Tag Archive for: SeniorsSkiing.com

Murray Sandman

My DIY Dolomite Ski Adventure

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With 450+ lifts, the Dolomiti in northern Italy is the largest ski region on the planet. This UNESCO World Heritage site is beautiful, historically and culturally interesting and overall, outstanding.

DOLOMITI SUPERSKI represents the area’s twelve regions, some quite famous (A portion of the 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo), others individually unique. Best of all they can be accessed using a single RFID pass, which includes use of an expansive network of regional buses. Seniors (those born before November 30, 1954) get discounts on already low ticket prices. Click here for 2019-2020 ticket prices.

Climate Change now requires illogical and calculated guesses when planning long ski trips from ‘down-under’.  Mine began mid-February with 2 flights, a bus, a train, another train, and finally the local bus from Bolzano to the Val Gardena region – a tiring 27-hour journey.

My goal was to ski the famed Sellaronda ski circuit covering four Dolomite passes around the Sella massif. I would be there for three weeks, and during that time, I chose to change lodging only three times. It was a good plan created with the help of the local tourist office and one that easily can be followed by others. 

I started in the northern Dolomites. St. Cristina and Selva are ideal base locations offering plenty of lodging and dining options and providing easy access to skiing throughout Val Gardena. My first lodging was Garni Cir, a small BnB in St. Cristina. The next morning I caught a bus to the base area where I purchased my Dolomiti Superski Pass and took the Saslong gondola. The majority of slopes in the St. Cristina–Selva area are steepish and perfectly groomed; more relaxing intermediate slopes are on the Alpe Di Siusi slopes above Ortisei. 

My ski week in Val Gardena included first tracks on the World Cup slopes above St. Cristina and Selva, plunging down the steep skiers’ left off the Plan De Gralba cable car, and non-stop skiing the Saslong’s slick and bumpy pitch late one afternoon.

After 6 perfect days it was time to move from Val Gardena to the Val Di Fassa region. 

I took a local bus back to Bolzano, where I checked my luggage at the train station and visited the museum housing Oetzi, the world’s oldest “wet” mummy. This is a must-see for anyone visiting the region.

Reconstruction: Alfons & Adrie Kennis © South Tyrol Museum Archaeology/Ochsenreiter

After a stroll through this lovely small city, I caught the regional bus to Campitello, where I checked into the Tobia Hotel-Restaurant-Bar on the village piazza. Campitello is a rustic village with easy access to the slopes above Canazei-Alba and the off-piste steeps around Arabba. On route, I met two university students coincidentally staying at the same place. Both, I soon discovered, were excellent skiers and fun companions.

The next several days, we skied Canazei, Alba, Arabba, Marmolada and the Pozza di Fassa region. It was exhilarating and exhausting!

My next stop, a bus ride from Campitello, was San Martino Di Castrozza. On the way we crossed the beautiful Passo Rolle Pass before descending steep switchbacks into the town. I honestly think San Marino Di Castrozza is one of the world’s most beautiful mountain resorts. Surrounded by seriously steep peaks, it is a gateway to several ski areas. On this, the last leg of my Dolomiti journey, I stayed at Albergo BnB, a pretty place within walking distance of the new Ces gondola.

The mountains above San Martino Di Castrozza. Credit Murray Sandman

When I was there the snow was hard and fast, especially off the Tognola peaks and the Coston and Direttissima chairs. Many off-piste slopes are tree-covered and look like they’d be fantastic on a powder day.

It was the end of my three-week do-it-yourself Dolomite ski experience. Accessing my online DOLOMITI SUPERSKI Performance Check, I saw that in 15 days I skied 65,143 downhill meters over 357 kilometres of trials using 130 different lifts. On top of this let me say that the food was fantastic and the skies bright, bright blue. Another great ski trip!

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (June 28)

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Steamboat gets a summer snow dump. Thanks to SnowBrains.

Isn’t It Time For You To Go Home?

We’ve all hosted house parties where one or more guests have decided to hang around long after everyone else has gone. Perhaps the table has been cleared, dishes stacked, and the corks put back in bottles. Perhaps the hostess has gone to bed with a telling backward look. Yet, here they are, discussing with vigor something about something.

Is this not the case with this year’s never-ending ski season? At last look, there were at least four areas still operating, some on weekends, but nevertheless. SnowBrains reports the summer skiing is “unbelievable” at Mammoth. Snowbird is winging. A-basin is open, too, with snow STILL falling in Colorado. Always a late closer, Timberline Lodge is going to end end of August. Although it is closed, Steamboat got a 20″ dump last weekend. Something happening here.

La Parva, Chile, sunset through the icicles. Credit: Casey Earle

Amazingly, this “season” appears to have no end, now running consecutively with resorts in Australia, New Zealand, and South America whose season has just started.

And so we wonder, gentle readers, is it time to call it a season? Or not. Please tell us if you are still out there. More importantly, what keeps you going into the summer? Curious minds want to know. Drop a comment down below in the Comment Box.

Speaking of Latin America, our Chile-based correspondent Casey Earle offers a resort review of La Parva, right outside of Santiago. Check out the webcam links in the story. Lotsa snow there, too.

Riding the foothills of the Tucson Range. Credit: White Stallion Ranch

Even if the snow season refuses to shift, this week we are on to different topics. Pat McCloskey discovers a brand of ultra great maple syrup from Vermont’s famous Cochran ski-racing family that he simply has to write about. Our ever-traveling correspondent Yvette Cardozo visits a dude ranch…er, guest ranch…giving us a snapshot of yet another non-snow season activity. Did you know legs strong from skiing help you stay on a horse?

Finally, we’re publishing a season summer video diary by correspondent Don Burch. He’s taken the time to document this season with pictures and videos (some taken by ski journalist Peter Hines). Perhaps the idea of a video journal of the season is something that might catch on. At least, watching it might keep you a bit cooler in July.

Off we go into summer. We’re going sailing. What about you? Thanks for reading SeniorsSkiing.com . Wherever you go, remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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This morning only the silver slice of moon interrupted the pure blue sky. 

Capitol Reef NP

The landscape here in south central Utah is exceptional. My summer grounds are at the base of Boulder Mountain, not far from Capitol Reef National Park. Boulder Mountain is the eastern end of the Aquarius Plateau, the highest plateau on the continent. The mountain peaks at 11,328’ and is crowned by an escarpment currently spotted with snow. One north facing section is long enough to get about twenty turns. It probably would take a few hours to get up there and find the spot. More runs would be guaranteed if I drove the 3½ hours to Snowbird, where lifts are still running. It’s a possibility, but a few hours of turns may not be worth the effort.

Last weekend, 20” fell at Steamboat Springs. Snowfall this late in the year is due to a warmer and wetter atmosphere. At cooler, higher elevations it turns to snow. The last time Colorado had this amount of snow in June was 91 years ago.

If you’re fortunate to live close to Snowbird, Mammoth, Squaw Valley, Arapahoe Basin or Timberline Lodge, you may be enjoying an extended season. I’m envious. 

If you plan to be visiting my corner of the West, please let me know (jon@seniorsskiing.com).

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Elan Introduces First Foldable Ski

Elan’s new folding ski

Elan’s Ibex Tactix is the world’s first foldable ski. Made for backcountry, skis, bindings and skins weigh in at 5.5kg. The 163cm skis use a folding mechanism that reduces skis to 90cm for easier transport. The company’s claim that the package is good for all conditions is demonstrated in this video.

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Many National Parks Plagued by Air Pollution

Ninety-six percent of America’s national parks are plagued by significant air pollution problems reports the National Parks Conservation Association. The group evaluated air, haze, and soil and water pollution in 417 national parks. The results are available in NPCA’s report, Polluted Parks: How America is failing to protect our national parks. NPCA is the leading voice safeguarding America’s national parks. 

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Alta’s (Now Past) Ski and History Tour with Alan Engen

For many years, Alan Engen served as Alta’s Director of Skiing. Alan is a strong contributor to the history of skiing in the Intermountain West and was the driving force behind the Alf Engen Ski Museum in Park City (named for his father, one of Alta’s founding fathers). Alan took great pleasure in sharing Alta’s history and its terrain with its senior visitors. This poster announcing the program is from the late 1990’s.

Videos Worth Watching

I recently stumbled across this 7-minute review of skiing in the US from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. It’s great fun. 

This 8-minute instructional film from 1941 appears to be a US Army production explaining skis, bindings, boots, and skins. The difference between then and now is amazing!!! 

The History of Alpine Skiing shows the evolution of the sport from its earliest days. Produced by Alpine Life, the video is about 12 minutes.

Yvette Cardozo

Non-Snow Activities: Dude Ranchin’

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From Yodeling To Yippee-ing, Yvette Rides The Range.

Riding the foothills of the Tucson Range. Credit: White Stallion Ranch

 I’m not sure if skiing gets you into shape for horseback riding or vice versa, but, yes, a lot of the same muscles are at play. 

Either way, both take strong legs.

I confirmed all of this at White Stallion Ranch just outside Tucson, AZ at the end of last ski season. 

I packed my schedule full because I wanted to do EVERYthing. 

So on my first day, I went on the slow mountain horseback ride. We left the main ranch compound and sauntered leisurely across the valley, following a well worn path through the cactus.

Fast ride. Credit: White Stallion Ranch

At the foot of the volcanic, granite hills of the Tucson Range, we headed up via a rocky trail, passed the tall fingers of saguaro cactus and all sorts of blooming brush: yellow, purple, violet flowers. All in all, a great intro to the ranch rides.

