Tag Archive for: SeniorsSkiing.com

Herb Stevens

Skiing Weatherman: More Snow Coming. No Kidding.

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Late Season Snow Opens Nordic Opportunities.

As the coronavirus situation has continued to unfold and expand, the curtain has all but come down on the alpine season across North America. Nevertheless, lovers of the great outdoors continue to find ways to ingest their fair share of fresh air by a variety of different means, including cross country skiing aficionados. At last count, 17 Nordic centers around the country remain open.  For those of you who will continue to rack up the kilometers as we move through early spring, here’s this week’s weather outlook.

This season now has all the earmarks of ending up with bookends in terms of jet stream patterns. You may recall that November got us off to a quick start as the jet stream aligned itself in a fashion favorable for the delivery of early season cold to the lower 48 states. Here in the East, as the calendar turned from October to November, the folks at Killington were very nervous about the prospect for the Women’s World Cup event scheduled for late that month. However, when the Women’s White Circus showed up three weeks later, the reversal of weather fortunes made for another hugely successful weekend of racing.

And then came the rest of the winter. As I discussed a couple of weeks ago, the Midwest and East got locked into a highly unfavorable jet steam setup that, unfortunately, made it very difficult for cold air masses to stick around for a while. Well, that appears to be about to change, which should help to extend the Nordic season.

In a nutshell, an upper level trough is going to set up shop over the eastern half of North America later next week. At the same time, a blocking ridge will be in place over Greenland. It was the LACK of a blocking ridge in that position that allowed cold air masses to slide right off the continent when they did manage to make a push into the Midwest and East. Cold air is not as abundant as it was one or two months ago, but there is enough available to flow into a trough and lead to late season snow. That scenario is on the table around April 3-5 in the Northeast. Here is a look at the expected pattern on the morning of the April 3:

A deep trough centered over eastern New York will provide the focus for the cold air. The trough may want to progress eastward into the north Atlantic, but the ridge that extends from Labrador to Greenland will resist and force the trough to only slowly move toward the ocean. It is important to also know that near the center of circulation of troughs, the air is rising and cooling to a greater extent than at points further away from the center. This further suggests that eastern New York and northern New England could very well pick up a substantial late season snowfall next weekend. That’s great news for Nordic touring centers from the Adirondacks to the mountains of Maine. As long as the ridge remains over Greenland, the colder air will stick around, just like in November.

Here Are The Regional Details.

Northwest U.S./western Canada: A season of abundant snowfall shows no signs of quitting. The hits will keep on coming in this part of the world for the next couple of weeks at least.

Sierra: While the amounts won’t be as prodigious as further north, the proximity of a trough not far offshore should produce several meaningful snowfalls in the next two weeks.

Northern Rockies: The storms that continue to bury the coastal ranges will move inland and keep this part of the U.S. and adjacent Canada in the crosshairs for solid snowfalls for the foreseeable future.

Central and southern Rockies: In the absence of an El Nino, it is tough to grind much snow out of the southern branch of the jet stream late in the season. Northern stream systems will graze these areas from time to time and provide several lighter snowfalls.

Midwest: Other than across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, snowfall is a long shot the rest of the way in the middle of the country.

Northeast/Quebec: Next weekend looks like the best opportunity for late snow. Based on what has happened the past few weeks, northern Maine and adjacent Quebec won’t see bare ground for many weeks to come.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy your sliding and your summer.

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Mar. 20)

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Hold Fast, James Niehues Paints Mountains, Emily’s Poem To Spring, Ski Diva Perspective, Senior Group At Powder Mountain, Weatherman Says More Snow, Mystery Racer.

Spring Arrives Tonight.

The irony is sardonic. The snow-starved Sierra is finally getting yards of snow, Easter will most likely have another coating in New England at higher elevations. And no lifts are turning.  Normal is upside down.

Ski towns are discouraging second-home owners from taking shelter in rural areas, some resorts are giving out food to employees. Waterville Valley, NH, the last remaining operator in the Northeast, is finally closing down, despite their elaborate precautions. “Our continuing operations have been met with outcry by many who choose to misrepresent our efforts and have created an environment that has incited people to act irresponsibly to the point of becoming abusive and threatening to our staff,” says this week’s press release.  What used to be a mecca for cheerfulness, easy-going-ness, and fun has turned rough with people rubbing each other the wrong way. Irony.

We know this period of time is unsettling, uncertain, ambiguous, and, to some, quite frightening. During this disruption, we feel it is critical to remember what is still important and always will be. For example, pay attention to your fitness. You might be doing some backcountry skiing, or skinning at closed ski areas. Please be careful and make sure you know what you are doing.  First responders are pre-occupied these days. We’re taking long walks and doing yoga at home guided by a wonderful app called Down Dog, which will be offered free until April 1.

Another priority is to connect. We’re going to be isolated, dear readers. That is not a good thing for seniors in normal times, and even more stressful now. So, here’s what we propose. We are going to offer our readers a chance to connect with like-minded folks through a simple idea.  We’re going to pose some questions you can respond to in the Reply Box for each question. Respond to the questions, to each other’s comments, start a dialogue, connect. What we’re trying to do is create a place for exchanging ideas, offering support, referring to resources, or whatever falls out.  Please give it a go.  We have no idea how this experiment will turn out, but it is worth a try.  We already know our readers have lots to say.  So, let’s hear from you.

Finally, folks, it’s Spring. Yes, it is snowing in places. But here we are, on the other side of winter. We saw our first robin on our walk yesterday.  Look for yours.

Check out Jon’s comments in Short Swings this week for his perspective on dealing with the current crisis.

Hold Fast.

This Week

A poem from Emily Dickinson helps put spring in perspective. Welcome Spring and notice the crocuses coming up in your walks.

Our friend and colleague the Ski Diva has published an important summary of what’s going on in the ski industry since the advent of the virus. An important read.

Herb Stevens, the Skiing Weatherman, reports on snow coming for Easter. Oh well.  You can probably go x-c skiing or snow shoeing if you’re living in the right places.

Niehues’ trail map of Vail. Complex, broad, beautiful.

We feature James Niehues’ work, the Man Who Paints Mountains.  Actually, he is an artist who has created ski maps for hundreds of ski resorts across the globe.  He’s published a book of his work which, as you know if you’ve ever really looked closely at a trail map, is incredible.

Salt Lake City correspondent Harriet Wallis tells us about a special senior week in small groups run by a couple at Powder Mountain, UT. It is an interesting idea: great food, mountain-side lodging, kindred spirits.

Our Mystery Glimpse this week features a young woman who should be familiar to many readers. And those colorful gondolas? Crested Butte.

Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com.  Tell your friends about us, and, remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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What a strange time.

There are some exceptions, but most ski areas throughout Europe and North America have closed.

There is nothing happy about this scenario except the prospect that removing ski areas as a place where people gather may help slow the virus’ progress.

SeniorsSkiing.com readers range in age from 50 into the 90s. The average age is 67. We are among the most vulnerable. Those with compromised immune systems, heart and lung conditions and diabetes, even more so.

Science will find treatment or a cure, but it will take time. In the meanwhile, we’re advised to minimize close physical contact with others. Hence the premature end to the season.

We should use good hand-washing hygiene. Someone suggested spraying objects entering our living space with a weak bleach and water solution — four teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. Our household is trying that as an additional precaution. I hope it works.

Having things in common are one of the hallmarks of a community. By that standard, SeniorsSkiing.com is a virtual community. Our shared interest is descending snowy terrain, as is enjoying other passions and being with family and friends.

For those of us in self-isolation, it’s important to know that all of these things await us when we can once again meet without concern.

We’ve been through other health scares in our lifetimes. Polio. AIDS. SARS. MERS. Ebola. Each a virus. Each, eventually managed to a reasonable level.

The same will happen with COVID-19.

Science will find answers. Societies will manage though the chaos with varying degrees of success. 

Wherever you are during this time of crisis and worry, please be grateful for family and friends, and the scientists working overtime to bring us relief. 

Remember your good times on snow. This metaphorical Winter will pass. Next season will arrive.

In the meanwhile, please do what you can to care for yourselves, your families, and your communities.

And remember to wash your hands.

Keeping Your Home Virus-Free

This article from Houzz, the home-oriented website, explains how to protect your home from the virus.

List of Acceptable Cleaning Products

Here’s a list of cleaning products that are pre-approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against COVID-19. It’s from the Center for Biocide Chemistries and American Chemistry Council.

