Tag Archive for: Solitude

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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This week I participated in a media briefing about the coming season. It was organized by Ski Utah and featured presenters from most of the state’s areas.

They confirmed what most of us already know. This will not be a normal season. Resort skiing will require more advance planning than we’re used to. Some of the details, as presented in the aforementioned media briefing, are outlined a few paragraphs down.

Those of you who live close to where you ski won’t feel the pain. Not so for those of us who must travel.

That’s one of the reasons I plan to try cross country this season. I won’t be alone.  

Cross country skiing is about to boom. Since its impact was first felt, Covid has prompted many more people to pursue solo outdoor sports. 

According to Reese Brown, executive director of the non-profit Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA), early sales of entry-level gear packages were up over 200% in August and September. This bodes well for that branch of the sport.

This issue of SeniorsSkiing.com is dedicated to cross country and other Nordic activities. When Covid entered the scene, we anticipated that many of you, turned off by new obstacles, might look to Nordic activities as an alternative. That’s why we introduced the Make More Tracks: Nordic Resource Guide and are featuring a Nordic article in each issue. You’ll note that Alpina, which makes top-of-the-line Nordic ski boots and other gear is supporting the initiative.

Cross country, skate skiing, snowshoeing, and snow biking don’t always require traveling great distances to enjoy. If you live where there’s snow, many parks and local golf courses have groomed trails. If you’re fortunate enough to be near a cross country resort, you can enjoy extensive trail networks with many amenities. 

Clearly, Covid has turned skiing on its head.

What did I learn in that media briefing mentioned earlier? Among other things, advance ticket reservations will be required. It’s one of several ways areas will limit access. 

Places like Snowbird will regulate the number of skiers by requiring parking reservations. And at least for the first part of the season, parking spots will be for morning arrivals only.

For several seasons, Utah has encouraged people skiing the Cottonwood Canyons (Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude) to take public transportation. Depending on time of day or day of week, ski buses were at their 60 passenger capacity. This season, each bus will be limited to 20.

Many senior skiers enjoy the amenities of a locker room. Now, in an effort to improve social distancing, Deer Valley will limit access locker room access. The resort already has removed all seating. 

Snowbasin is introducing portable “executive” restrooms.

Restaurants will require reservations or ordering by app. Powder Mountain will do both as well as increase take-out locations around the resort.

These changes are representative of what to expect at resorts throughout the U.S. 

In closing the media briefing, Nathan Rafferty, who heads Ski Utah, shared his metric for success for the coming season. As I recall, in the past it has been increasing the number of skiers and the number of skier days. This year, it’s simply “Get open and stay open.”

Vail, Killington, Park City Mountain Resort, Alta Opening 

source: Alta

Vail, Park City Mountain Resort and Killington each announced season openings on Friday, November 20. Alta will open Monday, November 23. Check your email and favorite mountain website for more opening dates.

The Nordic Approach

That’s the name of the new online magazine for cross country skiers. Click here to visit the free site and find resorts, retailers, lots of good articles and tips for everyone interested in or already enjoying the cross country skiing lifestyle.

Parlor Skis Backcountry Emails

Parlor Skis is the Boston-based custom ski manufacturer known for high quality skis designed for the purchaser’s individual skiing style and needs. I know several skiers who’ve invested in Parlor skis, and they absolutely love them! The company takes an intelligent and analytical approach to the customization process. Its New England heritage is reflected in a new email series exploring back country skiing in the Northeast. If you’d like to receive Parlor’s emails, send your request to mark@parlorskis.com.

ISHA Needs Your Support

International Ski History Association

ISHA (International Skiing History Association) is the non-profit that, among other things, publishes Skiing History magazine. If you’re not already a member, I urge you to join. You’ll receive Skiing History every other month. Click on ISHA’s ad at the bottom of the stack of ads on the right and you’ll receive the free digital version. But at this time, it’s important to send ISHA money. Like so many other non-profits, the group is feeling the effects of Covid, especially from corporate sponsors cutting back because of reduced revenues. Please help ISHA weather this particularly tough storm. A one-year membership is only $49.

U.S. Ski-Snowboard Hall of Fame, Too

This is another worthy non-profit whose revenues this year were interrupted by Covid. The Hall of Fame‘s mission is to honor and celebrate the athletes, pioneers and visionaries of the United States who have significantly enriched the global sports of skiing and snowboarding and to showcase their stories and historic memorabilia…” To learn more and/or make a donations, click here.

A Skier’s Thanks

Next Thursday the U.S. celebrates Thanksgiving, a time when we give thanks for our good fortune by stuffing our faces and tolerating people we’re obligated to have at our tables. I apologize for the cynicism. This year will be different. Like others we know, Pam and I will be alone for our traditional feast. We’ll eat well, knowing that many will not and that many will be alone. As we do on every Thanksgiving and throughout the year, we’ll remember those no longer with us and those less fortunate. As skiers, we should be expressing thanks to the people who work hard so we can enjoy our good times on the hill. There are the groomers who work throughout the night, often in dangerous conditions, to prepare slopes and trals for our enjoyment. There are the lifties, standing in bitter cold to assist us onto the chair. And patrol, up early to control avalanches and working throughout the day to make trails safer. The people preparing and serving food. Those clearing the lots. There are many we never see and whom we never have the opportunity to thank. Maybe it’s not the purpose of Thanksgiving to thank them, but this year, let’s do it anyway. And while we’re at it, let’s thank the medical researchers, especially those at Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. It sounds like their commitment to developing Covid vaccines will soon get us back to some form of normal, including a more normal ski season. Thank you! 