There are also breakfast rides, wine and cheese rides, and a beer and Cheetos ride. Yum.

Such is life at one of the two remaining guest (aka dude) ranches in the Tucson area. Not that many years ago there were a hundred but population growth and development swallowed them one by one.

The White Stallion Ranch has been around since the turn of the 20th Century, first as a cattle ranch, and later home to 30,000 chickens.  In 1945, it became a guest ranch. The True family bought it in 1965, and. when they saw that the area guest ranches had already dwindled to about 30, they started buying land and adding rooms. Today, the 3,000 acre ranch has 43 rooms, a five bedroom hacienda, 160 horses, 120 cows, and wranglers on hand to lead rides, teach, tend to the livestock, cook and all the rest.

 For me, it wasn’t all riding. A couple of mornings I went shooting. I’ve only touched a gun once before in my life, but Bob and Sharon Callan will talk you through everything, how to aim, how to cock the guns, how not to accidentally blow your head off.

They’ve run the firearms training program for the Tucson police department, so they’re used to teaching.

You get to use a six shooter and a rifle, and there’s a set of steel plate targets.

“Consider all guns loaded and don’t point at anything you don’t want to shoot,” Sharon said. And added, “You can shoot the pistol one handed, but if you want to hit something, use two.”

All those cowboy movies where folks at a gallop shooting one-handed pick off the bad guys? Not on your life.

Western star Loop Rawlins does rope tricks during evening entertainment at White Stallion Ranch. Credit: Yvette Cardozo

I also did the movie tour by van. 

The ranch has been a popular site for movies since the 1930s. And for good reason. It’s literally around the corner from Tucson. You leave the ranch, climb a low hill and there, on the other side are the outskirts of the city. Talk about convenient.

Marty Freese, the ranch’s history guy, took us to all the popular sites where dozens of movies, TV shows, and commercials have been filmed,  including High Chaparral, a Lone Ranger movie and enough others to fill a two-page list.

 Each night there an activity. Bill Ganz sang cowboy songs by a campfire. Phil and Hector brought tarantulas and scorpions and a bearded dragon named Stumpy that attached itself to Phil’s chest like velcro, along with a Burmese python so long, it took nine kids to hold it. 

But the star of the week was Loop Rawlins who is an artist with gun and rope. He kept the Spring Break crowd of kids spellbound as he twirled guns, flipping them into his holster, skipped rope with his lariat and did a finale that involved a flaming, twirling lasso. 

On one of my last days, the ranch held its once-a-week rodeo. It’s sort of Rodeo 101, which is great if you’re like me and have never been to one. Russell True, who was five when his folks bought the place and now pretty much runs it, explained barrel racing, bulldogging, where you ride alongside a steer and jump astride it to bring it down (as bone rattling and dusty as you imagine) and team roping which Russell says he calls “cowboy judo” and is even more frenetic than bulldogging.

I also took a horse riding lesson and discovered all the things I was doing wrong. 

So maybe next time, I can actually get my horse to canter.

For more information on the White Stallion Ranch, click here.

Guests leave the breakfast corral on horseback during a breakfast ride. Blooming hedgehog cactus in foreground. Credit: Yvette Cardozo

Casey Earle

SeniorsSkiing Guide: La Parva, Chile

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La Parva Is A GS Cruiser’s Heaven.

As a first installment on the Three Valleys of ski fame in Chile, I’ll write about La Parva. One hour and a half from the Santiago airport, La Parva is perched up at 8,700 ft on the front side of the Andes, and overlooks the city. The road up involves 40 switchbacks and a vertical rise of 7,000ft.  I do not recommend tackling it during a storm!

The furthest north of the three ski areas, the village rests at the base of the La Parva peak (13,000ft), which itself is a sub-peak of the El Plomo Massif (18,000ft). Stretching for a width of three miles across several watershed— all connected with skiable cat tracks— the area faces mostly west, with the north sides of the valleys collecting the most snow. While this western orientation exposes it to the sun and north wind, often leaving bare ridge lines, it also means snow accumulates in those multiple bowls where the snow is blown, and the sun hardly shines.

On a good year such as this, even the north faces are skiable.

As a bonus, the sunsets over Santiago are wildly beautiful.

To get you up the hill, there are four chairlifts, each serving different terrain, and seven good surface lifts (platters, thank god). In windy weather, the platters are safest, as you can bail out wherever you want. But, with 80% of the days being sunny, and often with no wind, the weather is generally not an issue. Grooming is excellent with no mogul bashing required, ever, but add in 70% of the runs being intermediate level, and this is a GS cruisers heaven. The entire vertical rise of 3,000 ft can be skied in one go, so get the long boards out boys!

The village itself is like a classy suburb of Santiago with no hotels, but several restaurants. Most of the 2,000 or so beds are ski in-out apartments, and the family-oriented atmosphere is manifest in the hoards of little racers out at 9 am sharp every weekend. Racing is the name of the game in La Parva, and while often fun to watch, it does take up some of the best runs, especially when the international teams arrive in August. Fortunately, there is a lot of room in the ski area, especially when the off-piste is in good shape.

Casey finds a lonely route down to the Las Aguilas chair, and the small restaurant at its base.

For lodging, there many private apartments, and a few houses on Airbnb or Booking.com. The village has three restaurants, a bar/disco, and a small grocery store. On the hill, aside from the three restaurants mentioned (all accessible on skis) there are two mid-station restaurants, and a small, occasional, open-air one at 11,400 ft. Careful with the pisco sours, it is a long way down…

For La Parva Trail Map, click here

For La Parva Webcams, click here

Check out the La Parva website here.

Pat McCloskey

Slopeside Syrup: Ski Racing And “Golden Delicate”

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The Cochran Family Makes Maple Syrup And Ski Racers.

Slopeside Sugar House run by ski racing’s famous Cochran family. Credit: Cochran Family

There are a lot of Vermonters and others in the ski racing world who could tell you a lot more about the famous Cochran Family of Richmond, VT.  I have friends who know them personally and tell the tales of the first rope tow that Mickey Cochran built in his back yard with the vision of a community ski facility.  He and his wife Ginny ultimately had four children who all made the U.S. Ski Team and had outstanding success including a  gold Olympic medal for Barbara Ann and a World Cup GS Title for Marilyn.

World Cup GS Champ Marilyn Cochran helps out at Slopeside. Credit: Vermont Sports Hall Of Fame

My friend Mark Hutchinson remembers the time that Mickey’s jacket caught on fire because of all the oil and engine grease embedded in the fabric as a result of countless hours maintaining the tows at Cochran’s.  Today, Cochran’s is a legendary ski training center for young ski racers all over Vermont with coaching and operational duties falling to the Cochran family, relatives, and grandchildren.  They are currently a non-profit ski area with training and races held each winter.  Donations are gratefully accepted at www.cochranskiarea.com/donate But that is not what the subject of this article is.  I am talking pure Vermont Maple Syrup of which I am a true connoisseur or as my friends say, a “common sewer”.

I have this habit of taking pure Vermont Maple Syrup, heated, in a jar when my wife and son and I  go to breakfast.  They look at me with disdain, but I will not use anything else on my hot cakes, waffles, or oatmeal.  I am always on the hunt for the recently re-named “Golden Delicate” syrup that is elusive.

With the re-naming of the descriptions of different grades of syrup by the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association  (www.vermontmaple.org) ,  there has been some confusion as to what is actually the top syrup for consumption.  Personally, I like the lightest syrup currently described as “Golden Delicate”.

Recently, four of the grandchildren—all cousins—of Cochran decent, decided to enter the maple syrup space in Vermont by constructing a timber frame sugar house close to the ski area.  This has expanded since 2010 to an operation of 22,000 taps and PVC collection lines that all feed the operation in the sugar shack.

Maple syrup from Vermont. Hmmmm. Credit: Slopeside

Slopeside Syrup has become the standard bearer for all Vermont syrup, and I am so happy that I found them.  One day, while perusing the Durfee family refrigerator in Lake Tahoe, I came across a bottle of this delectable treat.  I asked Eric Durfee about it as he is a native Vermonter and friend of Marilyn Cochran.  He told me about the operation and how he and Marilyn converse about the old days of ski racing and training to this day.  Turns out that Marilyn helps out occasionally with the syrup operation.  When I ordered several bottles online and told her I was a friend of Eric’s, she wrote me a nice personalized note that she packed in with my order.  That little bit of customer service and kindness will always make me a Slopeside Syrup fan for life.  You should be as well.

Go to www.slopesidesyrup.com, and you will see ordering information as well as some history of the family.  Not often that a World Cup GS Champion will oversee your order.  Take it from me, the “Golden Delicate” is nothing like you have ever tasted before.  Most times when I have ordered the formerly labeled “Grade A Delicate”, I got something less with more of an amber color and traditional taste.  However, the Slopeside Syrup product is truly that elusive grade which I know and love and bring with me to every breakfast.

So treat yourself, buy Slopeside Syrup and support Cochran’s Ski Area for the kids in Vermont.  Not all of them can go to the elite ski academies because of cost. But they can come to Cochran’s, get world class coaching, and immerse themselves in a culture of champions.  Ski racing, and maple syrup.  What a combination.

Two Skiers
seniorsskiing

Ask an Expert: Lodging at Powder Mountain, Utah

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Advice From The Marketing Head of Powder Mountain.

Reader Ellin Jaffe  asks:

I’m curious about Powder Mountain near Eden, Utah, and wonder if there are any ski-in ski-out condos there?

