Hi-ya Paul: Just noticed your post !

I will be 85 on 4/27/05 and have taught many of our 70+ Club Men and
Women Members to both ski and board. (As you know 70+ Club Members
ski/board free of lift ticket prices at many areas including Canada for
many years.)

I've been skiing since 1928 (4/27/20) with my grammar school neighbor
girl classmate who's Norwegian family lived across the hall from us in
an apartmrnt bldg in Chicago. Her Dad made her short skis and
wire-bindings and modified some boots for her but NO poles. He didn't
want her skiing alone so he and my Dad made duplicate equipment for me.

We skied in Ogden Park, Chicago Southside and several frozen snowy golf
courses around Chicago. Problem at 8 yrs old was getting back up the
course mound/hill. No lifts then or now. Same problem at 85.

Been down-hill skiing ever since, taught wife, 4 daughters and 8
Grandkids to ski without poles from Maine to Tahoe. I started them on
skis at 5 with padding but without poles and try to get them on short
boards ASAP and forever more...no skis.

Same with the 70+ folks. Some won't even think "boards" until shown the
differences and conveniences of boards.
They will fall, of course, but NEVER from crossed skis. Before we start
I show them several Training Videos and make very sure they're well
padded...fanny, hips, knees and can afford or rent a "must have" helmet.
Encourage 'em, check bindings, shove 'em off, get out-of-the-way and
pick'em up. That's it !

Kind regards to you and Tremblant, a great winter or summer resort.
2/27/05