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Mystery Glimpse: Who’s This Famous Ski Racer?

Mystery Glimpse: Who’s This Famous Ski Racer?

Hint: She’s an Olympian. Can you name her and her accomplishments? Respond in COMMENTS below the picture.  We will identify the correct answer either next week or when it appears. Credit: Alf Engen Ski Museum, Park City, UT. Editor Note: Mystery Glimpse is a new feature of SeniorsSkiing.com.  Occasionally, we’ll publish a photo from the archives of ski museums, collectors, or individuals.[Read More…]

by December 21, 2017 39 comments Features
Alf Engen and Alan Engen jumping at Alta, circa 1949.

SnowSports Leader: Alan K. Engen

When Alan Engen was born, Dr. Wherritt put wooden tongue depressors—like miniature skis—on the bottom of his little feet and handed the newborn to his legendary father, Alf Engen. “I think I can safely say that I came pretty close to being born on skis,” says Alan. He learned to ski when he was two. Thus began a lifetime of[Read More…]

by December 20, 2017 0 comments Snow Sports Leaders
Credit: Dawn Green

Top Reasons I Enjoy Being A Senior Nordic Skier

In Response To Last Week’s “Top Reasons I Enjoy Being A Senior Skier”, We Hear From A Nordic-Loving Senior. Editor Note: Roger Lohr is publisher of XCSkiResorts.com, a top guide and center for cross-country news and destination information. It seems the older I get, the more I enjoy Nordic (XC) skiing. It probably has something to do with being out[Read More…]

by December 20, 2017 6 comments Features
The Ultimate SeniorsSkiing Ski Quiz

The Ultimate SeniorsSkiing Ski Quiz

You’ve Think You’ve Been Around Snow Sports For A While?  Okay, Test Your Knowledge. I know what you’re thinking; “Ultimate, I doubt it.” You’re a really good skier, you’ve been skiing for years and you’ve skied just about everywhere. “There’s no quiz about skiing that’s going to humble me.” Let’s see… As of the 2016-17 ski season, what state has[Read More…]

by December 18, 2017 7 comments Features
This Week In SeniorsSkiing.Com (Dec. 15)

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.Com (Dec. 15)

Unusual Snow Stat, Happy Holidays, Celebrating Retro Togs, 10 Reasons To Be A Senior Skier, Urban Wilderness. Here’s a strange stat from the National Weather Service:  There has been snow cover in every state this fall, and we are days away from the start of winter. That includes Hawaii and Florida. Remember, the La Nina forecast for winter includes colder[Read More…]

by December 15, 2017 0 comments Features
Seasons Greetings From SeniorsSkiing.Com

Seasons Greetings From SeniorsSkiing.Com

 

by December 15, 2017 1 comment Other News
Bear's Ears. Courtesy: Chicago Tribune

Short Swings!

I’ve always believed in working with a competent car mechanic. The same applies to a well-trained bootfitter. Many older skiers experience boot issues, and a good fitter can help overcome them. Masterfit is in the business of training people to fit ski boots. Their instructors include pedorthists, professionals with specialized training to modify footwear and employ supportive devices to address[Read More…]

by December 14, 2017 3 comments Short Swings!
Another SeniorsSkiing.com First: Best 2018 Boots for Senior Skiers

Another SeniorsSkiing.com First: Best 2018 Boots for Senior Skiers

Finding a comfortable and good-fitting ski boot is an elusive goal for many older skiers. Finding a comfortable and good-fitting ski boot is an elusive goal for many older skiers. According to responses to our reader surveys, 25% of you plan to purchase new boots in any given season. Reading the comments is revealing: “Want to find a painfree pair.”[Read More…]

by December 14, 2017 0 comments Gear, Boots
Your retro-attired co-publisher at the Farms. Credit: AAM

Going Retro

If You’ve Been Into Snow Sports For A While, You’re Gonna Have Retro Clothes. Find Them, Take A Pic, And Send To Us. We have hats from the 60s, sweaters from the 70s, boots from the first time we went cross-country skiing, knickers, lots of old stuff we could never toss.  Well, we’re having a bit of fun wearing them[Read More…]

by December 12, 2017 0 comments Features
A guy with the right attitude that I met at Deer Valley a couple of years ago. He told me he wanted to add to the message on his helmet, “ . . . but not today.