Here’s the reply from J. P. Goulet, Director of Marketing, Powder Mountain:

Powder Mountain has ski-in ski-out luxury homes for rent. There also are many condos available in Eden only four miles from the resort and on the public transportation route. All info can be found at www.powdermountaingetaways.com. 

Powder Ridge Condos and Columbine Inn are other lodging options on mountain. 

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

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (May 31)

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Still Spinning, Still Snowing. Still Going?

In 1816, incessant cold throughout the year drove New Englanders to despair.

In 1816, there was no summer in New England. Six inches of snow fell in June, and it was as low as 40 degrees in Connecticut in July and August.  There was frost every month of the year, and, in May, strong, freezing winds from Canada wiped out tree buds, and frozen birds dropped from the trees.  One 74 degree day in Salem, MA,  was followed by a 21 degree day. Crops didn’t grow, and people went a little crazy. Contemporary observer Samuel Goodrich described the impact of the errant weather on the people of New Hampshire: “At last a kind of despair seized upon the people. In the pressure of adversity, many persons lost their judgment, and thousands feared or felt that New England was destined, henceforth, to become part of the frigid zone.” 

Some pointed to the eruption of Mt. Tambora in Indonesia that ejected massive amounts of ash and debris into the atmosphere as the root cause.  Other scientists say 1816 was part of a mini-ice age lasting from around 1400 to the 1860s. Click here for more on this fascinating event in meteorological history. 

Whatever the cause, New England, and dare we say, a large number of mountain states are experiencing an extension of Winter 2018-19 that is eerily similar to 1816. To wit: It is snowing in mid-May in Colorado.

Credit: WeatherBrains

A new 10-inches in Breckinridge.

Credit: Breckinridge Ski Resort

This was Killington on May 14th.

Killington in mid-May.

Here’s a video from Killington from May 14. Killington is extending the season to at least June 2. It has been 20 years since Killington has been open in June.

And, in the Sierra.

Credit: WeatherBrains.

And Mammoth is going to AUGUST!

Credit: Snowbrains

And so it goes.  A highly unusual year for snowfall and an extended winter. Have you seen closing days like these in recent years?  These resorts are the late-closers for the 2018-19 season.

  • Mt. Hood Meadows Memorial Day
  • Aspen Memorial Day
  • Crystal Mountain Memorial Day
  • Snowbird Weekends until it lasts
  • Whistler Memorial Day
  • Heavenly Weekends
  • Mt. Bachelor Memorial Day
  • Arapahoe Weekends to June 23
  • Breckenridge Weekends to June 9
  • Killington June 2
  • Squaw Valley June 7
  • Mammoth August
  • Timberline Lodge August 31

The question to our readers: If the resorts are still open, and the snow is still falling, are you still skiing? If so, please tell us your story.  What’s it like out there?  Who else is skiing this time of the year? Please let us know in Comments below.

This Week

Our first non-snow issue features an interesting comparison of skiing and cycling by correspondent Pat McCloskey.  Also, we hear from a reader who had a successful experience with a stem cell treatment for bad knees. This may be alternative for some seniors, but it’s important to understand what you are getting into. Finally, we hear from another reader who has some philosophical thoughts his last run on a pretty gnarly day when most folks would rather have put another log on the fire.

Onwards to summer.  Please send us you story ideas.  We love submissions by our readers. 

Remember, dear readers, there are more of us every day and we aren’t going away.

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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The most important equipment we need to maintain is our bodies. Cardio and weight training are essential to getting the most out of ourselves.

My wife is great at exercise: persistent and consistent. Hardly a day goes by when she’s not swimming or doing yoga, weights or other gym stuff. It helps that she enjoys it. I, on the other hand, often require her encouragement (aka nagging) to get me going. It wasn’t always that way. For years, when commuting to an office in Manhattan, I got up at 4:30AM for an hour race walk before getting on with the rest of the day. Photos from 25 years ago show a much trimmer me. I now look forward to working out. It’s a good feeling and one I hope is adding more life to the remaining years. It helped give me a strong feeling going into this past season. When I start to get lazy about exercise, I remind myself of being strong for next season. If you’re not moving around as much as you think you should, get up and do something. If it has been a while, take it easy and work your way toward greater strength and endurance. If you’re recovering from illness or injury, consult with medical personnel, physical therapists, or a good trainer. No need to overdo it; big need simply to do it. Keep moving. It will help you get back in track when next season rolls around. 

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Non-Stop Snow

This year you may not need to visit the Southern Hemisphere to get in your summer runs. Mammoth Mountain has so much snow, it plans to be skiing daily into August. Numerous areas throughout the snow-laden West are still open, at least on weekends. Even Killington, in Vermont, has some runs. 

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More Evidence Shows Glaciers Melting

Credit: ESA/Zemp et al. (2019) Nature/World Glacier Monitoring Service

Using 50-years of glacier measurements from the ground and from satellites, an international team of scientists studied 19 glacier regions around the world. They determined that the Earth’s glaciers have lost over 9,000 gigatons (9 trillion tons) of ice since 1961, causing the seas to rise by 27 mm or 1.06 inches.

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American Airlines Cuts Ski Fee

American announced it will check skis for $30, a significant savings over the $150 it has been charging. The reduced fees also apply to bikes, music gear, and other sports equipment. Bulky items still are subject to oversize or overweight charges.

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Orthopaedic Surgeon Breaks Record for Ski Boot Marathon

British orthopaedic surgeon, Paul Harnett, recently broke the world record for running a marathon in ski boots. He completed the race in London in 5 ½ hours and raised £10,000 for the British Paralympic Association and World Orthopaedic Concern.

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JOB OPENING: Ski Journalist Group Treasurer 

North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) is seeking a part-time treasurer. Responsibilities include monthly and year-end financial reports, receiving funds, and disbursing payments. Pays $200 per month. Interested? Contact NASJA Executive Secretary Peter Hines: peter.hines@nasja.org

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New Film Stars National Parks

The new film, “Find Me” is the story of a millennial desk jockey searching for a friend who disappeared after leaving a trail of clues. They take him to national parks and other outdoor places he never before considered visiting. It’s a romantic comedy treasure hunt starring nature in the lead role. For screening dates and locations click here.

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French Paraskiers Clowning Around

Ski videographers demonstrate to what ends they’ll go to create a “different looking” video. About 4 ½ minutes: Click here.

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French Adventurer Crosses Atlantic in a Barrel

Credit: Georges Gobet/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Jean-Jacques Savin, 72, recently crossed the Atlantic in a motorless, 10’ long barrel-shaped capsule made of plywood. It took him 127 days to complete the  3,125-nautical-mile trip. Relying solely on currents and winds, he left from the Canary Islands and landed May 2 on the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Eustatius. “It’s freedom,” was the answer he gave a New York Times reporter when asked about the trip. The entire interview is here.

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Gee Whiz, Mister. Is That For Real?

Remember The Jetsons and those Mechanics Illustrated articles about flying cars? Last month, Boeing released this video of its prototype.

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He Ran Every Street in San Francisco

Rickey Gates is a very long distance runner. A few years ago, he ran from coast-to-coast. Last November he set out to run every street in San Francisco and completed the 1,303 mile task in 46 days. This film, from Salomon, is uplifting and inspiring. 

Pat McCloskey

Cycling And Skiing Similarities

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Both Require Looking Down The Trail, Pressurizing To The Outside Of The Turn.

I was out the other night riding with my pals and noticed that I was starting to look at the front of my wheel in sketchy terrain, and my balance was starting to be  compromised. 

Looking down the trail, not over the wheel.

I thought to myself, “Pat,  keep your eyes focused down the trail and not on what is right in front of you.”  I know this.  I always do this skiing: look down the trail three turns or more to allow efficient skiing and don’t look at what is right in front of your ski tips.  Sometimes you lose focus on what you are doing and let the terrain dictate your visual field.  The solution is something that I always tell skiers looking to improve. Don’t let the terrain ski you,  you ski the terrain. And the best way to do that is relax and look down the trail or slope.  When you allow your field of vision to open up by looking ahead, you have much more time to react to the terrain changes that will come before you, often at a rapid pace in skiing or riding a mountain bike. When you focus on your ski tips or your front wheel, that reaction time is severely compromised.  Momentum is your friend and if you look ahead, you can handle any terrain changes much better and in plenty of time to react.  Look at the rider in the picture here.  Looking ahead and down the trail.  He is focused and able to react to the technical challenges ahead. 

Another similarity between skiing and mountain biking is the position of the pedals during a turn.  The picture above shows an extreme example of a sharp turn on a mountain bike.  Look at where the inside leg is allowing full pressure on the outside pedal in the down position. 

Bode Miller putting weight on outside ski.

If you look at Bode Miller here, you will see a similar leg position in his downhill race  turn at Beaver Creek Birds of Prey World Cup. As soon as his outside ski makes contact, he will have it fully pressurized because of his leg and hip position.  This is very similar to the cyclist who is able to execute a steep turn on his mountain bike by allowing his outside pedal to be fully pressured in the turn.  Oftentimes when I ride, I can even feel a slightly countered position on my bike allowing the outside pedal to be fully under pressure and my inside pedal in the up position and stable in the turn.  I learned how efficient this is when I used to race on my road bike.  Those high speed turns have to be executed with the outside pedal fully under pressure, otherwise you cannot execute a tight high speed turn in the corners of a criterium race.  Racers who could not commit were often off the back or crashed out because of a poorly balanced turn. 

