Nostalgia

Flipping out at a 60s ski show.

Ski Show Retro Video Brings Back Memories

If You’ve Been Around The Ski Biz, You Will See Some Familiar Faces. Thanks to Cathie Judge for sending us this video commemorating the famous Harry Leonard Ski Shows, starting in the late 60s with lots of clips of several giants of the ski industry back in the day. Ski and Snow Board Show impresario and SeniorsSkiing.com advisory board member[Read More…]

by December 28, 2016 4 comments Remember When?
Fun Fact: Legendary Hannes Schneider designed the trails at Laurel at around the same time he created Cranmore. 
Credit: Laurel Mountain

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Saving Laurel Mountain From Obscurity

Western PA Pioneer Area Comes Back To Full Operation. There has been a lot written about the lost ski areas.  For one reason or another, ski areas sometimes are unable to meet the financial or operational requirements and end up closing the lifts.  They fall into disrepair and end up on a list of lost ski areas forever.  But, there is[Read More…]

by December 28, 2016 4 comments Ski History, East
Goofy And Mickey On The Art Of Skiing

Goofy And Mickey On The Art Of Skiing

This Throw-Back Cartoon Reveals The Stereotypes Of Skiing In The 70s. Credit: Walt Disney Productions (Of Course!)

by December 28, 2016 0 comments Remember When?
John Christie as a young ski instructor.

10 Reasons To Go Skiing This Winter: John Christie’s Last Article

[Editor Note: We are honored to publish one of John Christie’s last articles about skiing, snow, and the outdoors.  John was one of snow sports most ardent supporters, from his days as a college racer to the development and management of major ski resorts in Maine and Vermont. He passed away in the spring, and to us, he was an original[Read More…]

by December 20, 2016 1 comment Ski Heroes
New England Ski Museum Tells 3,000 Years Of Ski History

New England Ski Museum Tells 3,000 Years Of Ski History

From The Stone Age To Today. The tiny museum in Franconia, New Hampshire is located next to Cannon Mountain’s gondola base, and it’s a wonderland. Even before you enter, you’re intrigued by what you see just outside the door and you ask yourself: “What’s that thing?” The big red boxy thing is one of Cannon’s original tram cars from 1938.[Read More…]

by November 28, 2016 2 comments Ski History, East
Credit: Shot Photos

Skiing In Literature: Pete Seeger’s “Snow, Snow”

Haunting Song Evokes Winter Night Snow Fall. Everybody knows Pete Seeger and his folk songs from archival ballads to anthems of struggle, the peace and labor movement, and the rest.  What is not widely known is that Pete was a lyrical poet, and some of his lesser known works are rich with images and emotion.  One of those is “Snow,[Read More…]

by November 14, 2016 0 comments Remember When?
Leather, buckle boots. No helmet, skidding turns.  Snow was still snow, though.
Credit: Pathe

Fifty Years Of Ski Racing In Two Minutes

Check Out The Change In Equipment, Styles, Spectators Through The Years. Many thanks to the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance for posting this really interesting clip.  The CSIA got it from Skitourowe Zakopane.pl., a Polish ski travel group enticing visits to the Tatra Mountains, the highest mountains in Poland and part of the Carpathian chain in Eastern Europe.  In any case, it’s[Read More…]

by November 2, 2016 4 comments Remember When?
John Andrew points out ski areas he's skiied on a the wall-sized map in his Renton, Wash., home. 
Credit: John Nelson

Skiing North America: Every Resort, Everywhere

An 85-Year Old Believes Someone Has To Do It; It Might As Well Be Him. So many ski areas, so little time. Yet at age 85, John Andrew is still busily crossing them off his list. Over the past 20 years, Andrew has been on a mission to ski all 700 alpine resorts in North America. He’s currently at 528,[Read More…]

by October 31, 2016 8 comments Ski Heroes, Home Top Box 4
As he did with so many things, Warren finds his own way to wax. Credit: Warren Miller Personal Archive

Review: Warren Miller’s Latest Is A Winner!

