Tag Archive for: seniorssking.com

Tamsin Venn

Loon Mountain Resort Update

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Lodges Closed. Back To Basics.

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Sunny day at Tote Road Quad.

Kudos to Loon Mountain Resort, N.H., for managing COVID restrictions so well.

Our family bubble all agreed the best thing Loon had done was shut down all the lodges to indoor food service. That simplified one’s strategizing. Grab ‘n Go food windows and indoor order options provided al fresco sustenance with outdoor seating. Canvas tents were pop-up dining halls. Quick stop locations on the mountain provided places to duck in with little ones to get out of the wind. Space heaters are placed in certain areas when weather permits. Rest rooms were available at all lodges even if closed (outdoor access) and one fancy trailer near the gondola.

We parked our rolling base lodge in the Main Lot with an easy-ish schlep to either the Gondola or Kancamagus Express Quad, booted and masked up. Lunch break was pleasant with hot soup, the heater run sparingly, and radio dial set to NH public radio. Loon does not allow open-fire grills in the parking lot.

Contactless pickup boxes, PUBs, are where you can pick up a RFID card bought online or scan a QR code to reload. Ikon pass holders need to reserve, but because of popularity can cancel, even day of (blizzard anyone?).

Ghost lines leave plenty of room. Credit: Tamsin Venn

Loon set up intervening ghost lift lines for social distancing (a few jerks zoomed down these). One employee did mask patrol. A lift attendant kept necessary order. Social distancing worked less well in the gondola line without the natural six-foot ski separation. Plexiglass barriers inside the gondola building separated the snaking queue. Some in our pod refused to ride the gondola. Nowhere was there pushback on riding a lift alone.

 

 

PUBs replace ticket windows.

Masks are required in the parking lot, lift lines, when loading and unloading. This routine broke down in the parking lots.

Nearby Plymouth State College is on a hybrid schedule so you get many college skiers all the time, not just January break, which lends a convivial air. Everyone seemed grateful to be outside skiing and letting off steam.

We deferred our Ikon passes because of New England travel restrictions. Loon is the only New Hampshire Ikon resort. Massachusetts residents, as are we, are allowed into New Hampshire but have to ten-day quarantine or produce a negative COVID test on return.

 

Snowy day in the Lincoln Woods. Credit: Tamsin Venn

Loon’s senior 65-79 pass averages $65 midweek, non-holiday through mid-March, free passes for those ages 80 and up and as a courtesy you don’t need to reserve. (Bretton Woods senior midweek pass is $39, FYI).

On the last day, we went XC skiing in the popular Lincoln Woods owned by the U.S. Forest Service The snow had newly fallen, the woods quiet. You follow a trail on either the east or west side of the snow-clad Pemigewasset River with snowshoers and dog walkers. 

In all, the experience felt pared down. You got out of your car, went to lifts, skied and rode, went big-ish then went home. That is a good thing. What will we do with the many usual options when we return to normal? And the snow conditions were outstanding.

Loon Trail Map

Loon Web Cam 

Uphill Access Policy 

Pat McCloskey

Instructional Advice: Slow Start, Good Turns

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Easy Does It And Find The Rhythm.

If you look at Henrik Kristoffersen here in the blue Norwegian National Team uniform doing slow turns, you will see the value of mechanics at a basic level.   

The important thing that I realized in watching Kristoffersen executing basic turn maneuvers at a very slow pace is that we all can work on basics at this speed.  It is important from time to time to practice the basics like this on gentle terrain. 

Another thing about turn speed is that it is a good idea to start each run with a slow series of turns.  When you start out too fast, and the terrain becomes more difficult, the turns are compromised.  It is better to start out slowly and make a series of good turns, then you can develop a rhythm which will take you smoothly through the run and not end up hitting the brakes to find your rhythm. 

Good smooth carved turns are executed when one starts out a run with deliberate slow turns.   Oftentimes I ski behind my wife and have her start out slowly.  I tell her to concentrate on the uphill edge which will become the downhill edge.   I call out the appropriate edge and she makes nice rounded turns with edge pressure control throughout the radius of her turns.  Try it sometime with someone  whom you are trying to move to the next level. 

Boldog
Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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My deadline for wishing people Happy New Year is getting shorter.

Boldog új évet is Happy New Year in Hungarian. Numerous postcard artists in the 1920s/30s incorporated kids on skis.

Centuries ago, when I worked in an office (remember when people worked in offices?), it seemed like New Year’s greetings extended through at least the first week of the year. You’d bump into a colleague and offer the obligatory phrase. Once, many weeks after the New Year, I said “Happy New Year” to a co-worker. That prompted a discussion about time-limited greetings.  We decided that, unlike birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and deaths, New Year’s greetings should be limited to a few days. That said, and the fact that this is reaching you about a week after this year’s not-so-sparkling event, let me bend that rule and wish you Many Happy and Healthy Turns in 2021!

