Tag Archive for: skiing

seniorsskiing

Take A Ski Trip In An RV

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[Editor Note: As the new year begins, SeniorsSkiing.com is again asking our readers to contribute to support our online magazine. Yes, we have grown in the number of subscribers and advertisers. But our expenses have also grown. You can help us defray some of these expenses by helping us out with a donation.  This year, we have a mix of premiums for different level of donations, including stickers, sew-on patches, our new SeniorsSkiing.com ball cap. All donors will be entered into a drawing for a pair of bamboo Polar Poles to be drawn in late March.  You can donate by clicking here.]

For The Peripatetic Skier, Adventure Awaits In A “Mobile AirBNB” With Wheels.

[Editor Note: This article was written by Bill Widmer, a former full-time RVer and skiing enthusiast. He’s also a content creator, travel lover, and co-host of the Better Life Better Business podcast.]

A rolling hotel. An adventure to some, a frugal alternative to others. Credit: Frank Valentine, Upsplash

Have you ever taken a ski trip in an RV?

If not, maybe you should try it! In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to rent an RV for your next ski trip, why you should go this way, and some suggestions on where to stay.

Taking an RV allows you to have a little tiny slice of home with you and can be way more affordable than booking a room at a resort.

RVing offers the flexibility to stay at one ski resort or to visit several. You get the convenience of being able to explore on your terms while still having the comforts of home.

The Best RVs for Cold Weather & Snow

Given that most RVs have very little insulation and not all of them have great heat, you have to choose wisely. Here are some of the best RVs to make your ski trip memorable (and not freeze your butt off):

  1. The Jayco Redhawk 26XD.  It has a pretty decent furnace (30-BTU auto-ignition) and a six-gallon water heater.
  2. The Lance 4 Seasons Travel Trailer.  This bad boy is heavily insulated to keep you warm, even if it is frigid cold outside. It also has a winterized hot water heater so you aren’t stuck with cold showers!
  3. The Forest River Arctic Wolf is great if you get one with the extreme weather package. It comes with a heavy duty furnace, an enclosed and heated underbelly, and an insulated upper decking.
  4. The Jayco 327CKTS Eagle is another awesome snow option. It comes with dual pane windows to keep in the warmth and a tankless water heater with thermostat for hot showers to warm up on demand!
  5. The Keystone Montana is a luxury fifth wheel that has insulated everything from the slide out floors to the walls to the underbelly. Pair that with a high-powered furnace and you will stay nice and toasty.

How to Rent a Winter-Ready RV

If you don’t want to buy one of the above RVs (they are pretty expensive if you’re not going to use them often), renting is your best bet.

We recommend renting from a reputable peer-to-peer RV rental company, such as Outdoorsy or RVshare.

Try searching for any of the five RVs listed above. If you can’t find any of those models in the area you want to stay, search for Amenities > Heater. That’s the key ingredient you are going to need in a winter RV rental.

You can also search for handicap access if you need it. But make sure you ask the owner if their RV is winter-friendly. They are the best judge to help you decide on which camper to rent. You can message them right through the rental site or even call them if they listed their phone number.

If you need more options, click here to see a list of other winter-ready RV models.

Five Campgrounds to Stay At For Skiing

Wondering where to stay during your RV ski trip? Here are five RV campgrounds that are on or near senior-friendly ski resorts (campground on left, ski resort on right):

And that’s all there is to it! It’s an adventure and, for some, a way of life. Perhaps you’ll get the urge to go RVing on other vacations, or take it up as a lifestyle. Many seniors have hit the road and found communities of like-minded folks. Click here for more information on RVing.

If you RV, chances are you won’t be alone. Credit: Practical Motorhome

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Mountain goats in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Photo: Harriet Wallis

Contributor Harriet Wallis snapped this pic on her way down one of the Cottonwood Canyons connecting Salt Lake City with several resorts. Mountain goats are visible from the road this time of year. They maneuver the narrowest ledges like they’re strolling Main Street. Thanks for the picture, Harriet!

CALIFORNIA

Dennis Quaid’s band, The Sharks, will kick off Squaw Valley’s Toyota Ski Pro-Am, Saturday, March 11 at the Resort at Squaw Creek.

COLORADO

Aspen hosts the 2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals. March 15 – 19. The world’s top 25 men’s and women’s alpine ski racers will compete in Aspen, the first time the event has been held outside Europe since 1997.

UTAH

Park City Area Lodging Association’s Delta Gift Card Program gives an $800 Delta Air Lines electronic gift card when booking a minimum six-night stay, valued at $800 or more. Good through April 16. Program details: 855-585-0776.

Snowbird got 75″ in seven days. It released a brief video to celebrate the event.

Solitude Mountain Resort is offering several attractive Spring ski and stay packages.

