Articles by: Pat McCloskey

The Older We Get- The Better We Were

The Older We Get- The Better We Were

So, I was surprised this week when my friend Eric, from Tahoe (formerly of Vermont), mailed me some pictures from way back when we skied Tuckerman Ravine together. Looking at these 40 year old photos, I thought back to a time when we laid down the only tracks one day in Dodge’s Drop ( and Eric had a cast on his[Read More…]

by February 21, 2024 10 comments Other News
Credit:JackF

The Ski Swap

This time of year, the Ski Swap notices start coming and people get excited for the coming season. The Ski Swaps are not only an outlet for selling and buying equipment, but also a social time to reconnect with your ski buddies who perhaps you have not seen since last winter. But there are plusses and minuses for these things,[Read More…]

by October 11, 2023 9 comments Other News
Pat and Janet McCloskey taking a break from Deer Valley's groomers.

Many Ways to Ski an Area

Editor’s Note: Deciding how to experience a day on the hill can be as simple as skiing familiar terrain or as thrilling as seeking hidden stashes of untracked powder. What you do is based on who you are, where you ski, and what you want to accomplish. I have a friend content with skiing the same green run after run.[Read More…]

by March 3, 2022 6 comments Ask An Expert
Kathy Brennan, new CEO, PSIA-East, at Seven Springs, PA

A Day With Kathy Brennan, New CEO, PSIA-East

I recently skied with Kathy Brennan, the new CEO of PSIA -E (Professional Ski Instructors of America- Eastern Division).  Kathy has an impressive background in the snow sports industry and is currently on staff at Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. She has been touring areas in her division which extends from Maine to North Carolina. An accomplished skier and excellent teacher, Kathy[Read More…]

by January 20, 2022 8 comments Snow Sports Leaders, Features
The Power of the Small Area

The Power of the Small Area

When I hear that people don’t ski in their local areas because they’re spoiled by skiing out West, I believe they’re missing something. A lot of world class ski racers cut their teeth on areas that have less than 1000’ vertical. Lindsey Vonn and Kristina Koznick both were raised on Buck Hill in Minnesota, under the watchful eye of Erich[Read More…]

by December 16, 2021 14 comments Other News

PSIA Podcast: Not Just for Pros

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by December 2, 2021 0 comments Other News, Snow Sports Leaders
How Mountain Biking Improves My Skiing

How Mountain Biking Improves My Skiing

There are many similarities between mountain biking and skiing aside from the fact that both sports engage the same type of people.  I love to mountain bike, but I use it primarily as an exercise to keep me in shape for skiing.  I don’t take any chances. I ride to ride another day.  But it is good exercise and keeps[Read More…]

by October 11, 2021 4 comments Other News
Ski resorts took COVID compliance seriously, allowing the season to happen. Credit: Pat McCloskeu

Look Back: US Season Wrap

A Wide Lens View Of How Large And Small Resorts Managed To Deal With Restrictions And Constraints. [Editor Note: Pat McCloskey is a regular contributor to SeniorsSkiing.com.  This article first appeared in Chronicles of McCloskey.] First, let me say I was glad that we HAD a ski season. From changing my boots in the lot at Laurel Mountain to the[Read More…]

by April 12, 2021 2 comments Features
Make More Tracks: “When All Else Fails, We Still Have Trails”

Make More Tracks: “When All Else Fails, We Still Have Trails”

A Network Of Trails Run By Community Foundation Offers Multi-Use Recreational Activities. The motto above is the moniker of one of the most interesting trail systems I have seen to date. Round Valley, near Park City, UT, is a paradise for cross country skiers, fat bikers, hikers, and dog walkers. The well groomed trails encourage multi- use and 25 kilometres[Read More…]

by March 22, 2021 0 comments West, Make More Tracks
How Is It At Park City And Deer Valley?

How Is It At Park City And Deer Valley?

Visitors To These Destination Resorts Send First Hand Report. [Editor Note: This article first appeared in The Chronicles of McCloskey, March 1, 2021.] How is the skiing experience in different areas around the country you might ask? We all have heard about the long lines in Colorado and Tahoe and even locally the lines have been robust. I am thinking[Read More…]

by March 2, 2021 6 comments West
My Ski Lodge. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Gratitude

Half-Way Through The Season, Pat McCloskey Takes Stock. [Please consider supporting SeniorsSkiing.com with a donation. We appreciate your help. Click here.] We are halfway through winter, and the groundhog has come out to let us know what he thinks about the rest of the winter. I wonder if he will be masked? In any event, this has been a different[Read More…]

by February 2, 2021 1 comment Features, East
Instructional Advice: Slow Start, Good Turns

Instructional Advice: Slow Start, Good Turns

Easy Does It And Find The Rhythm. If you look at Henrik Kristoffersen here in the blue Norwegian National Team uniform doing slow turns, you will see the value of mechanics at a basic level.    The important thing that I realized in watching Kristoffersen executing basic turn maneuvers at a very slow pace is that we all can work[Read More…]

by January 19, 2021 13 comments Features
Carve Turns On Opening Day

Carve Turns On Opening Day

Master Making Those Modern Arcs. Ski instructor Paul Lorenz has a great instructional series on You Tube showing how to carve on skis.  To properly execute this type of turn, it is important to consider the basics of balance.  Those of us who have skied for a while know that it is most important to stand on the new downhill[Read More…]

by December 15, 2020 4 comments Features
Covid Fitness

Covid Fitness

A Lot Of Us Are In The Best Shape We’ve Been In For Many A Year. Gasping for breath up a steep climb recently on the mountain bike with my riding friends, I thought to myself, “Where is the race? Nobody’s going to the Olympics, why are we racing on this ride?”  Then it occurred to me that my group[Read More…]

by July 27, 2020 7 comments Conditioning
Keep your distance and take it easy, especially at one your first rides. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Transition To Cycling

