the richness of the closer rocks? There seems to be one color family that my (totally cool!) goggles tend to change. I have to lift them up off my face to view with my naked eye, the colors of the evergreens.

A couple of skiers suddenly swoop past on the traverse just below me. Most of the time I am invisible to them as they are busy gauging where they’ll create their next few turns. A snowboarder playfully pops up from a mogul-turned-spring, “Whooooo hooo!! Beautiful!!!” I understand his exuberance. Love the purple Mohawk on his helmet.

Ohhhhhhh, how I love our mountains!!! They lift me up, keeping me physically, spiritually, and emotionally healthy. As I repack all my paint supplies, I secure the finished paintings. I don’t want to accidentally get any fresh oil paint on anyone else riding the ski bus! I don’t mind the flecks of color on my dark blue jacket, but others may not be as enamored with them as I am.

As I hoist pack over shoulder, I smile at my thoughts. I never know what’s better. Is it the painting or the skiing down? I guess I’ll just have to do it again tomorrow and see if that answer will come.

If you happen to see an invisible skier/painter on the hill, please holler a “Hello!” If you’re not going too fast, you may hear me ask, “What are the colors of your passion?”

[Editor Note: Judy Calhoun’s dad introduced her to skiing when she was a child. Weekends were spent skiing at Buffalo Ski Club, a small ski area just south of Buffalo, New York. After high school, the west beckoned to her and Alta, Utah became her home. The dramatic beauty of Mount Superior is what got her into painting. With a pack full of paint supplies, her days were spent ski touring in the winter and hiking in the summer in order to paint the intimate treasures of the Wasatch Mountains. For twenty years, she’d ski with her dad in the mornings. Nothing could compare to the twinkle in his blue eyes after bounding down a few mogul runs or ‘flying’ in the powder together. She would then be at her art display in the Albion Grill most afternoons. This skier/artist finds that both Snowbird and Alta present unlimited beauty, challenging runs, incredible conditions, and fellow skiers/boarders that feel like family. To inquire about her artwork, contact JCalhounFineArt@gmail.com]

Way, Way Out West, There’s Another Jackson Hole. Know Where?

March 4, 2016/0 Comments/in International/by seniorsskiing

Home, home on the range? Not really. This Jackson Hole is not where you think.

A few miles north of Beijing, there’s a town that is named Jackson Hole. No skiing, but…seriously?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRSenQu2GWw&feature=youtu.be

Product Review: Socks That Rock From Injinji

March 3, 2016/1 Comment/in Accessories/by seniorsskiing

New Performance Toe Socks Are Super Comfortable and Supportive.

Injinji’s Performance 2.0 Snow toe socks are fun to wear and feel terrific.
Credit: SeniorsSkiing

It’s March, and close to the end of the season for a lot of folks. If you think your gear is starting to look a little tattered, now is the time to contemplate a new way of thinking about your socks.

Injinji, the toe sock company, has introduced a new line of performance wear for snow sports. Toe socks, you say? Yes, we were quizzical, too, until we tried them on. The Performance 2.0 Snow socks are designed with graduated compression that does a fantastic job of supporting your muscles in your whole lower leg. These over-the-calf socks are also padded in strategic places for extra cushion. And they are made of NuWool, a combination of Merino wool, nylon and lyrca. And of course, there are the little toe “sleeping bags” that we found to be surprisingly comfortable.

Toe socks have been around for a while, and they are very popular with distance runners. The basic idea is to align your little piggies properly for better balance and blister prevention. When we tried a test pair, we were amazed at how different these socks felt from the usual. The toe feature was just—how to describe it—fun and remarkably different. Injini claims that proper “toe splay” distributes your weight evenly and allows better engagement for your feet. We can testify that the compression feature also gives you the feeling of significantly more support than regular socks.

We have two quibbles about the model we tested. Putting them on takes a bit of technique. Each toe has to be guided into its sleeve, so it does take a bit of concentration and a bit more time. No big deal. If you’re used to wearing an inner sock for extra warmth, you will need to get liners from Injinji that provide a base layer. You won’t be able to use your standard liners with these.

