Stay on the ski slopes as you age with simple tips

Stay on the slopes as you age

If you live within driving distance of ski mountains consider yourself lucky; skiing is a great way to stay active outdoors in the winter, and yet many adults give up on skiing as they get older for fear of injury. Planning and precautions can minimize the risk of ski injuries and keep you on the slopes as you age.

Train Your Body.

A strong core and legs are important for skiing as well as balance training. Pilates and yoga along with functional strength training leading up to ski season are essential. This article contains some terrific exercises to get you started.

Make sure your equipment is in good working order.

Don’t hang on to that pair of bindings from 1972.  Have a qualified technician calibrate your bindings according to your ability and current weight (don’t fudge the weight).  Get a helmet with the new MIPS technology to protect your melon. I like this one from Smith.

Eat a good breakfast and stay hydrated

Pack a pocket snack. Kind has a nice variety of bars.

Protect your body.

Avoid frostbite by covering exposed skin. Wear goggles to protect your eyes and layer up. I swear by Icebreaker long johns as my base layer. They are worth every penny; keep your eye out for end of season sales.

Plan ahead.

Don’t ski if it’s the day after a major ice storm.  The best grooming in the world cannot magically transform the mountain into fresh powder. Read the snow report and look for the trails that have been groomed. Think about which runs you’d like to try. Once you get to the mountain don’t be shy. Most mountains have ski ambassadors whose sole job it is to answer questions about the mountain. I find they are most often friendly and eager help. 

Be flexible.

Sometimes the best skiing will be first in the morning and sometimes it’ll be more towards midday after the conditions warm up a bit and the snow soften up.

Avoid crowds.

Holiday weekends such as MLK or Presidents Day are going to attract way more people to the mountains. Crowds mean more chance of a collision. If you can, ski on an alternate weekend or, even better, ski mid-week when there’ll be much fewer crowds and smaller lift lines too.

Ease your way into it.

Once you get geared up do a simple warm up run to start the day. Swing your arms and twist from the waist to get your body moving. Do some deep knee bends. Don’t worry about looking ridiculous – lots of people do this.

Stay focused.

The scenery is pretty but look at the run ahead of you assessing where you want to ski. Try not to daydream about what you’re going to have for lunch. Don’t let yourself be talked into a run that you know is way above your level. I had a friend suggest I try Corbett’s Couloir while at Jackson Hole. Corbett’s is a 10-to-20-foot drop through a narrow rock chute. While many have tried it, I don’t think the risk is worth it for yours truly.

Listen to your body.

Stop when you are tired. If your muscles are crying out in agony your turns might get sloppy. Take a break, drink some water, and eat a snack.

Stretch post skiing.

Ask Tom Brady if flexibility is important if you don’t believe me. Click here for some good apres stretches.

Drop your poles if you fall.

Skiers are prone to injuring their thumbs because they grip ski poles. I know, I know you don’t want people to see you have a total yard sale but try to let go of your poles before you land on your thumb.

Don’t get discouraged.

It doesn’t matter what color the trail is. You’re out there doing it. You should be proud of yourself. Lots of people are huddled indoors doing something boring while you tear up the slopes.

If you are looking for information about some of my favorite mountains check out these articles on Steamboat, Telluride and Sugarbush. And remember to click the subscribe link the upper right hand corner so you don’t miss any of my posts.