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JimK - DCSki Columnist

10 days ago (edited 10 days ago)

Member since 01/14/2004 🔗

3,060 posts

Aging Into Skiing

By Jim Kenney

(All photos by Jim Kenney, almost all subjects in photos are approximately age 60-85)

Introduction

I arrived at the title of this article with all humility. I know as well as anyone that my long and beloved recreational ski career could come to a screeching halt with the next big yard sale, or debilitating illness, or any number of other show-stopping senior developments. Putting that aside, I want to comment on my lessons learned as a senior skier.

What is it that keeps me ever-stoked after 58 consecutive seasons on the slopes? Why is my fun factor still greater than my hassle factor? I hang out with a bunch of similarly minded senior skiers. What have I noticed in them that contributes to their snow sliding longevity? What's the difference between a desire to ski into old age and actually doing it?

I'll state the obvious right up front. I think a prime ingredient for skiing into old age is that it's still gotta be fun, real fun! When the conditions are good and my head and body are right, it's still a huge thrill to let 'er rip down a ski slope. It's like a scenic day driving a convertible with the top down on a mountain road - who doesn't like that?

Scenic View in Rendezvous Bowl, Jackson Hole, WY, February 2020.

Know Yourself

As for myself, I'm north of age 70 and have been skiing since 1967. I recognize the end is much closer than the beginning, yet I'd still like to keep going for as long as possible. My body is holding up reasonably well. I suppose my eyes and my feet are becoming limiting factors. I don't yet wear glasses while skiing, but my vision on low visibility and very cold days is a challenge. My feet have gnarly bunions and I've gone from twinkle toes to crinkle toes. I typically develop foot fatigue and/or various body aches after about five-six hours of skiing, especially if skiing for several consecutive days.

Dial it back if you have to. I know some guys who want to charge hard or else stay home. I subscribe to the idea of pacing yourself. All skiing is good skiing. If your mind or body is telling you it's a groomer day, then listen-up. Also, there's nothing wrong with cherry picking the best days. I gotta tell you, I LOVE sunny spring ski days. The crowds are lower, the roads are clear, I can dress lighter, and I can see the terrain in front of me much better. Spring skiing is the reward die-hard snowriders give to themselves after a long, challenging winter.

Cruising off Empire Lift at Deer Valley, UT, April 2021

I ski mostly in Utah now, typically from January to May. The snow conditions are frequently excellent. Not everyone can avail themselves of the greatest snow on earth, but most retired seniors have the freedom to pick the best days to ski. Do it! Mid-winter powder days are still a blast, but they are very demanding, physically and logistically, and require careful patience. Stormy days have their own reward, but discretion can be the better part of valor. Sometimes it's wise to leave the low-viz or extremely cold days to the youngsters.

Age 70 Telemarker at Solitude, UT, March 2024

Health and Fitness

There are some basic prerequisites for skiing to remain fun and feasible as you age, foremost is decent health. I'm not exactly a fitness fanatic, but I've exercised regularly all my life. In my golden years my common modes of exercise in the off season are biking, golfing, walking, and occasionally hitting the gym for weight training and lap swimming. I don't exercise everyday, but when things are going good - perhaps every other day.

Graybeard hiking at 13,000' to the Lake Chutes, Breckenridge, CO, February 2015

My wife is much better at keeping a good diet than I am. We both try to keep our weight under control. Good sleep hygiene is challenging, but important for elder energy levels. The key is going to bed early, that way even if your sleep is disturbed you can still get a fair amount of it by 8 AM the next day. Exercise is not fun or likely to happen if you get lousy sleep. We also schedule regular doctor check-ups to try to prevent minor ailments from turning into major ailments. I'm a big fan of flu and Covid vaccinations.

Respect at Age 75, Sundance, UT, March 2023.

Finances

Another self evident truth is that you have to have the financial wherewithal to continue to pay for skiing and associated costs. If you fit the demographic of the typical middle-age or older skier/boarder you probably have this factor under control. It's helpful if you're able to day-trip from your residence to a nearby ski hill, rather than always relying on flying for destination trips at far away places. And of course, when you cross certain chronological thresholds there are nice discounts that kick in. I've played the age card to log some free or nearly free ski days at Massanutten, Canaan Valley, and Monarch (Colorado) ski areas in the last couple of years.

Park City, UT, April 2023. Can you find the one non-senior in this photo of the Laurel Hill Crazy gang? :-)

How to ski on the cheap is worthy of an entirely separate article, but I must say, mega passes like EPIC and IKON have basically eliminated what to do about lift tickets. I've used both of these passes (and Mountain Collective) at various times during my senior years. They are a heck of an enticement to explore the ski world. I've never used the Indy pass, but it certainly sounds like a fine deal to economically visit many outstanding medium size and smaller ski areas.