 

“When” by John O’Donnell

Award-winning Irish poet John O’Donnell lives in Dublin. His work is widely published. His poem, When,  was published last week in The Irish Times. It’s a good read for this New Year.

And when this ends we will emerge, shyly
and then all at once, dazed, longhaired as we embrace
loved ones the shadow spared, and weep for those
it gathered in its shroud. A kind of rapture, this longed-for
laying on of hands, high cries as we nuzzle, leaning in
to kiss, and whisper that now things will be different,
although a time will come when we’ll forget
the curve’s approaching wave, the hiss and sigh
of ventilators, the crowded, makeshift morgues;
a time when we may even miss the old-world
arm’s-length courtesy, small kindnesses left on doorsteps,
the drifting, idle days, and nights when we flung open
all the windows to arias in the darkness, our voices
reaching out, holding each other till this passes.

Six Word Challenge Winners

Over the past month several readers submitted six words summarizing the current situation in their ski lives. Two winners were selected. Their entries are below. They’ll each receive The Bootster ski boot shoe horn. 

Boots in car. Pee In Woods

Norm Reynolds, Golden, Colorado

Mask, balaclava, gaiter, helmet, goggles. Breathe? 

Susan Zangrilli, Sandy, Utah

Thanks to all who sent in their creations!

Western Snow Magnets

Alyeska Resort  (AK): 336”. Stevens Pass (WA): 221”. Jackson Hole (WY): 212”.  Whistler Blackcomb (BC): 201″.

Austria Closes Schools and Stores; Not Ski Areas

Covid closures have affected virtually every aspect of public life for Austrians, except ski areas, which continue to function. News reports describe intense crowding in lift lines and elsewhere. Last season, Ischgl, near St. Anton, which attracts big numbers for it’s apres ski scene, was linked to the spread of the virus throughout Europe. Ski area operators lobbied hard for their facilities to remain open during lockdown. Swiss areas also remain open. However both countries have imposed quarantines for those crossing their borders, effectively making the hills off-limits to those living elsewhere.

Superyacht Heli-Skiing

La Datcha, the first ice-breaker superyacht, is available for heli-skiing adventures this season in Russia’s remote Kuril Islands and Kamchatka Peninsula. The cruise will focus on first descents. The 252’ superyacht carries a staff of 25, two helicopters in a below deck hangar, and a 3-person submersible. Cost for 7-days start about $1,225,000 for up to 12 guests and include heli-skiing, guides, equipment, meals, beer/wine, and use of the submersible. Website: https://www.eaheliskiing.com.

First Wood RFID Pass

Source: Skidata

SKIDATA, which produces tech associated with paperless lift tickets, has a new pass made of wood. It’s being used by Austria’s Kitzbühel Bergbahn.

14 Year Old Skiing Wunderkind

At 14, Jackson Hole‘s Kai Jones may be the youngest ski pro. When he was 11, his amazingly graceful form and derring-do helped him win the International Freeskiers Association’s North American championship for skiers younger than 12. The New York Times recently featured his skiing career: click here to read. Click on the video to see Kai in action. Wowee!!!!

mikemaginn

Mystery Glimpse: Cool Sun Glasses

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A Founder

Another easy one.  Let’s hear from you. Do you have any stories about this person?

Credit: Journal New England Ski Museum

Last Week

Credit: Dorothy Crossley, New England Ski Museum

Nancy Greene-Raine, skiing’s girl next door. Not only was she a successful ski racer for Canada, she became a senator for British Columbia in 2009 until her mandatory retirement in 2018. She has a long list of ski industry related accomplishments, including racing, ski area development, fundraising, as well as awards.  She is a recipient of the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor. She was instrumental in developing Sun Peaks in BC where she regularly skis with visitors.

Here’s a comment from Steve Threndyle, a reader who recently skied with Nancy.

“That’s Nancy Greene-Raine (note ‘e’ in Greene and hyphenated last name). Canada’s Female Athlete of the Half Century (wasn’t even close). Two time overall World Cup winner. Canada’s Sweetheart (well, more like, “Tiger”, her nickname). Gold and Silver Olympic Medalist, in 1968 Grenoble. Served in the Canadian Senate until mandatory retirement at age 75 three years ago. Authored legislation to ban sugary/unhealthy food and instituted Canadian Fitness Day each June.

Skied with her for a couple of hours two weeks ago. She and Al are wonderful people. Sun Peaks is a fantastic place!”

Here’s a picture Steve provided with a smiling Nancy.

Nancy still skiing at Sun Peaks. Credit: Steve Threndyle

Here’s a short video of Nancy speaking about her 1968 Grenoble Olympics gold medal win.

seniorsskiing

Correspondent Don Burch Wraps the Season

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Don Kept A Video Diary Of His 2018-19 Season.

Perhaps this will keep you cool in July. If you have videos of this past season, please let us know at info@seniorsskiing.com.

(Some videos by Peter Hines)

 

seniorsskiing

Mystery Glimpse: Cablin’

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Where? When? What’s Special?

