CALIFORNIA
January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, when many resorts offer special “learn to ski or snowboard” programs. Among them is Mountain High where guests can purchase a two-for-one midweek, non-holiday Half-Day First Timer Package with lesson, rentals and a lower-mountain lift ticket.
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows to host the Elite FIS Astle Memorial January 17-20, 2017. The FIS tech series honors of Bryce Astle, one of two U.S. Ski Team members who died in an avalanche in 2015. Nearly 100 men and 100 women will compete in two days of Giant Slalom and two days of Slalom on the same course as the women’s Audi FIS World Cup event to be held at Squaw Valley in March.
COLORADO
January 15 -22 is Gay Ski Week in Aspen with an abundance of parties and entertainment.
UTAH
Two time Olympian Ted Ligety announced that back surgery would sideline him from this season’s World Cup. He expects to race at the 2018 South Korean Olympic Games.
Proceeds from the Snowbird’s Snowcat Skiing for Nature program benefit two local environmentally focused non-profits. Morning guided half-day tours run from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and include breakfast, pre-public, guided skiing in Mineral Basin, lift ticket, and backcountry snowcat skiing in upper American Fork Canyon. $395/person Visit: http://www.snowbird.com/mountain-school/guides/catskiing/
VERMONT
Jay Peak Resort was named among Best Ski areas by Liftopia’s 2016-17 Best in Snow Awards. Voters identified Jay Peak Resort’s “tremendous amount of back country” with “New England-style skiing at its best including tight, twisty runs and challenging glade skiing that is far enough from the coast and gets tons of snow.”
OTHER
Patrick McCloskey is a frequent SeniorsSkiing.com contributor. A PSIA Alpine Level III instructor, he has been teaching skiing for 40 years. A Q&A with Patrick appears in PSIA-AASI’s Member Spotlight.
Thinning Down the Billfold — Almost every skier I know stuffs too many cards and documents into the wallet. It’s unnecessary, unwieldy, and often unsightly! The clever people at Allett designed a line of ultra-slim wallets for skiing, travel, and everyday use. They’re great looking and reasonably priced. A terrific way to slim down. At retail and online.
Don’t Cramp Your Style — Pickle Juice is a product designed to stop muscle cramps. It was developed with football in mind but is extremely relevant to older skiers. A lot of us cramp up a bit too often. Pickle Juice is delish and available at retail and online.
SheJumps is a non-profit dedicated to increasing women’s and girls’ participation in outdoor activities. The group creates “Get the Girls Out!” events, Outdoor Education, Youth Initiatives and grassroots recreational gatherings — some of them on snow. The SheJumps community comprises females of all backgrounds and ages who help one another reach their highest potential through outdoor adventures and education.