OTHER

The ’17-’18 Mountain Collective pass just went on sale for $399. It provides two days of skiing at some of the world’s best resorts. Additional days are 50% off. This season, I’ve met several older couples on a grand tour of Mountain Collective areas. One couple from D.C. started at Stowe and worked their way to Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Snowbird and Alta. Another couple, from the state of Washington, started at Whistler Blackcomb and worked their way south to the participating Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado resorts. Now is the time to get the best deal on the pass; prices increase over coming months. If you ski two days at each of four resorts, the daily rate will be less than $50. This season, an online advance purchase for two days at Aspen, alone, (included in the pass) costs $250.

FITS is the sock manufacturer that makes the FILM SKI OTC sock. I tried it and liked it. Because it’s thin, I recommend it for spring conditions. I needed to buckle down one additional notch to accommodate for thinness. Made with non-cushioned merino wool, the sock has graduated compression all the way over the calf. It also has anti-itch and flame resistant properties (good if you plan to place feet on hearth). Odor resistant and antimicrobial, the FILM SKI OTC is a practical addition to any ski wardrobe. Around $24.00 online or in ski shops.

Susie Z

Making a Trail Map Boot Horn

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I’d Be Surprised If Someone Else Didn’t Come Up With This Simple Trick Soon After The Printed Trail Map Made Its Debut.

But, necessity being the mother of invention, in a moment of need, I folded the first map I found, tucked it into the shaft, and, with surprising ease, slipped my foot inside.

Here’s how to do it on your own:

Place trail map against the rear boot cuff. and fold so one half is on outside of boot.

Put foot in boot as usual, letting heel slide down the map’s surface, while holding map with free hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voila! Foot enters boot without struggle.

Note: Be sure to fold the map over the cuff. At first, I didn’t and the map went in with my foot. Folding prevents that from happening.

 

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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A Weekly Round-Up Of Industry News.

historic7_CALIFORNIA

11th annual Alpenglow Sports Winter Film Series will be held at Squaw Valley’s Olympic Village Lodge, November 17.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows promoted Tom Feiten to VP, Marketing and Business Development, overseeing marketing and sales. Before joining the resort in 2011, he helped Teton Gravity Research revitalize the Teton Gravity Research annual film tour. He also worked eight years as Director of Strategic Finance for Booth Creek Ski Holdings in Vail, CO.

COLORADO

Arapahoe Basin will open for the season on Friday, October 21.

Ski Younger Now, instructed by Seth Masia at Vail Ski and Snowboard School, is a great program for older skiers. This season there will be four monthly midweek clinics (Tuesday thru Thursday, December 13-15, January 17-19, February 14-16, March 14-16) and one over the Martin Luther King Jr Day weekend (January 14-16). More at skiyoungernow.com or call Seth at 303.594.1657.

Colorado Cross Country Ski Association (CCCSA) announced the lineup (classic and skate skiing) for the inaugural 2017 Colorado Nordic Race Series taking place at four iconic Colorado destinations between January and March 2017.

GetSkiTickets.com announced it now offers discounts on ski lodging as well as lift tickets for resorts across North-America.

MICHIGAN

Boyne Resorts appointed Ian Arthur Chief Marketing Officer, a new position on the company’s executive team. He joins Boyne Resorts with 30+ years of marketing and related experience. Much of his career success has been achieved in the resort and travel industries. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, NH was named one of the Top 25 Resorts in New England in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards. The awards recognize the best travel destinations from around the world.

UTAH

Ski Utah published its fifth annual Ski Utah Magazine, including, among other features, a comprehensive guide of all of Utah’s 14 ski resorts. Highlighted is an article about the Ski Utah Interconnect Tour, a great opportunity to ski six Utah resorts in the central Wasatch Mountains in one day. Online at: http://bit.ly/SkiUtahMagazine2016-17.

Deer Valley Resort has a new offering: Guests can hit the slopes with Olympic athletes such as Heidi Voelker, Shannon Bahrke, Kris “Fuzz” Feddersen, Kaylin Richardson, and Trace Worthington.

POWDR, owner of “experiential businesses” (e.g. Copper Mountain, Killington/Pico, Mt Bachelor, Boreal, others) announced it has rebranded. www.POWDR.com.

VERMONT

Okemo is offering its transferrable “3 & Easy” multi-pack that includes three days of lift access, valid any day of the season, with no restrictions. Lift access can be redeemed one day at a time or all on the same day. $204 for seniors (ages 65-60); $186 for super seniors (age 70+). Special offer available until October 31.

OTHER

SeniorsSkiing.com co-publisher was interviewed on Rudy Maxa’s World with The Careys, a nationally-broadcast radio program. Podcast of interview: http://rudymaxa.com/podcasts/2016-2/

Vail Resorts announced that it has added three days at Whistler Backcomb to its Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass.

