You Are Never Too Old To Be Young.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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