So, if you are longing for skiing during the off season, think about those turns during your bike rides.  Whether on the road or trail, the movements are very similar and can give you the feeling of a ski turn when it is 80 degrees outside.  Enjoy the summer and the riding. 

Robert Leaverton

Stem Cell Injection Alternative To Knee Replacement?

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[Editor Note: Robert Leaverton presents a positive experience with stem cell therapy for ailing knees. However, there are many caveats in pursuing this route. As Robert indicates in his conclusion, there are some indications that the therapy may have gotten ahead of the science. For a report on the state of stem cell therapy for joint repair, see this NYT article.]

I am a very active 82 year old skier, former runner. My knees were in pain to the point that I had to consider replacement if I wanted to continue skiing. I live and ski in Utah during the ski season. I ski at least six days a week,  seven if the POW is good.

Viable alternative? Research carefully, caveat emptor. Results may vary.

I went to a stem cell seminar in Spring 2018. I listened to the information and decided I should investigate further. I had the exam, some x-rays, and it was determined I was a good candidate for stem cell therapy. The previous ski season was a painful time. I was taking OTC pain meds to be able to ski all day. If my knees touched while I was sleeping, I would wake up. I knew that if I wanted to continue skiing, I would have to do something. I also knew that there was no guarantee SC would work, and I would pay $4,000 for each knee. I did not want to endure general anesthetic, pain, and re-hab. There is high success for total knee replacements, but no absolute guarantee.

I went to Wisconsin Stem Cell Therapy for injections in May 2018. The stem cell injections in each knee were painless. [Editor Note:  Stem cells are extracted from a patient’s own bone marrow and injected into worn or injured joints to promote healing.] I did therapy as suggested, and the results have been way more than I expected. I was being practical, and I would have been happy with 60 or 70 percent improvement. I rate my stem cell therapy as 100 percent success. I waited until I was done skiing for the season to make a final judgment of the SC therapy. After many years of painful skiing, I had a season with NO knee pain.

I have returned from more than two months in Utah. Had great snow and a lot of powder. Wind and visibility made for some difficult conditions (bumps & drifts) that were a real test for the SC therapy. SC therapy has been a huge success for me and will allow me to enjoy skiing for many more years.

Without any hesitation I would recommend stem cell therapy for anyone who suffers from joint pain and wants to continue to be active and enjoy life to the fullest.

Caution: When considering a clinic for stem cell therapy, be sure you investigate the clinic thoroughly. There are some “snake oil salesman” out there.

Bob Ohrt

Last Run

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Bring This Memory With You Through The Summer.

Silver Mountain, ID. Not ideal conditions, but it was a magical Last Run. Credit: Bob Ohrt

Like many, skiing has been a very large part of my life for a long time. I mis-spent much of my youth on a pair of skis, but as the demands of life came around, the skiing was abbreviated. 100 plus day seasons went to three or four. Semi-retirement has let me get back to the 20 to 40-day seasons, and the modern equipment allows for skiing with a curtailed version of what was even with the list of injuries accumulated along the way. As the clock keeps ticking, the Last Run of the Season is taking a more meaningful place that deserves remembering; this was it for the 2018 -2019 skiing year.

The last day saw me at Silver Mountain, ID. A really nice under-rated ski area that I hadn’t skied for a number of years. At the base, I was warned by a guy, who looked like he could turn both ways, to not go up due to the awful weather and abominable snow conditions. Not a particularly auspicious way to start the day, but I was going skiing; if conditions were that bad, I could leave. The guy was not far off on conditions, the wind was howling over the ridges, and three or four days of wind blew loose the Pacific Northwest’s finest late spring snow off the groomers. All told, the conditions could be best described as “interesting and deserving of your undivided attention”. It was not bad enough to chase an old idiot away though. 

Most days I ski solo, nobody wants to ski as slow as I do anymore.  Today was no exception. Going into the trees was not a wise idea so just cruised around on the blues and blacks in very light traffic, thoroughly enjoying myself (good thing it is easy to entertain the village idiot). I skied a lot of runs in 6” to 8” heavy snow that was lightly crusted or soggy sticky groomers. As the day progressed, the visibility did get better though, the weather was gathering itself for the next bout.

About 3:00, the body was telling me it was about time to wind the day up and feeling a bit glum at the thought. Fate had me cruising down a gentle low angle ridge called Sunrise, not thinking just skiing. On the left appeared three cleared spots in the trees. I stopped to admire the view at the third opening and realized I was in Heaven. Honest that is the name of the run, Heaven. To make matters even better, nobody else had been to Heaven that day, or at least not through that access. 

It honestly could not have been too much better; it lived up to its name. Heaven had a roll-over cornice accessing three or four hundred vertical feet of mostly untracked wind loaded slope with over a foot of fresh on a moderately steep face. Feeling my weight flow down the hill as my skis came around to support me at the bottom of the turn and set up for the next arc might be the essence of skiing. That little bowl offered up 15 or 20 of those turns in nearly untracked snow, it truly was Heaven for that run.

Did not even stop to look back. Why? This was a very good way to end it, Lord willing the story will continue next season.

It could have been worse, but those last 20 turns made it worth it. Credit: Bob Ohrt

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (April 26)

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An Enormity Of Gratitude, Season Wrap, Mystery Retro, Survey Watch, Looking Ahead.

And, poof, it’s almost May. For most of us, the ski season is behind us, and this is our last regular snow season edition. This week, we close our season-long celebration of our fifth publishing year with boundless gratitude that we were able to come so far.

SeniorsSkiing.com has hit a sweet spot in providing a forum for older folks, many of whom have been pursing snow sports for a half-century or more. The only forum, we hasten to add. You know the role you, our readers, have played and are playing in making skiing and other winter snow sports a regular past-time for yourself and your family. We believe the industry is finally beginning to recognize that we bring more to these sports than our enthusiasm

At a recent presentation, Kelly Pawlak, the new NSAA (National Ski Areas Association) president, mentioned the role seniors have in bringing family members, especially grandchildren into the sport. We’ll call that a beachhead in the consciousness of the ski and snow sport industry. Clearly, progress has been made.

All of this cannot have been possible without the contributions of our stalwart correspondents. The people who write for SeniorsSkiing.com are long-time industry veterans, some of whom are or have been professional journalists and are members of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association and others are long-time skiers who love to write and have a message for our demographic in one way or another. Note that most of these contributors have been writing for SeniorsSkiing.com since we started.

We simply could not bring you SeniorsSkiing.com without their contributions. Our thanks to our wide-spread regulars:

  • Harriet Wallis, Utah
  • Marc Liebman, Texas
  • Pat McCloskey, Pennsylvania
  • Don Burch, Massachusetts
  • Tamsin Venn, Massachusetts
  • Yvette Cardozo, Washington
  • Jan Brunvand, Utah
  • Bob Nesoff, New Jersey
  • John Nelson, Washington
  • Roger Lohr, (Cross-Country Editor) New Hampshire
  • Wendy Clinch, Vermont
  • Joan Wallen, New Hampshire
  • Janet Franz, Vermont
  • Mike Roth, New York
  • Casey Earle, Santiago, Chile
  • Jonathan Wiesel, Montana

In addition to our regular correspondents, a number of readers have offered articles. This is the first year we have so many pieces come “over the transom” from our readership. We hope other readers feel motivated to offer a contribution next year,

Readers who contributed articles last year are:

  • David Bairns
  • Peter Schmaus, MD
  • Bill Widman
  • Ted Levy
  • Hiller Hardie
  • John Blagys

Since we started publishing five years ago, we have accumulated 1,073 articles which now reside in our archives and are accessible to you. That’s roughly 200 articles a year since we began.

This Week

Our final Mystery Glimpse of the season reveals the identity of the ski-joring-jumping character from last week. We also highlight a few of our most popular photos from the feature. Mystery Glimpse is made possible by contributions from ski museums throughout North America. This museums hold the history of our winter sports and are worth a visit, a donation, and your support.

We reprise Don Burch’s article on putting away your gear for the season. Give your equipment a little TLC, and it will be good to you next season.

Spring Subscriber Survey Coming

Be on the lookout for our Spring Subscriber Survey coming your way in a week or two. We’ve been conducting surveys of our readership from the very beginning, and the information we gather is extremely valuable in shaping our mission. Thank you in advance for offering your input.

SeniorsSkiing.com will be publishing on a monthly basis starting in May. Look for articles on non-snow sports, skiing in South America and Oceania, curious people and places, and developments in snowsports.

And remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away. On to year six!

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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We’re about to switch from publishing weekly, as we have since October, to our once-a-month off-season schedule. Many of you are back on the golf course or in your boats. The next time you’ll see SeniorsSkiing.com in your in box will be May 31.

 SeniorsSkiing.com had a record season. In November we celebrated our 5thyear of publication with a party in New York City. The attendees had a great time; many walked away with terrific prizes.

We also added a lot of new subscribers. After clearing up a vexing technical glitch, new subscribers clocked in at about 1,000 a month. The increase in readers was reflected in the increase in registered page views: almost 300,000 from October through April. 

Your response to our second fund-raiser was encouraging and helpful:

  • Encouraging, because it validated the time and effort that goes into publishing SeniorsSkiing.com;
  • Helpful, because it reduces the cost of publishing this free magazine. As readership increases, so do expenses.

Around 200 articles were published since October (almost 1100 since we started). The volume of comments this season accounted for almost one-third of all comments since we started publishing; a reflection on reader growth and engagement.