Earl_1
Jon Weisberg

Snow Sports Leaders: Earl Saline, National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)

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Editor’s Note: With this article, SeniorsSkiing.com begins a project of publishing interviews with snow sports leaders. We want our readers to learn more about the people who are influential in snow sports development and their views of the role of older participants in skiing, boarding and snow shoeing.

Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming for the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)

Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming for the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)

Earl Saline, Director of Education Programming for the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), has spent most of his 47 years on snow and around the snow industry. At NSAA he develops education programming for ski areas and their employees, including safety campaigns directed at patrons. Earl has taught at ski areas in the US and in New Zealand, at times managing ski schools with 700+ instructors. Before joining NSAA, he was Education Manager for the Professional Ski Instructors – American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) where he oversaw education and credentialing for 32,000+ members.

How did your early career lead to your NSAA position?

For years, I’ve worked with instructors and trainers across the US teaching skiing and boarding. My wife and I even went to New Zealand where I taught, trained, and examined snowboard instructors. In 2009 I took a position with PSIA-AASI focusing on education and credentialing programs. Ski area management was an important stakeholder in these programs, which led me to NSAA in 2014.

What issues face the ski area members of NSAA? 

The big one is attracting and retaining customers. This involves three critical phases, which we identify as “trial,” “conversion,” and “retention.” Areas work hard to bring new skiers and riders to the sport and to their facilities. If they like the experience, they’re more likely to return, improving their skills and enjoying the sport. That’s the conversion phase. As they identify as skiers and riders, our hope is that they return year after year. We define that as ‘retention.’ Ideally, these converted skiers and riders then share their newfound passion with friends and family.

Our member areas compete year-round with their guests’ work and family obligations and with other recreational and non-recreational pursuits. Many activities don’t require the same time commitment as being on the hill. That’s why we work with areas to keep skiing top of mind when people think about where and how they want to spend their winter.

What is your/NSAA’s thinking about the role of the 50+ snow sports enthusiast in the overall skier population?

Research shows that the majority of new participants are introduced to skiing and riding through family and friends. Grandparents have tremendous influence on getting the rest of their family into skiing, especially when they own property at or near a resort. Many areas are embracing 50+ skiers because they may influence their peers, sometimes bringing new people to the sport. Areas like Crystal Mountain, Michigan are leading the charge with programs specifically aimed at experienced and at new 50+ skiers.

Please comment on other macro-issues impacting the industry.

NSAA Logo 24 x 29_v2Time poverty is one of the greatest issues facing increased participation. Many Americans lead busy lives, even after retirement. Family and other activities compete for attention, time, and financial resources.

Reliable snow is another. Areas have invested heavily in snowmaking. Snowmaking technology helped Eastern areas survive last season.

Areas also are investing in the beginners’ experience. Snow-shaping in beginner areas and equipment designed specifically for beginners is making it easier to learn to ski and ride. And new lifts make the beginner’s experience more enjoyable. Last season, areas in the East, put extra effort into keeping beginner areas open. This was critical to get newcomers into the “trial” phase and increasing their likelihood of conversion.

Qualified, trained instruction is crucial for first timers and for more experienced skiers wanting to stay fresh on snow.

These and other advances and improvements make skiing and riding accessible and better than ever. They are among the most enjoyable ways to spend wintertime with family and friends.

 

seniorsskiing

Helpful Handy Hand Warmer Hints

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From Newborn Mittens to YOUR Mittens.

Editor Note: Sue Z. is a senior skier and craftsperson who hangs out at Alta.  She wrote a recent gift idea that showed how to transform worn out ski socks into a cool scarf.  

Like many older skiers, I rely on disposable glove warmers to keep my hands comfortable. I open the package at home and let them toast my gloves on the 30-minute drive to Alta, my home resort. Manufacturers of disposable hand warmers advise that they not be placed directly against the skin. Since my gloves and mittens don’t have pockets, I came up with the following idea which allows me to use disposable hand warmers without them touching my skin.

 

My ski mittens.

My ski mittens.

Mittens for newborn children, which can be bought at any store that carries infant clothing.

Mittens for newborn children, which can be bought at any store that carries infant clothing.

 

Little Hotties® hand warmers. Remove pair from package and shake.

Little Hotties® hand warmers. Remove pair from package and shake.

 

Insert Hotties into newborn mittens. Now, the Hotties will not be against your skin.

Insert Hotties into newborn mittens. Now, the Hotties will not be against your skin.

I put them in my mittens about a half hour before I’m ready to hit the slopes. That way, my mittens are warm by the time I’m ready to put them on. An added benefit: if the mittens are near my socks in my ski bag, I have warm socks as well!

®Little Hotties is a registered trademark.

SueZ*Sue Z., born in Brooklyn, is now a senior skier who likes to spend her time at Alta. When she is not skiing, she likes to paint in acrylics, plays the piano, and has taken several years of drum lessons. The “sock to scarf” idea came about while she was looking for a scarf for her new ski jacket; she came across knee socks in fun colors, and thought she could sew them together to create just what she was looking for.

mikemaginn

Product Review: Shake It With TomTom Bandit

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Action Camera Comes With Instant Editing.