Frustration #1. Frustration #2.

Frustration #1: Readers are reporting that SeniorsSkiing.com requires re-entering name and email address each time you try to open the site. We believe the issue may be the need to enable cookies on each device used to access SeniorsSkiing.com. If you’ve done that on your laptop and want to open the site on your phone, you must enable cookies on each device. On my iPhone, I went to Settings, scrolled to Safari, turned off  (grey bubble) “Block All Cookies”  and turned on (green bubble) “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking.” Other phones may require other steps. 

Frustration #2: We’d like more classified advertisers. It’s a great deal. Advertise for four weeks for $1. Once the classified section takes hold, we plan to increase the cost of advertising. For the immediate future, however, you can advertise something for sale, something for rent, a club trip, look for someone to ski with, etc. for a buck. 

Back December 4

SeniorsSkiing.com is taking next week off. See you December 4!

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eventually, I saw a trail.

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

Vail Announces Northeast Passes and Rewards Program

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

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

For details, click here. 

2020-21 IKON Pass Discount

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

When Skiing Utah, Visit The Lift House

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

International Skiing History Association

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

Two more things from ISHA:

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

How Snowbird Trails Got Their Names

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

This Self-Massage Device is Essential for Older Skiers

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

Mont-Tremblant, Extends Season

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

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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AARGH!!!! What follows, unfortunately, is the tale of what NOT to do when renting in Salt Lake City through Airbnb or VRBO.

My wife and I decided to take a place for January through March. We know SLC from having lived there. 

The city is a terrific base with easy access to nine fantastic ski areas and more hotel, restaurant, and entertainment options than found in any individual ski resort.

Many have found decent accommodations through the aforementioned Internet-based services. Even if the places weren’t so clean or well appointed, they were there for only a few days.

What a disappointment! Cluttered closets and drawers; grimy bathroom; hooks pulling out of walls; electrical extension cords plugged into extension cords, plugged into more extension cords. And my wife, whose sniffer is more sensitive than mine, swore the master bedroom had the odor of men.

Fortunately, the landlord, a lovely and reasonable man was committed to salvaging the situation. We moved into the much smaller and more comfortable adjacent apartment at a lower rent.

But, the place feels like I’m back in college.

Seeking an alternative to this housing crisis, we found on VRBO a fantastic looking condo at Snowbird for $100 a night, minimum, 30 nights. We grabbed it. Within minutes a fee of $4,380. was posted to our credit card. Seemed like someone had a problem with arithmetic.

After HOURS trying to reach VRBO customer service, someone picked up the phone. He investigated and learned that the condo owner had added a $1000 cleaning fee. VRBO’s fee accounted for the balance. An hour later my wife’s phone rang; the condo’s owner profusely apologizing for our inconvenience and explaining that his HOA wouldn’t allow him to rent the unit.

It took several days to get a full refund.

Speaking with several senior skiers at Alta, I learned than many take three or four month apartment and condo rentals in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City where rentals are about $1000 – $1500 a month, three month minimum. The places  are newer than many of Salt Lake’s options and the location is closer to the Wasatch Front ski areas (Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude). 

Remember how my wife thought she smelled men in the bedroom?  She was right. The landlord told us his previous tenants – there for several months – were a group of male oil refinery workers. He agreed its time to replace the housekeeper.

Where The Snow IS

Not this deep…yet!

Last Tuesday, Ski Utah, the marketing arm of Utah’s ski industry, announced that Alta and Snowbird got 6’ in the preceding 7 days. North America’s top ten snow magnet to date: Snowbird: 299”, Alta: 290”; Brighton (UT): 271”, Revelstoke (BC): 259.4”;  Jackson Hole (WY): 254”; Whitewater (BC): 242”; Alyeska (AK): 237”; Castle Mountain (AB): 227”; Solitude (UT): 222”, and Monarch Mountain (CO): 189”.

Snow Guns Fight Aussie Fires

Thredbo and Perisher Ski Resorts are deploying snow guns to prevent wildfires from destroying their buildings and lifts.

Sugarbush Deal Closes

Alterra closed on the purchase of Sugarbush Resort (VT).

Crystal Mountain Ends Walk-Up Ticket Sales

Crystal Mountain (WA) will no longer sell walk-up lift tickets on weekends and holidays. The area will release a limited amount of online sales and continue to honor Ikon Pass holders.

Your Own Ski Area: $1.25MM

Spout Springs, in Northeastern Oregon, is available for $1.25-million. The area has 250 skiable acres (800’ vertical), 14 runs, two double chairs, illuminated slopes, and two X-C trail systems. It is accessible from Walla Walla, La Grande and Pendleton.

Big Dump on The Big Island

Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser 1/14/20

Hawaii’s Mauna Kea received 1-2 feet with snowdrifting to 4 feet. The snow fell above 12,000 feet.