Top Ten Reasons I Enjoy Being A Senior Skier

#10. I have nothing to prove.             I don’t need to ski bumps, steeps or crud. It’s challenging enough just skiing blues at age 84. #9. Skiing impresses my non-skiing peers. When folks ask “Are you still skiing,” they mean “still” as in “At your age?” not “still” as in “Is there still any snow up there?” I try to[Read More…]

by December 11, 2017 21 comments Features
Hard to believe this view is only a few miles from downtown Boston.
Credit: Commonwealth of Mass

In Praise Of Urban Wilderness

Find Winter Activity Opportunities Close To Home. Let’s define what we mean by Urban Wilderness: Open space – wetland, meadow, and/or forested land. Owned by a public entity No parking or entrance fees No visual pollution Offers “peace and quiet” Accessible by either car or public transportation from the nearby urban center Offers a variety of activities (year-round) Urban Wildernesses[Read More…]

by December 11, 2017 3 comments East, West
This Week In SeniorsSkiing.Com (Dec. 8)

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.Com (Dec. 8)

Free Magazine Subscriptions For Readers, Tale Of The Yellow Suit, Choosing A Condo Rental, More Gifts For Seniors, A Funny Remembered Incident. This week is a special time of the year for those of us who are Baby Boomers or, more likely, pre-Baby Boomers. When we were growing up, Pearl Harbor Day was more than a mention in the newspapers.[Read More…]

by December 8, 2017 1 comment Features
Short Swings!

Short Swings!

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[Read More…]

by December 7, 2017 6 comments Short Swings!
SKI and SKIING HISTORY Magazines Available Free to SeniorsSkiing.com Subscribers

SKI and SKIING HISTORY Magazines Available Free to SeniorsSkiing.com Subscribers

We’re pleased to announce that subscribers to SeniorsSkiing.com are eligible to receive a free subscription to the print version of SKI Magazine. SKI is the venerable publication that has been catering to snow sports enthusiasts for decades. It covers the full range of the sport from equipment and technique to personalities and destinations. It is published six times a year and[Read More…]

by December 7, 2017 6 comments Home Top Box 1
Bill skiing Park City on his 80th

The Story Of The Yellow Ski Suit

Ski Suits Don’t Age, Just Their Owners. In 1974 while living in Vienna, Virginia, I had a midlife crisis. On December 27, I turned 40 with the thought that I had reached middle-age and would have to limit my skiing. In the past, while living in California, the family had gone skiing on my birthday. Now in Virginia, my nine-year-old[Read More…]

by December 7, 2017 4 comments Features, Remember When?
Choose a small chalet...

Commute, Rent, Or Buy?

The Best Way To Enjoy Your Ski Time. While some snowsports enthusiasts are fortunate enough to live and work in ski country, most skiers and riders have to commute from their homes, often two, three or more hours from their favorite mountain. For the frequent skier—those who want to spend every weekend, plus vacation weeks on the slopes—their commute can[Read More…]

by December 5, 2017 1 comment Features, Home Top Box 2
Don Burch, circa, 1970, with the infamous Ford

A Wad of Tobacco, A Chairlift, And A Ford Maverick

A Long Forgotten Incident Comes Rushing Back. In the late 70s, I was working at a ski resort and poor as could be. When the Head Maintenance Engineer asked around for someone to pick up a part for one of the chairlifts, I quickly volunteered. He probably figured I knew what I was volunteering for and wouldn’t have done so[Read More…]

by December 5, 2017 3 comments Remember When?
A surprise awaits and it’s not fruitcake.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