It’s good to have a rival—Macy’s has Gimbel’s, the Red Sox have the Yankees, Holmes has his match in Moriarty. Everyone gets much sharper with a decent competitor. And so it is with action cameras.

TomTom Bandit Action Camera has a 4-way navigation button on top. The camera has many attachment devices. Credit: SeniorsSkiing.com

TomTom Bandit Action Camera has a 4-way navigation button on top. The camera has many attachment devices.
Credit: SeniorsSkiing.com

The ubiquitous GoPro, the current market leader, has almost become a verb, as in “I GoPro-ed my last run, and I can’t wait to see it.” Enter a new rival in the action camera market—the TomTom Bandit from the company that made its mark in GPS technologies, bringing navigation features to running and golf watches, car dashboards, motorcycle handle bars, fitness devices and more. Now, the TomTom Bandit has not only quality optics and a variety of choices for video or photo making, but a unique way to get your clips spliced together and posted to social media.

You’d expect a competitive action camera to have a high standard for video and photo quality; it’s the price of admission for this kind of product. And the Bandit certainly looks terrific on a cell phone display. TomTom Bandit has slow-mo, time-lapse, standard video and stills, with options for wide angle or normal lens, and different speeds.

Key Feature: Shaking the phone assembles a collection of clips into a video. Add music and viola.

Key Feature: Shaking your SmartPhone assembles a collection of clips into a video. Add music and viola.

Here come the differentiators. When on your skis (bike, sky-dive, etc.), the Bandit uses built-in motion sensors to tag clips that mark action segments, based on your speed, rotation, g-force, vertical descent and acceleration (and optionally, your heart rate). You can also mark these manually as they happen by hitting a button on the camera or using a remote button linked to the device.

When you combine these highlights, you get a video that can be instantly available for sending into cyberspace. How? The TomTom Bandit connects wirelessly to your SmartPhone which has an awaiting, free TomTom Bandit app . Now get this. When you shake your phone (like a Martini, kind of), the highlight reel shows up on your phone. The app actually edits together a collection of six-second snips from your clip collection. You can add a music track (from your music library on your SmartPhone), audio narration and then blast it to whatever destination you choose from Facebook to Instant Message to email or whatever.  A key benefit of all this is rapid and simple dissemination of your exciting moments.

We had a chance to give the Bandit a test flight. Because of the snow drought here in New England, we went for a walk around Appleton Farm, just across the street instead of cross-country skiing which was the original plan. Here is what we learned about using the TomTom Bandit.

It is good to have a tech-savvy son, daughter or son-in-law handy to give you the big picture instructions before you get going. The instruction manual that comes with the packaging is limited to the very basics. Only after doing some online searching did we find the main, down-loadable reference/instruction manual. That was thoughtfully done and thorough.

Pairing my SmartPhone (iPhone 6) with the camera took some trials; referencing the steps to take in the online reference manual helped. The controls aren’t intuitive; you do have to find and follow the instructions.

When we went for our trial walk, we tried to walk fast (to simulate exciting moments), pressed the Highlight button on the camera several times. (Note: You can use your SmartPhone as a view finder for the camera.) Back in the office, we followed instructions on the SmartPhone app to “Create a Story”, shook our phone, (that felt a little odd, but it worked) added a sound track from our iTunes library and sent it to family via instant message. We repeated the process with a series of videos around the office, but we couldn’t immediately lock on to the wireless connection to our phone; it eventually did pair up, though.

We also found the On-Off buttons—they are separately mounted on the camera—were a little hard to press with gloves in. Having a remote control would most likely help a lot.

The TomTom Bandit comes with various devices that allow you to attach it to helmets or poles. There’s also a waterproof lens; the Bandit is waterproof to 50 meters.  The camera retails for about $396.99 on Amazon.  There’s a premium pack with remote control, various mounts and waterproof lens cover for $496.99.

Bottom Line:  TomTom Bandit has some nice features like shake-and-edit-then-send, but it does take some fiddling and diddling to get comfortable in operating them.  Video quality is excellent which makes all that learning worth it.  In all, a camera for seniors who want to show their grandkids the thrills and beauty of the outdoors.

Jan Brunvand

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Powder Mountain—Second Biggest Resort

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Mega But Low Key Resort Close To Salt Lake City Has True Bargains For Seniors.

SeniorsSkiing.com Resort Reviewer Jan Brunvand has found lots of value at Powder Mountain. Credit: Jan Brunvard

SeniorsSkiing.com Resort Reviewer Jan Brunvand has found lots of value at Powder Mountain.
Credit: Jan Brunvard

Until this season Powder Mountain ski resort advertised, “More than 7,000 acres. The largest resort in the United States. A hidden gem.” Now that Vail Corp. combined Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort into 7,300 skiable acres, the claim of largest no longer stands. But Powder Mountain—PowMow to locals—is still the hidden gem of Utah’s fourteen ski resorts. For seniors, it’s a bargain. An adult day pass is $73, and a Senior pass (age 62-74) is $55. Seventy-five on up, everyone skis free. For the convenience of not going to the ticket window, a super senior season pass is available for $20.