Hand Warmer Advice

This, I never knew: When using hand warmers, place them on top of the hand where they warm the blood vessels and keep your fingers comfortable. This advice is from a helpful salesperson at the Alta Ski Shop at Albion Lodge. And all these years, I’ve positioned them against my palms! P.S. Many skiers extend hand warmer use by wrapping them tightly in food wrap for the night.

Documentary Offer Hope while Warning “Humans  Have Overrun World”   

This trailer for  the new feature-length documentary,“David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet,” features Sir David, 93, warning “human beings have overrun the world.” In the doc, he reflects upon both the defining moments of his lifetime as a naturalist and the devastating changes he has seen. Honest, revealing and urgent, he bears witness for the current state of  the natural world.  The film will be available on Netflix this Spring.

 

 

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Arapahoe is running its guns.

Big Sky, Alta, and Lake Tahoe are among the Western ski destinations that have received natural snow. A few areas in the Austrian and Italian Alps are already operating.

It’s all about to happen again. 

Farmer’s Almanac predicts a “Polar Coaster” with wildly swinging temps. NOAA is expected to give its prediction sometime in October. 

Source: Farmer’s Almanac

Did you see last week’s report that North America’s bird population has declined by 29% over the past 50 years? What about melting glaciers? One Swiss community recently held a formal funeral march for the loss of its Pizol glacier.

The Pizol glacier has lost up to 90% of its volume since 2006.
(Keystone / Gian Ehrenzeller)

The UN this week is holding its Global Climate  Summit. Last week school kids throughout the US and abroad demonstrated on behalf of the environment.

The ski industry is taking a stand through a variety of climate initiatives, but it’s probably too little and too late.

So what are we older skiers to do?  Groan and bemoan or go skiing? The way things are going, it’s not going to last forever. Nor are we. My idea is to do what I can to save what we can for our grandkids. But my BIG IDEA is to stay fit, make sure my ski gear is ready for the fast-approaching season, and GO SKIING. We need to enjoy it while we have it. The future is barreling our way and it may not be kind.

Do Wider Skis Lead to Knee Injury?

John Seifert, PhD, professor of exercise physiology at Montana State University, recently presented research results showing a relationship between use of wide skis and knee injury. Wide skis, he explains, force skiers to use a more upright stance, thus causing knee-supporting muscles to be in a less-than-optimal position to exert force when something called Ground Reaction Force (GRF) is at its peak.

He defines GRF  as “…the force exerted by the snow in contact with it. GRF is always present, even in deep snow, as it’s part of what makes a ski turn. GRF is influenced by skiing velocity and turn radius. On hard snow with wide skis, this is why drifting is so common or the turn radius is lengthened in order to minimize forces.”

The negative effects of GRF are minimized in deeper snow. But using a wider ski on hardpack increases risk of knee injury.

The research is interesting and complicated. Jackson Hogen at Realskiers.com wrote a good summary of Dr. Seifert’s presentation at PSIA’s 2019 National Academy. It is titled “Why Wide Skis Aren’t Good For Your Knees” and can be accessed by clicking here.

Scarpa Boot Recall

SCARPA recalled all Fall 2017 Maestrale and Maestrale RS ski boots purchased in North America. Under certain conditions, the boot shell may crack. Click here for more guidance on identifying the boots in question. Scarpa will repair recalled boots.

Solitude Introduces Paid Parking

In an effort to reduce traffic congestion in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude will charge for parking this winter. Single drivers will be hit with $20, carpoolers will pay as little as $5.

Park City’s Sunrise Rotary Club Aims For Ski Shot Record

Ski Shot Competitors on Park City’s Main Street

My friends at Park City’s Sunrise Rotary Club are shooting for the longest Shot Ski world record on October 12. They hope to break Breckenridge’s record set in January. Sunrise Rotary expects to attract 1,310 people, who will gulp a shot of High West booze from shot glasses set in old skis. Entry fees go toward the club’s grant’s program. Last year Sunrise Rotary Club granted $23,000 to community organizations.

If You’re Planning a Park City Trip This Season…

…a fascinating outdoor exhibit on the area’s early geologic history is a must see. Located in nearby Silver Creek, the idea for the exhibit came when an excavator uncovered a petrified tree trunk estimated to weight 5 to 10 tons! The Park City Sunrise Rotary Regional Geologic Park was sponsored by Rotary and several other local and regional organizations.

Aspen Swingers

Someone in Aspen has been installing old-fashioned handmade swings on hiking trails, looking out on local beauty spots. If this gives you an idea for your community, go for it.

R.I.P. Pepi Gramshammer

Pepi during his racing youth. Source: Denver Post

Austrian national ski team racer, Pepi Gramshammer, died August 17. He was 87 and had recently suffered a series of strokes. A Vail resident since 1962, he used race and sponsorship funds to start Hotel-Gasthof Gramshammer two years later. The hotel, in Downtown Vail Village, is one of the resort’s most venerable hostelries.