You’ll be receiving a reader survey from us in the next few weeks. Your responses will help inform what we do for the coming season. The survey also is the opportunity for Trail Masters (the # of days you skied/boarded this season = the # of years in your age) can register to receive the 2018-19 Trail Masters embroidered patch.

Thank you for reading and supporting SeniorsSkiing.com!

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Electricity From Falling Snow

UCLA researchers and colleagues designed a first of its kind device that creates electricity from falling snow. The inexpensive, small, thin and flexible device generates charge through static electricity which occurs when falling snow contacts its silicone surface. According to the researchers, it has potential for monitoring winter sports.

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Boston and Denver Ski and Snowboard Expo Dates

The Colorado Ski and Snowboard Expo at Denver’s Colorado Convention Center will be earlier this year; October 25-27. The Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo will be Nov 14-17 at the Seaport World Trade Center. 

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Lifts Still Running

Mt Hood SkiWay

These North American areas are still skiing. Each is followed by its expected closing date. Call or check websites for updates.

  • Alpental, WA – 5/5 (weekends only)
  • Arapahoe Basin, CO – early June
  • Arizona Snowbowl, AZ – 4/28
  • Aspen Highlands, CO –  4/28 (weekends only)
  • Boyne, MI – 4/28 (weekends only)
  • Breckenridge, CO – 5/27
  • Grouse Mountain, BC – 5/5
  • Heavenly, CA – 4/28 (+ May 3-5)
  • Jay Peak, VT – 5/5
  • Killington, VT – 6/2
  • Lake Louise, AB – 5/5
  • Loveland, CO – 5/5
  • Lutsen, MN – 5/5 (weekends only)
  • Mammoth, CA – 7/4
  • Marmot Basin, AB – 5/5
  • Mary Jane at Winter Park, CO – 5/12
  • Mission Ridge, WA – 4/28 (weekends only)
  • Mt. Bachelor, OR – 5/26
  • Mt. Hood Meadows, OR – 5/4 (weekends only)
  • Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe, NV – 4/28
  • Nakiska, AB – 4/28
  • Purgatory, CO – (weekends only)
  • Silver Mountain, ID – 4/28 (weekends only)
  • Ski Brule, MI – 4/29 (weekends only)
  • Snowbird, UT – TBD
  • Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows, CA – 7/7 – 5/19 (weekends only)
  • Sugarbush, VT – 5/5
  • Sugarloaf, ME – 5/5
  • Sunday River, ME – 5/1 (weekends only)
  • Sunshine Village, AB – 5/13
  • The Summit at Snoqualmie, WA – 4/28 (weekends only)
  • Timberline Lodge, OR – 8/31
  • Whistler Blackcomb, BC – 5/27
  • White Pass, WA – 4/28 (weekends only)

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Interesting Short Video

This skier in Switzerland accidentally sets off an avalanche; then outruns it. About 15 seconds. Click here to view.

Don’t Try This at Home Video

Skiing “Switch” is terrain park lingo for skiing backward. In this video, French skier Quentin Ladame sets the Switch Skiing World Record (86 mph). About 2½ minutes. Click here to view.

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Apr. 19)

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Tell Us About Your Season, Pondering The Last Turn, Mystery Horse, Snowbasin Report, E-Biking Coming Up.

Signs of the season winding down include ads and promotions for next year’s season passes. The time is now to get the bargains. One development to note is that Arapahoe Basin COO Al Henceroth said that the resort is ending its 22-year relationship with Vail and the Epic Pass. Reason: Crowded slopes and packed parking lots. A-Basin will also not be joining IKON as an option, nope, no way. The only way to get unlimited skiing at the venerable resort is to buy a $399 A-Basin-only pass.  Unintended consequences, friends, are catching up to what some might call an “oversold” market. Anyone been up Little Cottonwood Canyon on a Saturday morning in the last few weeks? How’s that parking situation working out for ya?

Another sign of the season ending is some stock-taking of what 2018-19 has meant for you.  For us, we didn’t get as much skiing in as we’d planned, nor did it snow enough in the Boston area to really do extensive xc-skiing in local conservation land and parks. Poor planning, low snow. But the good news for us is we spent quality time with good friends, met new ones, explored new places, and know where to get started next year.

How Was Your Season?

How about you?  How was your season?  What were the highlights? The lowlights? The bad news? The good news? Happy with your IKON/Epic? Unhappy with too many people in your space on the lift line? Did you invite your grandkids to come ski with you? Did you try a new area? Did you learn something new? Did you stop doing something you used to do? Write your summary of the year in the Comments section below, and we can all get a sense of how the SeniorsSkiing.com community made it through this incredible snow year.  Yes, sure, we know there are still lots and lots of you skiing out West. How’s that extra long season treating you guys? Let us know.

This Week

Speaking of winding down, Marc Liebman offers a thoughtful piece on his Last Perfect Turn, a conspicuous part of everyone’s last run of the season. Our Mystery Glimpse offers a picture of skijoring somewhere out West.  Can you guess what’s up? Tamsin Venn visits Snowbasin and, unlike the crowds at A-Basin, finds lots of room to swing as well as beautiful views. Finally, Pat McCloskey looks ahead to non-snow activities with an interesting introduction to e-bikes. As someone who has pedaled many a mile on road bikes in charity events and cross-country rides, the very idea of an assist-pedal bike was anathema. Now we are not so sure.  Looks pretty interesting.

Next week will be our final weekly edition until next fall. We will continue to publish monthly through the non-snow months. Coming soon will be our 2019 Spring Survey.  Watch for it.  We promise it will be short and sweet, and the information we gather really helps us steer SeniorsSkiing.com.

Once again, please tell your friends about us. Remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

Credit: Alf Engen Museum

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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There’s a difference between skiing and a skiing experience. 

Confused? Let me explain.

With just a few exceptions most of my 65-seasons have been spent skiing. I can’t remember every day or every run, but riding up and skiing down so many places and in so many conditions has been wonderful. Small areas, enormous areas:  in retrospect they were variations on a similar theme. Travel to resort. Lift up. Ski down. Repeat. After a while, memories blend.

1930’s Italian trade card for broth company

Over the years, I’ve had some standout skiing experiences. Some, in resorts; others, far from lifts. All were memorable. 

One week with an instructor and a group of Aussies at Jackson Hole, we skied deep powder, jumped into Corbett’s, drank gallons of beer, and shared a lot of laughs. 

Another time with a guide and three other skiers, we took off in a fixed wing ski plane from a slope in Verbier, landed on a glacier near the Italian border, and spent the rest of the day skiing snow-covered pastures, though tiny summer villages, and down into a valley, where we had lunch and hopped on a train to return to Verbier. Memorable!

The week many years ago with Great Northern Snowcat Skiing in Canada’s Selkirk range was another hard-to-forget skiing experience. The snow was so deep that only the tops of 20’ trees were showing. I often think of how wonderful that week was and wonder if I’m past the shelf life to try a week of hell-skiing.

In many ways, memories of skiing are like memories of raising a family. There’s the quotidian background noise of events punctuated from time to time by the more memorable skyrockets. I always told my kids stories when they were going to sleep but I don’t remember every night or every tale. I do, however, remember some of the big events. It’s how we’re wired. Common memories are like snapshots; uncommon ones are like videos; more detail, more recall.

Skiing has its similarities. With some exceptions, the daytrips and the regular ski holidays tend to blend. But the more unusual skiing experiences stand out. 

Pam and I will never forget being on ski safari in the Dolomites with Inspired Italy or ski exploring the world-class resorts in the Aosta Valley with Alpskitour.

She, who delights in reminding me, after every day of skiing, that she’d be happy never to ski again, is now asking when we’ll be able to return to the Italian Alps for another great skiing experience.

1930’s Italian trade card for broth company

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Lake Tahoe: More to Go

Lake Tahoe snowpack is currently at 245% of average with more is forecast. More good skier news: temps are cold, so conditions are expected to hold.

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Brighton: Right On!

Brighton Ski Resort, at the end of Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon, is a major snow magnet. Many storms favor it over Alta, a short distance away at the end of adjacent Little Cottonwood Canyon. As I write this, Brighton is reporting yet another 24″ dump, reporting 10″ in the past 24 hours, 15″ in the past 48 hours, and 54″ in the past seven days! To date this season, Brighton has received 634″!!!! If past is prologue, Brighton will continue to be catching flakes well beyond its April 21 close.

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Snowbird Closing Date?

The resort has 650″+ and a 176″ base. It announced it will continue daily operations through May 12, then stay open Fridays through Sundays “for as long as we can.”

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Rick Kahl Receives Major Ski Journalism Award

Rick Kahl

Rick Kahl, editor of industry trade publication, Ski Area Management Magazine, was namesd recipient of The Carson White Snowsports Achievement Award. The Award, presented annually by the North American Snowsports Journalists Association, honors extraordinary achievement, influence and innovation in the advancement of North American skiing, snowboarding and all snow-related sports. Congratulations, Rick!

 

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NoSweat Helmet Liners

NoSweat is a brand of self-stick, disposable liners for use with hats, visors, and helmets. I intended to use NoSweat this spring on warm ski days but never got around to it. The product is well designed and relatively inexpensive. It keeps perspiration from cascading into and stinging your eyes. Google “No Sweat Helmet Liners” for many purchasing options or visit the company’s site.

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Earth Day

Monday, April 22 is Earth Day. Visit the official Earth Day site to see how you might support the organization’s many efforts to improve the environment. Then, put on your sneakers or boots and give our collective Mother a visit. She’s been taking a beating for a long time and needs to know we still love her. In other words, dear readers, time to Take a Hike!

