Two folks enjoying the trails at Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI
About a quarter of the cross country (XC) skiing population is older than 50 years old and as the large segment of population known as Baby Boomers continues to age, they are remaining active - many of them are looking for softer or easier forms of recreation and cross country skiing and snowshoeing fit that prescription.
It is important for elder people to exercise because it can help fight both physical and psychological maladies. Everyone understands the need to stay physically active. There is a growing body of research indicating that physical activity is beneficial for the brain, particularly the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain where working memory partially resides and is most susceptible to problems associated with aging. There is extensive evidence that outdoor exercise has positive impacts on sleep, depression, and anxiety. No matter how old you are, it just makes you feel good, too.
The SeniorsSkiing.com Subscriber Survey showed that the priorities of the elder skiers include: discounts; easy access to the area facility from the parking lot; newsletter or website pages dedicated to specific activities catering to elder skiers; instruction or guide tailored to elder skiers; and a meeting place or set-aside areas in the lodge for elders.
There are XC ski resorts and lodging establishments that have elder-friendly characteristics and the incentives almost always include discounts for older people. Many XC ski areas offer lower priced trails passes for seniors. At Bear Valley Adventure Center in CA, skiers aged 60-69 get more than a quarter of the trail pass price discounted and those aged 70 and older get nearly a two-thirds trail pass discount.
At Tahoe Donner Cross Country in Truckee, CA the senior 4-week program is on Fridays at 11:30 AM for people age 60 and older to learn to ski in a fun, supportive environment. Skiers can select any of three-visit sessions starting on Jan, Feb, and Mar. The program includes trail pass, rentals and instruction.
Many elder skiers are retired and as such, they have more flexibility in their weekly schedule – also known as mid-week availability. During the week most cross country ski areas have few patrons, thus the development of group offers, activities, and programs at the ski areas. Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI has the Golden Years Ski School on Jan 10, 2024 for beginners and returnees who will get a lesson and a guided ski tour for $55. The Silver Streak Week (Monday-Friday on January 8-12, 2024) at Cross Country Ski Headquarters and other Michigan XC ski areas is for those 60 and older with complimentary facility access (free trail pass), free hot cocoa or coffee, and free demos.
The 69 year old XCSkiResorts.com editor takes a break on the Mountain Road in the shadow of Mt. Washington
Programs such as JacksonXC's Friday Gliders & Easy Sliders and Tuesday Trekkers provide a group experience that's taken advantage of by mostly older folks. Such programs coordinate a scheduled weekly outing for groups such as the Easy Sliders, which is a group of skiers who cross country ski on easier trails (and they get tips from a guide) snowshoe group. For these examples, the JacksonXC in NH is the starting point and after the tour, people meet back at the lodge for an après ski spread with wine, snacks and coffee. Garnet Hill Lodge in North River, NY hosts a weekly snowshoe club and Cross Country Ski Headquarters reports a similar group regularly drives two and half hours from Grand Rapids to visit and ski the area.
At Lapland Lake Vacation Center in Northville, NY there's a lower priced trail pass and local senior activity programs bring groups of senior skiers to the resort for planned activity outings usually with lessons.
"Road Scholar" is a brand within the Elderhostel program intended for adults (many who are older) who want to travel, learn and stimulate discourse and friendship among other people for whom learning is the journey of a lifetime. The Garnet Hill Lodge in NY has 4 different dates for the Road Scholar XC ski program during the winter months with programming inspired by the hostels and folk schools of Europe offering short term groups divided by levels to explore trails and learn about wildlife, nature and the garnet mines in XC ski and snowshoe experiences.
Craftsbury Outdoor Center hosts Masters programs for groups on different days catering to beginners in a skier group geared to first timers or those who want to improve the basics meeting weekly on Tuesdays in the morning from early January to early March. There is also the Intermediate Masters program that meet on two different midweek days and a Competitive Masters program that meets on Sunday afternoon or Thursday morning.
The folks taking advantage of cross country ski offers are proof that you're never too old to get out and enjoy nature in the winter. If you are an elder skier or someone who would like to try cross country skiing or snowshoeing, check an XC ski resort near you for special programs.