Lake Tahoe: 114” in Three Days

Snow clouds must not have received the COVID-19 memo. 9.5’ of snow fell on Lake Tahoe over the past three days. Click here to see what that meant for one driver.

5 Short Films

These five films won the 2nd annual “Best Sustainable Tourism Films” competition. The longest is 3 minutes. They’re interesting and beautiful and come from Morrocco, Sweden, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, and Newfoundland/Labrador. Click here to view.

Bored At Home? Watch This!!

This 8-second home-ski video should get a chuckle. Click: IMG_9266

Colorado Skijoring

Here’s a piece from yesterday’s New York Times about Skijoring in Leadville, CO.

And, finally…

While many of us are exercising prudent social distancing by remaining home, we’re also spending time outside walking, hiking, exercising and enjoying nature. If you think your sneakers or waking shoes could be performing better, try EZ Fit AutoAdapt® Universal drop-in insoles. They improve shoe comfort and performance. They’re made by Masterfit, one of our loyal advertisers. They support us. Their products support your feet. Please support them. Click here to learn more.

Yesterday was the vernal equinox. We need a good dose of Spring!

Two Skiers
seniorsskiing

Question For You: 1

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It’s important for seniors to connect during these difficult times. Because we have a large list of senior readers, we are contemplating turning a portion of SeniorsSkiing.com into a forum for our readers.  We’re going to ask some questions that you can respond to in the Reply Box below each question. Hopefully, others will respond and we can create a dialogue.  This is an experiment in connecting readers to each other.

How do you feel about the early close of the season?  Were you done? Did you have more turns to make?

Please respond in the Reply Box below.

 

Ski Instruction
seniorsskiing

Question For You: 2

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It’s important for seniors to connect during these difficult times. Because we have a large list of senior readers, we are contemplating turning a portion of SeniorsSkiing.com into a forum for our readers.  We’re going to ask some questions that you can respond to in the Reply Box below each question. Hopefully, others will respond and we can create a dialogue.  This is an experiment in connecting readers to each other.

What outdoor activities are you doing these days?

Please respond in the Reply Box below.

Historic5
seniorsskiing

Question For You: 3

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It’s important for seniors to connect during these difficult times. Because we have a large list of senior readers, we are contemplating turning a portion of SeniorsSkiing.com into a forum for our readers.  We’re going to ask some questions that you can respond to in the Reply Box below each question. Hopefully, others will respond and we can create a dialogue.  This is an experiment in connecting readers to each other.

What advice would you give your fellow senior winter outdoor enthusiasts in dealing with an indefinite period of isolation?

Please respond in the Reply Box below.

mikemaginn

The Man Who Paints Mountains

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James Niehues Creates Hand Painted Maps Of Ski Resorts And Now There’s A Book.

James Niehues in his studio, creating maps by hand. Credit: LA Times

If you’ve ever taken a second look at the resort trail maps you casually pick up and put in your parka pocket, you are most likely looking at a painting by James Niehues. James has created trail map art of over 200 resorts around the globe since 1988.  Instead of resorting to computer-created images, he paints by hand and the results are remarkably detailed and beautiful. How does he do it?

James combines the technology of cartography with the art of water colors to create the maps. He flies over an area, takes aerial photographs, studies topographic maps, then creates a simple sketch of the mountain scene. From there, he projects the image on a painting surface, filling in the details starting from the sky down to the base. 

Niehues’ trail map of Vail. Complex, broad, beautiful.

One of the biggest challenges is to show the back trails or bowls of mountain on the same map as the front side. Sounds like Picasso, right? He says it’s a puzzle he has to piece together.

James has been creating resort maps for three decades, taking over the role from Colorado’s Bill Brown, the only resort map artist at the time. Now in his mid-70s, James has anthologized his collection of over 200 maps into a coffee-table book, The Man Behind The Maps, available from Amazon for about $100.

He’s retiring from his one-man profession, passing the mantle to a younger protege. Clearly, his maps create a mood that you don’t get from computer graphics, and that’s the whole point.  Both approaches show you the way down, but James’ maps are create a “feeling” of mountains and the outdoors.

Here’s  a short video that tells James’ story. 

 

Herb Stevens

Skiing Weatherman: There’s Snow In The West, Only Maybe East

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For Those Still Venturing Out On Snow Shoes, Skinny Skis, Or Skins.

On a typical office day in the winter, I often scan web cams from resorts, living vicariously on those days when I can’t be on the snow myself. Now that the coronavirus pandemic has ground the winter sports season to a virtual halt, I still check out the cams, but recently I have felt more of a sense of sadness rather than excitement or anticipation of my next trip to the mountains. The absence of skiers and the stationary lifts is striking, and where fresh snow has fallen and remains untouched, the scenes are downright bizarre. Although the alpine resort options are very limited, there are many of you who still want to get your fresh air on skins, skinny skis, or snowshoes, or perhaps with your grandchildren on a sledding hill, and it is for you that I present this week’s weather discussion.

The winter pattern has shown a great reluctance to change from a dominant western trough/southeastern ridge configuration, which has led to abundant western snows and a struggle for snow lovers in the Midwest and East. For the past two weeks, there have been signs of change in the Pacific that correlate to colder than normal weather spreading into the eastern half of the country and that change makes sense based on the change of seasons. You see, as we head toward spring, the distance between jet stream features shortens as the available supply of cold air in the hemisphere starts its seasonal decrease. If you think of that cold air as one large puddle in the heart of winter, it becomes smaller puddles as the overall supply dwindles. Each winter trough requires a cold pool aloft to exist, but with less cold air around, those features tend to be smaller than a month or two ago. So, rather than have two large features covering the continent, there is room for three, or even four from the eastern Pacific to the East coast. It is possible to have a western trough AND an eastern trough with shorter wavelengths. This jet stream forecast for next Tuesday illustrates that setup.

Not only is there a deep trough off the West coast, which will deliver another significant snowfall to the Sierra, Cascades, and northern Rockies, but there is a departing trough over the Northeast. In addition, the ripple in the flow over the Plains is another package of energy that could turn into a deeper eastern trough and potential snow producer by late next week because it could become stronger as it moves into the East.

Looking further down the road into early April, there are conflicting signs as to whether or not the jet stream flow will tap any appreciable amount of cold air to sustain what is left of the season. The transitional months are easily the most difficult time to forecast. Judging the battle between the retreating cold and advancing spring warmth is a handful, and there are signs that the pattern will revert to one that is milder than normal over the East while the West continues in more of a wintry setup. I still think that the shorter wavelengths will deliver cold shots and late opportunities for snow to the Midwest and East, at least up until Easter weekend.

Here Are The Regional Details.

Northwest U.S./western Canada: Quiet weekend with systems from Alaska moving into the region next week, leading to a snowy period overall.

Sierra: Dry weekend with snows returning to region next week as an upper trough slides down the coast. Only issue is that if trough hugs the coast, snow levels will rise.

Northern Rockies: Sunny weekend. Coastal Pacific system will bring snow to the region by Tuesday and Wednesday…another system arrives next weekend.

Central and southern Rockies: Southern branch of jet stream has brought this area snow over the past two weeks, but it will be rather quiet for the next week. Nothing more than a little light snow at times.

Midwest: Late week snow will refresh surfaces across the north. Nice weather for the weekend. Next opportunity for snow late next week.

Northeast/Quebec: Chilly, dry weekend. No major storms next week, but an early week southern system could bring late snow to the northern mid-Atlantic areas. Overnight lows help preserve snow most nights.

Harriet Wallis

Senior Small Group Ski Week With Lodging Right On Uncrowded Powder Mountain

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Plan Now For Next Winter

Seniors participating in Life Elevated Utah having fun and acting silly for the camera. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Gary and Sandy Nielsen have run Road Scholar programs in Utah for about 20 years. They’re experts at planning and organizing week-long programs including Hopi pottery, dinosaurs and rock hounding in summer—and the very popular senior ski program in winter.

But several years ago as the demand for more senior ski weeks kept growing, Gary and Sandy responded with an idea of their own. They created new, small group ski weeks especially for seniors, and they base the programs at Powder Mountain. It’s ski weeks with all the trimmings.