“Here, There, & Every Where” Brings Out Pre-Season Inner Child. Warren Miller has been bringing out my pre-season Inner Child since I was a kid in Troy, NY. Every Fall he presented and narrated his latest film to a full house. For me he conveyed an impossibly aspirational message: Make a life choice that will allow you to ski, whenever and[Read More…]

by October 25, 2016 0 comments Ski Heroes
Ski Pioneer Film-Maker Warren Miller lacing up at the Matterhorn.  His beautiful and fun-filled films brought new people to skiing in the 60s and 70s. The WME company continues to produce over the top visual feasts.

Warren Miller’s Story: You May Be A Skier Because Of Him

New Autobiography Shows How Miller Created Skiing’s Visual Brand. For any senior who’s ever attended a Warren Miller film, Freedom Found, My Life Story will provide an intriguing look at skiing history as well as Miller’s success story. The autobiography is a must-read for anyone with a mindset to dig into the ups-and-downs of skiing—and real life. Freedom Found is[Read More…]

by September 28, 2016 3 comments Ski Heroes, Home Top Box 1
Early One Pole Skiers

From One Ski Pole to Two

A Personal Experience As Told To Alan K. Engen. The late Ruth Rogers Altmann, a good friend and longtime Alta skier, was born in Vienna in 1917. She learned to ski in the Austrian Alps. Ruth’s earliest ski lessons involved the transition from Mathias Zdarsky’s (1874-1946) turning technique using one ski pole and leaning into the mountain to Hannes Schneider’s[Read More…]

by September 15, 2016 0 comments Ski History
Long Pole Skiing

Long Pole Skiing

What Is Old Is New Again. Last season, 38-year-old Ma Liqin visited Norway to demonstrate an ancient skiing style still used in the Altai Mountains, a range located at the intersection of China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. People in that region ski daily for hunting and transportation. Their equipment is fashioned from wood and has animal fur tied to the[Read More…]

by September 14, 2016 0 comments Ski History
Alaska Spine Skiing: A Virtual, Visceral, Vicarious Experience

Alaska Spine Skiing: A Virtual, Visceral, Vicarious Experience

While We All Await The Snow To Fly, This Might Give You A Rush. Pro skier and extreme athlete Richard Permin rips down a spine ridge in Alaska somewhere.  While we aren’t advocating this kind of skiing, we do appreciate the skill and courage it takes to even try it.  Note Richard’s heavy breathing as he negotiates some knarly steepness[Read More…]

by August 31, 2016 0 comments Ski Heroes
Fifty years ago, Portillo hosted the first FIS World Championship below the equator.  It changed a lot of minds.

Remembering Portillo’s FIS World Championships 1966

Fifty Years Ago, Portillo Changed Everyone’s Idea About Skiing Below The Equator. At the time, it was a wild idea.  Hold the FIS World Championships in Chile, at Portillo, at 3,300 meters, in the Northern hemisphere’s summer. Somehow, resort owner Henry Purcell convinced the FIS to award the 1966 event to the nascent resort.  Despite a 1965 hurricane that destroyed[Read More…]

by August 22, 2016 3 comments Remember When?
The Alf Engen Ski Museum in Park City opened the Stein Eriksen exhibit this month.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

Stein Eriksen: Secret Tales Of His Life

The Ski Industry Remembers His Humor And Tenderness. Iconic Stein Eriksen was famous for his stylish and graceful ski turns. Generation of skiers tried to mimic him. “Stein made the turns we all wish we could make,” said Tom Kelly, vice president of communications for the United States Ski and Snowboard Association. “Everyone who met him came away with a[Read More…]

by July 27, 2016 1 comment Ski Heroes
Cross-Country Legend Sven Wiik, 95

Cross-Country Legend Sven Wiik, 95

Olympic Ski Coach, X-C Pioneer, Hotel Owner Was A Major Contributor To Growth Of The Sport. Sven Wiik, a Swedish native who helped promote cross-country skiing in North America through coaching and promoting the sport, has died at 95 in Steamboat Springs, CO.  Wiik is known as a pioneer in the sport, creating the design for the American Birkebeiner trail[Read More…]

by July 7, 2016 0 comments Ski Heroes
Author compares patches with Richard Allen of Vintage Ski World . Credit: Jan Brunvand