R.I.P   Davo Karnicar

Davo Karnicar Source: Teller Report

Slovenian adventurer Davo Karnicar was the first to ski from the summit of Mount Everest to its base camp. He and his team spent a month climbing the south face of Everest. Following a few hours’s rest he began his descent. He skied from over 29,000 feet to base camp, escaping collapsing ice walls, strong winds and crevasses. He died September 16 in a tree-cutting accident on his property in Slovenia. He was 56. Click here or his obituary in The New York Times.

What a Toy!!!!

This short video shows a skier toy from the 1970s. Anyone out there have one?

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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I rode a chair last season with a couple who got upset when they saw a dead porcupine on the trail below. They “knew” the animal from skiing there for several months. It looked like it had been attacked.

I’ve seen a lot of animals while skiing over the years. Nothing larger than the moose who frequented part of The Canyons. I’m confident that even with Vail’s acquisition of that wonderful area (now part of Park City), the herd still hangs there, occasionally moseying out on a trail .

Deer Valley had many weasels and, if I have it right, ermine. The critters are long hot dogs making a slinky wave as they run across trails. I had to swerve more than once to avoid trail-kill.

The Catskill and Adirondack areas had occasional deer and lots of porcupines. I remember one tree where the chair passed a porky perched there most of the season.

Rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, birds of all persuasions, an occasional raccoon. They appear on slope and trail. More often it’s their tracks, but look, and you’ll see them.

And dogs, especially those trained for avalanche rescues. Bless them for their excellent skills and stellar service.

Among the most curious creatures encountered to date are Snowbird‘s and Alta‘s leopard and zebra. They’re a couple who frequent the place and everything they wear — cape to boot — is themed accordingly. He’s the leopard. I’ve bumped into him, solo, a few times on the tram or in the lot and told him how much I enjoy his outfit. His response is always the same: “You ought to see my wife. She’s a zebra. I’m always chasing her down.”

SeniorsSkiing Fifth Anniversary Party!!

5:00 – 8:00PM, Wednesday, November 14, Manhattan.

We’d love you to be there, meet other senior skiers, win cool raffle prizes and help us celebrate our fifth. Prizes and SWAG from Apex Boots, 70+ Ski Club, Masterfit, Orsden Parkas, Buffalo Wool Company, Solitude, Powder Mountain, DeBooter, Bootster, GearBeast (the perfect skier’s cellphone carrier), International Skiing History Association, and others. We’ll provide the nibbles. Open bar. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to jon@seniorsskiing.com. Location: E’s Bar (Rumpus Room), 511 Amsterdam Ave. (bet 84th and 85th Streets), Manhattan.

Snowing Across the West!!!!

The resorts and state ski associations are reporting snowfall, snowmaking, and opening dates. A few examples: Wolf Creek in southwest Colorado got 20″ and will have limited skiing this weekend. The Utah resorts received more than a foot of snow. One of them, Snowbasin, got its first big dump in September! Opening days at the Utah areas range from November 21 to December 21.

Warren Miller, Posthumously

Face of Winter is this season’s Warren Miller film, the first since his passing earlier this year. Click here to find when it will be playing near you and to purchase tickets.

Squaw Valley Extremes

For six minutes of pure skiing fun, watch Drop Everything, a video of the recent history of extreme skiing in Squaw Valley. Click on the name to get you there.

New Ski Utah Magazine

Ski Utah outdid itself with this new, free annual magazine. There 100+ pages. Available in print and digital editions. Not your typical ski industry promotional fare. There’s a page dedicated to the wisdom of George Jedenoff, who celebrated his 100th birthday last July with several runs at Snowbird. Ski Utah is essential reading for everyone from regulars to those planning their first visit. To order a copy or send one to a friend click here.

Skiing History Night

If you’re in the New York area, International Skiing History Association is hosting a free pizza/wine/beer Skiing History Night at Hickory & Tweed (410 Main Street, Armonk). 6:30-9:00 PM, Monday, October 15. Highlight of the evening: ISHA’s Jeff Blumenfeld will present how skiing has been portrayed on TV over the decades. RSVP requested: kathleen@skiinghistory.org.

Jon Weisberg

Eating Salt Lake City

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Staying in Salt Lake City (or Valley) is an excellent option to explore Alta, Snowbird, Solitude and Brighton. Ski City USA offers good value (many hotels include a Super Pass with the room), public transportation to the resorts, and a broad range of restaurants and entertainment venues.

Here are some favorites. Check websites for hours and addresses.

Breakfast

For a quickie on the way to the mountain, Tulie Bakery or Eva’s Bakery, downtown serve excellent baked goods.

Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade is more leisurely. Egg dishes with house made biscuits and gravy are worth the visit.

Lunch and/or Dinner

Spitz serves fresh and substantial salads and first-rate doner kebab.

Most repeat SLC visitors head for Red Iguana, the venerable and superb Mexican not far from downtown. The downside is no reservations for small parties and long waits. Go around 8:00PM to avoid crowds.

On weekends Dim Sum House serves dim sum that stands up to similar places in San Francisco and New York. It’s large, loud and delicious.

For Vietanmese pho and banh mi sandwiches try one of the Oh Mai locations. One of the better Thai places is Skewered Thai.

Scattered around the valley are numerous local counter-service fast food hamburger places with names like Hires and Astro Burger. A favorite is Crown Burgers.

No one leaves The Copper Onion unhappy, unless they had an overly long wait. Avoid the line with a reservation. The American cuisine is consistently excellent. A block away is Taqueria 27 serving gourmet Latin street food and tequilas.

Several Japanese restaurants are available. My favorite is Kyoto. It has a friendly and fresh sushi bar.

For wonderful Indian or Nepalese food in an attractive location visit Himalayan Kitchen.

Among the pizza places, Settebello is within walking distance of most downtown locations. The Pie near the University of Utah requires a car. It is underground and abuzz with students.

If you’re in the mood for a beer and burger, Lucky 13 is one of several options. It’s a dive bar where you’ll get a glimpse of a colorful segment of locals. The Garage is a set on the edge of the gasworks on the north edge of town. Interesting bar food and live music.

Entertainment

There’s a lot of it in SLC, a stop for most touring groups. When checking listings for downtown venues, don’t overlook free Thursday evening concerts at Gallivan Center. The Excellence in the Community series showcases local talent. I’ve never been disappointed.

Salt Lake City
Jon Weisberg

Salt Lake City: Ideal Base for Skiing the Wasatch

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For many Western resorts this is the season when it’s best to stay on the groomed. There just hasn’t been enough natural snow to enter the woods with confidence.

The trail skiing I’ve done at the four resorts closest to Salt Lake City — Alta and Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon and Brighton and Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon — have more than enough snow coverage to keep most skiers well-entertained, especially those who decide to stay downtown or somewhere in Salt Lake Valley.

Staying at a single resort when conditions confine you to the groomed and semi-groomed can get redundant. Being centrally located and visiting different resorts each day can be a more interesting option. Downtown has a lot going on. For those not wanting to deal with a car, there’s inexpensive public transportation to each of the areas.

Salt Lake City markets itself as Ski City U.S.A. Other municipalities use “ski city” when promoting themselves as Winter destinations. Salt Lake City is the real deal. A Delta hub. At the base of the mountains. Thirty, forty minutes from downtown hotels to 36 lifts serving almost 7000 highly skiable acres. Not to mention the state’s license plate slogan, “Greatest Snow on Earth.” This season being the rare exception to that P.T. Barnum knockoff.

Since I lived in Salt Lake City for the past decade and frequented the four areas, I thought that readers considering a Salt Lake City-based ski trip would benefit from some local guidance, which I’ll dole out in this and another article next week.

Super Pass and Alternatives

If you plan to stay in town or in the valley and ski Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude, consider purchasing a Super Pass or staying in a hotel participating in the Super Pass promotion. The Super Pass provides good savings on lift tickets and is flexible as far as number of days you choose to ski. The Ski City U.S.A. website shows numerous hotels that include a Super Pass in the price of lodging. Residence Inn Downtown, for example, charges $129.50 per person for a suite with kitchen and living room. The price includes two Super Passes.

You’ll need to do the math, but If you’re 80, you’ll ski free at Alta and enjoy deep discounts at each of the other areas.

What to expect if visiting at the right time. Photo: Steve Griffin

If you’re 70, you’ll pay $104 at Alta ($88-$99, if purchased in advance online) and $59 at Snowbird (mid-week). Brighton and Solitude discount their tickets starting at age 65. Brighton costs $52 – $57, and Solitude costs $61. Go online a day in advance and you may find better bargains.

Every Super Pass comes with free public transportation to the resorts. Depending on where you’re located it may be by bus alone or bus in combination with light rail. These are good options if you’re on a budget or don’t want to be hassled with a rental car.

Waterfall House in Salt Lake City

And there’s always airbnb. A search for arrival on Saturday and departure on Wednesday for two people produced results starting under $50 a night. If you have a smallish group, one of the city’s most remarkable rental homes is Waterfall House, which sleeps 7 and averages about $330 a night. It’s filled with entertaining and beautiful features.

 

 

 

 

Next article will give food and entertainment choices.

Jon Weisberg

Short Swings!

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Many Readers Have Requested A Fabric Patch.

It’s a good idea, and we’d like to make it available. The question is what to put on the patch. We’ve explored the vintage image of the skier that appears on the SeniorsSkiing.com sticker. Unfortunately, patch production technology makes him indecipherable. Whatever we do, we plan to include the SeniorsSkiing.com logo. You may have some ideas for a slogan. We envision something small and rectangular, so it can’t have a lot of words. A few ideas from this end include: Ski Forever; Skiing Makes You Younger, and Ski More. Live Longer. If you have a preference among these or can suggest additional statements, please email jon@seniorsskiing.com. If it gets used, we’ll send some form of SWAG you, hopefuly, will find useful. Thank you!!!!

CALIFORNIA

Mountain High, Southern California’s closest (to LA) winter resort, opened this week with top-to bottom greens and blues. The first 100 skiers received free gloves. Seniors 70+ ski free at Mountain High.

COLORADO

Colorado Ski Country USA resorts will be hosting a variety of Holiday events from Santa encounters (virtually all areas), to caroling (Aspen Snowmass), Ugly Sweater Contest (Eldora), torchlight parades (Aspen, Copper, Crested Butte, Monarch, Powderhorn, Purgatory, Steamboat, Telluride), and any number of tree lighting ceremonies and gourmet feasts). Check resort websites for more details and reservation info. One standout event will take place this Saturday at Crested Butte, which hopes to break the World Record for the largest number of skiers in Santa costumes. Participants must be decked out in a full Santa suit and will be eligible for $25 lift tickets.

