Articles by: Roger Lohr

Maine Ski Museum’s Glenn Parkinson shared his knowledge about vintage gear with folks at the Wooden Ski Day

Wooden Ski Day Held At Carter’s XC Ski Center

The traditional way of skiing (from the 1920’s on) was celebrated at the annual Wooden Ski Day at Carter’s XC Ski Center in Bethel, Maine. The event has been run for about 40 years at Carter’s, which began operating in 1984. In the early days of skiing everyone used wooden skis because synthetics had not begun to be used in[Read More…]

by January 21, 2024 0 comments Other News
Two folks enjoying the trails at Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI

Incentives For Elder XC Skiers

About a quarter of the cross country (XC) skiing population is older than 50 years old and as the large segment of population known as Baby Boomers continues to age, they are remaining active – many of them are looking for softer or easier forms of recreation and cross country skiing and snowshoeing fit that prescription. It is important for[Read More…]

by November 12, 2023 3 comments Other News
Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash

INDY XC PASS – THE NATIONAL SKI PASS FOR CROSS COUNTRY SKIERS

Most dedicated winter sports enthusiasts are familiar with the major season passes such as Epic, Ikon, Mountain Collective and Indy Pass, among others. Until recently, these multi-ski area passes have been geared only toward Alpine skiing and snowboarding. Not anymore! Make way for the season pass specifically for cross country (XC) skiing and a deal that highlights XC skiing for[Read More…]

by October 24, 2023 1 comment Other News
A New Killington Village is Born

A New Killington Village is Born

Killington finally is getting a real base area village center. In the March 2023 local election, residents of the town of Killington, Vermont, passed the TIF (tax increment financing) zone for a new village at Killington Mountain Resort.  It will take up to $47 million and about four years to build infrastructure including a new water system and road reconstruction plus[Read More…]

by May 20, 2023 6 comments Other News
Thoughts on Aging and Ageism

Thoughts on Aging and Ageism

“You haven’t aged a bit.” “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” “Young at heart.” “So when are you going to retire?” “Still skiing at your age?” We’ve all heard, read or experienced comments like that, because American culture is grotesquely youth-centric.  The notion is that it is sad to be old, that wrinkles are embarrassing and so on. There is[Read More…]

by April 6, 2023 21 comments Other News, Health, Home Top Box 3
Tips for Elder Cross Country Skiers

Tips for Elder Cross Country Skiers

Herman Smith Johannsen also known as Jackrabbit Johannsen was known for cross country (XC) skiing at 102 years old. He was a man who popularized XC skiing in Quebec and later in America. He lived until he was 111 and was always inquisitive about what was on the other side of the hill. The Jackrabbit kids’ ski program in Canada[Read More…]

by April 5, 2023 2 comments Other News
Sugarbush Snowshoe Program

Snowshoeing at Vermont’s Alpine Ski Resorts

Snowshoeing is an excellent way to get some outdoor physical and mental fitness in the winter and it can be a great warm-up for skiers or snowboarders. At alpine ski areas snowshoeing can be a great activity for those joining family or friends who may not want to ski at the resort. Recognizing a market when they see one, many[Read More…]

by March 9, 2023 1 comment Other News
Bretton Woods Nordic Ctr

Cross Country Skiing in New Hampshire

In the winter, the snow-covered hills and mountains in New Hampshire beckon cross country (XC) skiing families, couples, and individuals aged five to 95. Each year thousands of recreational XC skiers make the sojourn to the Granite State for the beauty and serenity of winter outdoor recreation and rewarding wellness associated with cross country skiing. New Hampshire’s XC ski areas[Read More…]

by February 21, 2023 3 comments Other News
Guided Snowshoe Tour with a Naturalist

Guided Snowshoe Tour with a Naturalist

Purity Spring Resort in Madison, NH has partnered with Tin Mountain Conservation Center (TMCC) to bring snowshoe guided naturalist tour programs at the NH Audubon “Gertrude Keith Hoyt & Edward Eaton Hoyt, Jr. Wildlife Sanctuary” and trails located at the resort. These guided tours, led by naturalist and TMCC Outreach Coordinator Heather McKendry, will be offered to guests staying at[Read More…]

by January 23, 2023 0 comments Other News
Cross Country Skiing at the Frisco Nordic Center, Frisco, Colorado by Todd Powell

Cross Country Skiers: Do You Prefer Classic Skiing or Skate Skiing?