History, Memories, Books, And More

ISHA’s 2016 Skiing History Week at Aspen. The International Skiing History Association (ISHA) and the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame held their annual Skiing History Week at Aspen on April 5 – 10. My wife Judy and I attended, partly for the presentations, but also for the $32 day passes. How avid are people about skiing history? Very![Read More…]

by April 25, 2016 0 comments Ski History
A touch of nostalgia for antique ski clothing.  Perhaps it's time to fetch a retro-look in ski fashion.  Wool hats anyone?
Credit: Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum.

100 Years Of Ski Fashion

Clever Video Shows The Evolution of Dressing For The Snow. Thanks to the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum and Hall of Fame for producing this trip through ski history. Click below for a six-minute video clip. Perhaps you might remember wearing some of these outfits?

by April 21, 2016 0 comments Remember When?
Bowdoin College ski team circa 1958 with state championship trophy.  John Christie is third from right.  He was originally a reluctant competitor. 
Credit: John Christie

Returning To X-C: New Technology, New Found Serenity

John Christie, Ski Industry Veteran, Re-Discovers His Love For Cross-Country Skiing. Editor’s Note: SeniorsSkiing.com is proud to have this contribution from John Christie. John is a legend in the ski business. Founder, owner and/or manager of several New England ski resorts (Sugarloaf, Mt. Snow, Saddleback),  John has served as president of Vermont and Maine Ski Areas Associations, was a board member of[Read More…]

by April 13, 2016 2 comments Features, Ski History
SeniorsSkiing.com salutes George Jedenoff on his 98th birthday.
Credit: Ski Utah

Inspiring “Powder Philosophy”: George Jedenoff, 98

George Says Make The Most Of What You’ve Got. “It’s a pleasure by itself to be in the great, fresh cold air that seems to uncloud your brain…It’s a chance to reflect on your own life…[Skiing] is an opportunity to reflect on the wonderful things you can do…The plusses far outweigh the minuses…Take time to appreciate the positives.” Thanks to Ski Utah[Read More…]

by March 2, 2016 2 comments Ski Heroes
Bang and everyone charges off across the hay field.  The Washington's Birthday Race circa 1971 or so.
Credit: Spencer Grant

Remembering The Great Big Washington’s Birthday Touring Race

 Such Fun. Should We Do It Again? What a celebration of winter it was. Imagine several hundred cross-country skiers, some serious racers—even Olympians—, college kids, couples and families, office people (like us) up from the Big City, all in a long line, awaiting the gun in a big, snow-covered Vermont hayfield. Bang, and everyone charges off, either fast skating or[Read More…]

by February 23, 2016 5 comments Ski History
Why Ski?

Why Ski?

From NSP Eastern Division Safety Team, Corinth, NY

by February 23, 2016 2 comments Features, Ski History
Bebe Wood: Approaching 90 And Going Strong

Bebe Wood: Approaching 90 And Going Strong

Skiing Since The 30s, She Has Seen Lots Of Changes. In 1949, 23 year old Bebe Wood left her job at Dartmouth College and traveled to Idaho seeking adventure as a ski bum in Sun Valley. By then, she had already been skiing for about 10 years!  Thus began her long association with the ski industry. Today, approaching her 90th birthday,[Read More…]

by February 9, 2016 15 comments Ski Heroes, Home Top Box 4
Ski Ballet: Polka Anyone?

Ski Ballet: Polka Anyone?

Kinda Catchy. Anyone know where this was filmed and when?

by February 4, 2016 2 comments Remember When?
Stein Eriksen, one of the first ski celebrities, was a pioneer in acrobatics.
Credit: Park City

Remembering Stein

SeniorsSkiing.com Co-Publisher Jon Weisberg Remembers His Encounter With The Ski Legend. Several years ago, Jon Weisberg shared a chair lift ride with Stein and later on a dinner table.  Here are his recollections as published in Huff 50.  

by January 5, 2016 1 comment Ski Heroes