Keeping the lid on the cost of accommodations is another issue. Prices of hotels, condo rentals, VRBO, etc. seem to have strongly increased after the pandemic. Personally, I'm fortunate to have a family member that lives in Utah. I've stayed in their house for several months each of the last seven winters. When I travel to ski at other locations I try to hook-up with friends or family to share lodging costs.

A couple that skis together, stays together. Snowbird, UT, April 2021

Convenience

I've been averaging 60+ ski days each winter since the pandemic, this is more skiing than ever before in my life, but it's moderated by the fact that the majority of my ski days are just 3-4 hours in length. I have the benefit of living 20 minutes from four excellent ski areas for much of the winter, which greatly simplifies logistics. It's pretty awesome if you can situate yourself close enough that the ski hill functions as your gym.

View from the Backyard of Kenney West, UT

When you're old and creaky, convenience is king. Obviously, staying slopeside or near slopeside is ideal, but there are other tricks to streamline the ski experience. Keep your ski gear organized and pack the night before a ski outing. Make sure everything from your goggles to your ski boots to your winterized car are in good working order. Make lists for necessary stuff on ski days. Keep things stored in one place to simplify your skiing.

Friends and Family

I've found that connecting with other ski friends (seniors or otherwise) is VERY helpful. I know there are a lot of folks that enjoy skiing alone, but when you're older it's better to have a friend on the hill. It's a safety thing. We look out for each other, inspire each other, and often share costs and transportation. The idea of suffering a big ski wipeout, making sure you're still in one piece, and then driving home solo with a splitting headache for 90 minutes might work when you're 27, but is not so appealing when you're 72.

Elder Buddies, Snowbird, UT, February 2024

My wife is a "retired skier". She understands my obsession, but also demands consideration from me off the slopes. As my ski-time decreases in old age, my lovely wife Kathy can be counted on to come up with numerous alternatives. I've often thought that if I didn't have her to keep me in check and instead I skied all the time, I'd probably burn out or get injured.

Goblin Valley State Park, UT, May 2021

Motivation

My main motivation is fun, but it can be more complicated than that. I know a fair number of older skiers who use the opportunity to ski with grandchildren as a big carrot to stick with the sport. I find social engagement with any and all friends and family to be a big draw. I am still intrigued with new travel experiences. Seeking out new-to-you ski areas can be exciting, perhaps including visits to smaller or more remote ski areas for a less demanding or frenetic experience.

Masked Freedom, Snowbird, UT, March 2021

Some seniors set very specific ski goals for number of days, vertical feet skied, improving technique or race times, etc. My goals usually involve just staying in one piece for the entire season:-) I must admit that I skied 70 days in the winter I turned age 70, but I really didn't focus on that target until I got to about day 60.

The Author, Arapahoe Basin, CO, March 2025

Conclusion

There are many factors that enable one to continue to ski as a senior citizen: mental and physical health, finances, logistics, geography, and more. Upon reflection, I think the two most important factors for skiing into old age are fitness and friends. If you stay active, you'll have the ability to keep skiing. If you ski with friends or family, you'll benefit physically from their assistance and support. You'll benefit mentally from their camaraderie and inspiration. There is strength in numbers.

Aloha Camaradie at Snowy Luau, Timberline Mtn, WV, March 2013

I guess I could get a little metaphysical and mention luck. An act of God could catch up with any of us. But if you achieve sustained success at something in life, even something as superficial as aging into skiing, at some point luck is overtaken by preparation, experience, and determination. I like this quote attributed to General Douglas MacArthur. "The best luck of all is the luck you make for yourself."

Tahoe Charlie, age 84, Diamond Peak, NV, March 2024

As a septuagenarian I occasionally think about - what's next after skiing? What would my winters look like if I no longer skied? What would my life look like? I know the end will come and I'm all right with that. Ullr has been very good to me. As long as you have love, faith, and family everything's going to be OK.

snowsmith - DCSki Supporter

10 days ago

Member since 03/15/2004 🔗

1,631 posts

Well done, Jim! Being an old geezer does have some advantages. Namely…….freedom. Luck is an important factor but risk avoidance can help you, “make your own luck”. Although, 2 winters ago, at A-basin, on my last run of the day down to the base area, I was clobbered by a reckless snow boarder and suffered a concussion. How I avoided more serious injuries was luck. That said, I skied the next day even though I felt out of it. I’m not the smartest skier!

I would like to add:

-we’re retired! Why ski on a crowded weekend when we’re free to do what ever we want on weekdays.

- I wear contact lenses when skiing which provide better vision than glasses when wearing googles. Unfortunately, my wife retired from skiing due to vision issues. Give contacts a try.

I also keep thinking, “Is the end (skiing that is) near?”Then I think of Klaus Obermeyer who recently celebrated his 100th year of skiing ( he was celebrating his 103 birthday and started skiing at 3 years of age).