Prospective cross country skiers often make a decision opting for either classic skiing or skate skiing. These two forms of cross country skiing are very different regarding where they can happen, what type of gear is used, the techniques employed, how fast the skiing is, and how much energy is necessary on an outing. For a first time or inexperienced[Read More…]

by January 15, 2023 5 comments Other News
Comfortable going along the river behind the Woodstock Inn. Credit: XCSkiResorts.com

INDY XC PASS – The National Ski Pass For XC Skiers

Most dedicated winter sports enthusiasts are familiar with the major season passes such as Epic, Ikon, Mountain Collective and Indy Pass, among others. So far, these multi-ski area passes have been geared toward Alpine skiing and snowboarding. Not anymore! Make way for a new season pass specifically for cross country (XC) skiing and a deal that highlights XC skiing for[Read More…]

by October 10, 2022 1 comment Other News
Wind turbine at Jimmy Peak, MA

Sustainability: Snow Sports Depend on It

The outdoor industry is big business: 57 million Americans engage in outdoor activities, generating an estimated $887 billion in revenue and creating about 7.6 million jobs. Snowsports, which account for about $20 billion in annual revenue in 38 states, rely on Mother Nature for cold and snow. A study conducted ten years ago by Protect Our Winters (POW), the Natural[Read More…]

by April 1, 2022 0 comments Other News
Source: Trapp Family Lodge

Four Bucket List New England Cross Country Ski Towns

XCSkiResorts.com recommends these classic New England towns and areas for a cross country  ski vacation: Stowe, VT, is quintessential New England with its white steepled church and main street lined with stores. It’s also the home of the Trapp Family Lodge of Sound of Music fame. Trapp Family Lodge has a 110 km trail network with 60 km of groomed[Read More…]

New To Cross Country? These Nordic Centers are Great Places to Start.

New To Cross Country? These Nordic Centers are Great Places to Start.

If you’re among the many newcomers to XC skiing, I suggest that you take a lesson. XCSkiResorts.com recommends starting at one of the following locations: Metropolitan Boston — Weston Ski Track, a county-owned golf course accessible by public transportation. Snowmaking guarantees good cover and lights allow for night skiing. A 75-minute session covers the basics (i.e. motion, turning and negotiating[Read More…]

by December 16, 2021 3 comments Home Top Box 3, Make More Tracks, Other News
Buying NEW XC Ski Equipment

Buying NEW XC Ski Equipment

For newcomers to cross country (XC) skiing, deciding on the best skis can be intimidating, especially if you don’t want to rely entirely on retail sales people or on-line outlets for advice. The following guidance about selecting and using XC gear is general and intended to help you be an informed consumer. Note that as a rule of thumb, standard[Read More…]

by November 11, 2021 4 comments Gear, Boots, Skis, Make More Tracks
Tips to Buy New XC Ski Gear for This Winter

Tips to Buy New XC Ski Gear for This Winter

Last winter XC ski gear was in demand like never before and all segments of cross country ski equipment sold out, with few or no options for retailers to reorder. There also was an uptick for backcountry gear and snowshoes. Retailers are still experiencing demand and supply issues. Coupled with global supply chain challenges, everything from the components that complete[Read More…]

by October 27, 2021 1 comment Boots, Skis, Make More Tracks
Dawn, Appleton Farms, Ipswich, MA. Credit: NSNA

Make More Tracks: A Personal Note At The End Of The Season

XC Has Grown In Participation. Hopefully, Make More Tracks Played A Role. The Make More Tracks Resource Guide and series of articles in each issues since October was conceived to provide readers of SeniorsSkiing.com with information to expand their options in the winter of the pandemic. It was intended to provide info and perspectives about mostly XC skiing. As someone[Read More…]

by April 13, 2021 2 comments Make More Tracks
XCSkiResorts.com publisher Roger Lohr and wife Kimberly at Bretton Woods.

