Destinations

Powder Mtn

Utah’s Best Kept Secret Slopes

We all know there are many options to ski Utah – Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude, Park City, Snowbasin, Deer Valley.  But none can hold a candle to Powder Mountain.  Why is this, you might ask? Powder mountain boasts the largest ski/snowboard area in North America, with 8,464 acres of groomed trails and un-groomed of pure skiing pleasure. You are at an elevation[Read More…]

by April 6, 2023 25 comments West, Other News
Low Key Skiing at Monetier les Bains, France

Low Key Skiing at Monetier les Bains, France

On the recommendation of a dear French friend who lives in Grenoble, we booked two weeks at Monetier les Bains in the Serre Chevalier Valley, between Grenoble and Turin in Italy.  It is less well-known and less crowded than such mega-resorts as Chamonix and Val d’Isere, which also makes them more low key. The Serre Chevalier Valley ski resorts are[Read More…]

by February 22, 2023 5 comments Other News, International
View of Lake Tahoe (credit M. Roth)

Seeking the Snow in Tahoe

After an early start to the ski season here in the East that I would describe as less than stellar, I went west, to Reno, Nevada to seek better conditions. My goal was the smaller ski areas within a short drive from Reno, not the larger and well-known ones on the side of Lake Tahoe in California. Our the first[Read More…]

by February 20, 2023 6 comments Other News, West
Virginia’s First Ski Area Restores the Nation’s Oldest Spa

Virginia’s First Ski Area Restores the Nation’s Oldest Spa

The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia, is not the biggest ski area in the South, but it’s the oldest. When snowmaking was installed on new slopes in 1959, the historic hotel appended the words “ski” and “spa” to its self-description. The hotel has been hosting guests “taking the waters” at local hot springs since 1766, a decade before the American[Read More…]

by February 8, 2023 1 comment Other News, East
What’s New for the 2022/2023 Season – Idaho Edition

What’s New for the 2022/2023 Season – Idaho Edition

With the La Niña weather pattern developing thousands of miles away in the Pacific Ocean for the third consecutive winter, the Northwest should expect a cold, wet winter with heavy mountain snow. That means another great ski and snowboard season in Idaho. It’s not just the snow – for the first time in history, SKI Magazine named three Ski Idaho[Read More…]

by November 9, 2022 7 comments Other News, West
Massanutten Resort

What’s New for the 2022-23 Season—Southeastern Edition 

Terrain expansions and technology upgrades are routine at the seventeen ski resorts south of the Mason-Dixon Line. This year, that trend continues. Here’s what’s new for the 2022/2023 season in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Virginia – Massanutten – 2022-23 marks the 50th year of skiing inside the “Kettle” bowl of Shenandoah Valley landmark Massanutten Mountain. In 1990, the[Read More…]

by November 9, 2022 5 comments Other News, East
What’s New for the 2022/2023 Season – Quebec Edition

What’s New for the 2022/2023 Season – Quebec Edition

Fall and cooler weather are giving antsy legs to all skiers, snowboarders, as well as all other winter lovers. Here’s what’s new this season, north of the border in the province of Quebec, by region, including several important resort anniversaries. Bas-Saint-Laurent Parc du Mont-Saint-Mathieu has expanded its snow park, and snowmaking improvements will allow both earlier and later season access to an[Read More…]

by November 2, 2022 4 comments Other News, International
XC in Mont Tremblant Canada

XC in Mont Tremblant Canada

Mont Tremblant is a major alpine ski resort just north of Montreal, part of the vast Alterra Mountain Company menu of ski areas, which includes Steamboat, Winter Park, Mammoth Mountain, Deer Valley, Stratton, Sugarbush. Therefore it’s part of the Ikon Pass system.   Though it’s well-known to Eastern Canadians, cross country skiing around Mont Tremblant isn’t quite the clichéd “hidden gem” for Nordic[Read More…]

by November 2, 2022 3 comments Other News, International
Photo Credit: Stratton Mountain Resort

What’s New For the 2022/23 Season – Eastern Edition

It’s time to check your goggles and helmet for wear and tear, shake your packed-up down jackets back to life and try on your ski or snowboard pants to make sure they still fit well enough to let you bend down and fasten your boots. Here’s a short swing through what’s new at resorts in the Northeast. New York State[Read More…]

by October 15, 2022 20 comments Destinations, East
Photo Credit: Praxis Skis

What’s New for the 2022/23 Season – Western Edition

As always, resorts were busy over the summer replacing lifts and improving or adding terrain. Here’s a quick rundown to whet your appetite of what’s new and noteworthy in several states West of the Mississippi. In alphabetical order, by state –  California Palisades Tahoe – For a second season under its new name, there’s a brand new Base-to-Base gondola. It connects[Read More…]

by October 13, 2022 19 comments Destinations, West, Home Top Box 3
What’s New This Ski/Snowboard Season – Utah Edition

What’s New This Ski/Snowboard Season – Utah Edition

So many resorts, most of them within 45 minutes of the Salt Lake City airport.  And so many new lifts, trams, on-mountain dining, and more, this season. Here’s a short swing around what’s new and notable on the snow in Utah, in alphabetical order, since that’s the only fair way: Alta Ski Area – The Sunnyside fixed-grip triple has been[Read More…]

by October 13, 2022 2 comments West, Other News, Destinations
Setting Our Sights on e-Biking in Umbria

Setting Our Sights on e-Biking in Umbria

Last Sunday, I took a few heavy corn runs at Park City. It was in the mid-60s, and two runs were enough. The Salt Lake Valley reached 78F, and driving up and back, passed scores of cyclists. I know I should be pedaling more, both for the sheer enjoyment of being on a bike and for its great health benefits.[Read More…]

