Aging Into Skiing
By Jim Kenney
(All photos by Jim Kenney, almost all subjects in photos are approximately age 60-85)
Introduction
I arrived at the title of this article with all humility. I know as well as anyone that my long and beloved recreational ski career could come to a screeching halt with the next big yard sale, or debilitating illness, or any number of other show-stopping senior developments. Putting that aside, I want to comment on my lessons learned as a senior skier.
What is it that keeps me ever-stoked after 58 consecutive seasons on the slopes? Why is my fun factor still greater than my hassle factor? I hang out with a bunch of similarly minded senior skiers. What have I noticed in them that contributes to their snow sliding longevity? What's the difference between a desire to ski into old age and actually doing it?
I'll state the obvious right up front. I think a prime ingredient for skiing into old age is that it's still gotta be fun, real fun! When the conditions are good and my head and body are right, it's still a huge thrill to let 'er rip down a ski slope. It's like a scenic day driving a convertible with the top down on a mountain road - who doesn't like that?
Scenic View in Rendezvous Bowl, Jackson Hole, WY, February 2020.
Know Yourself
As for myself, I'm north of age 70 and have been skiing since 1967. I recognize the end is much closer than the beginning, yet I'd still like to keep going for as long as possible. My body is holding up reasonably well. I suppose my eyes and my feet are becoming limiting factors. I don't yet wear glasses while skiing, but my vision on low visibility and very cold days is a challenge. My feet have gnarly bunions and I've gone from twinkle toes to crinkle toes. I typically develop foot fatigue and/or various body aches after about five-six hours of skiing, especially if skiing for several consecutive days.
Dial it back if you have to. I know some guys who want to charge hard or else stay home. I subscribe to the idea of pacing yourself. All skiing is good skiing. If your mind or body is telling you it's a groomer day, then listen-up. Also, there's nothing wrong with cherry picking the best days. I gotta tell you, I LOVE sunny spring ski days. The crowds are lower, the roads are clear, I can dress lighter, and I can see the terrain in front of me much better. Spring skiing is the reward die-hard snowriders give to themselves after a long, challenging winter.
Cruising off Empire Lift at Deer Valley, UT, April 2021
I ski mostly in Utah now, typically from January to May. The snow conditions are frequently excellent. Not everyone can avail themselves of the greatest snow on earth, but most retired seniors have the freedom to pick the best days to ski. Do it! Mid-winter powder days are still a blast, but they are very demanding, physically and logistically, and require careful patience. Stormy days have their own reward, but discretion can be the better part of valor. Sometimes it's wise to leave the low-viz or extremely cold days to the youngsters.
Age 70 Telemarker at Solitude, UT, March 2024
Health and Fitness
There are some basic prerequisites for skiing to remain fun and feasible as you age, foremost is decent health. I'm not exactly a fitness fanatic, but I've exercised regularly all my life. In my golden years my common modes of exercise in the off season are biking, golfing, walking, and occasionally hitting the gym for weight training and lap swimming. I don't exercise everyday, but when things are going good - perhaps every other day.
Graybeard hiking at 13,000' to the Lake Chutes, Breckenridge, CO, February 2015
My wife is much better at keeping a good diet than I am. We both try to keep our weight under control. Good sleep hygiene is challenging, but important for elder energy levels. The key is going to bed early, that way even if your sleep is disturbed you can still get a fair amount of it by 8 AM the next day. Exercise is not fun or likely to happen if you get lousy sleep. We also schedule regular doctor check-ups to try to prevent minor ailments from turning into major ailments. I'm a big fan of flu and Covid vaccinations.
Respect at Age 75, Sundance, UT, March 2023.
Finances
Another self evident truth is that you have to have the financial wherewithal to continue to pay for skiing and associated costs. If you fit the demographic of the typical middle-age or older skier/boarder you probably have this factor under control. It's helpful if you're able to day-trip from your residence to a nearby ski hill, rather than always relying on flying for destination trips at far away places. And of course, when you cross certain chronological thresholds there are nice discounts that kick in. I've played the age card to log some free or nearly free ski days at Massanutten, Canaan Valley, and Monarch (Colorado) ski areas in the last couple of years.
