hometimRebeccaContact

Area Seniors Enjoy Benefits of Skiing

By Rebecca Bendt, Special to The Gazette Special Sections 

      Seniors across Colorado are proving it's never too late to learn to ski or snowboard. Ninety-six-year-old Julian Vogt never picked up a snowboard until the age of 78. Now, 18 years later, he can be seen cruising down the slopes and occasionally throwing in a 360 on the way.

      Vogt is not alone. Jack Hawkins, president of Silver Streaks Senior Ski Group, an organization composed of more than 100 Colorado Springs seniors, says, "The whole concept of growing old is changing. The idea of sitting with your feet up in the lazy boy is appealing to some people, but there are a lot of us who say 'I don't want to do that.'"

      One of the major benefits of skiing, Hawkins states, is that it postpones old age. "In same cases it seems to eliminate it," he says, referring to a 93-year-old woman in the Silver Streaks Senior Ski Group who still is an active skier.

      Skiing has other advantages. It is exhilarating, action-packed, and offers views many people never get to see, Hawkins says.

      Beyond that, downhill skiing contributes to physical fitness, although, he adds, it's really only a part of staying fit. Many of the seniors in the group do other sports, ranging from water skiing to hiking to mountain biking in the off season.

      Hawkins, who has tried all sorts of outdoor activities, has the philosophy that, "growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional."

      This attitude is becoming more prevalent in seniors and has caused an increase in seniors participating in outdoor activities. The number of seniors who are skiing has risen so much that the price for senior lift tickets and passes is also on the rise. Many resorts used to offer free entry to seniors, Hawkins says. Finding a free ticket is rare now, and more often than not only discounts are given, he says.

      The price doesn't hold back this group of seniors from doing what they love to do, however. The Silver Streaks Senior Ski Group gathers to ski together not because they are a club, but because they share a common passion. There are no dues for the group and only three rules: You have to be 55 or older, want to ski, and be willing to leave for the slopes at 6 a.m. Hawkins says.

      Jack Sciacca, director of instruction at Monarch Mountain, says there are some pretty avid senior skiers at Monarch, many of whom gather at the Master Series class Monarch holds January through February.

      Seniors hitting the Monarch slopes are not only the longtime skiers, but include first-timers as well. "If (seniors) feel healthy and athletic, then they're doing what they love to do and they're trying new things all the time," Sciacca says.

      Many seniors who retire or have a second home in Colorado are trying the sport for the first time, Sciacca says. "What we're talking about is a culture change. People are staying more active later on in life and snow sports are a great option for that."

      First-time senior skiers are usually at the resort with their families, Sciacca says. Rather than sitting by and watching, they're out there taking part in the activity.

      The growing trend of seniors engaging in snow sports is not limited to skiing. "One of the things that's been notable in the last few years is we have more people over the age of 40 trying snowboarding for the first time," Sciacca says.

      Sunlight Mountain Resort has seen a similar trend. Vogt is currently a season pass holder at Sunlight Mountain Resort. He taught ski lessons there when he became certified to teach at the age of 78. And although he has skied most of his life, he recently got into snowboarding when he took a class on it in his late 70s.

      Vogt advises seniors learning to ski or snowboard to "take lessons until you feel you can do it yourself." And start on soft snow, he adds, which is much easier to ski on than hard pack.

      Hawkins also recommends lessons for new skiers. "I firmly believe for at least the first couple lessons you need a pro to teach you the basics of how to stand up, how to get up when you fall down and how to get off the lift."

      And learning to ski doesn't just stop with the basics. Hawkins says there are always new challenges and people to learn from.

      "Anyone who says skiing is easy is lying. So the first thing to do is convince yourself I really want to do this," he says, "and then find some people that are just a little bit better than you are and ski with them." 

SIDEBAR:

Be prepared

      It's good for skiers to keep learning, but all skiers - especially seniors - should also take precautions. Jeffrey Kulp M.D., who specializes in geriatrics at Colorado Springs Senior Medicine, says it's important to be careful as a senior learning to ski. Those with osteoporosis or other conditions that make them prone to bone fractures should avoid skiing.

      Kulp, himself a snowboarder, says seniors should visit with their health professional to "make sure there aren't any unique considerations."

      Kulp stresses the importance of exercise for seniors. Being active is good for the joints and body, but it's vital for the brain. "Cognitive performance is enhanced and preserved with exercise," he says.

      Kulp says that although downhill skiing is a pleasurable activity, it doesn't have the aerobic value many other forms of exercise have. Cross country skiing is a great alternative to downhill skiing to get in a good aerobic workout, Kulp says. He also recommends walking.

      The key thing is to "turn off the TV and get busy doing something that requires a little more effort and has the potential for a little more enrichment," he says.

      No matter the exercise, Kulp recommends not jumping in too quickly. "Conditioning should be restored gradually," he says.

      Additional tips from Kulp: