Results of SeniorsSkiing.Com’s Recent Survey And Industry Research Reveals 16 Winners

Sixteen resorts in the East. Midwest, West/Northwest, and Canada are recognized as “Senior Friendly” for their proactive efforts to meet the needs of older skiers.

The selection is based on input from SeniorsSkiing.com’s second annual survey of US and Canadian resorts, reader input, and industry sources. Factors taken into account include free or discounted lift tickets and a variety of features—such as resort-sponsored clubs, close-to-lodge parking, and other amenities—which readers of SeniorsSkiing.com have identified as important.

The resorts designated as friendliest to seniors are (*designated Senior-Friendly in 2014-15): 

East

Attitash Mountain Resort, Bartlett, New Hampshire

Special ski school clinics, discounts, clubs, social activities; $50 season pass (80+), 30% discount (65-79).

Cannon Mountain Ski Area, Franconia, New Hampshire

Ski school clinics, discounts, curbside assistance, $50 season pass (80+). 14% discount (65-79).

Cataloochee, Maggie Valley, North Carolina

Free skiing (65+).

Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, Vermont

Reserved areas in lodge, discounts: ski shops, rentals, school; area sponsored clubs, social activities, $20 season pass (70+0.

Sugarbush Resort, Warren, Vermont

$199 mid-week season (65+); free skiing (90+).

Waterville Valley Resort*, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire

Silver Streaks ski club: clinics, races, social events. 30% discount (65-79), $25 season pass (80+).

Midwest

Crystal Mountain, Traverse City, Michigan

“Retired Not Tired” program: provides local retirees opportunity to return to skiing; actively enjoy winter in the company of peers. 42% discounts for mid-week season passes (56+), $29 season pass (80+).

Mt Zion Ski Hill, Ironwood, Michigan

Ski school clinics, curbside assistance, close-to-lodge parking, restaurant discounts. Free skiing (70+), 20% discount (65-69).

 West/Northwest

Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Colorado

Close-to-lodge parking, clubs and activities. Single day tickets $25 (70+), season pass $75.

Hogadon Ski Area, Casper, Wyoming

School clinics, equipment carts for gear, clubs and activities. 25% discount (65+), free skiing (70+).

Mt Hood Skibowl*, Government Camp, Oregon

School clinics, mid-week parties, clubs/activities, mid-week motor coach transportation. Free skiing (75+), 30% discount (65-69).

Purgatory Resort, Durango, Colorado

School clinics, equipment carts for gear, mid-week parties, curbside assistance, valet parking, close-to-lodge parking. 30 percent off season pass (65 -79), $120season pass (80+).

Snowbird, Snowbird, Utah

Generous season passes discount; 10% food discount for seniors in all dining facilities (including new Summit at Snowbird). Ask the cashier.

Sundance Mountain Resort, Sundance, Utah

Sundance Senior Ski Group (free for 65+); lift ticket ($15), season pass ($125). Includes all skiing, x-c ski/snowshoe trail facilities, use of lift in summer months. Coaching available on select dates throughout season.

Tahoe Donner, Truckee, California

School clinics and discounts, mid-week parties, close-to-lodge parking, clubs, awards banquets, equipment rental discounts. Free skiing (70+), 45% discount (65-69).

Canada

Lake Louise Ski Resort*, Lake Louise, Alberta

School, equipment discounts. Free skiing (80+), 20% discount (65-79)

All Senior-Friendly resorts will be receiving an award plaque from SeniorsSkiing.com.  Many of these resorts report that up to 40 percent of mid-week skiers are seniors taking advantage of fast lift lines, space in the lodge to spread out, as well as other low-cost, or no-cost amenities.

SeniorsSkiing.com salutes these resorts and thanks them for setting an example for the ski industry and for making seniors feel welcome.