Park City, UT, April 2023. Can you find the one non-senior in this photo of the Laurel Hill Crazy gang? :-)
How to ski on the cheap is worthy of an entirely separate article, but I must say, mega passes like EPIC and IKON have basically eliminated what to do about lift tickets. I've used both of these passes (and Mountain Collective) at various times during my senior years. They are a heck of an enticement to explore the ski world. I've never used the Indy pass, but it certainly sounds like a fine deal to economically visit many outstanding medium size and smaller ski areas.
Keeping the lid on the cost of accommodations is another issue. Prices of hotels, condo rentals, VRBO, etc. seem to have strongly increased after the pandemic. Personally, I'm fortunate to have a family member that lives in Utah. I've stayed in their house for several months each of the last seven winters. When I travel to ski at other locations I try to hook-up with friends or family to share lodging costs.
A couple that skis together, stays together. Snowbird, UT, April 2021
Convenience
I've been averaging 60+ ski days each winter since the pandemic, this is more skiing than ever before in my life, but it's moderated by the fact that the majority of my ski days are just 3-4 hours in length. I have the benefit of living 20 minutes from four excellent ski areas for much of the winter, which greatly simplifies logistics. It's pretty awesome if you can situate yourself close enough that the ski hill functions as your gym.
View from the Backyard of Kenney West, UT
When you're old and creaky, convenience is king. Obviously, staying slopeside or near slopeside is ideal, but there are other tricks to streamline the ski experience. Keep your ski gear organized and pack the night before a ski outing. Make sure everything from your goggles to your ski boots to your winterized car are in good working order. Make lists for necessary stuff on ski days. Keep things stored in one place to simplify your skiing.
Friends and Family
I've found that connecting with other ski friends (seniors or otherwise) is VERY helpful. I know there are a lot of folks that enjoy skiing alone, but when you're older it's better to have a friend on the hill. It's a safety thing. We look out for each other, inspire each other, and often share costs and transportation. The idea of suffering a big ski wipeout, making sure you're still in one piece, and then driving home solo with a splitting headache for 90 minutes might work when you're 27, but is not so appealing when you're 72.
Elder Buddies, Snowbird, UT, February 2024
My wife is a "retired skier". She understands my obsession, but also demands consideration from me off the slopes. As my ski-time decreases in old age, my lovely wife Kathy can be counted on to come up with numerous alternatives. I've often thought that if I didn't have her to keep me in check and instead I skied all the time, I'd probably burn out or get injured.
Goblin Valley State Park, UT, May 2021
Motivation
My main motivation is fun, but it can be more complicated than that. I know a fair number of older skiers who use the opportunity to ski with grandchildren as a big carrot to stick with the sport. I find social engagement with any and all friends and family to be a big draw. I am still intrigued with new travel experiences. Seeking out new-to-you ski areas can be exciting, perhaps including visits to smaller or more remote ski areas for a less demanding or frenetic experience.
Masked Freedom, Snowbird, UT, March 2021
Some seniors set very specific ski goals for number of days, vertical feet skied, improving technique or race times, etc. My goals usually involve just staying in one piece for the entire season:-) I must admit that I skied 70 days in the winter I turned age 70, but I really didn't focus on that target until I got to about day 60.
The Author, Arapahoe Basin, CO, March 2025
Conclusion
There are many factors that enable one to continue to ski as a senior citizen: mental and physical health, finances, logistics, geography, and more. Upon reflection, I think the two most important factors for skiing into old age are fitness and friends. If you stay active, you'll have the ability to keep skiing. If you ski with friends or family, you'll benefit physically from their assistance and support. You'll benefit mentally from their camaraderie and inspiration. There is strength in numbers.
Aloha Camaradie at Snowy Luau, Timberline Mtn, WV, March 2013
I guess I could get a little metaphysical and mention luck. An act of God could catch up with any of us. But if you achieve sustained success at something in life, even something as superficial as aging into skiing, at some point luck is overtaken by preparation, experience, and determination. I like this quote attributed to General Douglas MacArthur. "The best luck of all is the luck you make for yourself."
Tahoe Charlie, age 84, Diamond Peak, NV, March 2024
As a septuagenarian I occasionally think about - what's next after skiing? What would my winters look like if I no longer skied? What would my life look like? I know the end will come and I'm all right with that. Ullr has been very good to me. As long as you have love, faith, and family everything's going to be OK.