Gary and Sandy cookin’ up Eggs Benedict for breakfast. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Gary invited me to experience the program. As I entered the little lodge’s great room, the first thing I saw was an inviting table with every beverage a tired skier could want: refreshing lemon water, coffee, tea, cocoa, a selection of wine with nice glasses, and plenty of cold beer in the fridge. Such enormous hospitality! As the skiers came in, they chose a beverage and settled into the sofas to retell the day’s adventures. And that was just the beginning.

When it came time for dinner, we gathered around a beautifully set table and enjoyed huge portions of roast salmon, fresh asparagus, baked potatoes, and a crisp tossed salad. There are seconds! Then came dessert: steaming homemade peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream. Gary and Sandy love to cook. Every meal was just as spectacular.

“When Gary and Sandy run a program, I know it’s going to be good,” said Henry, a repeat skier.

About The Programs

Gary explained how the ski weeks work. “Powder Mountain is known as ‘Utah’s Best Kept Secret’ and through our nonprofit organization called Life Elevated Utah,” we have been running week-long ski programs for older skiers between the ages of 60-90+ for the past few years.

“We stay right at the base of the mountain in a comfortable 1980s style lodge. This is a true ski-in, a ski-out experience in which our older skiers simply love. We only have five hotel rooms, each with a private bathroom. The rooms have great views of the slopes looking out from each room’s patio doors.

“Our programs are six days of skiing Monday-Saturday with programs beginning and ending each Sunday. We provide transportation to/from SLC Airport, cover seven nights lodging, prepare three delicious meals a day for our small ski groups in our kitchen in the lodge. We help set up ski lessons, mountain tours, and many other ski amenities,” he said.

“I know they really care about me,” said Kathy, a repeat skier. They make sure every detail is just right. This program has just the right number of people, but not too many. I used to do all the ski trip planning when my family was young, but this is so much better. They take care of everything.”

Life’s Lessons Achieved

Gary was one of five children, and it was a family rule that when you turned eight years old you learned how to cook dinners for the family. The cooking lessons stuck, and along the way he developed a specialty catering business. “Chef” is in his soul.

Travel planning has also been in his soul since he was young, and he’s skilled at it. He has degrees in Recreation Management, specializing in travel and tours, and a degree in Business Management. It all fits together.

Looking To Next Season

This really is a best kept secret. Gary and Sandy don’t have a website. So,  to get information for next year’s Powder Mountain senior ski weeks, email gary@lifeelevatedutah.org

Seniors like to ski with seniors, but finding a program is as difficult as looking for a Yeti. Interestingly, Road Scholar has eliminated all western downhill ski programs for 2021. Just one ski eastern Road Scholar program continues.

Small group of seniors on big Powder Mountain: 8,400 acres with 154 trails. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Mystery Glimpse: Young Racer

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Who Is This Racer?

Major hint: O, Canada! This one should be easy. This week, we all need an easy one. Can you tell us about her history? Her extraordinary career? Thanks to the New England Ski Museum for this picture.

Credit: Dorothy Crossley, New England Ski Museum

Last Week

This photo was taken at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in 1963, showing off the installation of their new Carlevaro-Savio, Silver Queen Gondola.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort opened in 1960 when two men—Fred Rice and Dick Eflin—purchased a ranch on Mt. Crested Butte. An operating permit enabling the resort to be built was approved by the United States Forest Service the following year.

In 1963, Crested Butte constructed a top-to-bottom gondola from the base area to near where the bottom of the High Lift is today. The resort was the second resort to open a gondola in Colorado, after Vail Ski Resort opened theirs in 1962. Constructed by Carlevaro-Savio, the three-person Silver Queen Gondola was notorious for being cramped, and the cabins were known to have frequent collisions. The gondola lasted until 1972, when a bubble double chairlift replaced it.

Special thanks—again—to Dana Mathios, curator and Director of Collections, at the Colorado Snowsports Museum, located in Vail, CO.

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Mar. 13)

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Pivoting To Spring, New Mexico Resorts, Luxury Vermont Inn, Mystery Gondola, Weather Man Predicts.

We have several reports that spring-like skiing is happening at the higher elevation resorts in the Northeast. A few bluebird days, corduroy trails.  Ahh.  We are jealous because…we are in Florida. Such are the vicissitudes of family life.  We plan to get back for a final turn or two when we return next week. Let’s hope the base holds for another few weeks.  Hope so because it was 73 degrees when we departed Boston.  As the Skiing Weatherman Herb Stevens reports in this week’s prediction, there might be lots of snow at Easter time.

Incidentally, now is the time for buying next season’s pass.  Both Ikon and Epic have new configurations of passes, and you can get a pass to fit your winter sports cadence. Finally there are reasonably priced mid-week passes that are real bargains. 

Click here to see the 2020-21 Epic passes.

Click here to see the 2020-21 Ikon passes

Wear your green next week. Happy Paddy’s Day. Is he still a saint?

Speaking of next week, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We know it is an unofficial way to transition into spring skiing mode, and some resorts really do it up.  Brodie Mountain in western Massachusetts used to be the archetype.  Now, green beer and snow are popping up from coast to coast and into Canada and beyond.

And speaking again of next week, we anticipate sending the final premiums from SeniorsSkiing.com’s recent fund raiser.  We ran out of labels, stickers, tote bags, cards all at once, and when they arrive we will get back to stuffing and addressing envelopes.

Thank you again for your support and for the many positive messages you sent in your donations.  Frankly, your support makes the challenge of producing a weekly online magazine for senior snow sports enthusiasts a little easier.

This Week

70+ Ski Club group photo. The club ventures to US, European, and this year, New Zealand resorts. Credit: 70+ Ski Club

Harriet Wallis catches up with the 70+Ski Club as they visit several Utah resorts. What a wonderful group of senior skiers who find new friends and new adventures throughout the season and beyond. We’re often asked by readers where they can find seniors to ski with.  The 70+ Ski Club is definitely a place to start. P.S. If you’re not quite 70 yet, you can be a “member in training.”

Contributor Bob Margulis offers his advice on safety in the mountains with this matra, “What can go wrong?” His advice makes sense whether you are backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, skiing, rock climbing, or even cycling. Interesting gear and tips from an experienced mountain man. 

Angel Fire has some two mile runs, and best of all 70-75 seniors pay $29, 75+ pay zero. Credit: Angel Fire

Veteran correspondent Mike Roth reports on his venture to three New Mexico resorts, comparing conditions and trails to his home base in upstate New York and New England.  Interesting differences.

Correspondent Tamsin Venn stayed at a very classy, year round resort at Stowe.  Check out her story on the Topnotch Resort and Spa. Good timing, too, because rates are dropping as we move along into spring. 

Our Mystery Glimpse features an early photo of a gondola in a western state.  Can you guess?  Thanks to the Colorado Snowsports Museum for the photo.  And yes, indeed, that was Cannon Mountain from the air. 

Our stalwart Skiing Weatherman Herb Stevens tells us what to expect as the official start of spring approaches. It looks like more snow to come and perhaps a snowy Easter.  Did you know meteorological spring started on March 1?  Missed it, didn’t you?

Thanks again for reading SeniorsSkiing.com and for your ongoing support.  Please tell your friends about us and remember, there are more of us every day and we aren’t going away.

 

 

 

 

Harriet Wallis

70+ Ski Club: Ski Trips, Fun, And Camaraderie

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You Are Never Too Old To Be Young.

70+ Ski Club group photo. The club ventures to US, European, and this year, New Zealand resorts. Credit: 70+ Ski Club

Ski clubs have been around ever since people strapped skis on for fun. But the 70+ Ski Club has a unique niche. It’s the only ski club for skiers – and boarders – who are at least 70 years old. 

People often give up skiing when their spouse passes away or when they simply run out of friends to ski with. The 70+ Ski Club fills the need and serves up week long ski trips and also short events so skiers can make new friends and find new ski buddies.

Red and Jim: Newfound friends become new ski buddies. Credit: Harriet Wallis

This winter, the Club’s week-long international trips included the French Alps, Vermont’s Okemo, Big Sky, Banff/Lake Louise, and Utah, where they skied a different resort every day. And the season isn’t over when the snow melts here. The Club is scheduled to go down under to ski New Zealand this summer.

There are shorter jaunts and day events especially in the Mid-West and New England. While the mountains might not be as big, the game is on with new trails to explore, ski clinics, race clinics, good natured events, and apres ski parties.

At a time when our doctors are urging us to be active, the 70+ Club members already have the message. They continue to be active skiers and they engage in living life to the fullest. Becoming 70 is just the beginning. Many members are in their 80s and 90s and even a few at 100. As the saying goes: “You’re never too old to be young.”