“Come Ski With Me”: A New Don Burch Video

“Come Ski With Me”: A New Don Burch Video

Don Burch recently returned from his first ski trip to Colorado in almost 50 years. He titled this video summary of his time at Beaver Creek, Copper, Keystone, Breckenridge and Vail,  “Come Ski With Me.” It’s another fine example of Don’s refreshing new genre of ski video: brief, graphically interesting, and easy to watch.

by March 31, 2022 2 comments Other News, West
Like many of its patrons, Deer Valley is extremely well-groomed. Source: Deer Valley

Deer Valley Resort: Great Skiing; Great Service; Great Food

Like many of its patrons, Deer Valley is extremely well-groomed. Source: Deer Valley Deer Valley Resort is just easier. Easier to ski, easier to get to, easier to gear up for the day (free overnight ski and boot check). As a senior skier, I’m totally on board with that. A few minutes drive or free bus from ski town Park[Read More…]

Skiing Crested Butte

Skiing Crested Butte

Source: Travel Crested Butte The first thing one notices about the terrain at Crested Butte is the jagged, arrowhead shaped mountain peak thrusting into the sky. The base of the mountain is 9,820’, and lifts take you to a notch, several hundred feet below its 12,162’ summit. There’s lots to like about skiing Crested Butte: beaucoup, well-groomed beginner, intermediate and[Read More…]

The historic Mount Washington Hotel makes a riveting backdrop from the resort's cross country ski trails.     Photo courtesy Omni Hotels and Resorts

History Awaits Your Next Ski Trip (Part 1)

As serious skiers gain years and experience, many become interested in the history of their sport. And a lot of us are also better positioned economically to savor that heritage by checking into some of the country’s more historic ski settings. A budget bunker motel beside the access road might be OK, but it’s surprisingly easy and affordable to set[Read More…]

by February 17, 2022 1 comment Destinations, East, Home Top Box 2
Anticipate turns when skiing the trees!   Illustration: Mike Roth

Branching Out: Skiing the Trees

For many of us, skiing through the aging process means no longer going places we once skied without thinking twice. Now, approaching my 80’s, my mantra is never to overstep my capabilities and always watch out for the other guy!   I’ve always loved skiing in the trees and still do on occasions when conditions are right, and I’m feeling up[Read More…]

Finding a Senior Ski Buddy / Part 2

Finding a Senior Ski Buddy / Part 2

Finding out about senior ski groups is like sharing tales around a campfire. A few words whet our interest and we sit on the edge of our seats waiting for more. As we build a list of senior ski groups, we have some exciting clues that really whet our interest, and we’re on the edge of our seats. So let’s throw another[Read More…]

Don Burch’s Fun Times (at Mount Snow, Okemo & Stratton)

Don Burch’s Fun Times (at Mount Snow, Okemo & Stratton)

It has been decades since I’ve skied the East. Once I discovered Western skiing, I traded the long flight for the long drive, eventually moving to Utah to shorten the time to the slopes. But Don Burch is giving me second thoughts. He’s developed an appealing alternative ski video genre (shot largely at Eastern areas). His most recent, “Fun Times[Read More…]

by January 20, 2022 2 comments Other News, East
Okemo Debuts New Express Lifts

Okemo Debuts New Express Lifts

Now in its 66th winter season, Okemo is one of the most technologically advanced ski areas in the East. This year’s installation of two express lifts maintains that tradition with the debut of an express replacement for the Green Ridge Triple and the new Quantum Six Express lift at Jackson Gore, providing greater and quicker access to upper Jackson Gore, home of[Read More…]

by January 6, 2022 6 comments Other News, Destinations, East
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…]

Cortina

The Best Ski Trip, Ever

A few years ago, Pam and I went on what was arguably the best ski trip of our lives. We spent six-days on Ski Safari in the Dolomites with Inspired Italy, a SeniorsSkiing.com advertiser. The updated account about this bucket-list experience follows: The Dolomites is the vast UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Italy. It received the designation because of its natural[Read More…]

by December 2, 2021 4 comments Other News, International, Home Top Box 3
Wecome to Latigo Ranch

Latigo Ranch: High-Country Nordic

Sometimes life exceeds expectation. That’s what I’ve found with winter ranches in the Rockies. In summer, hundreds of dude ranches draw thousands of visitors. They’re crazy-diverse: homespun and elegant; private and heavily peopled; mostly self-service or with staff at your call. You’ll find Spartan working ranches as well as places with canapés and kidney-shaped swimming pools. The few ranches open[Read More…]

Henry David Thoreau in 1856. Source: Wikipedia

Around Walden Pond

There are two trips around Walden Pond near Concord, MA. The first is a ski tour through a picturesque New England landscape, with sharp and steeply wooded hillsides surrounding an ice-covered, lambchop-shaped lake. Around the same pond is a second trip, a pilgrimage that passes the cabin site of Henry David Thoreau, “self-appointed inspector of snowstorms”, conjuring the spirit of[Read More…]

by November 11, 2021 3 comments Home Top Box 2, Other News, East
Source: Don Burch

Enjoy Don Burch’s Newest Creation

Don Burch creates short, artistic ski videos that capture the small moments showing people of all ages and abilities having fun together on the mountain. “Skiing The East” features scenes from Stowe, Okemo, Otis Ridge, Sunday River, Killington, Sugarbush, Mount Snow, Stratton, Wildcat, Magic, Waterville Valley and Maple Valley (long closed). Enjoy this two-minute ride.

by October 27, 2021 5 comments Other News, East