“Start Slow And Taper Off.” The ski season came to a screeching halt as most of us are now staying inside with some socially distanced outings.  As I look back on this shortened season, I can take heart in the fact that I made the most of it before cancelling my last trip.  Skied a lot in the rain locally,[Read More…]

by April 2, 2020 1 comment Health
Chute 4 from the cornice. You ready? Credit: FeedTheHabit

The Daly Chutes At Deer Valley

[Editor Note: SeniorsSkiing.com is asking our readers to contribute to support our online magazine. Yes, we have grown in the number of subscribers and advertisers. But our expenses have also grown. You can help us defray some of these expenses by helping us out with a donation.] Support SeniorsSkiing.com by clicking here. ______________________________________________________ Want Steep? Chute 4 Has Steep. Deer[Read More…]

by February 24, 2020 0 comments West
First Turn, Icy Snow Advice

First Turn, Icy Snow Advice

Instructor Pat McCloskey Recommends An Approach To Early Days. I had an interesting discussion with my lift mate this weekend at our local ski area.  I asked the fellow beside me how his day was going. He remarked, “Well, the hill is fighting me back a little today.”  I chuckled because the guy was a certified PSIA instructor but was[Read More…]

by December 4, 2019 3 comments Features
Familiarity Breeds Confidence

Familiarity Breeds Confidence

You Can Do It If You’ve Done It Before. You know, as you age, little things creep into your mind like, “Can I still ski that?”  “Am I too old to keep trying this pitch?”  But, one of the things that keeps our minds in check is the familiarity with the terrain after years of experience.  For instance, every year,[Read More…]

by October 23, 2019 2 comments Features
Summer Cycling: Riding The Moon Rocks

Summer Cycling: Riding The Moon Rocks

Riding mountain bikes in the “Mountain State” of West Virginia is nothing short of challenging.  My wife asked me, after my recent trip,  how it went and I said, “tougher every year, dear.”  Riding in Davis, WV, is always fun but you better bring your “A” game because currently there are mostly expert black diamond and double black diamond trails[Read More…]

by July 18, 2019 1 comment East
Slopeside Sugar House run by ski racing's famous Cochran family. Credit: Cochran Family

Slopeside Syrup: Ski Racing And “Golden Delicate”

The Cochran Family Makes Maple Syrup And Ski Racers. There are a lot of Vermonters and others in the ski racing world who could tell you a lot more about the famous Cochran Family of Richmond, VT.  I have friends who know them personally and tell the tales of the first rope tow that Mickey Cochran built in his back[Read More…]

by June 27, 2019 0 comments East
Bode Miller putting weight on outside ski.

Cycling And Skiing Similarities

Both Require Looking Down The Trail, Pressurizing To The Outside Of The Turn. I was out the other night riding with my pals and noticed that I was starting to look at the front of my wheel in sketchy terrain, and my balance was starting to be  compromised.  I thought to myself, “Pat,  keep your eyes focused down the trail[Read More…]

by May 27, 2019 4 comments Features
E-Bike: Makes Sense and Here To Stay

E-Bike: Makes Sense and Here To Stay

First Fat Bikes, Now E-Bikes. The Cycling World Is Spinning Up Innovation. An interesting phenomena has started to surface in the cycling industry.  From July of 2016 to July of 2017, there was a 95% jump in sales of E-Bikes in what industry regulars say is currently a $65 million segment of the cycling business.  Sales have been booming and[Read More…]

by April 16, 2019 3 comments Gear
June Mt has the views, plenty of groomed blues, and lots to choose. Credit: June Mt.

SeniorsSkiing Guide: June Is A Pleasant Surprise

In The Shadow Of Mammoth, June Mt. Features Dramatic Views. One of the most beautiful drives in ski country is from Carson City, NV down Rt 395 to Mammoth Lakes, CA.  Passing Mono Lake and making your way through the passes that are open in the winter yields some of the most breathtaking views in the country.  As we made[Read More…]

by March 18, 2019 2 comments West, Resort Reviews
You Never Know…

You Never Know…

[Editor Note: As the new year begins, SeniorsSkiing.com is again asking our readers to contribute to support our online magazine. Yes, we have grown in the number of subscribers and advertisers. But our expenses have also grown. You can help us defray some of these expenses by helping us out with a donation.  This year, we have a mix of[Read More…]

by February 14, 2019 2 comments Features
How To Bike In Winter

How To Bike In Winter

[Editor Note: As the new year begins, SeniorsSkiing.com is again asking our readers to contribute to support our online magazine. Yes, we have grown in the number of subscribers and advertisers. But our expenses have also grown. You can help us defray some of these expenses by helping us out with a donation.  This year, we have a mix of[Read More…]

by February 5, 2019 0 comments Gear