The Club was launched 43 years ago, in 1977, by Lloyd Lambert, an enthusiastic and accomplished skier and patroller who saw the need to keep skiers skiing as they grew older. He urged ski resorts to give discounts to older skiers. And he helped turn the tide from skiing being a sport for the adventurous young into a lifelong sport for all. The Club started with 37 members and has grown to 3,000 members.

Today, grandson Richard Lambert heads the Club and plans the trips. He gets universal praise for his thoughtful preparation and well organized trips.

I asked very modest Richard to say something about the Club for this story. Instead, he sent a note he received from skier who met some of the 70+ers.

It said: “Met several of your members and would love to be part of this amazing group. I vow not to adapt to a sedentary lifestyle and this group is an inspiration. I plan to wear out, not rust out. The enthusiasm of the group is contagious.”

Membership includes a distinctive 70+ (or 80+, 90+, or 100+) jacket patch, a helmet decal, a lapel pin, a list of ski areas that offer seniors free or discounted skiing, a twice annual newsletter, and a membership card. All for $15.

Are you old enough to be a 70+ Ski Club member?

Not quite 70? Check the website for details on becoming a 70+ Ski Club member-in-training.

70+ Ski Club members Sandra, Red, and 102 year old George Jedenoff. Credit: Harriet Wallis

historic6
Bob Margulis

My Personal Skiing Safety Primer

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To stay safe, all older skiers should prepare themselves for what might go wrong. I call this a “safety mindset,” and it’s kept me safe in more than 40- years of rock climbing, mountaineering and skiing.

Part of that preparation is answering these questions: 

  • What should I wear to protect myself?
  • How will I be found?
  • What are the most common dangers and how can I survive them?
  • What skills/knowledge/training do I need?

What should I wear to protect myself?

Wear a helmet and make sure it is securely fastened. If your helmet isn’t adjusted properly and snugly attached it might not do much good. I check the helmet strap frequently. About half the time it needs adjustment. If you’re using an old helmet or one with a damaged shell, replace it with one of the modern impact distributing technologies like MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System).

How will I be found?

When skiing I always carry a Fox 40 whistle. If you’re skiing inbounds, a series of three loud whistle blasts will summon help. Your phone, also is useful, assuming there’s a signal and juice. Make sure 1) it’s fully charged at the start of the day, 2) the area’s number is in your “Contacts”, and 3) you have a GPS app that will give your coordinates for when you call patrol. To keep the battery from draining, I keep my phone warm on a neck lanyard between base layer and mid-layer fleece. 

Several ski clothing companies incorporate RECCO reflectors into their products. It can help rescuers find you. If RECCO is not built in to your parka or pants, Marmot makes a RECCO belt.

I also carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Mine is a McMurdo FastFind 220. About the size of a pack of cigarettes, it cost a couple of hundred bucks, is waterproof, requires no annual fee, and has a 6-year battery life. It gets registered with NOAA and, when activated, broadcasts a signal to the same rescue network used when commercial planes crash. It’s not to be used frivolously, but when it is, rescue will be on its way.

 

What are the most common dangers and how can I survive them?

In addition to avoid being hit by others or losing control, I try to avoid tree wells and avalanches; just a few of conditions that can lead to suffocation and/or hypothermia.

When skiing powder in the trees, I wear a Black Diamond AvaLung Sling. If I were stuck in a tree well, it would help me extract air from the surrounding snowpack and divert exhaled CO2 away from my head. It costs $130 and weighs 9 ounces. 

Hypothermia occurs more frequently in seniors and twice as often in men. When it’s cold the body reduces blood flow to the extremities in order to keep sending it to the brain and key organs. I use glove warmers and boot cozies to keep hands and feet warm.

Helmets help prevent heat loss from the scalp but if there’s exposed skin on your neck, body heat will be lost there. Neck gaitors are a good preventative.

What skills/knowledge/training do I need?

The answer to that question depends on your level of on-snow engagement. If you’re a resort skier, knowing and following the responsible skier’s code and being hypersensitive at trail intersections and to the people around you may be sufficient. A step up would be basic first aid and CPR training. If you’re spending time in the backcountry, take a Wilderness First Aid course (REI offers several 2-day courses) and investigate educational offerings from the American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education. 

Herb Stevens

Skiing Weatherman: Out Like A Lion

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March Won’t Be Ending Spring-like.

Although I had good intentions, I must confess that I did not get on the snow in the past week.  65 degree temperatures here in Rhode Island early this week didn’t help to inspire, for sure.  Much of the East has had a frustrating season, due to a lack of cold and snow, but the evolving pattern over the next several weeks is not going to please those ready to turn their backs on winter.  The pattern is going to change to one that delivers cold and snow into the country, first into the West but also to the East, where the colder pattern will persist for a longer spell than we have seen since early winter.  That is great news if you have plans to ski or ride Easter weekend!

In the short term, a massive high pressure center is going to deliver a seasonably cold weekend to the resorts in the Great Lakes and East.  In the West, the best news is that the Tahoe area is going to receive heavy snow during the second half of this weekend into early next week.  After a largely snow-free February, some lighter snow has fallen the past two weekends in the central Sierra but this event will deliver the load that the resorts really need.  Amounts will range from 1 to 2.5 feet with this storm.  Snow is headed for the northern Rockies this weekend, too, as this surface map from Sunday morning illustrates. 

 

Next week will turn milder again in the East, but not to the extent that we saw earlier this week.  The coastal system that impacts the Sierra this weekend will continue to rotate southeastward during the first half of next week, bringing snows to the southern Rockies.  While the upper level trough that produces that snow favors the West, an upper ridge over the East will keep it mild and deflect a storm up through the Great Lakes late in the week, and that track will be unfavorable for snow in the East.

Help is on the way to the East, though, in a classic case of “better late than never”.  Changes are underway in the Pacific in terms of the location of ridges and troughs, and we will soon see a configuration that has been rare this winter.  An upper ridge will set up shop over Alaska, with a trough south of that spot.   Here is forecast for the 22nd that illustrates the position of that ridge.

In addition to the strong ridge sitting over Alaska, notice the trough extending down from the southern flank of the polar vortex all the way to southern California…that will continue to benefit parts of the West.  With a clockwise flow around the ridge and a counterclockwise flow around the trough, you can see how the air will be directed from the Yukon into the northern Plains and then eastward through the Great Lakes.  As the trough presses eastward, it will spread the cold air into the East for the final week of the month and likely beyond.  The season will roll along in the West, while in the East, don’t despair, a solid shot of cold and snow will set things up for some nice Easter sliding.

Here Are The Regional Details    

Northwest U.S./western Canada:  Light to moderate snow this weekend followed by several dry days next week.  Light snows return Thursday, followed by a more substantial weekend storm.       

Sierra:  Good sized storm this weekend, the biggest since January.  Next weekend looks promising, too.  Longer term, eastern Pacific trough development will bring additional snows into April.             

Northern Rockies:  Moderate to heavy snow this weekend, light snows continue early in the week.  Next shot at snow later next weekend.  

Central and southern Rockies: Light to moderate snow this weekend, another shot at significant snow Tuesday as southern branch systems moves toward Four Corners.      

Midwest:  Nice weekend on the slopes.  Light precip early next week, snow across north, rain south.  Developing colder pattern will help sustain the season late month/early April.               

Northeast/Quebec:  Seasonably cold, dry weekend.  Milder next week, not so much for northern New York and New England.  Pattern change will make Easter viable for skiing, riding.     

Mike Roth

A New Yorker Discovers New Mexico Resorts

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A Veteran Skier Can’t Find Ice On His Visit To Taos, Angel Fire, Ski Santa Fe.

Taos Kachina Peak is at 12,481 where the snow stays cold. Credit: Taos

The past three times I skied here in the East the skiing was good.  That means the trails were all skiable but every run you would encounter different conditions.  Most mornings after a cold night, you will find nice groomed corduroy which had set up overnight due to the cold temperatures.  We have not received much snow but thank God for snow making.  After a run or two the firm corduroy changes to loose large granular pieces. Then after a couple more runs that will change to a fine granulated sugar, again very skiable.  As the day progresses that sugar finds its way to the sides of the trails and the rest of the trail, especially the slightly steeper spots get scrappy and eventually Boiler plate.  Time to go home!