We continue to wear our Injinjis around the office as well as the gym and plan to take them to our next ski trip.

Injinji Performance 2.0 Snow medium weight socks come small, medium and large and in different colors. Suggested retail price is $30; shop around online.

Toe socks feel gooooodd!
Credit: SeniorsSkiing

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Italy’s Dolomiti Superski

March 1, 2016/3 Comments/in Home Top Box 1, International, Resort Reviews/by Paolo Gaudiano

Winter wonderland in one of the largest ski areas in the world.

Although I was born and raised in Italy, I did not do much skiing until I moved to Colorado for college. So I jumped at the occasion to join some old friends for a week of skiing in the Dolomites—a portion of the Italian Alps characterized by their stunning rocky outcrops, sufficiently beautiful to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A view of Sella Massif from the south. Credit: Paola Gaudiano

A view of Sella Massif from the south.
Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

Dolomiti Superski is a resort encompassing some 12 connected ski areas totaling 1,200 Km (750 miles) of trails served by 460 lifts. While a few of the areas require a bus for the connection, you can literally ski all day without ever doing the same trail twice, while experiencing a wide variety of terrains and stunning views.

Terrain

The area is accessible to all levels, but in general is aimed toward families, and as such there is a preponderance of easy and medium slopes. I was pleasantly surprised by the large number of older skiers—for once, I did not feel like a rarity because of my gray hair.

As with most European areas, the vast majority of the terrain is groomed, and if you like moguls or off-piste this place is not ideal. On the flip side, when the snow is abundant (which this year it was not), if you find places to go off-trail safely, you will likely find lots of untouched powder even a few days after the last snow.

The main attraction of this area is Sella Ronda, a 40 Km loop around the Sella massif, spanning four valleys and offering a variety of stunning views. The loop is great for intermediate skiers, and it’s possible to head off for side detours for more advanced skiing.

Marmolada and its glaciers.
Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

Getting there

I flew into Munich, which gave me the best combination of price and relative convenience. Depending on which town you choose, it is somewhere between three and four hours from Munich, about two-three hours from Innsbruck, two-three hours from Verona and three-four hours from Milan. You can also take a train and bus combination if you want to avoid driving, but travel times will be longer.

Lodging

The entire area is dotted with small towns and hundreds of hotels. Most of them offer mezza pensione, which includes breakfast and dinner. Our group was based at Hotel Alpi, a three-star hotel in Campitello Di Fassa that cost €85/night for a single, or €130/night for two. The food, service and amenities were excellent. There are many stores nearby and a Ski Bus that connects all the towns, making it really easy to get around.

Food and Culture

As with most of Italy, part of the experience is the food. One of my favorite things about skiing in Italy is that there are lots of restaurants on the slopes that serve great food and are relatively inexpensive. On the downside, most of these places do not allow bringing and eating your own food. I brought sandwiches every day, and sometimes I just had to find a bench somewhere to eat.

Bottom Line

Skiing in Italy is much cheaper than most of the US. I paid €240 for a 5-day pass giving access to all the areas. Coupled with the inexpensive food and lodging, you’ll pay the same if not less than flying to Utah from the East coast.

Discounts are offered for skiers over 65 (roughly 10 percent off).

Trail Map Click Here

A view from Paolo’s hotel room, showing the dolomite rock the region is named for.
Credit: Paolo Gaudiano

Nowadays, We Like To Put The Foot Rest Down

March 1, 2016/7 Comments/in Features/by seniorsskiing

Funny, Funny Rap About Senior Skiing.

Thanks to Lif’ Ticket, whoever you are. We do put the foot rest down.

A SeniorsSkiing.com’s Correspondent steered this our way. A highly hysterical and insightful ode to what happens to senior skiers. We aren’t sure who these dudes are, but, man, you have it nailed.

SeniorsSkiing Guide: White Pass, WA, Free For 73+!

March 1, 2016/0 Comments/in Home Top Box 1, Resort Reviews, West/by John Nelson

Kudos To Senior-Friendly Ski Resort Three Hours From Seattle.