Jon Weisberg

Ötzi the Ice Man: Three Millennia Older Than Mel Brooks

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Reconstruction: Alfons & Adrie Kennis © South Tyrol Museum Archaeology/Ochsenreiter

He may not be the world’s oldest skier, but at more than 5000 years, he is the world’s oldest and best-preserved wet mummy. Given his advancing years, Ötzi is in particularly good shape. 

Named for where he was found in 1991 by two hikers on the Italian-Austrian border, Ötzi now resides in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in the lovely small Northern Italian city of Bolzano. If you find yourself in the general vicinity, I strongly recommend paying him a visit.

© South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

One of the many effects of global warming is the discovery of ancient things thawing their way out of the ice: thousand year old skis in Oppland County, Norway; a 500-year-old girl with perfectly preserved hands found in the Andes; an almost intact wooly mammoth found in Russia’s Arctic Lyakhovsky Islands. To learn more watch this brief “Secrets of the Ice” video.

But Ötzi stands apart, for his age, his superb condition, and the extensive science applied to understanding who he was. His genome has been mapped, his stomach contents carefully analyzed, and his belongings extensively interpreted. 

He is thought to have been a traveling shaman dispensing medical treatments. Evidence for that is in the form of fungi with antibiotic properties found in a sack. He also had dots and lines tattooed on either side of his lower spine at known acupuncture pain relief sites. Interestingly, even today, similarly located tattoos are found on people from primitive cultures.

Ötzi also had no hand callouses and underdeveloped upper body musculature, suggesting he was not engaged in agriculture or other physically demanding activities. Indeed, his animal skin clothing was finely put together and his axe decorative and showing little wear, possible signs of status and respect.

But respected or not, Ötzi was murdered. A 21st Century police detective examining the evidence concluded he was murdered a day or two following a violent fight. A cut on one of his hands suggests he had defended himself during the recent altercation. An arrowhead found in his body had severed an artery and caused his death. Detective work showed it was shot from a distance of about 100’. Because he was found with all his belongings, the possibility of theft has been ruled out.

© South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology/Ochsenreitr

Visitors to the museum view Ötzi’s gnarled flesh and twisted frame through a window in the freezer room where he’s on display. 

A reconstruction based on everything known about him stands in an adjacent gallery, created with the help of police forensics. 

Some of you may remember that long before Ötzi came out of the ice, Mel Brooks was considered to be the world’s oldest man. He and Carl Reiner drew upon his longevity in their classic comedy routine.

The South Tyrol Museum isn’t large, but it is one of the most fascinating places I’ve seen. If you’re planning a trip to the Dolomites, it’s a place you’ll want to visit along the way.

Alf Engen
mikemaginn

Mystery Glimpse: Up, Up And Giddy-Up

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Horses And Skiing Have A History.

Yes, skijoring.  But where, who, when?  Anyone ever skijor? What’s it like?

Credit: Alf Engen Museum

Many thanks to the Alf Engen Museum, Park City, UT, for contributing this spirited photo of skijoring in (hint, hint) the West.

The Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation was established in 1989 with a mission to preserve the rich history of skiing in the Intermountain Region. It strives to provide a world-class facility which highlights the many contributions made in ski area development, athletic competition, snow safety, ski innovation and ski teaching methods.

Last Week

Yes, indeed.  This is the venerable Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway. The following was adapted from the Journal of the New England Ski Museum (Winter, 2019).:

The Aerial Tramway was the first such conveyance in North America and opened for business in Summer 1938. In its first summer and fall, it carried 100,000 passengers up Cannon Mt.  

That year, Hannes Schneider also arrived in North Conway to begin his stellar career as a ski instructor and innovator. Between the new tramway, the advent of Schneider, and the robust support of Harvey Dow Gibson, a North Conway-born New York financier, New Hampshire was poised to become a mecca for skiing.

Thanks again to the wonderful New England Ski Museum, now with two locations, a new  gallery and archive in North Conway, and at the base of this aerial tramway at Cannon.

Pat McCloskey

E-Bike: Makes Sense and Here To Stay

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First Fat Bikes, Now E-Bikes. The Cycling World Is Spinning Up Innovation.

If you’ve never seen one, this is an e-bike. There are many, many other designs for different purposes. Credit: Ancheer

An interesting phenomena has started to surface in the cycling industry.  From July of 2016 to July of 2017, there was a 95% jump in sales of E-Bikes in what industry regulars say is currently a $65 million segment of the cycling business.  Sales have been booming and currently all of the major manufacturers have jumped on board with offerings of pedal assist bicycles in both road and off road models. 

Along with increased sales especially among the senior set, there has been increased controversy with opponents concerned about the safety of the bikes as well as the safety of other users on our nation’s trail systems.  Purists have been vocal about how e-bikes should not be allowed on multi-use trails because they are in the category of motorized vehicles which are currently banned.  However, the one thing most people do not understand or admit when criticizing the e-bikes is that one still has to pedal them.  Each pedal stroke starts the electric motor which can be used in econo mode (slower and energy savings on hills), and turbo (governed to no more than 20 mph). There are no throttles on the majority of e-bikes.    But make no mistake about it, e-bikes are here to stay, and there is even a category for e-bike racing in the 2019 World Mountain Bike Championships coming up this fall.  A rainbow jersey will be awarded.  Who would have ever thought?

Bringing it closer to home, I have two friends who are now in their 70s.  Really fit guys who have ridden mountain bikes for a long time.  One guy is slowing down a little bit. So, when the e-bikes came out, he was one of the first to jump on board because it allowed him to keep up with our younger friends and continue to be part of the group rides.  In fact, I kid him when following him up hills.  I tell him he is the “A” Team now being the fastest up the hills.  He smiles and consequently is still part of the rides that he always loved. 

The other guy is a very fit 70 year old who told me, “ Pat, I really got the e-bike for my mountain bike trips out West where I am faced with many miles of uphill fire roads.”  He can cover a lot more ground and can  see a lot more on these scenic Western rides with the pedal assist on long hills.  He also says he can ride more days in a row because the pedal assist reduces the daily fatigue on his legs as he ages.  He rides more days and enjoys the trips even more.

For non-cyclists, an e-bike can be an accessible way to enjoy the trails. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Finally, the picture you see above is my friend Farah.  Her husband is a riding friend of mine, and he is trying to get her to ride a little more. He bought her this Specialized e-bike for use on the many rails to trails around our region.  He says she loves it and it allows her to ride many more miles than she would on a regular bike.  In fact, she is anxious to ride more because the fatigue factor has been eliminated with the e-bike and she has a lot more fun riding than with a regular bicycle.  This is common place now with 94 percent of non-cyclists who purchased an e-bike, reporting that they are riding more daily or weekly because of their new purchase.

As the population ages, e-bikes make sense for those of us who want to still enjoy the trails and roads.  There is a learning curve on how to use the econo mode and the turbo mode and braking is a bit different with pedal assist.  But it is something that is learned with continual use.  Respect on the trails is still required and even the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) is re-writing a lot of trail etiquette to address the protocol for riding multi-use trails with e-bikes. 

With the current popularity of cycling as a means of transportation, the e-bike makes sense for road riding as well as commuting.  Even UBER is investigating utilizing e-bikes as a viable means of transportation in their urban transportation platforms.  Backroads Cycling and other adventure cycling organizations are now offering e-bikes to their clients on European cycling journeys with rave reviews.

So, the bottom line is this: Try one.  See if it is something that will encourage you as a senior rider to perhaps ride to the store instead of driving.  Maybe try the trails that you have never ridden before or enjoy your current trail system with a little assist as you age.  We all try to stay fit as seniors but with e-bikes, we can get a little help.  I know one is in my future.

Tamsin Venn

Snowbasin Goes Epic

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Uncrowded, Beautiful Views, Variety Of Terrain, No Hotels.

Most of the trails at Snowbasin wind up at the Needles Gondola. Credit: Tamsin Venn

Older skiers would really like Snowbasin outside Ogden, UT. You have nearly 3,000 acres in which to avoid other skiers and 3,000 vertical feet to get some rhythm going. A remotish location keeps lines short midweek. Lifts whisk you up to the top of six scenic, craggy peaks: two high-speed gondolas, three high-speed chairlifts. You can dine on really good food at a choice of three swank lodges, all glass and timber, wall-to-wall carpeting, stone fireplaces, and chandeliers. Locals think about skiing elsewhere, but why bother?

“You ski on a Tuesday here, even on the biggest powder day, and you’re looking for somebody to ride the lift with,” says new General Manager Davy Ratchford, quoted in Powder Magazine.

The layout is easy to follow. Most of the 106 tree-dotted trails end up at the base of the Needles Gondola. The mostly intermediate and expert trails include a fun variety: wide groomed boulevards, low angle chutes to dip into, hikes to cirques and chutes close to lifts, such as the popular Lone Tree. Typically the area gets 300 inches of snow a year.

Stop at the top to view four states: Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada. At the Strawberry Gondola, take the longest Elk Ridge trail at 3.5 miles. Flat light can be a problem up top on weather days, but low visibility markers lead you back to the base area.

Snowbasin hosted the downhill at the 2002 Olympics. You can hurl down the course if you like. Credit: Tamsin Venn

Snowbasin hosted the men’s and women’s downhill in the 2002 Olympics. Take the 15-passenger tram up to Allen Peak (9,465 feet), stare in awe over the precipice looking down at Ogden’s grid and Great Salt Lake. Then heart in throat, hurl yourself down The Grizzly, start of the men’s downhill. The less ambitious can take the tram back down to the newly widened and graded Mt. Ogden Bowl Road, a lower-angled return.