Now once in awhile you will hit a day when it was snowing or had just snowed.  Here in the Northeast this seems to be happening less and less and I am convinced that it is a product of global warming.

As Eastern Skiers we can usually ski any condition as it changes throughout the day and lately that has been the norm.  I still love it but it can get frustrating.

Compare that to skiing out West. West, as in New Mexico. Mountains? You bet.

Here’s what I discovered on a recent trip. The New Mexico ski areas are much higher than the Northeast and as you climb up you get colder and receive more major snowstorms.  Skiing at Taos, Red River and Santa Fe you will be skiing approximately from 9,000 ft. to 12,000 feet, that’s 6,000 feet higher than the tallest mountain in the Northeastern United States which is mount Washington in New Hampshire (6288″). 

The average snowfall in Taos is around 300″ per year of very dry fluffy powder due to the high elevation.    It’s 220″ at Ski Santa Fe, 214″ at Red River. With the higher elevations the temps are lower and the snow sits longer. Compared that to the Eastern ski areas where the elevations are below 4,000 feet.  Whiteface is the highest ski area at 4,650′ with average snowfall of just over 100″. Altitude, acreage, the snow and  weather is all the difference.

In the East we fight icy weather conditions up to 4,000 ft., whereas the higher and drier climate of the Rockies are well above 10,000 feet above sea level.

In the East there are wind chills that are very, very cold, where out West it is sunny during the day with Blue Bird sunny skiers. (Most of the time, it seems.)

Moguls are hard and icy here in the East but in the West they are constantly soft snow. No matter how big the moguls may be they are usually always soft so you actually can be a hero out West while in the East you battle the ice on the downside of almost every one. 

Length of trails at all the New Mexico areas were substantial, open Bowls compared to dense trees of the Eastern trails.  Bigger vertical gets plenty of skiing in the West compared to skiing shorter lifts in the East and more runs. 

Taos has the most expert terrain especially now that you don’t have to hike Kachina peak with 1294 acres 51% expert 25% intermediate and 21% beginner. There was only one main lift that gets you to the numerous other fixed grip lifts on the mountain.

Angel Fire has some two mile runs, and best of all 70-75 seniors pay $29, 75+ pay zero. Credit: Angel Fire

Angel Fire has 560 acres of skiing  with 23% expert 56% intermediate and 21% beginner with  their main Chile Express lift over 2 miles long so all the runs down are very long. Their two main lifts are hi speed and you get plenty of skiing in a day. And Angel Fire loves seniors: 70-74 pay $29 a day, over 75 free. 

SkiSantaFe has super senior (72+) tickets for $0. Thanks guys.

Ski Santa Fe was the smallest in skiable acres with 660 acres 40% expert 40% intermediate and 20% beginner but still had plusses. One of which is that you can stay in Santa Fe and drive to the ski area and enjoy the culture. And seniors 72 plus ski free at this resort. Thanks, Ski Santa Fe.

Bottom Line: New Mexico Ski Resorts enjoy low humidity, consistently low temperatures due to elevation and enough snowfall that ice doesn’t form.  It is consistently packed powder from top to bottom

mikemaginn

Mystery Glimpse: Bumpin’ Gonds

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What Ski Area Is This?

And what’s the story behind these yellow and blue gondolas?

Special thanks to Dana Mathios, curator of the Colorado Snowsports Museum, for providing this week’s photo.

Last Week

This is a photo of Cannon Mountain, Franconia, NH, home of America’s first aerial tramway which began operation in 1938 and was renovated in the 80s. Taken from the air by a passing friendly aviator, the resort has a reputation as one comment pointed out for being “too cold and too fast”.  Regardless, one feature of Cannon that endears the state-owned resort to SeniorsSkiing.com is that seniors 65-plus ski for free. That is, if you are a New Hampshire resident.  Still, that’s a gift.

That wide swath you see on the right side of the mountain is the training hill for myriad ski teams. At the very base is the Mittersill Alpine Resort.  A reader reports the training hill was closed for 40 years, but it’s clearly back in operation, accessible from the base by a t-bar.  Quaint, no?

Here’s a short video showing the ride up the tram.

 

 

 

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Mar.6)

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We Get Letters, Alpine Backcountry Primer, Frost’s Funny Poem, History Dartmouth Skiway, Big Green Machine, Collision Video, Guess Aerial Photo Of Resort, Weather Ahead.

Dear Readers:

Our 2020 SeniorsSkiing.com February Fundraiser is officially over, however, the donation page will remain open. We are overwhelmed by the response from so many of you.  Your contributions will go a long way in helping defray the expenses incurred in putting out an online magazine, an expense that grows as our subscriber base grows.

Throughout the month, we’ve been getting emails and snail mails with notes from you that are incredibly sustaining to us. We are proud to have provided a forum for seniors’ interests in the snow sports world and even in the active senior world. Frankly, your validation about what we are doing feels darn good. Here’s a sample of comments:

From Lynn and Alice:

Hope you got my donation last week.  I just cannot believe that you have 20,000 subscribers!! [Editor Note: Not there quite yet. We anticipate that number by the end of the season.] And, here, I thought that I was one of very few 74 year old women who get so overly excited when they see an untouched glade on the mountain!  😍

Soon, you will outdo the printed ski mags—once so popular and so celebrated—but who now are sadly R.I.P. I did say to my sister about 20 years ago, “Somehow I can’t imagine us not wanting to still be riding these chair lifts in a quarter of a century! And I just know that the ‘Free Lift Pass for over-65’ will have climbed to ‘over-90’.  Such is life!  At this rate, she and I will NEVER make it to a ‘Free Lift Pass’  It’s the ‘Jedenoff Gang’, who will be the Spoilers for us!!  Long may they reign and ski!

Your newsletter—seriously—is far more informative (and funny) than those “resting giants”—the old ski mags—had come to be by the time they met their demise.

You all do a wonderful job and, believe me, we all appreciate it!

From Bruce:

Your reports motivate me to keep working and skiing.

From Kate:

Love what you are doing, love the tote.

From Gail and Tom:

Really enjoy SeniorsSkiing. We ski for free at Alta now.

From Marilyn:

Keep up the good writing and work!

From Richard:

If you ever venture up to Maine to ski, give me a call.

From Bruce and Mary Lou:

We read almost everything published in SeniorsSkiing and I think we get more value from your publication than we do from our Ski Magazine subscription.  Keep up the good writing!  We’ll see you out on the slopes some day.

Thank you, dear readers.  We are touched. Premiums are being sent out over the next couple of weeks.

This Week

Backcountry skiing is different, requires planning and gear. Credit: Bolton Valley

Correspondent Tamsin Venn introduces us to a relatively new snow sport: Alpine Backcountry skiing. It requires new equipment, preparation, and planning.  Her article tells you what to do and not do when you go off piste.  Her report comes from Bolton Valley’s Alpine Backcountry area.

Our Snow In Literature series features a Robert Frost poem that highlights the mischievous nature of the month of March. You’ll get a laugh at the last line. Kind of unusual for Robert.

Correspondent Roger Lohr shows us what its like to ski the famous, venerable Dartmouth Skiway. This area is one of the early venues for skiing and the long-time training site for many ski teams. Check out the green-colored lodge.  It is Dartmouth, after all.

Speaking of green, snow machines are also going green.  Here’s a report from Harriet Wallis about the new PistenBully hybrid snow groomer at Alta. Many ski resorts are making investments in green, sustainable energy sources. Expect to hear about more machines like this at ski resorts in the future.

Skier hits boarder from behind. We have a new Incidents & Accidents report from reader Randall White who shows us a video of his collision with a snowboarder.  Now, that’s a complete reversal of the kind of incidents we’ve been reporting.  Find out why the collision happened. Randall did a great job analyzing the conditions that led to the impact.

Yes, indeed, it was Lucille Ball at the Mittersill Alpine Resort in last week’s Mystery Glimpse. This week we have an aerial photograph of a notable ski area. Can you guess which one? Not easy.

Finally, Herb Stevens, our Skiing Weatherman, tells us what to expect in next week’s weather. Spring is coming, but there’s still lots of activity in the atmosphere.

Once again, thank you so much for your support. And, tell your friends about SeniorsSkiing.com. Remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

 

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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I was in a place I shouldn’t have been. When I entered the gate, I thought I had been on this part of the mountain years earlier. But as I descended, nothing about it seemed familiar.