Credit: Arthur Griffin, New England Ski Museum Collection

Thanks to the New England Ski Museum for this picture of a unique moment in skiing history. The NESM has recently opened a new branch on North Conway, NH.

Last Week

This is a “10th Mountain Whisk”, designated by government purveyors as “Brush, Mountain”. It is a stiff brush particularly useful to 10th Mountain Division troops camped on snow. It is used to brush snow and frost from clothing and equipment and to keep the tent floor clean. This brush is not a readily available 10th artifact. Since these were used not only to clean off snow, but as fire starters, they are rare.

An extra special thanks to the Colorado Snowsports Museum for offering this curiosity. We had only one guess from a reader which was actually pretty close.

Marc Liebman

What Else Should You Have In Your Car?

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Don’t Get Stuck Without This Extra Safety Gear.

Stuff happens. Be ready.
Credit: The Press Christchurch

Now that you have “The Box in the Back,” (see previous article) what else do you need to carry in your car? The list, strangely enough is short, but the items are necessary. The first four should be in your car all year round, not just the winter. So, without further ado, here they are with the rationale:

  1. Flashlight. It should be in the glove box, always. I suggest a Maglite (or equivalent) type flashlight that takes three D cells, not one that is rechargeable. Why? Cold is the enemy of battery life, and if a rechargeable one isn’t kept charged, you could turn it on and find you have little or no juice left. Then what? I’m so paranoid that I carry a spare set of batteries. But, if you don’t carry spares, keep them out of the flashlight and tape them together side-by-side with electrical tape and then wrap a second piece of electrical tape around the ends to protect the contacts. If you have to peel off the tape, do it carefully because it may come in handy during your emergency!
  2. Jumper cables. Car and truck batteries fail at odd times and Murphy’s law applies, i.e. they die at the worst possible time. Those of us who live in the southwest know that heat is also the enemy of batteries. Heat causes the fluid to evaporate and the battery won’t hold a charge. If it isn’t your battery that dies, it will happen to someone nearby.
  3. Chock or 2. Think about it. You’re going into the mountains and that means if you have a flat or need to jack up your car to put on chains, you need to chock two of the wheels that are not being jacked up. Ski boots work as chocks, but do you want to risk using them?
  4. Warning triangle, not flares. If something bad happens, you want to put this out a few hundred feet behind your car to warn on-coming motorists. Flares are pyrotechnics that age with heat and cold. Plus, once they burn out, then what do you use? Carry a triangle or two and forget the flares!
  5. Kitty litter. Some people prefer sand, I like kitty litter. If you need to spread some out for additional traction, you have it. Two reasons, one, it is lighter to haul around than sand, two, it is easier to find.
  6. Sections of two by fours. If you get stuck or need to put something down to distribute the weight of your car in the soft snow, three foot sections of ten inch wide planks or two by fours work well. They don’t take up much space and can, with a little kitty litter (or sand) on top, get you moving again.

None of these items, except for the kitty-litter take up much space. They’re million dollar items because you’d pay a million when one is needed and you don’t have it. Enjoy skiing and pray for snow!

seniorsskiing

This Week In SeniorSkiing.com (Oct. 7)

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More Layering Advice, Finding Ski Buddies, And A New X-C Leader Emerges.

Just to get the mind ready, here’s a micro video clip of our friend’s son, Chris Thomas, doing the powder at Steamboat last spring. Hang on folks we are almost there.

Now is the time of the year to be browsing through the ski magazines and websites for new gear and clothing.  As we have learned, it pays to be knowledgable about the new kinds of clothing available for outdoor activity.  So, tossing on your old waffle-weave long underwear isn’t good enough anymore.  We learned the hard way on an insanely freezing day in Quebec when we clearly overdressed and chilled throughly through and through.  Pay attention to Vy E.’s update on layering.  He’s got some insight into how to do it right.

We are constantly asked by our readers where they find ski buddies.  One very clear finding of our Spring Survey 2016 is that senior skiers want to find others to ski with.  We have several ideas for how to connect with like-minded seniors in this week’s article.  We hope to hear from you about your advice, too.  And please use our Forum—SeniorsSkiing.com’s message board—as a way to get in touch with others.

Finally, this week we salute the new Executive Director of the Cross Country Ski Areas Association, Reese Brown. As a new Snow Sports Leader, Reese is poised to make an impact on the cross country world.  We know that many of our readers love to go gliding through hills and dales on snow shoes and cross country skis.  It’s accessible, affordable, and incredibly healthy for our demographic.  Reese is rejuvenating CCSAA’s programs and services to the cross country industry.  We look forward to hearing about changes throughout the season.

Coming Up

As we mentioned last week, we are busy at a redesign of our online magazine. We are also planning a very special bonus to our readers: Recommendations for skis that are most suitable for seniors. All of this is in the works and coming soon.

And remember, tell your friends about SeniorsSkiing.com.  There are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.