Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Skiing in Retirement

Retirement can change the way we ski. Instead of squeezing powder days between work, school, family commitments, and weekend crowds, retired skiers have something most of us spend our winters dreaming about: time. They can chase storms, ski on quiet weekdays, take a day off when their legs are tired, and wait for the weather to improve. For skiers determined to stay on the mountain into their 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond, retirement can actually open up an entirely new chapter in the sport.

• Related: Top 5 U.S. Mountain Towns To Retire In

To get a little inside perspective, I jumped on a call with Bob Witwowski. Bob is a lifelong skiing enthusiast, a fellow writer at SnowBrains, and just so happens to be a grandfather and retiree in his 60s. He currently lives in the 55+ community of Sun City, Texas, just outside of Austin. Bob was kind enough to share some tips he has for engaging with the ski community, getting more powder days in a single month than many of us are likely to get in all seasons, staying active, and how he makes the most of his multi-resort ski pass.

Social Media Tips and Tricks

“Facebook groups are a great way to connect with other retirees. Joining a local group makes mid-week ski meet-ups a regular part of our winters,” Bob told me. He went on to say that many of the people he skis with began skiing together in their 20s and 30s on the weekends and have continued on into retirement. In order to keep things fresh, these friendships have melded and evolved into large social media groups that tend to meet mid-week and mornings rather than evenings and weekends. Working in the ski industry myself, I have also seen these patterns of older individuals coming in at the times no one else is coming to the mountain. These groups can vary from a couple friends to sometimes 20 or more people.

Bob said these groups often meet at local hills before planning larger destination trips as a group. Last year, Bob visited over 30 ski resorts all across the country. Many of these trips were done as part of groups with other retired individuals. These retirees often purposely seek out the less busy, crowded resorts near major metro areas and are blessed with the time and financial ability to go to some of the resorts many of us only dream of. Bob also mentioned many of his friends and colleagues have second homes in these winter destinations. The main obstacle when chasing good weather windows is lodging cost in these high-demand, low-supply mountain towns. Bob pointed out the benefits of having guests over to second homes and networking so that maybe you might have a spare room for yourself next time you take a trip to a remote ski resort such as Whitefish or Revelstoke.

Fitness Tips from A Lifelong Skier

Bob also offered some valuable insight into what skiing can be like as one gets older, and how to keep yourself on the mountain deep into retirement. “Staying fit is a huge part of continuing to ski later in life. Watching your weight, exercising regularly, and especially maintaining flexibility are all critical. One statistic that really surprised me was learning that someone in their 60s with an elite VO2 max has the equivalent aerobic fitness of an out-of-shape person in their 20s, according to fitnescity.com. Imagine hiking to Kachina Peak at Taos with an out-of-shape buddy! Remaining active takes real effort and a mindset that adapts to changing abilities without giving up altogether. In Sun City, there are countless exercise classes, gyms, walking groups, and fitness programs geared toward the 55+ crowd. Having peers trying to stay fit is really helpful,” Bob went on to say.

How To Prevent Injury and Ski Longer from an EMT

Kaufmann went on to stress the importance of listening to your body. “When I start feeling a rubbery or burning sensation in my legs, I know it’s about time to call it a day. I mostly avoid features like moguls and jumps, as one wrong turn or landing can take you out for the season.” Kaufmann said. He finished off by stressing the need for tuning your gear and making sure you are always prepared. ” I don’t want to catch an edge at my age,” Kaufmann joked.

• Related: One Season, 58 Resorts: One Skier’s Retirement Reinvention

Recovery is Just as Important as Skiing

Another added benefit to skiing in retirement is plenty of time to recover. While those of us in the 9-5 rat race might try to ski seven days out of a seven-day vacation, the retiree has plenty of time to listen to their body. Many skiers choosing this method can ski well into their 80s, even 90s. At Alta, Utah, a group that refers to themselves as the Wild Old Bunch has around 115 members, many of whom are over the age of 80. At Alta, anyone over the age of 80 skis for free. This adventurous group takes full advantage of the resort’s generosity, while following a set of unspoken safety rules: only ski on clear days, on weekdays to avoid crowds, and on familiar terrain where they know the hazards.

While skiing is often seen as a younger person’s sport, retirees across the globe are proving that it is no longer the case. Many resorts have begun to tap into the older generations, leaning into mid-week deals and even going as far as giving away free ski passes, as is the case with Alta. An active lifestyle is well known to lead to a longer lifespan, so retired skiers and snowboarders are definitely doing something right.