 

It was steep beyond my comfort. There were bumps and trees, and the surface was getting icy. Signs on the trees warned this was a cliff area.

At my age, this was no place to be skiing alone.

I heard scraping skis below me and saw someone near a rope line skiing to the left. 

Then I was alone. My skis were long past their useful life. My goggles kept fogging. I had a phone, but not a whistle. It was at home in a pack. No use to me now.

Before passing through the gate, someone had warned me not to go. I said not to worry, I knew what I was getting in to.

That was a mistake. Steep, Icy surface. Tight trees. 

I wasn’t scared, but I had lost confidence. Side-slipping and kick turns were all I could muster. Even when I found a stretch of softer snow, I couldn’t bring myself to make a few turns. 

It was beautiful in there. Cliffs above and below; twisted trunks rising to blue sky. Quiet.

How would someone find me? Maybe they’ll start looking when my car is the only one left in the lot?

Eventually, I saw a trail.

I must have been in there 30 or 40 minutes. It’s unlikely I’ll try it again, but if I do, it will be on better skis, I’ll have a whistle, and I won’t be in there alone.

Vail Announces Northeast Passes and Rewards Program

Vail just announced two regional passes for the Northeast (US). The Northeast Value Pass (adults, $599; college students, $419) provides unlimited, restricted access to Okemo, Mount Snow and Hunter, 10 restricted days at Stowe, plus unlimited, unrestricted access to Wildcat, Attitash, Mount Sunapee, Crotched, Liberty, Whitetail, Roundtop and more. The Northeast Midweek Pass ($449) has similar access, but restricted to Monday through Friday, and five restricted midweek days at Stowe. 

Vail also announced ‘Epic Mountain Rewards,’ which gives pass holders a discount of 20 percent off food and beverage, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more at the Company’s North American owned and operated resorts.

For details, click here. 

2020-21 IKON Pass Discount

Renew your Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass before Wednesday, April 22, and (depending on the pass) get up to $100 on next season’s IKON Pass.

When Skiing Utah, Visit The Lift House

My first visit to a ski shop was when I was 10. It was a narrow and deep store in Albany, NY, and what I remember most is the rich smell of leather boots. Over the years I’ve been in many ski shops: some okay, some quite good, and some terrific. Spending much of the winter in Utah, I’ve been reminded that The Lift House, the venerable store near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, is an absolutely terrific place. Its location is ideal for people skiing Alta, Snowbird, Solitude or Brighton. It is consistently well-stocked with the top equipment and clothing brands. And the personnel are knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. Years ago, when we visited with kids in tow, The Lift House is where we rented. Over the years, it’s one of the places I’ve relied on for quality tunes. It’s the kind of place with a deep inventory of useful accessories And when they have a sale, they really mean it. Many people stop on the way to the mountain to purchase discount lift tickets. For example, a weekday at Snowbird costs $130. At The Lift House, it’s $97. An Alta day pass is $125. At The Lift House it’s $105, a better deal than the $119 if purchased directly from Alta online. There are other excellent shops in the area, most with similar brands, some specializing in only the most expensive ski and casual clothing. When headed in the direction of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, The Lift House is highly recommended.

International Skiing History Association

The International Skiing History Association (ISHA) is the non-profit with the mission of preserving and advancing knowledge of ski history and increasing awareness of skiing’s heritage. ISHA publishes Skiing History magazine the bimonthly filled with interesting articles and great illustrations. A six-month digital subscription is free. Click here or on the adjacent ad to subscribe.

Two more things from ISHA:

  • As a member ($49 annually; $59 international members) you’ll receive hard copies of Skiing History and have access to the organization’s digital archives. Among other things, you’ll find a guide to more than 160 ski museums and collections in 22 countries.
  • If you’re attending Skiing History Week in Sun Valley, March 25-28, sign up for ISHA’s annual Awards Banquet. Click here for details.

How Snowbird Trails Got Their Names

It’s not that often that we get to know the stories behind the trail names. The Snowbird website has a wonderful short article about how many of its trails were named. Written by frequent SeniorsSkiing.com contributor, Harriet Wallis, it’s informative and amusing. Who wouldda thunk that the West Second South trail refers to Salt Lake City’s long gone red light district? It’s an easy trail named for a the street of easy women.

This Self-Massage Device is Essential for Older Skiers

Last year, a skier friend recommended the Tiger Tail, a highly effective self-massage tool that doesn’t require getting on the floor, like you do with a foam roller. OMG!!! What a fantastic device! I get off the mountain and roll out my quads. At home, when my calves start to cramp, Tiger Tail comes to my immediate rescue. The company’s website is rich with useful text, picture and video instructions. Last month at the big industry trade show in Denver, I met Spring Faussette, who invented Tiger Tail and owns the company. She’s offering SeniorsSkiing.com readers a discount code for 30% off Tiger Tail and the company’s other products. Visit the Tiger Tail website and enter snowski50 during checkout to receive the discount.

Mont-Tremblant, Extends Season

The Quebec area will be open through April 19, and kids under accompanied by an adult will ski free.

Herb Stevens

Skiing Weatherman: Cold Air Scarce In The East

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What’s The Matter With The Polar Vortex?

The past week brought light to moderate snows to much of the West, including some much needed snow in the Sierra, a region that has missed out on storms for much of this winter. A three-day storm last weekend was very productive from the snow belt areas downwind of the Great Lakes through the higher peaks of northern New York and northern New England. Stowe, Smuggler’s Notch, and Jay Peak in Vermont were the lottery winners, with over three feet of snow piling up. A good friend and Stowe skier told me that every turn in the woods last Saturday produced a “face shot” of powder! My favorite resort in the world, Mont Sutton in Quebec, just over the border from Jay, had a three foot dump, as well, and their phenomenal “su bois” (glade) skiing was the best of the season.

While most of the West has enjoyed frequent snows through the heart of the winter, the eastern half of the country has had trouble lining up storms on favorable tracks, and snowmaking temps have been spotty, especially south of I-90. There have been several major snows across the far north, and at elevation, but even in those areas, mixed precip events have also passed through. The main problem has been pretty simple: a lack of deep cold air masses AND a lack of staying power of the cold air that managed to push south. In this piece, I thought I would touch on the reasons why cold air has been hard to come by this winter.

For most of the season, a low pressure center at the upper levels of the atmosphere has been sitting over the western portions of the Arctic. The Polar Vortex typically meanders around the high latitudes, and occasionally weakens and breaks down, and that is when chunks of very cold air migrate southward into the mid-latitudes, often supporting snowstorms in the process. Occasionally, the vortex moves bodily southward, and that is when we see the coldest air reach the U.S. This winter, the PV has been remarkably persistent in its size and position, and that has greatly limited the amount of available cold air. Here is a map of the jet stream showing the current PV.

So, cold air has been scarce and when it has managed to find the eastern half of the country, it has seldom lasted more than a couple of days before milder air returned. The lack of staying power is related to the lack of a blocking pattern over the North Atlantic. A high pressure ridge over Greenland does a nice job of buckling the jet stream over the U.S. in winter, allowing cold air masses to hang around and help produce multiple snow events. That ridge has been missing much of the winter, resulting in a flat jet stream flow across the country, which has tapped milder Pacific air and pumped it into the pattern. Here is a diagram to illustrate.

Notice there’s a low pressure center near Greenland, not the usual high pressure ridge. The counter-clockwise circulation around that feature helps sweep any cold off the east coast and out to sea. There are signs that the flow may be buckling more from mid-month on, which would help generate late snows and sustain the eastern season into April. We shall see.

Here Are The Regional Details.

Northwest U.S./western Canada: Trough offshore brings moderate to heavy snow into next week. After a couple of dry days, a stronger trough comes ashore with heavy snow later next week. The epic season continues.

Sierra: Trough digs down the coast from the NW over the weekend, producing light to moderate snows. Dry early next week, with southern branch trough moving inland late next week, bringing significant snow to the southern Sierra.

Northern Rockies: Weakening troughs produces light snow over the weekend into early next week. Next shot at major snow late next week from northern branch system.

Central and southern Rockies: Ridge aloft early with mild temps. Light snow later this weekend. Next significant storm late next week.

Midwest: Mild weekend with surfaces softening.   Lower Lakes looking at potential snow event later next week. No lake effect events in next week.

Northeast/Quebec: Nice weekend on the slopes. Next potential storm mid to late next week, likely another elevation event.