Make More Tracks: XCSkiResorts.com Saw Boost

Increased Interest In Nordic Makes XC Site A Place For Information. XCSkiResorts.com was established in 2003 as a major source of information for recreational and travel-oriented cross country skiers and snowshoers and it entered uncharted waters when the pandemic hit. Would anyone want to travel to go cross country skiing? According to site founder and editor Roger Lohr, “The response[Read More…]

by April 6, 2021 1 comment Make More Tracks
Nipika is totally off the grid.

Make More Tracks: Sustainable XC Ski Resorts

[Please consider supporting SeniorsSkiing.com with a donation. We appreciate your help. Click here.] [Editor Note: This article first appeared in XCSkiResorts.com.] Many cross country (XC) ski areas operate in an environmentally-friendly manner, and some of these operators, who are exemplars using the most sustainable practices, are models of sustainability in the effort to combat climate change. The operators at these[Read More…]

by February 15, 2021 0 comments Make More Tracks
Make More Tracks: XC Ski Injuries And How To Avoid Them

Make More Tracks: XC Ski Injuries And How To Avoid Them

Either Falls Or Pre-Existing Conditions Can Cause Problems. [Please consider supporting SeniorsSkiing.com with a donation. We appreciate your help. Click here.] Cross country (XC) skiing is a sport with a very low incidence of injuries for a number of reasons. It’s a low impact sport with low sliding speed, plus the free heel allows twisting if you fall. The ski[Read More…]

by February 8, 2021 1 comment Make More Tracks
Crested Butte Nordic Center attracting alpine skiers who can't get downhill reservations.

Make More Tracks: Cross Country Skiing is Booming Despite COVID

XC Is Hot And Getting Hotter. The Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA) has been conducting online sessions with its cross country (XC) ski area members since last spring, focused on sharing information about how XC operations should respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions resulted in widespread adoption of plans aimed at minimizing risk of virus transmission for staff and[Read More…]

by January 26, 2021 0 comments Make More Tracks
Bill Koch started skating on XC skis and changed the sport. Credit: ISHA

Make More Tracks: Milestones In XC Skiing

From Wooden Skis, Wax, And Pine Tar Bases To High Tech Equipment in 50 years. Since the time that wooden skis were found in a peat bog in Sweden dating to 2,000 BC, there have been many milestones that brought XC skiing to where it is today. In the USA, the forefathers of cross-country skiing include people like Snowshoe Thompson,[Read More…]

by December 15, 2020 1 comment Make More Tracks
Take a lesson from a pro. Here's balance practice. Credit: Weston Ski Track

Make More Tracks: Tips For Getting Started In XC Skiing

This Might Be The Season To Get On Skinny Skis. [Editor Note: This article first appeared in XCSkiResorts.com.] Getting outdoors, going at your own pace, enjoying and sharing an outing with a friend or family member of any age, and getting some winter exercise are all good reasons for older folks to try XC skiing. You can have a purpose[Read More…]

by December 2, 2020 2 comments Make More Tracks
Roger Lohr

Editorial: Why Cross-Country Skiing?

[Editor Note: Roger Lohr is SeniorsSkiing.com’s Nordic Editor and publisher of XCSkiResorts.com] The Older I Get, The More I Love Cross Country Skiing. I love the sensation of gliding on the snow through the forest, being outdoors in nature. I can smell the fragrance of the trees. I can hear the bubbling brook and the sound of a bird in[Read More…]

by November 17, 2020 2 comments Features
Comfortable going along the river behind the Woodstock Inn. Credit: XCSkiResorts.com

Make More Tracks: Hidden Gems Of Nordic Skiing

[Editor Note: This article first appeared in XCSkiResorts.com.] Less Known, Excellent XC Destinations To Explore. With torrent of people hitting the trails and the outdoors across the country, XCSkiResorts.com wanted to give a shout out to hidden gem destinations for cross country (XC) skiing this winter. There may very well be an overflow of skiers at the most popular XC[Read More…]

by November 16, 2020 1 comment Make More Tracks