MONTANA

Lookout Pass, on the Idaho/Montana border, has opened almost 50% of its terrain. Between natural and man-made, the top has 27″ and the bottom 12″.

UTAH

Ski Utah’s email states 18″ to Start the Week ,yet looking at accumulations at the seven open resorts, the maximum new snow is 7″ (Snowbird). Other open Utah resorts are Alta, Brian Head, Brighton, Deer Valley, Park City, Snowbasin, Snowbird, and Solitude.

If you’re in the vicinity of southern Utah’s terrific Brian Head resort this Saturday the ULLR Festival is the annual juggling, comedy and circus ritual to celebrate the arrival of the Norse Snow God. Festivities start at 1:00PM; ULLR’s entrance is scheduled for 5:45PM.

VERMONT

Old school, Mad River Glen is kicking off its Preserve Our Paradise fundraising campaign with a goal of $6.5 million. Monies will be used to improve snowmaking and replace the Birdland lift, among other things.

Areas across the Green Mountain State are celebrating the holidays with Santa visits, torchlight parades, wine and beer tasting events, gourmet dinners, etc. Check websites for details.

Jay Peak skiers never had it so good. This video from last season’s mega-dump is proof that all things are possible.

OTHER

The Nov. 27 edition of The New Yorker magazine has a feature article on 22-year old American skier Mikaela Shiffrin. Writer Nick Paumgarten has done a fine job. It’s required reading for anyone preparing for the February Winter Games in South Korea.

Thank you, Patagonia, for taking a position on important environmental and land use issues. This week, following the White House’s expected announcement that Southern Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments would be dramatically reduced, Patagonia emailed information under the title, The President Stole Your Land. The accompanying message reads: “In an illegal move, the president just reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monuments. This is the largest elimination of protected land in American history.” For many, these vast areas are merely an idea. To get a sense of what Bears Ears (close to the Arizona border) look like, click here.

Cute knit hats for the grandkids at https://cirquemtn.com/product-category/kids/kids-headwear/

Marc Liebman

Three Lessons Learned From 157,906 Vertical Feet In Six Days

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No, This Is Not Bragging.

Marc, 71, left, and brother Scott, 60, at top of Snowbird Tram

My brother and I have proof through an app we used to track our movements. More important than the great early March skiing at Snowbird, Solitude, Park City and Deer Valley, were three takeaways that should interest senior skiers…

Lesson #1. We found lift ticket bargains in two flavors – military discounts and over 70. It was a race to which one was cheapest. Snowbird sold me a Monday thru Thursday all area lift ticket for $53 ‘cuz I’m over 71. Solitude’s rate for military active duty and retirees was about half off the full price. Just make sure you bring your ID cards for both  service member and dependents.

Senior only passes were equally cheap. When I walked up to the window, I asked which was cheaper, military or over 70? In one case, I got a little of both. Corollary A to lesson one is that these tickets were cheaper than what we could get on-line or at ski shops in the local area. Corallary B is that Park City doesn’t offer much of a discount.

Lesson #2. Through AirBnB, we rented a two bedroom, two bath house within spitting distance of the main routes to the resorts for about $160 a night. It took 25 minutes to get to the areas. We picked the area each morning based on weather and road conditions.

Lesson #3. Ski lodge designers don’t take old joints and tired legs into account when designing facilities. How do I know? Bathrooms are rarely on the same floor you enter and elevators are rare. Fortunately, the new Summit Lodge and Restaurant at Snowbird and the Roundhouse at Solitude have convenient bathrooms.

Conditioning, as I’ve noted before, helps. We averaged ~26,300 vertical feet per day despite my brother having to take time off on Day 2 to get new boots after the bladder in his elderly Nordicas died.

Here’s the most important takeaway from the trip: Airfare, lifts, ski rentals, lodging and food cost us each for six days about $335/day. Granted, we didn’t eat out a lot, but still, 335 bucks a day is, at least for a ski trip, reasonable. According to the ski tracker app on my brother’s iPhone, we skied a total 157,906 vertical feet at four different areas. That’s $.013 per vertical foot. An absolute bargain!!!

Harriet Wallis

Solitude Hosts Major FIS, NorAm Snowboardcross, Skicross Races

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Jan. 19-22 Races Are A First For This Resort Located In Twisty, Winding Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Groomers finalize the steep course with its finish line right at the base of the mountain just a few steps beyond Solitude’s Village.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

It’s a test event for the FIS Freestyle, Snowboard and Freeski World Championships scheduled two years from now in 2019.

So what? Don’t yawn.

When Salt Lake City was chosen as the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, the four resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons—Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude—were overlooked as possible venues partly because of the road. It’s one way in and one way out of each narrow canyon that was carved by glaciers eons ago.

However, professional and amateur races are frequently held in the two canyons, but this is the first time such a major event is scheduled there.

To paint the big picture, Deer Valley, located in Park City, bought the smaller Solitude Resort two years ago making Solitude part of Deer Valley’s family.