Regardless of age and ticket price, PowMow offers 144 named runs, four chairlifts, two surface lifts, countless acres of back country powder, a “Mountain Adventures” program to access the powder, and three lodges that may charitably be described as “rustic.”

PowMow is 55 miles from the Salt Lake City Airport. The easy way to get there is to drive north on I-15, exit

Distance from parking lot to lodge: short and convenient. Credit: Jan Brunvand

Distance from parking lot to lodge: short and convenient.
Credit: Jan Brunvand

at Ogden’s 12th Street, and follow the signs up Ogden Canyon through the small town of Eden to the steep winding access road. A more scenic way follows I-84 East to the Huntsville/Mountain Green exit, then along Trapper’s Loop past Snowbasin ski resort, across the dam at Pineview Reservoir, on to Eden, etc. This route runs 61 miles from my driveway to the upper parking lot of PowMow. UTA bus service costs just $2.25 for seniors (exact change only), one way, and can be picked up at various places in Ogden or along the way. See the Powder Mountain website for schedules and details.

On the final Wednesday in 2015, I compiled my top four reasons for sometimes driving to PowMow rather than to Alta, the nearer senior skiing hotspot. (1. Extensive terrain, 2. Elegant lodges (just kidding), 3. Close up parking, 4. $20 pass for Super Seniors.) I stopped at four only because I was having too much fun skiing PowMow’s long, scenic, uncrowded runs.

Powder Mountain Trail Map

Reviewer Jan gleefully shows off his $20 season pass for 75+ skiers. Credit; Jan Brunvand

Reviewer Jan gleefully shows off his $20 season pass for 75+ skiers.
Credit; Jan Brunvand

 

 

 

 

Roger Lohr

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Bretton Woods—A Triple Play Resort

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Roger Lohr, Publisher of XCSkiResorts.Com, Reports On Bretton Woods’ Snow Assets: Alpine, Nordic, Historic Hotels.

The magnificent Omni Mt. Washington Hotel lies at the base of Bretton Woods' Mt. Rosebrook. Credit: Bretton Woods

The magnificent Omni Mt. Washington Hotel lies at the base of Bretton Woods’ Mt. Rosebrook.
Credit: Bretton Woods

Bretton Woods is part of the Omni Mount Washington Resort at the southern base of the mighty Mt. Washington in New Hampshire on Route 302. The resort includes three significant snow resort assets: hotels/inns (the historic Omni Mount Washington Hotel, the Bretton Arms Inn), the Bretton Woods alpine ski area and the Nordic Center. Spectacular scenery and many photo opportunities abound!

Alpine Skiing at Bretton Woods

The alpine ski area has 464 acres of skiing and snowboarding on 62 trails and 35 glades and three terrain parks. There are 10 lifts including four high-speed quads, food outlets at the main lodge and, up on the slopes, there is a restaurant at the top of the Bethlehem Express lift. There’s also a cabin destination for snacks and libations accessible by T-bar near the top of Mt. Stickney, and a unique candy store (!) at the top of the Zephyr Express lift.

Snow and Terrain

Sunrise run at Bretton Woods. Notice the corduroy. Credit: Roger Lohr

Sunrise run at Bretton Woods. Notice the corduroy.
Credit: Roger Lohr

Bretton Woods is known for consistent snow conditions, and it’s rarely ever windy. They’ve got snowmaking on 92 precent of the trails. Over the years, Bretton Woods was known as an easy mountain with few steep slopes and that, in fact, is one of the best reasons for older skiers to become aficionados of the area. The runs are short and the lifts are fast, and this allows older skiers and riders to turn on the jets and avoid getting tired from runs that are too long.

The ski area has now become recognized for its grooming by earning first place mention in a skiers poll.  It also has excellent accessible glade skiing that can be enjoyed by intermediate skiers and boarders and has the longest lasting powder. Bretton Woods has an excellent layout with the four high speed chairlifts helping to spread skiers out on the mountain, which keep lift lines reasonable and often nonexistent. The West Mountain and Rosebrook areas on the mountain are separated from the main mountain, and they provide plenty to explore both on the slopes and in the glades.

Bretton Woods is host to many multigenerational families, and you rarely see out-of-control skiers who are skiing or riding too fast. I’ve always enjoyed the slope edges at Bretton because they provide terrain that is accessible and ungroomed and most Bretton skiers avoid these parts of the slopes. Untracked powder can remain on the slope edges and in glades for days following storms.