Tamsin Venn

Alpine Backcountry Touring Primer In Bolton Valley

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Three Things to Do And Not To Do While Alpine Backcountry Touring.

Backcountry skiing is different, requires planning and gear. Credit: Bolton Valley

For those who have never tried Alpine Touring, Bolton Valley near Burlington, Vt., offers an intro to backcountry skiing every Saturday morning out of the spacious Sports Center near the main lifts.

That is due to a recent change in Bolton Valley ownership. Three years ago former owner Ralph DesLauriers, his son Evan, and local partners bought back the well-loved ski resort.

Alex describes the required gear. Credit: Tamsin Venn

An avid backcountry enthusiast, Ralph’s other son Adam developed a unique backcountry and split boarding program to fully enjoy the 1,200 acres of terrain here. Ralph’s daughter Lindsay who is president of the organization is another fan.

In Alpine Touring, you skin up the mountain with your heels free on lightweight, Alpine-like equipment then lock in and ski down. It’s called “earning your turns.”

We were lucky to have as our guide Medevac helicopter pilot Alek Jadkowski who was patient and clear with us newbies. Indoors we learned how to secure the toe, adjust the heel lifts for uphill climbing, then lock into downhill mode, and put on skins. We followed Alek uphill to nearby Holden’s Hollow Glades and soon were all whooping it up between the trees in thigh-deep snow having caught our fearless leader’s joyous enthusiasm.

Here are three things Alek recommends when starting out in this fast growing sport.

What Not To Do:

1) Don’t ski alone. It’s possible to injure yourself so you can’t even call for help; you need someone else to do that.

2) Don’t get lost. It doesn’t necessarily require a map or compass. You can use GPS or a map on your phone; how you keep track of your location is up to you. Carry a phone battery booster; take into account you may be out of cell service range.

3) Don’t drop your skins in the snow. They will lose their grip and with it your uphill power. Fold them carefully when removing them. Stash them in your pack.

What To Do:

1) Wear a helmet. Travel uphill with a lightweight beanie but downhill protect your head from possible tree contact. Wear goggles to protect your eyes from tree branches.

2) Know what weather to expect and dress for it. You get hot and sweaty climbing uphill and chilled when you stop to switch gear and ski down. Layer your clothing, carry a backpack so you can shed layers and put them back on. Slow your climb if overheating. Drink plenty of water.

3) Do have fun. Go and ski something you are going to enjoy; find the level that suits you; do something that makes you happy.

Where: Bolton Valley Resort and Mt. Mansfied State Forest. 100 km trail and glade network

Learn: Intro clinic every Saturday, (9:30 to noon). Cost $60 includes two hours of guided skiing but not rental gear. Private guiding and lessons also offered.

Fees: NBU (Nordic/Backcountry/Uphill) day pass $13 for seniors (65 plus). Senior Season pass $149; age 75 plus $79.

Gear: State-of-the-art rentals of Dynafit Alpine Touring ski equipment, $60 a day.

Gimme Shelter: BV has added a warming tent in its backcountry glades.

Getting ready to go Alpine Backcountry with friends. Credit: Tamsin Venn

 

Roger Lohr

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Historic Dartmouth SkiWay

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Big Mountain Fun And Small Mountain Friendly With History All Around.

Corduroy in the morning. Dartmouth Skiway has a mix of twisty narrow and open groomers. Credit: TheSnowWay.com

Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme Center, NH was founded in 1956. After six decades the ski area has recently hired only the fourth director in its history. Mark Adamczyk who was the director of outdoor adventure at the Winter Park Resort in Colorado will replace Doug Holler, who is retiring at the end of this season after 19 years on the job.

The Skiway rock guards the entrance to the big, green lodge. That’s Dartmouth green, BTW. Credit: Roger Lohe

The Skiway as it is known locally is family-friendly and reasonably priced with 20-30 runs of terrain that will serve first timers or challenge skiers and riders of all ages and abilities. One-on-one teaching for beginners through advanced skiing is a tradition at the ski area that includes two mountains, a clean, comfortable lodge, a rental shop, and a food court. Visit the area and you’ll see not only kids learning to ski in a beginner area and older skiers doing snowplow turns on the trails, but also ski racers from Dartmouth College training and clacking through the gates.

The Holt’s Ledge side of the resort has a double chair while there is a quad chair and a conveyer lift on the Winslow side. The McLane Family Lodge is open and airy with plenty of space. The large wooden tables and benches and stone fireplace give the lodge a rustic appeal of skiing in the old days. You’ll see after-school groups at the Skiway during the week, but even on weekends the slopes are uncrowded and the lift lines minimal. Dartmouth Skiway has more than 100 skiable acres including tight off-piste trails and glades for advanced patrons, 968 foot vertical drop, and 16,000 square foot lodge.

Watching the races at the Holt’s Ledge, circa 1960. Credit: Dartmouth.edu

This area is quite historical in the world of skiing and ski racing. More than 100 national and Olympic champions have trained at Dartmouth Skiway. The Dartmouth Skiing Wall of Fame on the first floor of the lodge reveals a Who’s Who of ski legends.

Calling the lift ticket prices at Dartmouth Skiway reasonable is an understatement. Adult midweek lift passes are $33 (weekend $58) and half day prices available for morning or afternoon are available for only $28. Prices are lower for teens and children while senior skiers pay only $27 a day or $22 for a half day, and super seniors age 80 and over ski or ride for free! There are low priced season leases for equipment and packages to learn skiing or riding (with private lessons). The beginner area is $14 all day, and there is a Skiway Special on Monday and Tuesday for $23 during non-holiday periods.

From a personal view, the Skiway was about 15 minutes from my home in Hanover, and much of my family ski lore occurred there. Each day of the week there was a different town after-school ski program. I ran the Ford Sayre snowboard program for a number of years there, hiring Hanover High School kids (including my son and daughter) to teach and chaperone hundreds of younger kids in small groups. On a recent visit to the Skiway following a full day snowstorm, I was greeted by the woman at the ticket window stating, “Some things never change, it’s no surprise seeing you here on a powder day.” Riding on and off trail with my kids at Dartmouth Skiway is a deep-rooted part of my family history and on-snow soul.

Dartmouth Skiway is 15 minutes from I-91 Exit 14. For more information  click here. 603-795-2143.

For a Dartmouth Skiway trail map, click here.

For Dartmouth Skiway web cam, click here.

Skiway has a museum in the lodge reflecting 60+ years of history. Credit: Roger Lohr.

Harriet Wallis

There’s A Big Green Machine At A Few U.S. Resorts

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It’s More Than A Pretty Paint Job. It’s The World’s First Hybrid Snow Groomer.

Up the hill goes the PistenBully. Quietly. Credit: PistenBully

On the outside, it looks pretty much like all the others in a resort’s fleet. It has a fierce-looking blade up front, a cab in the middle, and a corduroy-making tiller behind. What’s “under the hood” makes the green groomer special.

The PistenBully 600 E+ is on the forefront of environmental kindness. It uses 20 percent less fuel, and its carbon emissions are reduced by 20 percent. In addition, there’s a major reduction in particles released. And it’s also quieter.

Those are major factors because grooming operations go on all night, every night, all season long, manicuring the snow into fresh corduroy for skiers every morning.

The green groomer is called the E+ because it makes its own electricity. That electricity powers its work-horse equipment including its tank-like tracks and its huge corduroy-making tiller. It’s a hybrid!  It’s the world’s first diesel-electric snow groomer.

Alta got one of the very first PistenBully 600 E+ in the country. “The 600 E+ is a step towards the future just as we are seeing with electric cars,” said Buck Boley, Alta’s Director of Equipment Operations. “It’s a great snowcat, and we are happy to have one.”

Other resorts that have a 600 E+ include: Bromley, Cranmore, Jiminy Peak, Park City, Heavenly, Alpine Valley, WI, and Crystal Mountain, WA.

The groomer has joystick and lots of knobs and dials. A steep learning curve. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Taking a snow groomer for a test drive and getting it delivered is more complicated than buying a new car. Alta’s came from Peterson Equipment, the regional, Utah-based PistonBully dealer that’s been in the groomer business for nearly 60 years and was named the top snow groomer dealer in North America. Alta, now in its 82nd year, has earned many awards for its environmental commitment and leadership, so its 600E+ fits right in as a strategy to reduce environmental impact.

Looking to the future, total electric groomers are being tested, but they’re not yet ready for production, said Eric Kircher, a PistenBully Trainer and Technical Advisor. Kircher is an expert who travels to resorts to teach the fine points of groomer operation.