Snowbasin is not new. About 50 minutes north of Salt Lake City, it opened in 1939, and is one of the oldest continually operating ski resorts in the U.S. Utah native Earl Holding (of Sun Valley) bought it in 1984, made a large investment in lifts and snowmaking over the years, then pulled out all the stops for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Snowbasin has no lodging. In nearby Huntsville, the newly opened Compass Rose Lodge, run by skiers Jeff and Bonnie Hyde has 15 bedrooms and its own observatory to take advantage of nearby North Fork dark-sky park. Grab a beer and burger at the No Name Saloon, oldest bar in Utah.

Or stay in Ogden, 30 minutes away, once a key stop on the transcontinental railroad. It has historic hotels like The Roosevelt, many ethnic restaurants, craft beer breweries like Roosters Brewing Company, and Social Axe where you can throw axes with your friends for fun. UTA public buses run up Ogden Canyon to Snowbasin and nearby Powder Mountain.

The Facts

Snowbasin has gone Epic. The 2019-20 Epic Pass provides seven days of skiing each at Snowbasin and Sun Valley, no blackout dates, and 50 percent off lift tickets once days are used.

Day pass senior at window (65-74) $89. 75 plus is $45. Midweek season pass (all ages) $439. 75 plus is $49. Snowbasin will close this year on April 21.

Click here for Snowbasin Trail Map.

Click here for Snowbasin Webcam.

Not too crowded big mountain skiing at Snowbasin. Credit: Tamsin Venn

 

 

 

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (April 12)

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Take Away Senior Discounts? Epic vs Ikon, Italy Update 2, Mystery Cable Car, Mammoth And Jackson Hole In Spring.

Glancing through the Boston Globe last Monday (April 8), our eyes locked on a front page story:

” ‘I’ve earned it.’ Or have they? Are senior discounts deserved?” 

The point of the article is that while seniors figure they’ve “earned” discounts on movie tickets, donuts, clothing, access to National Parks, transportation, and the like, there are others who feel they don’t deserve them anymore.

“Some question whether senior discounts are warranted in an era when many of those enjoying them are relatively well off, while large numbers of younger folks strain under the weight of student debt and labor in a gig economy bereft of benefits,” the article states. The article goes on: “David Wallis, who leads the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, a nonprofit that supports journalism focused on inequality, argues that the deals for seniors are a relic of an earlier time. He calls for replacing them with income-based discounts for people of all ages.

“The senior discount should be radically rethought,” Wallis said. “Let’s say you have a very comfortable lifestyle. Do you deserve cheap seats at the movie theater?”

The rest of the article posits that debt-burdened millennials need discounts, too, so why not have a means-based approach to discounts, economy wide? 

Well, both SeniorsSkiing.com co-publishers couldn’t let this pass without a retort. We composed a Letter To The Editor of the Boston Globe, submitted it, and now await word of its fate. Here is our response:

To The Editor:

The logic behind “Time to retire these discounts?” (April 8) is based on the assumption that older people have adequate resources, therefore discounts are unnecessary. It smacks of narrow thinking, focussed on self-sufficiency and the notion that businesses shouldn’t subsidize certain demographic populations because there is money out there. Why leave it on the table?

Yet, we find some businesses use senior discounts as a key differentiator. What would AARP be like if it stop offering discounts to members? How about the AAA? Clearly, senior discounts mean value to older folks, regardless of means, and most businesses know it and use them to advantage. 

But not every business sees the value that discounts for seniors bring.  Vail and the Epic Pass have denied seniors a discount, despite the fact that older skiers play a major role in introducing new skiers (grandchildren) to the sport, a significant, unrewarded service to the ski industry.  And older skiers have been supporting that industry for as long as 50 years or more.  These committed customers deserve both encouragement and a reward for continuing in the sport and for, yes, generating revenue. Doesn’t that deserve a discount on a lift ticket mid-week when no one else is around?

There are many senior skiers who have bridled against the corporate. no-discount for seniors pricing policy, some of whom have given up visiting non-senior friendly resorts. Instead, we know that seniors flock to those areas that do offer senior discounts and even free skiing, keeping the lifts running and the burgers flipping. Offering a discount to seniors is a business differentiator in an increasingly expensive sport.

Your thoughts?

Meanwhile, there was another fascinating article from Bloomberg Business Week on the trend of consolidation of ski resorts and the multi-resort pass. We’ve all felt the impact of these changes, some have benefitted, and some feel they’ve lost out. There is no question the ski resort business will be seeing more changes in the future.  For a link to the Bloomberg article, click here. Or click on the image below.

This Week

Co-publisher Jon Weisberg continues his reporting on the Italian Dolomites, a ski safari that seems to be the crowning experience of anyone’s ski career.  We also have another Mystery Glimpse and reveal the function of that little whisk broom left over from 10th Mountain Division training in the Rockies. Finally, we hear from Marc Liebman on spring skiing at Mammoth Mt, CA., and from David Barnes, a reader who submitted a story about “Gaper Day” at Jackson Hole.

Thank you again for reading SeniorsSkiing.com.  Tell your friends, and remember, there are more of us everyday and we aren’t going away.

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Considering a ski trip to the Alps? Here are a few suggestions from our four-week journey in Italy. They may make your trip a bit easier.

Travel light: We didn’t, and we regret it. Unless you’re going for the entire season, take one parka (possibly a shell), one pair of pants, and a variety of fast-drying layers. I took two parkas, two pairs of ski pants, etc. Unnecessary, heavy, space-consuming, and, overall, a burden. On the Ski Safari the few things we carried had to fit into a small backpack. It’s surprising how little you really need.

Rent equipment: The Alps are studded with high-end ski shops renting quality equipment at reasonable rates. Rental equipment is included in the cost of the Alpskitour and Inspired Italy packages. Most terrain we skied was groomed. The shop’s ski recommendation was perfect for terrain and conditions. Ditto with boots. I was having difficulty with the boots I brought and easily could have left them at home. I’ve always advised taking boots and renting skis, but if you don’t have foot issues, it’s fine to rent when you get there.

Wash your clothes: It’s better than carrying more than you need. Underwear and layers are easily washed in your room. One of our hotels provided free laundry service, others had free washers and dryers. 

Rely on local expertise: Unless you’re staying at a single resort, use the services of local guides. In the Aosta Valley we relied on Mauro Cevolo and Andrea Jory of Alpskitour. They organized all details, including daily decisions about which resorts would have the best conditions and the fewest people. It gave us the opportunity to explore a variety of great resorts without the hassle of figuring out how to get there and where to go once on the hill.  In the Dolomites, Tim Hudson and his partners at Inspired Italy organized every detail. 

Do not think about renting a car: For the most part, cars are unnecessary. Trains and taxis will get you where you want to go faster and more comfortably, especially if travel plans take you into cities. Trains are terrific, especially if you’re not toting too much luggage. Depending on the length of your stay and your cell phone service provider, you may want to use your mobile while traveling. It can be expensive. Our Iphones don’t use SIM cards. Next visit, I’ll take an inexpensive SIM-card compatible mobile and purchase a card when I reach my destination.

Make sure you’re covered: Medical and evacuation insurance are advised and sometimes required. Some carriers (e.g. WorldNomads) don’t write policies if you’re 75 or older. Others (e.g. Allianz) require you to sign up prior to departure. In the Aosta Valley it’s possible to pay a small surcharge for adequate coverage when purchasing lift tickets. Inspired Italy requires each participant to be covered. We purchased through Global Rescue. My 7-day policy cost $238; Pam’s was $119.

Congratulations, Lee!!!!

Lee Kneiss at Ski Santa Fe with his Panda Poles

The winner of the fantastic looking (and performing) Panda Poles picked randomly from all of you who contributed during our recent fundraiser is Lee Kneiss of Santa Fe. He’s pictured here at Ski Santa Fe with his new handcrafted bamboo poles and his SeniorsSkiing.com hat. Enjoy the Pandas, Lee, and many thanks to Tanner Rosenthal, CEO, Panda Poles, for his ongoing support of SeniorsSkiing.com.

Cranmore’s Longest Season 

Cranmore Mountain (North Conway, N.H.) registered the longest season in its 81 years. The area was open 118 days, starting Nov 17 and closing April 8.

Solitude Has $55 Lift Ticket

The Utah resort scored 500” this season and is celebrating with $55 lift tickets for anyone showing a season pass from any other resort (including IKON and EPIC).

High Fives Foundation Raises $55,000 at Recent Squaw Event

The 5th Annual Mothership Classic raised $54,544 for individuals and Veterans with life-changing injuries. Participants got supporters to pledge 25¢ a lap. Using every type ski imaginable and dressed in vintage ski attire, they spent the day on Squaw Valley’s legendary KT-22. The organization’s Empowerment Fund has granted over $3.2 million to 236 individuals and Veterans since inception in 2009.

 

Very Good Idea

Indoor ski centers are getting a toehold in the United States, thanks to the efforts of Indoor Ski USA. The company distributes a variety of European-made, technologically advanced ski decks. They’re used to train competitive skiers and to prepare occasional skiers for their next holiday in the mountains. There are two facilities in the US: The Alpine Factory in Minnesota and Inside Ski near Washington, D.C. Both offer reasonably priced lesson packages. 

