I read this thread because we are taking my 11 yo neice for her first ever
ski trip in March. Hmm - this isn't what I expected.

I am 47 and DW is almost 40. We ski from the time lifts open until they run
us off the mountain. If there is night skiing, I can extend the length of
the ski day. Yes, we get tired but that is part of the fun of skiing.
Challenge yourself to get in better condition. Good equipment and good
lessons may just what you need.

We taught her parents to ski a few years ago. They STARTED skiing in their
60's. Now they are 63 & 64 and go on 4 to 5 trips per year. Not bad when
you live in Texas at least 17 hours from any place to downhill ski. And
they ski most of every day they are there. We frequently meet people on the
slopes that are 70+ and good skiers. Some of the very best skiiers in our
ski club are 60+. I will ski with them any time. I always learn from them.
In case you are wondering, we ski bumps, trees, off-piste, etc. If it isn't
closed I want to ski it.

I think the original poster's opinion doesn't match everyone's.


"lal_truckee" wrote in message
t...
Dave Smith wrote:
lal_truckee wrote:

Dave Smith wrote:
...Let's just say that if you are old
enough to have a 14 year old kid, you are going to be one of the
oldest
people on the hill.
I call Non sequitur.

Not entirely, but maybe I should have explained. It is a little more
physically demanding that some people realize. There is more to it than
just
standing on a pair of skis and letting gravity do the work. It takes a
lot
of energy to counter gravity and keep yourself under control. I tried
downhill skiing after more than 15 years of cross country skiing. That
taught me some basics about balance, but I always thought that downhill
skiing would be easier..... until I tired it. I had no problem on the
bunny
hill, thanks to Xcountry experience. I had no problem on the beginner
hill. I
set off for an intermediate hill. Half way down that hill for the fourth
time
I thought my thighs were going to explode.


Bad technique; Leaning back stresses the quads. Get forward over the skis.

I was 43 the first time I tried down hill skiing, and I was usually
twice the
age of most of the people around me. I rarely ran into people my age or
older. I attribute that to the physical demands. There aren't that many
people over 30 who are in condition to even tackle the slopes, and those
older people who do try it do only a few runs. Kids have a lot more
energy
and can easily spend a whole day on the slopes.

Skiing is ageless. You can do it till you get your ticket punched for
PerfectPowderParadise.

I'm sorry you have difficulty keeping up. Perhaps if you followed
Margaret's boyfriend? He's about 90 and slowing a bit - mostly stays on
the groomed these days which should help you as well. Many of the
geezers around here would wipe the slope with you, on and off piste.
Some of the geezers would wipe the slope with me. (And for some other
folk, I AM the geezer wiping their slope. grin)

BTW, if we wish to continue, this discussion should be moved to
rec.skiing.alpine; it doesn't belong in the resorts groups.