Nitty Gritty Specs About The PistenBully 600 E+

Where Manufactured: Germany

Engine: 6-cylinder, in-line Mercedes Benz

Fuel and Tank: 73 gallons, diesel

Speed: 12 mph, continuously variable depending on the work it’s doing

Torque: Its electric motors have full torque as soon as  they start to turn at very low engine rpm.

Turning Radius: On the spot

Weight: About 10 tons

Cost: About the same as a large house.

mikemaginn

Mystery Glimpse: From The Air

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What Are We Looking At?

Thanks to a friendly aviator, we have this magnificent, recent (last week) view of a most formidable mountain resort.  How’s your pattern recognition?  Can tell us where it is? Major hint: That wide trail to the right is used for racing team practice.

Last Week

Yes, Lucille Ball visiting the Mittersill Alpine Resort in Franconia, NH, probably in the early-mid 60s. The man on the left is Gary Morton, her second husband, not her “I Love Lucy” husband-partner Desi Arnaz.

She and Desi can be credited with creating the sitcom format. Among her many other achievements was becoming the first female head of a major television-film production company, Desilu Productions. Her biography doesn’t reveal her attraction to snow country, however.

We can only guess she was a guest of Baron Hubert von Pantz, Mittersill’s founder and aristocratic host.

Desi, Jr., down in front looks like he could use a hot chocolate.

This photo is currently on display in the lobby of the Mittersill Alpine Resort along with other momentos of the hotel’s history.  Among those is a page from the hotel registry featuring the signature of Princess Elizabeth, soon to be Queen, on a stop over trip during her tour of Canada.

 

 

 

seniorsskiing

Incidents & Accidents: 9

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Funneled With No Place To Go.

Who: Randall White

Where: Mt St Louis, Ontario, Canada, near Toronto

What Happened: Skier-snowboarder collision at convergence and crossover of blue ski runs. These were moderate to high speed runs without any warning signs, and it was a crowded day.  See recorded GoPro video for a detailed visual account of the accident, and thoughts on improvements.

Role of Ski Patrol: Neither person was seriously injured or required transport, so Patrol not called. The protocol at this ski area is for Patrol to take a “not injured statement and signature” from people.  That is for relief of liability. 

Lessons Learned:  Read maps carefully, ski off to the side of the run in busy intersections, go slow, and watch out for fast skiers behind you. Runs with funnel points should be avoided or approached with caution.

Advice: Wear a flashing red bicycle light on your helmet aimed behind you. Choose one of very high lumens for daylight visibility.  That may help reduce the probability of rear end collisions. 

Action: Make a report to the manager of Ski Patrol, or the GM of the ski area for such hazardous conditions.  Suggest that they install metering chicanes in such locations to slow skiers down and allow for safer crossovers and merges. See video.

For Prevention:  Stay away from overcrowded ski slopes that are too close to large metropolitan areas. There are inherent hazards/accidents that while preventable, are unlikely to be corrected by the ski area operators.  

CLICK BELOW TO SEE RANDALL’S STORY AND ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSE.

 

weather
seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Feb. 28)

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What Is It With February? Trapp Family XC Tour And Beer, XC Clothing That Works, Funny Keep-Warm Tips, Safety Survey, Mystery Celeb, Doing The Chutes At DV, Weather Next Week.

“The most serious charge which can be brought against New England is not Puritanism, but February. Spring is too far away to comfort even by anticipation, and winter long ago lost the charm of novelty. This is the very three a.m. of the calendar.” Joseph Wood Krutch

“Why does February feel like one big Tuesday?” Todd Stocker

“While it is February one can taste the full joys of anticipation. Spring stands at the gate with her finger on the latch. ” Patience Strong

“February is the border between winter and spring.”   Terri Guillemets

“Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what’s the matter,
That you have such a February face,
So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?” William Shakespeare, Much Ado about Nothing

“Late February, and the air’s so balmy
snowdrops and crocuses might be fooled
into early blooming. Then, the inevitable blizzard
will come, blighting our harbingers of spring,
and the numbed yards will go back undercover.” Gail Mazur, “The Idea of Florida During a Winter Thaw,” The Common, 1995

“Late February days; and now, at last,
Might you have thought that winter’s woe was past;
So fair the sky was, and so soft the air.” William Morris, “February: Bellerophon in Lycia,” The Earthly Paradise: A Poem, 1870

February is the bridge we cross over into spring.  It’s the month that hosts the mid-point of winter. You can feel the change happening in the longer hours of sunshine and the odd day that reaches far above average temperatures. To some, February’s end brings spring in the mountains, enjoying the snowpack with suntan lotion on nose and your extra layer tied around your waist or balled up in your pocket.  To others, the burning need to get in some more swings and turns gets amped up: Gotta do it now because it’s all on a downhill calendar. Take that trip out West; it’s high season.  To still others, the season’s end is just a couple of weekends away.

So, what is it with February? We’re halfway done, but there’s a whole other half ahead. Fifty percent of the season is about to unfold. And, in completely different ways than the first half. More sun, longer days, changing snow conditions. According to this season’s winter weather predictions, the forecasts were more or less on target. The West (minus California) has hit snow base records; the East continues to a be a swirl of snowy days, rain, warm temps, freezes, and repeat, exactly the “mixed, wet and wild” prediction that NOAA forecast. 

The end of February signals one more big vacation week ahead to look forward to for the season. Spring Break brings the last waltz for a lot folks who don’t live close to resorts, who live near resorts whose snow bases are thin, who have boats to uncover, tennis leagues to form, bike rides to plan.

But wait.

February might be the middle, but March, ah, March, is the impish one, the spoiler with more days to work with, more volatility in the air, more history of being mischievous. Hope for a sudden, out of nowhere and strong Nor’easter to cover every ski hill from West Virginia to Maine, and you might get your wish. Yes, we can see Spring on the horizon in February, but no one can tell what March is up to, and that’s coming up next.

This Week

Nose cone fashion statement? Credit: Harriet Wallis

We rejoin our Incidents & Accidents series with the recounting of yet another hit-from-behind story.  The lessons learned, however, might be a little more nuanced than the ones we’ve seen previously. Thanks to Arlene Condon Maginn for the report.

SeniorsSkiing.com is asking its readers to complete a survey provided by the Snowsports Safety Foundation, a non-profit that is seeking input on safety matters at ski resorts.  Please offer your perspectives and opinions; this is a good cause.  The survey is quite short, the questions are clear; shouldn’t take more than five minutes.

George and Jon at Alta.

Of all people, co-publisher Jon Weisberg bumped into the 103-year-old George Jedenoff, the legendary skier who is the senior-most senior skier of all.  Check out Jon’s story about skiing with George at Alta this week.

Correspondent Pat McCloskey rips up the notion that Deer Valley is overly intermediate. Check out his story about handling the Daly Chutes at DV.  The video is pretty cool, too.

New England-based correspondent Tamsin Venn visited the Trapp Family Lodge, toured up to a remote cabin, and returned to the Trapp Bierhall, all in one day. If you love Nordic skiing, or you want a break from Alpine, consider a cross-country vacation at either Trapp Family Lodge, or any other resort that caters to xc. For a listing of those, check out XCSkiResorts.com.

Northern VT mountain-scape on the way to the Slayton Lodge. Credit: Tamsin Venn

This week’s Mystery Glimpse is another relatively easy one.  Name the famous television celeb on a visit with her family to the Mittersill Alpine Resort, Franconia, NH.  We also reveal the name of the artist whose watercolor adorns the walls of the New England Ski Museum’s North Conway Branch.  Not a Wyeth, but sorta close.

Utah-based correspondent Harriet Wallis has some fun with her “recipes” for handling cold noses and feet.  Practical advice from some inventive senior skiers.

SeniorsSkiing.com’s cross-country editor and publisher of XCSkiResorts.com Roger Lohr offers his advice on the latest xc clothing to wear. As in, don’t wear your parka.  There’s more.

Finally, Herb Stevens checks in with his view of what’s happening in the atmosphere. As we mentioned above, you can never tell what will happen in March, and Herb has a nascent Nor’easter on his scope for the end of the first week.  Stay tuned. Click here for the outlook.

Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com.  Thanks for contributing to our February Fundraiser; premiums will be going out soon.

Tell your friends about us and remember, there are more of us every day and we aren’t going away.