Tag Archive for: xcresorts.com

Roger Lohr

The Case For Skiing At Commercial XC Resorts

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XCSkiResorts.Com Publisher Highlights The Benefits.

Groomed trails are only one advantage of skiing at a commercial XC resort or commercial center.

Groomed trails are only one advantage of skiing at a commercial XC resort or commercial center.

Is there a difference between cross country skiing at a commercial center and “in the woods?”

One of the greatest obstacles for xc skiing growth is the common image of a lone xc skier going into a narrow dark trail as if the very isolation in the woods was the goal. But designed trails at commercial xc resorts offer much more than solitude.

Often trails that are built by loggers and by the government in state and federal parks have long straight ascents and descents. Most average skiers are often afraid of the speed of a long downhill. Instead, trail designers such as John Morton of Morton Trails recommend undulating and twisting trails that spark interest on every turn and also help slow down the speed. Destinations, scenic vistas, and accomplishment upon arrival make great sense on xc ski trails, and these are characteristics of what well-designed trails should provide.

Most commercial xc ski resorts charge a fee between $15 and $29. For that fee the patron gets a business operation and trails that:

  • are designed for xc skiing or snowshoeing in harmony with the environment and are skier-friendly;
  • are regularly maintained or groomed, and include tracks and a lane for skaters;
  • can be expected to be free of debris or fallen trees and provide consistent skiable quality;
  • have clear signage with available and understandable maps;
  • have quality rental equipment that enhance the activity (easy to use and provides greater control for the average skier);
  • offer ski instruction in various forms (kids, women, group, private) in an area for learners where they are not embarrassingly on display;
  • include a food and beverage service;
  • offer special organized programs for school kids, older folks, etc;
  • has a facility where people can change clothes, get warm, or socialize;
  • includes a friendly helpful staff, who can share local information;
  • has ski patrollers to help, if necessary.

Yes, admittedly many people can xc ski out their back door in the backyard, on a local golf course, or on a trail in a nearby forest, and it is very convenient to do so. But commercial xc ski resorts offer a different skiing product. New Hampshire’s Jackson Ski Touring Center, emulated by hundreds of xc ski resorts across North America, is a perfect example. In addition to these services, Jackson also has something intangible: the “Culture of XC Skiing.”  History, Expertise, Community, Education. That’s why Jackson can be considered one of the true meccas of xc skiing.

Of course, the major issue with non-commercial cross country ski trails is the condition of the snow. The weather rules the snow and without trail grooming and trail maintenance, the snow can be hard packed, icy, sticky, too deep for non-powder skiers, or too inconsistent to offer a good experience.

The statistics have shown over many years that less than 20 percent of xc ski outings are at commercial resorts. Skiers that experience the other 80 percent of the xc skiing outings are missing out on the benefits, and many are not even aware that those services exist. If you haven’t stayed at a commercial xc resort, give it a try. It’s a great winter experience.

[Editor Note: To find out more about XC commercial resorts, check out XCResorts.com for details. You’ll also find Top 10 lists for scenery, trails, lifts, romance and more.]

Roger Lohr

Senior-Friendly Cross Country Ski Resorts

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X-C Resorts Offer Discounts, Amenities For Senior Skiers.

Special Thanks to Roger Lohr, Editor and Publisher of XCSkiResorts.com for pointing out these snow-country x-c resorts that are specially accommodating to seniors.

Nordic skiing director at Bretton Woods, NH, is 84 year old Ellen Chandler. Credit: Roger Lohr

Martha Chandler, 84-year old mother of Bretton’s Nordic Center director Ellen Chandler, glides along.
Credit: Ellen Chandler

About a quarter of the cross country (XC) skiing population is older than 50 years old, and, as Baby Boomers continue to age, we are remaining active—many of us are looking for softer or easier forms of recreation and cross country skiing and snowshoeing fit that prescription.

It is important for older people to exercise because it can help fight both physical and psychological maladies. Everyone understands the need to stay physically active and there is a growing body of research indicating that physical activity is beneficial for the brain, particularly the hippocampus, which is that part of the brain where working memory partially resides and is most susceptible to problems associated with aging. There is extensive evidence that outdoor exercise has positive impacts on sleep, depression, and anxiety. No matter how old you are, it just makes you feel good, too.

The SeniorsSkiing.com 2015 Subscriber Survey showed that the priorities of the older skiers include: discounts; easy access to the area facility from the parking lot; newsletter or website pages dedicated to specific activities catering to older skiers; instruction or guide tailored to older skiers; and a meeting place or set-aside areas in the lodge for seniors.

There are XC ski resorts and lodging establishments that have those senior-friendly characteristics and the incentives almost always include discounts for older people. At Canmore Nordic Center in Canada, trail fee discounts begin at age 55, while most ski resorts set a higher age for lower-priced season or daily passes. At Bear Valley Nordic Center in CA, skiers aged 60-69 get a 28% discount on trail passes and those aged 70 and older get 60% off. At Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, MT there is a discount for skiers aged 60-69 while it is free for those aged 70 or older to access the ski trails. They also apply a senior discount for season passes. This is a popular way that most ski areas attract the older skier segment.

One of the age-old concepts is that many senior skiers are retired and as such, they have more flexibility in their weekly schedule. During the week, most cross country ski areas have few patrons, thus the development of group offers, activities, and programs such as at Lutsen Resort in MN where there is a Sunday-Thursday discount offer on lodging rates that includes free XC ski or snowshoe gear and a guide. The Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI (and other XC ski areas in MI) has the Silver Streak Week (Monday-Friday on January 11-15, 2016) with complimentary facility access, free hot cocoa, and free demos.

Jackson Ski Touring has easy-ski programs for seniors. Credit: JSTF

Jackson Ski Touring has easy-ski programs for seniors.
Credit: JSTF

Programs such as Jackson Ski Touring’s Friday Gliders & Easy Sliders and Tuesday Trekkers provide a group experience that’s taken advantage of by mostly older folks. Such programs coordinate a scheduled weekly outing for groups such as the Easy Sliders, which is a group of skiers who cross country ski on easier trails (and they get tips from a guide) or the Tuesday Trekkers snowshoe group. For these examples, the Jackson Ski Touring Center in NH is the starting point, and, after the tour, people meet back at the lodge for an après ski spread with wine and cheese, fruit, coffee. There’s even a masseuse on hand to offer massage for tips. Garnet Hill Lodge in North River, NY, hosts a weekly snowshoe club and Cross Country Ski Headquarters reports a similar group regularly drives two and half hours from Grand Rapids to visit and ski the area.

At Lapland Lake Vacation Center in Northville, NY there’s a Silver Strider discount trail pass and the weekly “Soup-er Seniors,” which includes a free bowl of soup on non-holiday Thursdays starting in January.

“Road Scholar” is a brand within the Elderhostel program intended for adults (many who are seniors) who want to travel, learn and stimulate discourse and friendship among other people for whom learning is the journey of a lifetime. The Craftsbury Outdoor Center hosts week-long Road Scholar XC ski programs during the winter months with programming inspired by the hostels and folk schools of Europe offering short term academic experiences to adults. This year, Craftsbury Outdoor combines XC skiing and snowshoeing with yoga programs, film programs, and dance programs.

The folks taking advantage of cross country ski offers are proof that you’re never too old to get out and enjoy nature in the winter. If you are an older skier or someone who would like to try cross country skiing or snowshoeing, check an XC ski resort near you for special programs.