Suggested Alpine Skiing Itinerary For Seniors

My recommendation for Bretton Woods is to take the Bethlehem lift and then ski to the Rosebrook lift. Take a few runs in the Rosebrook area in some easy glades, but don’t go too far to the east, or you’ll end up back down at the base. From the top of the Rosebrook lift, go west and keep your speed up to reach the West Mountain for runs in the glades on that side of the mountain. Enjoy plenty of narrow runs in the West Mountain trees. There’s a restroom at the base of the West Mountain quad, if you need it.

The lodge has plenty of free storage bins and services in the basement, a cafeteria on the first floor, a bar, restaurant, and a climbing wall on the third floor. The food at Bretton Woods is standard ski area fare.

Special offers for seniors include a $25 midweek/non-holiday lift ticket for ages 65+, and those 80+ ski free everyday. The popular Wiser Woods weekly program (offered Tuesdays January 5-March 15, cost $125 for the season plus lift ticket) lets skiers and riders age 50+ with similar interests and ability ski with one of Bretton Woods’ instructors and enjoy the camaraderie of others during morning coffee socials and end of season get together.

Nordic Center: Lift To Mountain Trails

Nordic trails offer views of Mt. Washington at Bretton Woods. Credit: Bretton Woods

Nordic trails offer views of Mt. Washington at Bretton Woods.
Credit: Bretton Woods

The Nordic Center is adjacent to the grand hotel, and it has 100 km of XC ski and snowshoe trails. Take trails to the yurt for a popular destination about 5 km from the Nordic Center, and you’ll enjoy some thrilling downhill on the return trip. There are various locations to stop and rest along the way including a river bridge, which is a great place to take photos.

The lift-served Mountain Road trail may be the most fun to be had on XC skis in New England. I’ve taken many friends on the Mountain Road because it is much easier to take the lift up and then ski downhill on the trail, and it has incredible scenery and views. This 7 km trail is accessible from the top of the Bethlehem Express quad at the Bretton Woods alpine ski area (five minutes from the Nordic Center via complimentary resort shuttle). Along the way, take a side trip on a T-bar lift to the Stickney Cabin for snacks and libations and to ski additional trails on the way back to the Mountain Road. For senior or novice XC skiers, the Mountain Road is sure to be a lifetime highlight!

Correspondent Roger Lohr, on the Mountain Road, is publisher of XCSkiResorts.com Credit: Roger Lohr

Correspondent Roger Lohr, on the Mountain Road, is publisher of XCSkiResorts.com
Credit: Roger Lohr

While you’re at the area take the free shuttle and go check out the historic Omni Mt. Washington Hotel for some drinks or dinner. It harkens back to the time of the grand hotels (bell boys, ski concierge, etc.) and it has been renovated with a new spa, wonderful restaurants and bars, and even a dance club in the basement for late night action.

Bottom Line

A full day of alpine skiing for skiers older than 64 on weekends or holidays is $73; midweek is $63, and skiers older than 79 are complimentary for alpine or Nordic skiing. The Nordic Center is $14 for skiers aged 65-79 and only $7 if you are a lodge guest at the resort. The Nordic High Country pass is $31 (or a $10 add on to a ski ticket) for one ride on the Bethlehem Express lift with unlimited use of the T-bar at Mt. Stickney.

Bretton Woods Resort Alpine Trail Map

Bretton Woods Resort Nordic Trail Map

 

Jon Weisberg

Remembering Stein

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SeniorsSkiing.com Co-Publisher Jon Weisberg Remembers His Encounter With The Ski Legend.

Several years ago, Jon Weisberg shared a chair lift ride with Stein and later on a dinner table.  Here are his recollections as published in Huff 50.

Stein Eriksen, one of the first ski celebrities, was a pioneer in acrobatics. Credit: Park City

Stein Eriksen, one of the first ski celebrities, was a pioneer in acrobatics.
Credit: Park City

Stein_

 

seniorsskiing

Happy Snow Year 2016!

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From All Of Us At SeniorsSkiing.Com:

Best Wishes For A Happy, Healthy, Active New Year!

NYE_

mikemaginn

Poll Results: Seniors Are Serious Skiers

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Our first major poll reveals a compelling factoid about our readers.

Last spring, we did our first Subscriber Survey to learn, among other things, just who our readers were.  We learned that you guys like discounts first and foremost.  We also learned you that 55 percent of our respondents skied more than 30 days a year!  Now that is impressive considering that the average number of skier days for all demographics was 7.6 in 2013-14, according to Snowsports Industries America.

That our readers are passionate about skiing continues to be validated by a new sliver of data.  SeniorsSkiing.com’s first major poll revealed that in late August and early September,  66.3 percent of respondents had ALREADY bought their season passes and another 6.3% were about to.  Clearly, you were taking advantage of early-bird discounts. And you definitely planned to ski at a favorite ski area.  A lot. Here are the results.