As to Deer Valley, this marks the 18th year that the resort will host international and world aerial and mogul competitions. It was a venue for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, two World Championships and 15 World Cups. It’s had lots of practice hosting major events and the resort is an esteemed venue.

So Solitude is not just jumping into big time races. It has the expertise of its parent, Deer Valley.

The races are high adrenaline, high action events. A detailed schedule for the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Solitude Mountain Resort can be found here.

Boardercross is a snowboard competition in which a four to six snowboarders race down a course that’s typically narrow and includes banked turns, various jumps, rollers and drops designed to challenge each rider’s ability to stay in control while maintaining maximum speed. Mid-course collisions are common.

Skicross is a timed race event and with big-air jumps and high-banked turns. What sets skicross apart from other alpine skiing is that four skiers start simultaneously and attempt to reach the end of the course.

To read more from Harriet click here for her stories on SkiUtah.

Here’s a short video that previews the Snowboard Cross course at Solitude.

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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Snow Sports Industry Leader Bernie Weichsel Is Honored

SeniorsSkiing.com Advisory Council member and Snow Sports industry leader, Bernie Weichsel, was honored with the YES Lifetime Achievement Award in Boston last weekend. YES (Youth Enrichment Services) serves the urban youth of greater New England by providing outdoor adventures in skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, canoeing and camping.  Bernie has been an outstanding supporter of YES for more than 40 years. Bernie’s generosity has provided thousands of Boston youth with the opportunity to experience the outdoors and benefit from enrichment programs at YES. We are proud of you, Bernie!

ISHA Fund Raising Campaign

If you’ve not yet made an annual contribution to the International Ski History Association, please consider a donation today. It’s fully deductible in the United States for the 2016 tax year if posted by December 31. Your ISHA contribution will support the expenses incurred in publishing Skiing History magazine, maintaining the skiinghistory.org Website, and running the annual ISHA Awards program.

Skiing History was recently featured in the Huffington Post as a unique holiday gift! Click here to read the article by Jon Weisberg of SeniorsSkiing.com. And  to send a Skiing History gift, just fill in the gift subscription form. For an even better deal, give your favorite away-from-home student a digital subscription for just $29.

Canada

Quebec City has announced it has won the USA Today online vote for Best Winter Wonderland in North America.  We’ve been to the famous Winter Carnival in January, and it is an amazing and festive celebration of ice and snow.

Monte-Sainte-Ann and Stoneham in Quebec are celebrating incredible snow conditions with 55 received since the beginning of the season. Christmas activities are starting. Why go to Europe when Quebec is a drive or quick flight away?

Colorado

Sunlight Mountain Resort celebrates it’s 50th anniversary with the most expensive lift ticket in the country.  The $700 per ticket price includes one full day of skiing at the resort as well as a pair of limited edition Sunlight 50th anniversary Meier skis and a ticket to the Iron Mountain Hot Springs. The $600 version gets you a 50th anniversary snowboard.

Utah

Deer Valley Resort has won the distinction of the United States’ Best Ski Resort by the World Ski Awards for the fourth consecutive year. The World Ski Awards’ 2016 Ski Oscars winners represent excellence in ski tourism and the leaders shaping the future of the ski industry.

Enjoy midweek skiing and snowboarding for free at Snowbasin Resort when you fly Alaska Airlines into Salt Lake International Airport. From December to April, snow enthusiasts can “Fly Alaska, Ski Free” or simply take a scenic gondola ride at Snowbasin Resort for free within 24 hours of landing at the Salt Lake International Airport Tuesday through Thursday.

Quad Wednesdays are back at Brighton this year! With a charitable donation, you can purchase a lift ticket for only $20. December 14, 2016:  Donate a warm article of clothing such as hats, jackets, pants or anything that will keep someone warm this winter.  Proceeds go to The Road Home Charity. December 21, 2016: Donate a grocery bag of non-perishable food items.  Proceeds go to the Utah Food Bank.

Solitude Mountain Resort is set to host a U.S. Grand Prix/FIS Snowboard World Cup and FIS Skicross NorAm Cup January 19-22, 2017, as part of a test event for the 2019 FIS Freestyle, Snowboard and Freeski World Championships. The event will be the second stop of the U.S. Grand Prix tour for the 2016-17 season and the first major international skiing and snowboarding competition Solitude has hosted.

After two years of construction and licensing, the New World Distillery will be opening this week in Eden, UT. The state of the art distillery is featuring its “Oomaw” gin, soon to be followed by “agave
spirits and Ogden Valley Vodka.  New World will also offer classes in distilling in the Spring.

California

The second season has started for the Mountain Playground Group, a coalition of nine community and independent ski areas from California to Maine. Under the Mountain Rider’s Alliance, these ski areas have teams up to increase market awareness, share in best practices and identify expense-reducing initiatives.

Participating ski areas include Arctic Valley, AK; Bald Mountain, ID; Beartooth Basin; MT/WY; Elk Ridge Ski and Outdoor Recreation, AZ; Hurricane Ridge, WA; Mt Abram, ME; Mt Timothy and Phoenix Mountain, British Columbia.