I have a now non-skiing wife and 2 dogs. So going to Utah for several months is not in the cards for me. In 2010, we almost bought a house outside of Park City. That dream has passed and I now need to be satisfied skiing mostly west of the Alleghany front. Hey, at my age, there are worse alternatives!

All the best to you! Keep skiing.

needawax

10 days ago

Member since 04/19/2019 🔗

111 posts

I always enjoy your travelogues - eh, skiing-logs. You always have sage advice - keep skiing briskly with like-minded folks who enjoy the outdoors. That same mantra (re) invigorated me in my 40s as I learned to teach skiing - and that revitalized my whole outlook on being outside, enjoying the day, enjoying myself and others. Peace!

HokieDave

10 days ago

Member since 01/2/2024 🔗

35 posts

Great article Jim. I enjoy your perspective as I plan to retire in about 5 years. I plan for my ski days to ramp up significantly once a job no longer constrains my available ski days.

My retirement ski plan involves a lot of Vermont skiing and my wife and I have already taken steps to prepare for extended time up there. I’d love to use the Ikon or Epic passes to tour a lot of the North American resorts too.

Glad to read about someone doing a lot of skiing as a senior and enjoying it.

bob

9 days ago

Member since 04/15/2008 🔗

795 posts

Very well done, as always, Jim.

I enjoyed our few days of skiing together at Keystone and Breck in 2016.

You are right, you never know when things will get in the way. I never thought that my ski life would end with my last run a A-Basin in May 2016, but it did. I was still doing 60+ days a year at age 65. First death got in the way (not mine) with executor duties. Then another death and more executor duties, then a friend got leukemia and I was a caregiver. Then that person died.Then Covid hit. Suddenly it was 8 years later and I was less capable.

The desire has returned and I am doing lots to try to get get back into ski shape. Maybe I'll try again next spring at age 75 -- 10 years later.

JimK - DCSki Columnist

9 days ago

Member since 01/14/2004 🔗

3,060 posts

Best wishes to all of you and thanks for the kind words.

Bob, I'm humbled. While I was obsessing over snowflakes and pretty mountain views these many years, you were saving lives and helping loved ones. I hope you are able to find your way back to some rewarding ski turns. I pass through Colorado coming and going during my annual winter migration to UT. I usually stop and ski a few days along the way. Let me know if you ever resume skiing in Summit County.

pagamony - DCSki Supporter

8 days ago

Member since 02/23/2005 🔗

949 posts

Excellent reporting as usual, Jim. You're a leader. I'm a hopefull follower. Hope we meet again on the snow, maybe we can find the real John Goodman. Personally I am still doing my time in the office. One day.....

Laurel Hill Crazie

7 days ago

Member since 08/16/2004 🔗

2,066 posts

A great article on the secrets of skiing into seniorhood. I'll call it the five Fs. Fitness first, then Finance or the ability to pay your way, and, very central for me, Family. I was 43 when I had my last child. He will be 28 this December. We started our kids at age 2 and had them with us through most of the ski day, so the kids were on the snow or in dad's backpack carrier most of the day. That kept me young through my 40s. After that, trying to keep up with them through the years kept me young through my 50s. Now, at age 71, I have a 3-year-old grandson whom we began to indoctrinate last season. Later-aged parenting has kept me fit just to keep up with the offspring. The next of the 5 Fs for skiing into age is Friends. I have many local friends from my home hill and just as many friends met through get-togethers organised here on DCSki and Epic/Pugski/Ski Talk. It's like a national ski club. Skiing with friends from diverse backgrounds and bonding over a sport we love really puts into perspective what is important in life. It all comes back to the last F. Fun. It's what I like to call that exquisite sensation of gliding upright on snow, no matter the diamond, the square, or the circle.

JohnL - DCSki Supporter

6 days ago

Member since 01/6/2000 🔗

3,588 posts

Biggest challenge skiing post 60 is how healthy your joints and skeletal system are. There are lots of things you can’t control, genetics does play a big factor. Osteoarthritis runs on both sides of my family. I have pretty bad degenerative arthritis in both knees, one is real bad. Will need a knee replacement soon. There are things you can do to help alleviate the joint condition, but once you get to bone on bone, drugs/shots/then surgery. Both my sisters have had arthritis issues much earlier than me, so I am a bit lucky.

I know a couple of folks with spinal stenosis. That is a real bear and affects your life immensely. Pretty much shots at that point. At least I can have my knees hacked out, and replaced with new ones. Can’t do that with a spine.

Never have an X-Ray post 60. Two years ago, had to have my wrist X-Rayed after an ice hockey collision. Diagnosis: no new bone breaks, but some old ones that healed, arthritis, and carpal tunnel. And this was on a wrist that pre-collision that wasn’t really bothering me… And never knew I had earlier breaks.

That said, I still got in 55 days of skiing in during my first year of retirement, all at pretty amazing areas. We’ll see what happens this winter.