 

PollGraph copy

mikemaginn

New Senior Deal Site For Tahoe Area

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Up Pops A New Senior Ski Site Out West. Well Done!

We are pleased to see that Michael Warner started a website for senior deals in the Tahoe area.  We like to think seniorsskiing.com stimulated his venture to some degree.  We now have an ally in trying to promote the needs and interests of senior snow enthusiasts by targeting a specific geographic area.

Michael Warner has launched a new ski deal site for seniors focusing on the Tahoe area. Credit: Tahoe Senior Ski Deal

Michael Warner has launched a new ski deal site for seniors focusing on the Tahoe area.
Credit: Tahoe Senior Ski Deal

Tahoe Senior Ski Deals keeps tabs on lift pricing rates at 16 resorts throughout the Tahoe Donner region.  As we have learned in SeniorsSkiing.com’s Annual Ski Area Surveys, the best deals are always at the smaller areas like Boreal Mountain ($54, 65-69; $29, 70+) and Homewood ($47, 65-69; $20, 70+) for just two examples.  We were glad to see Tahoe Donner, a SeniorsSkiing.com Senior-Friendly Award Winner, on the list of deals ($22, 60-69, free, 70+).  In fact, Tahoe Senior Ski Deals calls Tahoe Donner the “Best Senior Prices”.

Tahoe Senior Ski Deals focuses on 16 resorts ringing the big lake. Credit: Google Maps

Tahoe Senior Ski Deals focuses on 16 resorts ringing the big lake.
Credit: Google Maps

The site also advises that seniors buy online at least three days before coming to the mountain.  There are always better deals online. The site also lists ski clubs and, notably, a link to SeniorsSkiing.com.  Thanks, Michael.

It shows that seniors can ski and enjoy the outdoors without having a hedge-fund account.  If you know of other sites that report ski or cross-country ski deals, clothing or gear discounts, please let us know.

 

 

mikemaginn

Stocking Stuffer: Hassle Reduction By Shipping Gear

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Don’t Schlep, Ship.

My pal Jerry took his wife and two college-age girls on a ski trip from Boston to Vail a few winters ago. The trip involved a stopover in Chicago which, when his plane from Boston landed, was being covered in a blinding snowstorm. His connecting flight was cancelled. So, Jerry and family had to schlep all their luggage—roll-aways, back packs, boot bags and skis—to an airport hotel in the snow, in a taxi, get up well before dawn, reverse his tracks and check-in with his entourage and their baggage, waiting on snaking baggage check lines. Not pleasant and a constant reminder of one of the flaws of traveling-whilst-a-skier—hassling your kit.

Enter Ship Skis, a service that picks up your gear, sends it to your destination hotel, and when you’re done with your ski vacation, sends the stuff back home again.  We met the guys at the BEWI Boston Ski and Snowboard Show this fall.

You're going to have to pay for checked bags anyway, so it makes sense to ship your gear. Credit: SeniorsSkiing

You’re going to have to pay for checked bags anyway, so it makes sense to ship your gear.
Credit: SeniorsSkiing

It’s all done online. You schedule a shipment to your destination, select insurance options (you get $500 base coverage with different add-ons), print out a shipping label, pack your stuff and wait for the pickup or head to a UPS or FedEx drop-off point. You can track where your shipment is, but you’re probably on the plane by then. Ship Skis claims your equipment will arrive before you do. Pretty simple process.

Pricing varies depending on where you are going, how much you send, and how urgent your shipment is. We priced a hypothetical trip from Boston to Vail, using Jerry’s family as an example. The price ranged from $69 per ski bag to $139. (You might be able to put two pairs in one bag.) That’s one way. When you add boots, the price bumped up varied from $128.99 to $288.99 per ski bag (which might contain two pairs) and boots, again one way. You get the lower price by sending a week or so before you expect to arrive and vice versa coming home. For the Jerry example, shipping a week ahead of time and getting equipment returned from vacation a week after you arrive home would be about $300-$500 for round trip boots and skis for four people, assuming you stuff two pair of skis into one bag. You have to decide if that’s worth it. To Jerry it very well might have been.

By the way, airlines will charge you anywhere from $25 to $200 per checked ski bag and/or boots each way, depending on how many bags you check. So, when you think about it, if you’re going on a ski vacation somewhere by plane, Ship Skis might make sense.

We are discussing a potential discounted rate for readers of SeniorsSkiing.com with the powers that be at Ship Skis. Stay tuned for an update.

mikemaginn

East: Too Warm To Believe

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Start Wishing Harder, New Englanders. It Worked For The Red Sox.

Not New England today. Unfortunately, we have to wait some more for snow. Credit: Currier & Ives

Not New England today. Unfortunately, we have to wait some more for snow.
Credit: Currier & Ives

There’s an old adage here in New England that half your cord wood should still be left over by Ground Hog’s Day.  But, so far this winter, we’ve hardly touched the wood pile; we’ll have most of it left over come April if this trend continues. We guess that’s one advantage of having a record-breaking snow-drought, warm-spell syndrome around here.  Frankly, we’d rather ski than not have to chop.

