[Editor Note: This article first appeared in Liftopia’s Blog and is used with permission.]
What’s the cut-off age for starting to ski or snowboard? The answer is simple: you can take up—and keep—skiing or boarding at any age! You can never be too “over the hill.”
It’s unanimous. Just as health experts have been saying for years about exercise and fitness programs, ski industry experts say it’s never too late to start, whether it’s downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country schussing, or snowshoeing. And never too old to stick with it. As long as you don’t have a debilitating health issue that your doctor says is definitely a wintersports “no-go”, there’s no reason you can’t go out and do it. In fact, here are four reasons to start or return to skiing later in life…
- You’ll live longer.
To be able to start or continue with skiing or snowboarding at an older age, you’ll HAVE to stay in shape. You’ll learn how to improve and maintain your balance, your cardiovascular fitness, and your muscle strength—extending your life span in the process!
- It’s easier than ever to learn.
Thanks to huge improvements in equipment, apparel, and ski run maintenance in recent years, it’s easier than ever to learn to ski or get back on the slopes. Skis are lighter; boots fit better and are warmer and more comfortable; waterproof outerwear is more breathable; many instructors have special training to teach skiers over 50; and the slopes get groomed to perfection every night.
If you’re a first timer, you won’t have to unlearn any bad habits or old styles of skiing. On the flip side, if you’re a returning skier, you’ll need to learn how to adapt your skiing to maximize your experience on today’s totally reconfigured skis.
- Being “of a certain age” has its perks.
You’re likely in a better position to afford wintersports than when you were younger; conversely, you’ll be able to take advantage of the many senior discounts on lift tickets that are offered by most ski resorts.
If you’re retired, putting in fewer hours at the office, or now working as a consultant with your own hours, you’ll be able to ski midweek, when the slopes are wonderfully devoid of people and the atmosphere more chill.
- You’ll be off the couch enjoying fresh mountain air and spectacular views.
Not only will your family, friends, and colleagues be majorly impressed when they hear that you’re now or still participating in a wintersport, you’ll get to enjoy one of the most sublime participant sports there is!
Just returned to skiing after 20 years and a hip replacement! Loved it. tagged along with my daughter and son-in-law on a trip to Waterville Valley in NH and took a private lesson. Very successful. I would recommend to anyone and I am 68 years old. My surgeon was very impressed.
Now I’m intrigued. Bilateral hip replacements, age 72 and in awful shape. But I can start working on it now, in the spring! Thank you!
I started skiing and racing at 46. I am now 70 and enjoy doing both even more than when I was younger. I work out 1/2 hr at the gym a few times a week doing cardio and using the machines. I know it has helped my conditioning and endurance. BTW-I am an diabetic with metabolic syndrome (high cholesterol, high blood pressure) and have had several operations, but have come back every time. Several of my teammates have also had hip and knee replacements and also have come back better than ever. Skiing keeps me healthy & challenged!
Im 73 and just skied almost 4 hours on opening day at Crested Butte in Colorado. I started skiing on east coast in my 40s and it just makes me jump out of bed on the mornings when it snowed overnight. I used to weigh 270. Now Im a normal weight and skiing is easier. But it is so much fun I would recommend it to anybody.
I’ve never skid but had my first lesson last week.
The rented boots left sores and blisters on my legs so it was painful.
I’m in pretty good shape but just turned 70.
I want to try again with better fitting boots.
Am l too old to be learning this? .