Three Holiday Gifts Senior Skiers Wish For

When It Comes To Holiday Gifts, Sometimes Our Adult Children Don’t Have A Clue What We Would Like To Have. Here Are Some Hints To Pass Along. Or, Just Send A Link To This Story! Idea #1. A private lesson: A gift of confidence and fun. You know you’d love to have the undivided, one-on-one attention of a skilled instructor[Read More…]

by December 5, 2017 1 comment Features
Mikela Shiffrin wins the FIS World Cup over Thanksgiving Weekend at Killington. She's an inspiration and a role model for young skiers everywhere.
Credit: FIS

This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (Dec. 1)

Unusual Gift Ideas For Senior SnowsSporters, Becoming An Instructor, Blind Skier Tribute, Walking With Wolves. The Women’s FIS World Cup event at Killington over Thanksgiving showed us: 1) There is real skiing in New England going on right now, and, 2) Mikela Shiffrin won the slalom and came in second in the GS in front of 34,000 enthusiastic fans. While[Read More…]

by December 1, 2017 0 comments Features
Short Swings!

Short Swings!

We’re still transitioning into the Information Age and, like a well-skied trail, the bumps are plentiful. Personal data is compromised. Weird account charges are difficult to get removed. Criminals and other rogue players are changing how we would normally communicate with each other. But there are some bright spots. Older skiers are pleased with purchasing lift tickets online. In fact,[Read More…]

by December 1, 2017 0 comments Features, Short Swings!
The Best 2018 Skis For Senior Skiers

The Best 2018 Skis For Senior Skiers

One Might Say You Can Never Have Enough Skis. My wife disagrees. She skis on a relatively old pair that she loves. They’re relatively soft in shovel and heel. For her, one pair is enough. Mine is a completely different story; too long to get into at the moment. Jackson Hogen, publisher of the ski review site realskiers.com, has been[Read More…]

by November 30, 2017 8 comments Skis, Home Top Box 1
American Bison never shivers.
Credit: Brittanica

Another Unique Gift: Buffalo Down Socks

We Took The Challenge And Wore Them For Five Days.  Here’s What Happened. We love buffalo, the distinctly American creature who has been denizen of the Great Plains since pre-history, who was deified by native Americans, who has captured our imagination in countless legends, songs, stories, novels, and movies, who has shown up in hamburgers, (bison burgers) and who now[Read More…]

by November 29, 2017 1 comment Accessories
DeBooter: Easy-to-use ski boot jack.  Credit: OutDoor Logic Solutions

Holiday Gift Suggestion: DeBooter Easy-Off Ski Boot Jack

Other Than A Book, A Bottle, Or Some Meaningless Gewgaw, It’s Not Easy To Find A Reasonably Priced And Relevant Gift For The Older Skier. DeBooter solves that dilemma. It’s a clever ski boot jack that makes boot removal fast and easy. SeniorsSkiing.com readers can purchase DeBooter for less than $32, a 20% discount from the $39.95 retail. (Enter SeniorsSkiing[Read More…]

by November 29, 2017 4 comments Accessories
How many silly ski instructors does it take to change a ski’s load capacity?
Credit: Tamsin Venn

Becoming A Ski Instructor At An Advanced Age

Consider A Second Career For Fun, Fitness, Fulfillment. Many SeniorsSkiing.com readers are seriously committed to skiing, and many have the experience, time and skills to actually teach skiing. Here are ten good reasons you should consider working as a ski instructor. Plenty of other advanced age ski instructors are doing the same thing. You are in good company. You are[Read More…]

by November 28, 2017 6 comments Features
Fast Fred Siget on the left with Pat McCloskey, center, and friend at a long ago National Blind Skiing Championships.

Fast Freddie

Blind Skier Inspired All Who Knew Him.   The first time I skied with Fred Siget was in Snowshoe, WV, with Larry Walsh of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. This was my maiden voyage guiding a visually impaired skier. I had Fred, the first blind skier in our area, in front of me. Right turn, left turn, right turn, stay, stay.[Read More…]

by November 28, 2017 0 comments Ski Heroes