Seniors and Alpine Skiing

The sport of downhill skiing offers seniors an opportunity to remain active during the winter months while enjoying the beauty of their natural environment. Visual sensations compliment the physical enjoyment of this exciting sport.

Many people who haven't skied before, discount the idea of skiing as a viable activity for healthy exercise. They will not experience the exhilaration of looking from the top of the mountain out over the hills and valleys and then gliding carefree down snow covered trails while breathing the fresh, crisp country air. Can there be a better way to tone your muscles and increase your stamina than enjoying a dance with Mother Nature on a ski slope?

Most non-skiers are influenced by the perceived dangers of the sport. What we see on TV or in movies is the extreme part of the sport. This segment of the sport holds a fascination for the young and the reckless. We all love speed, and skiing will give us plenty of it if we are so inclined. But it is not the only enjoyable aspect of the sport.

As with most things in life, we can to some extent, control our own environment. You can have just as much fun cruising slowly down the mountain as the person who races down, and your enjoyment will last a lot longer. The important thing to remember is that you control your own actions; ski within your limits and do not take risks. With the right attitude and preparation, skiing can be a relatively safe sport.

Requirements:

Whether you are 50 years old or 90 years old the first requirement is that you are physically able to manage the sport. One of the biggest physical hurdles for skiers is their knees. If your knees are weak you may get away with a knee brace, but if that isn't good enough, you will have to stick with snow tubing. You do not need to have exceptional athletic ability, just the determination to get through the learning curve.

It all depends on your desire, drive and determination. If you are not sure if you are up to the physical demands of the sport, check with your doctor. It is a good practice for anyone hoping to ski to start in the fall with exercises to tone your muscles and limber them up. Some good exercises for seniors to prepare their bodies for skiing are stretching, brisk walks, and quarter knee bends.

Ski Lessons:

As you age, you bruise easier and you take longer to heal. So you want to minimize your risk, start by signing up for ski lessons from a qualified instructor at the ski area you choose. I suggest a group lesson. This means that you are put in a group of other people of the same ability for the lesson. The instructor will demonstrate a technique and each person in turn will try to perform the skill while the instructor critiques their moves.

Every person perform a little differently, this will give you the opportunity to observe the technique from different points of view, while the instructor corrects or lauds their efforts. As you watch the other participants in the group during their turn it will give you a chance to absorb the lesson and "let it sink in". With a private lesson you do not have that privilege, you will be under constant pressure to perform. After you learn the basics, private lessons can be an option to improve your skills.

Ski Equipment:

Ski equipment can be very expensive; so rent your ski equipment until you have skied a few times and decide that it is something that you want to do regularly. You can rent it at the ski area or from a local ski shop. The outfitters that work at the ski rental shops are usually well trained to give you the proper equipment for your ability. For your safety and comfort it is very important not to exaggerate your ability.

Once you become a regular skier you will have several options for obtaining your ski equipment. You can rent daily, rent seasonally, buy used or buy new. All are good options; it just depends on your budget and circumstances.

Today's ski equipment is much more forgiving and efficient than what was available a few years ago. The skis are lighter, shorter, more flexible, more stable, have built in turning ability, and are easier to control. The boots are more comfortable, lighter, and better designed to minimize injuries. And bindings (the mechanism that attaches the boot to the ski) can now be tuned more reliably to release according to your weight and ability.

Ski Clothing:

Clothing is most important when you are outdoors in the wintertime. And skiing has it's own criteria for clothing. The first and most important rule is to dress in layers. The second rule is to avoid wearing clothing (blue jeans) that the snow will stick to, and melt into, making you very wet and cold.

Ski jackets and ski pants are made of a material that will repel snow and water to an extent while allowing some body moisture to escape. Insulated underwear will keep the cold outerwear off of your legs and if the weather is very cold you will want to have a heavy sweater underneath your ski jacket, and a scarf and a cap. And of course gloves or mittens are a must.

If you wear a scarf, or any loose clothing, or a fanny pack, be very careful when getting off of a ski lift. If your scarf gets tangled in any part of the ski lift the results could be tragic. A fanny pack could also get caught between the slats of a chair lift and when you try to get off, instead of getting off on the ramp you could get hung up for a second or two and drop from five or ten feet. These accidents are easily preventable by knowing that the danger exists and by being conscious of what is happening around you.

The Mountain:

Regardless of how big a mountain may be, they all have a beginner's area. This is a fairly flat slope serviced by a slow lift. The ski school meets there and this is where you will want to start.

When you are ready to leave the beginners area for the main mountain you will want to look at a trail map to see which lifts service the novice (the first step up from a beginner) trails. The trails are marked with a color code and/or a symbol. A green line and/or a solid green circle indicates a novice run. A blue line and/or a solid blue box indicates an intermediate run. And a black line and/or one or two solid black diamonds indicate an expert or advanced expert run.

In the mountain statistics you may also be able to find the percentage of the slopes that are designated to each category, such as: 30% novice, 40% intermediate, 30% expert. The greater percentage of the mountain that is designated novice, the more of the mountain you will be able to use.

Getting Started:

The easiest way to get started is to ask a friend who skis for help. If not and you are on your own, go to the nearest ski area in the morning, on a weekday. Ski resorts can be very hectic on weekends; and in the late afternoons and evenings swarming with school children between the ages of 8 and 18.

Start in the lodge. Get a cup of hot chocolate, coffee or a beer and hang out for an hour or so. You will be surprised at how many seniors (men and women) you will find passing through there on a good morning. Talk with some of them and ask them about the mountain, and where to sign up for lessons and rentals. Then talk with the instructors and see if you can find one that will inspire you with confidence.

The ski lodge itself is a pleasant experience. It may have a great view, or a fireplace; it will certainly have an atmosphere of its own. And the chili, hamburgers, and hot dogs will taste better (and cost more) than anywhere else.

Whether you are the adventurous type or just looking for a fun winter activity, snow skiing offers a multitude of stimulus. Consider the cozy atmosphere of a fireplace in a ski lodge; or the thrill of riding a cable car or chair lift high above the snow; or the excitement of being on a mountain top looking down on the clouds below. You will never dread winter again, you will long for it.

It is a big step for a senior to decide to start skiing, but if you are interested get more tips here. Address questions to skibum@morriscanal.com