A skier heads off the top of Great White Express at White Pass.
Credit: John Nelson

As I got ready for a day of skiing at White Pass, I ran into a gregarious septuagenarian with a big smile on his face.

“It should be a great day,” he said to me happily as we crossed paths.

Fresh snow had fallen on the empty weekday slopes. And if you happen to be of a certain age like my lodge acquaintance (73 and older), your day at White Pass just got better: You ski for free.

West Ridge at the top of Paradise Basin leads skiers into gladed off-piste powder runs.
Credit: John Nelson

Besides that benefit, White Pass has many other great qualities: Beautiful scenery, vast terrain, reasonable pricing and ample lodging options nearby.

During my visit, two inches new had fallen on top of meticulously groomed slopes, yielding buttery smooth turns and fresh tracks all day long.

Snow, terrain and more

Location: The ski area is on the White Pass Scenic Byway section of U.S. Highway 12, one of the major east-west routes in Washington state. The byway has fantastic views of 14,410-foot Mount Rainier to the north and is a jumping off point to explore the volcanoes Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams to the south. It takes about three hours to drive to White Pass from Seattle.
Snowfall: More than 350 inches fall annually, and snowmaking keeps the mountain covered when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
Terrain: White Pass feels like two mountains on its 1,500 acres. The “frontside” has the area’s only steeps and also has a variety of intermediate runs. The “backside,” known as Paradise Basin, offers intermediate skiing on its higher-elevation slopes. About 20 percent is rated advanced; 80 percent is beginner and intermediate.
Vertical: 2,000 feet from base (4,500”) to the top of Paradise Basin (6,500”).
Lifts: Two high-speed quads (Great White Express on the frontside) and (Couloir Express in Paradise Basin) do most of the people-moving at White Pass; the ski area has four additional chairlifts.
Views: On clear days, Mount Rainier is the big dog on the skyline to the north; the Goat Rocks Wilderness and Mount Adams to the south are also visible.
Olympics connection: Medal-winners Phil and Steve Mahre grew up skiing at White Pass and still drop in now and again.

Lot to lift access

Weekends and holidays can be busy, but for the most part, parking is easy. A passenger unloading zone is available next to the day lodge and regular shuttles ferry skiers from distant parking. On weekdays, parking is a breeze; I pulled in 10 minutes before opening and parked right next to the lodge.
Accommodations: Options are plentiful along U.S. 12, including the on-mountain White Pass Village Inn. The tourist-friendly towns of Packwood and Naches are short drives from the ski area, and Yakima, a center for many of Washington’s wineries, is about an hour’s drive to the east.

Culture

The vibe: Everyone seems to know everyone at White Pass, and visitors are welcomed. I met some friendly retirees who treated me like an old friend as the day progressed.
Dining: The best option is the cozy High Camp Lodge in Paradise Basin, with a variety of menu options, exceptional craft brews and wine. The day lodge has cafeteria food and the Sitzmark Lounge.

Bottom line

If you’re 73 and older, it’s $5 for your initial ticket; after that, reloads are free. Adult tickets (ages 16-72) are $63 (reloads are $58).
Grooming is exceptional on the ski area’s many intermediate runs, and when it’s clear, you’ll have commanding views of Mount Rainier.
The upper-elevation Paradise Basin offers rolling groomers and gladed off-piste powder.

Trail Map Click Here

Webcam Click Here

The Great White Express on the frontside of White Pass accesses the area’s steepest terrain.
Credit: John Nelson

Tag Archive for: seniors skiing

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Do a little downhill, then a little cross-country at these history-rich neighbors near Donner Summit.

Swedish Ingenuity Overcomes Lack of Snow. Boston, Pay Attention!

Do You Have Skiing Buddies From Way-Back When?

An Artist Paints En Plein Air On Ski Slopes.

New Performance Toe Socks Are Super Comfortable and Supportive.

­Winter wonderland in one of the largest ski areas in the world.

Funny, Funny Rap About Senior Skiing.

Kudos To Senior-Friendly Ski Resort Three Hours From Seattle.

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Winter wonderland in one of the largest ski areas in the world.