The Weather Channel says this Christmas could be the warmest of your lifetime, especially in the East.

Next week's jet stream pattern from the Weather Channel. Don't like the word "Mild" where it is. Credit: Weather Channel.

Next week’s jet stream pattern from the Weather Channel. Don’t like the word “Mild” where it is.
Credit: Weather Channel.

It is clearly a winter for the record books. Looks like the El Nino predictions are coming to pass. We just heard that Mount Sunapee (NH) has closed until this weekend when the forecast predicts some colder weather for snow making.  Okemo hasn’t seen natural snow since Nov 30th, and conditions are soft with open spots. Plus it rained last night up country.  Other areas have a lift or three running, that’s all.  The ski train from Boston to Wachusett Mountain has been postponed because “the ski area has zero trails open,” according WBUR radio.  Everyone is looking for a window of cold air for snow making.

And it’s not just New England. Ontario, Quebec and even Europe are experiencing too much warmth when we need cold.

We’ve had snow droughts before. New England Ski Industry has collected some memorable highlights about those unhappy times.  Click here to view quotes.  Oh well, this, too, shall pass.  Just like the Red Sox World Series drought.  Just takes some wishing.

Please don’t accept the current status quo as a trend for the rest of the winter; it’s way too early for that, despite the year’s El Nino potency.  Last winter, the toughest and coldest in recorded history here in Boston, precipitation didn’t get very serious until mid-January into February when the snow became overwhelming. We’ve seen wicked March storms and a three-foot blizzard on April 1 a few years ago that had the wildlife and crocuses confused.

On the other hand, there is a helluva lot of snow right now out in the Wasatch, the Rockies, in the Far West and the Sierras.

Wish it our way.  Come on, wish it. Wish it.  Let’s go snow.  Wish it.

 

Skiing Super Heroes!!

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Why not ski in costume? Credit: Jon Weisberg

Why not ski in costume?
Credit: Jon Weisberg

Spidey and Cap’n America, Skiing’s Super Heroes, about to save the day at the top of Snowbird tram. Senior Skiers, do you ski in costume? If you could choose one, what would it be?

mikemaginn

Long Time Between Runs

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SeniorSkiing

It is a sunny and cold Thursday morning in early February.  There are a handful of other skiers on the mid-New Hampshire ski area lift.  I decide to go right at the top.  Trail is untouched, the corduroy grooming marks fresh and waiting.  I turn, effortless.  Ahhh.  I turn again, making a big, wide arc.  The feeling is like floating, my new skis carving and then, almost without a conscious notion, shifting to the other edge.

Hard to believe this is my first real run in thirty-five years.  Okay, there was an expensive, uncomfortable holiday weekend on rental skis and boots in the 90s with cranky children, cheesy condo and unrelenting cold.  It was an exception.  I had left my real skiing behind long time ago.

I started in college, in the mid-60s.  Back then, it was blue jeans and rice-paddy parkas with Moriarity hats, wooden skis, leather boots and Cubco bindings.  In the early 70s, I lucked out and worked as an assistant editor at Skiing Magazine working and rubbing elbows with some of the greats.  Now, that was fun.

I was Associate Editor in the early 70s

I was Associate Editor in the early 70s

The next few decades had me running a business, flying here and there, finding and keeping clients.  No time, no interest in skiing.  Too cold, too time consuming.  The closest I made it to the slopes was working on my laptop while watching my wife kids from the day lodge window.

Then I came back.  With retirement came time.  I looked at boots and skis in a ski shop one day and said to myself, “I can do this now.”

I find almost everything about skiing has changed for the better during my long hiatus.  The skis are magical instruments, boots are comfortable, clothes are warmer, the lifts are faster, the trails well groomed and, because of my senior status, the lift tickets are relatively cheaper.  And, there is no more need for speed.  Instead, I relax into the slow turn, pressing down to feel the slice of the edge.

Parabolic skis rule! Turning has never been more easy or more fun.

Parabolic skis rule! Turning has never been more easy or more fun.

Apparently, I’m not the only veteran coming back to skiing.  Although we are still a small percent of the total, the number of skiers over 65 has doubled since the 1997-98 season, according to a National Ski Areas Association demographic study published in 2013.  And we ski more often than younger skiers, too.  We get in 9.5 skiing days per season compared to a national average of five days.  We are using the gift of time that retirement has bestowed.

What does it take to get back?  Fitness for starters. That’s a good idea, regardless. A good ski shop to fit you out with the proper equipment, maybe starting with decent rentals.  A lesson might be helpful, too.  A couple of friends to go with.  A nice winter day in the middle of the week.  More and more runs.

What’s your return-to-skiing advice?