New Hampshire

SkiNH reports that over the weekend of Dec 10-11 ski resorts received eight inches of fluffy stuff, and it was still coming down.  Check with SkiNH for latest conditions.  Season on in New Hampshire!

Jackson Ski Touring Center opened Dec. 12 with both classic and skate skiing on nine out of 55 trails (29 km groomed) thanks to a cross-country snowstorm.  Also, Jackson XC has announced a series of money-saving packages for beginners as well as more experienced XC skiers.

Vermont

Stowe’s $80 million Adventure Center at Spruce Peak sees its first winter. The sleek center is base camp for the resort’s children’s programs, from day care to ski and snowboard lessons. It’s also home to family-friendly eating in The Canteen and the indoor Stowe Rocks Climbing Center.

Maine

Sunday River skiers will find a new Locke Mountain top terminal on the triple, but will have to wait until 2017-’18 before the Spruce Peak Triple is replaced with a $2.1 million fixed-grip chair.

Massachusetts

Wachusett in Princeton is now more readily accessible for Boston-area skiers, thanks to the MBTA’s new Wachusett Commuter Rail Station in West Fitchburg on the Fitchburg Line.

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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historic7_

CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Introduces “Women of Ski Patrol” Calendar. Proceeds from the $25 item help fund avalanche safety education scholarships. The calendar showcases 13 female patrollers from last season’e Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol Teams. Calendars can be pre-ordered online now for $25 and will be available at retailers throughout the Village at Squaw Valley®.

CANADA

Whistler Blackcomb has a 30″ base. More on the way.

COLORADO

Crested Butte has a four night Christmas family deal at The Grand Lodge. Two adults and two kids get lodging and three days of passes for $1099 (+ tax and fees): http://www.skicb.com/deals.

On December 10, Crested Butte plans to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of skiers in full Santa suits (top, bottom, hat, and beard). Arrive in costume and get at $23 lift ticket. www.cbsantacrawl.com. Memo to Santa: Please bring snow!

Eldora’s Annual Ugly Sweater or Elf Costume Contest, is schedued for December 24. Prizes for the ugliest; www.eldora.com.

Purgatory  acquired Coloado’s largest snowcat skiing operation. Purgatory Snowcat Adventures  has guided cat skiing for skiers/boarders with access to 35,000 acres. Snowcat tours for non-skiers also available.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Loon Mountain Resort celebrates 50 years with a special anniversary weekend scheduled for January 28-29.

Ragged Mountain Resort‘s MISSION: AFFORDABLE program offers season passes for $449. Rossingol’s Learn to Ski & Ride program offers three free lessons to newbies.

Cranmore Mountain’s $79 Value Card provides a one-day lift ticket plus $20 off all subsequent lift ticket purchases (no restrictions). Card holders get a free lift ticket after every 7th visit.

Mount Sunapee offers half-price mid-week lift tickets when purchased four days in advance, online (holiday blackouts apply).

Waterville Valley Resort‘s new Frequent Skier Card gives the first lift ticket free and a $15 discount on future tickets.

UTAH

Alta postponed opening day scheduled for November 18 due to warm weather and lack of snow. The resort also announced that Lucy, a puppy, has joined its patrol. As an Alta passholder, I can report that watching a patrol dog working its way down the mountain in deep pow is a source of pleasure. Best wishes in your new job, Lucy!

Brighton has free skiing for anyone dressed as Santa on Christmas Day.

Numerous Utah areas have torchlight parades on skis during the holidays. They’re memorable. Dates/locations: Deer Valley (Dec 30); Park City (Dec 24); Snowbird (Dec 24); Solitude (Dec 31); Snowbasin (Dec 24).

OTHER

Ted Heck, longtime snow sports writer with a quick wit, passed away. He was 94.

Year-end gift giving: Consider a gift to a ski museum. Some accept tax-deductible donations of vintage gear. All welcome financial support. Two of our favorites are:

  • The Alf Engen Ski Museum in Park City, UT. It’s a must-visit facility with superb displays, including interactive exhibits utilizing the best of digital technology
  • The New England Ski Museum in Franconia, NH. It has a comprehensive exhibit of skiing history with an emphasis on New England. On display through mid-April 2017 is a wonderful exhibit on the 10th Mountain Division.

Another terrific choice is the International Skiing History Association (ISHA), which is dedicated to preserving and advancing knowledge of ski history. It’s bimonthly magazine, Skiing History, covers topics from early resorts and prominent skiers to the presence of the sport in our material and advertising culture. Members and donors receive Skiing History as a benefit. Membership in ISHA is a great stocking stuffer!

Craving fresh veggies and herbs this winter but living in a mountain town? OPCOM Farm indoor hydroponic gardening systems are worth exploring. Cost is about that of a season pass ($499 – $599.) www.opcomfarm.com

 

mikemaginn

It’s Official: Deer Valley Owns Solitude

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Changes In Uphill Capacity For 2015-16 Already Planned.

As we reported last October, the deal is now done.  Deer Valley has scooped up Solitude Resort, put a new general manager in place and is announcing lots of capital improvements for next season. Read all about it here. 

Will Deer Valley Change The Sign? Credit: CityWeekly.Net

Big Changes Coming From New Lifts To Restaurant Renovations.
Credit: CityWeekly.Net