Nick Howe: RIP

Nick Howe

Nick, a former contributor to SKIING Magazine and correspondent for the U.S. Women’s Ski Team passed away on April 4. He was a the consummate New Englander, an Appalachian Mountain Club hut man in the White Mountains, Middlebury student and Goddard graduate, magazine contributor including Yankee, Outside and Backpacker. His book, “Not Without Peril,” published by AMC, chronicled accidents in the Presidential Range. Nick was a longtime columnist for The Conway (NH) Sun. He also was an accomplished banjo and fiddle player. A reception in Nick’s memory will be held at the Eastern Slope Branch of the New England Ski Museum in North Conway, N.H., on April 27 at 4 p.m.He was 85.

Patagonia’s 50% Off Sale

Patagonia’s online 50% off sale ends April 16. Many superb deals. Click here.

One More Run?

Many resorts are extending their seasons this year, especially in the West. Check websites to make sure lifts are running before you go.

March-April Skiing History Magazine Now Available

SeniorsSkiing.com subscribers can get the digital version free. Click here.

A Video Worth Watching

Lee Cohen started skiing Alta in the early 1980’s. Nearly four decades later, he’s established himself as one of the most influential ski photographers of his generation. His son, Sam, is a professional skier and one of Lee’s favorite photographic subjects. This 4:30 video tells the story.

David Barnes

Spring Skiing And Gaping At Jackson Hole

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The First Week Of April Brings “Gapers” To JH And A Different Skiing Experience

Weirdness prevails on Gaper’s Day (April 1) at Jackson Hole. Credit: Buckrail.com

Editor Note: We are quite pleased when readers submit articles for publication in SeniorsSkiing.com.  David Barnes is a long-time reader who sent us this account of a yearly ritual at the venerable Jackson Hole.  Thanks David.

Jackson Hole.  Two words that strike double-black-diamond terror in the hearts of many skiers, young and old alike.  But, it shouldn’t.  Sure, half of the runs are black diamonds, including one called Corbet’s Couloir that’s more akin to a cliff than a ski run.  But the other 50% of the mountain’s runs are blue and green, making for a welcome ski experience for any senior skier. 

I first skied Jackson Hole in the late 80’s, with my new wife whose great aunt and uncle lived at the base of Rendezvous Mountain in Teton Village.  At 72 years old, Uncle Warren took me on the old aerial tram, up 4,139 vertical feet to the 10,450’ summit.  The wind was howling, the air was thin, and the run was steep.  “Ready?” grinned Uncle Warren?  I swallowed hard, clicked into my bindings, squeezed the poles hard, and nodded like a rodeo cowboy on a wild bull, waiting for the gate to open and release the snorting, bucking beast.  I was 30 years old and quickly realized I was being out-skied by a 72 year old.  When we’d reached the bottom, I declared I wanted to be like Warren when I grew up. 

Since then, we’ve had the privilege of visiting Jackson Hole a dozen times or so, including the last week of skiing (first week of April) for the last three years.  This is thanks to my mother-in-law, who owns a fraction of the Teton Club, a beautiful and massive log structure near the base of the Tram.  Does this make me an expert on spring skiing at the Hole?  Not exactly.  But I’ve learned enough to understand that skiing the Hole in early April makes for a different experience.  Generally, the weather is warm, sometimes too warm at the lower elevations; later in the week, the snow conditions at or near the bottom can be mashed potatoes.  But the upper elevations typically provide good snow conditions. 

In addition, there’s a fun day.  April 1st is Gaper Day at the Hole.  What’s Gaper Day?  If you have to ask, you are one.  I had to ask.  Gaper Day is a chance for locals to poke fun at tourists by dressing up in kooky outfits on April Fools’ Day.  You’ll see everyone from Uncle Sam, girls in bikinis and dudes in shorts and Hawaiian shirts with old film cameras hanging around their necks.  And for some reason on this particular day, and, only this day, every chairlift spouts a prominent sign reading, “Absolutely no Alcohol on Lifts.”  The signs didn’t seem to be 100% effective…

Loose Moose. Credit: David Barnes

Finally, the moose.  Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is just south of the Grand Teton National Park, which in turn is just south of Yellowstone.  Hence, wildlife is abundant in the area, including moose.  We saw a number of them this year, some on the mountain and some right in Teton Village at the base of the mountain.  Most people are wise enough to keep their distance from the moose.  Some don’t, either deliberately or by accident. My wife, for example, took a walk around the village one morning.  As she turned a corner, she saw the back-end of a large brown animal close by.  As she approached what she assumed was a cute stuffed moose, it slowly turned its big head and looked at her.  Wide-eyed, my wife slowly backed away and then hot-footed it back around the corner, where she nearly ran into a Jackson Hole Mountain Resort employee.  “It’s REAL!” stammered my wife.  The employee gave her a dispassionate look.  “Oh no,” thought my wife as she watched the employee amble away.  “I’m a Gaper…”

Editor Note: The video below is from 2013, but it shows the “spirits” of Gaper Day, honoring April 1, a day for foolishness.

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (April 5)

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Maple Syrup Time, Dolomite Ski Safari Update, Resort Reviews, Miss Tweedie, XC Lessons

Into the sugarbush we go at the end of winter. Boil and boil and boil.

There is clearly a disparity between snow conditions in the East and the West.  New England areas are starting to wind down, with some closing this weekend and others hanging on a week more. Exception: Killington will strive on until May, as usual. Out West, the snow is still coming down with multiple storms per week. Nevertheless, we’ve heard that some resorts (see Park City) are closing down despite the surfeit; local pass holders are not amused. Other mountains are planning to keep spinning until July Fourth (see Mammoth). Think about that for a second.  The Fourth of July on skis. You going?

Cold night, warm days make the sap run. Time to get the buckets out.

Meanwhile,in  the East, it looks like it really is spring. Maple sugaring has been going on for a month or so with maybe a week left to harvest sap and boil, boil, boil. Here’s a verse from Pete Seeger’s Maple Syrup Time, a classic song about this time of year. If you want to hear Pete sing the whole piece, just click here.

Maple Syrup Time by Pete Seeger

First you get the buckets ready, clean the pans and gather firewood,
Late in the winter, it’s maple syrup time.
You need warm and sunny days but still a cold and freezing nighttime
For just a few weeks, maple syrup time.
We boil and boil and boil and boil it all day long,
Till ninety sev’n percent of water evaporates just like this song
And when what is left is syrupy don’t leave it too long –
Watch out for burning! Maple syrup time. 

This Week

The Dolomites is a UNESCO Wolrd Heritage site and the world’s largest ski area

Co-Publisher Jon Weisberg reports on an amazing, five-day long ski safari across the Dolomites, under the guidance of Tim Hudson of Inspired Italy, a SeniorsSkiing.com advertiser. The transit of the vast mountain range included staying on the mountain in “refugios”, on-mountain hotels with gourmet restaurants. This is the skiing experience of a lifetime and really worth considering if you think you’ve done it all.

Our Mystery Glimpse includes a device from the war years in Colorado. Last week’s photo was revealed to be Betty Welch Whitney, who, with her husband Bill founded the Whitney Inn in Jackson, NH, back in 1928. What makes the inn notable is that it was the first to combine lodging, dining, and lift operations in one location. The venerable Whitney Inn is still around after all these years.

We have three Resort Reviews to share: Silver Star, BC, Cranmore, NH, and Sunapee, NH.  We have found this type of medium-sized resort is often the most accessible to seniors, especially mid-week.  Even though Sunapee has joined the Epic Pass, by the way, the resort still has a special mid-week season pass for its loyal senior following. This is the kind of resort we like, and we hope you do, too.

Outside the Brighton Lodge. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Correspondent Harriet Wallis offers an “average skier’s” perspective of what the really big snows really look like.

No, it’s not a collection of dramatic pictures of skiers plunging through clouds of powder with dramatic blue skies. Instead, her photo album shows conditions literally on the ground and what she had to contend with on her outing at Brighton, UT, her local area.

 

Jan Brunvand shares an interesting accounting of a one Miss Tweedie, a young English woman from Victorian times, who ventures to Norway to try some skiing in the 1880s. Have times really changed that much?

And finally, XC expert Jonathan Wiesel tells us the merits of group versus private cross-country lessons. There are different reasons for each, as you will see.

Thanks again for reading SeniorsSkiing.com.  We really do depend on your telling your friends about us. And remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.

 

mikemaginn

Mystery Glimpse: A Rare Artifact

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What Is This? Who Used It? Why Is It A Rare Artifact Of Ski History?

Thanks to the Colorado Snowsports Museum for this photo from its collection.

Last Week

Credit: New England Ski Museum archive

This is Betty Welch Whitney, born in Haverhill, MA, graduated from Smith College in 1923, and first went on a ski trip with the AMC in 1928. She remained an AMC member for life, and became a ski fashion and equipment buyer for Filene’s in 1936. With her husband H.H. “Bill” Whitney, she purchased the Moody Farm in Jackson, NH and with him operated Whitneys’ as the first ski area to combine food, lodging and a ski hill serviced by a tow.

They improved the existing the rope tow lift a year later by attaching 72 shovel handles to the cable, making it easier for skiers to hold on. The lift was henceforth known as the Shovel Handle, and it helped make Whitneys’ one of the more popular early ski areas in New England. Whitney’s Inn is still in business and offers a traditional New England get-away experience with four-season activities.

Thanks to the New England Ski Museum, now with locations in Franconia and North Conway, NH, for offering this photo for our Mystery Glimpse series.

Here’s the Shovel Handle pub at the current Whitney Inn, Jackson, NH.

Image result for historic ski area Whitney Inn