 Poster: A snowHead
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It seems to me that there must be many peeps out there, over 50 years old, who fancy skiing. It was probably too expensive when they were younger, then the children were too expensive, and now they may be nervous about learning with a young instructor/in a young class.
Therefore, I've planned an Over 50's Learn to Ski week from March 10th - March 17th. There will be 3 groups of 4. Details will be up on my website soon. What do you all think? Do you know anyone who might like to go on it? I'd be interested to hear what you think. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hmmm ........ the fact that Saga Holidays do absolutely everything except skiing isn't a good sign. Although there might be a whole untapped market out there, and you could be the first one to find it. More seriously, Saga Magazine might be a good place to advertise, as it's aimed at the over-50s.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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easiski, Fab idea! My mum had her first ski lesson with her friend last season and she is 59! I wouldn't go as far as to say that she loved it but I think she would definately give it another go. There must be plenty of other people out there who think that it is too late for them to start now but who secretly would love to give it a go! If we have any over 50's non skiers in the chalet I'll send them over to you
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Is 900 too old? 
Excellent idea easiski. On my first-ever trip to Risoul many years ago there were two women in their 60's in my ESF beginners class. They had a great time.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I'd think it would be a good idea.... Isn't 70 the new 50..?? So that would make 50 around 35... and 35 about 24...that should do it..!!!
No seriously, I think it is a good idea.....where you get these peeps from tho', I don't know....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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JT, we get quite a few coming for basic lessons. For a small consideration (after consulting with my Godfather) I could point them to LDA to continue their experience on snow.... 
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My mum and dad both picked up skiing around 50 (mum a bit before, dad a bit after) and they love it now:) I think they would have appreciated specific lessons. Sounds like a good idea:)
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Lizzard, I think it's more to do with the percived dangers of skiing. However I did write to Saga last year, but never received a reply. With only 12 places available it wouldn't be a good idea to advertise too widely.
JT, Golf Clubs?
Yoda, consideration you shall have. Old you are.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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easiski,
Would you take on somebody who's well over 50 but skied once in Tamworth forrest during the 80's? Please say yes because my 'friend' David will be chuffed to bits.
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DB, Yes, but he would be starting again at square one. If he's happy with that then I'm happy. I'll send you a PM
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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My Grandfather learnt at 67, and that was in the 1940's when kit was a lot less forgiving then it is now.
My lifestyle dream is to carry on working for another 6 years, when my youngest will leave school. I'll then retire, get myself qualified as a ski instructor (I'll be in my early 50's) and try to eke a "living" (ie cover basic bills) as an instructor specialising in Senior skiers.
Personally I think there is a great niche market for older ski instructors teaching older skiers. I'm sure that they would feel more comfortable with somebody in their own generation than with some spiky-bleached hair "radical Dude" type instructor.
I used to be aquainted with an instructor in Flaine called Lyn (male, American) who had that niche very well worked out. If you wanted lessons with him you needed to book a year in advance for peak weeks, and even then it might be on a dead-man's-shoes basis as he had so many regular repeat customers.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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rungsp, I think that there's a demand from younger skiers (perhaps not the youngest, but 25+) to be taught by older instructors. Once you get to about 25, you want someone who gives you a bit of confidence, has seen a little of the world and so can chat with you at luch or on a lift, has the experience necessary to teach well and is doing it because they want to rather than someone who has no conversation outside skiing, thinks they know everything about everything and is instructing as a way to subsidise their ski season and have a lot of meaningless recreational sex (God I hate them, the lucky b@stards). The older instructors I've been taught by have almost all been better than the younger ones (not a significant sample, obviously).
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rungsp, wuldn't go for Alpe d'Huez then - Stuart and Mel have the Grab a Granny market stitched up over there.
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You know it makes sense.
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| DB wrote: |
easiski,
Would you take on somebody who's well over 50 but skied once in Tamworth forrest during the 80's? Please say yes because my 'friend' David will be chuffed to bits. |
DB, you're a very naughty boy 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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WOW! This is exciting! I'm not promising anything, but if you decide to do this, I may be able to give you some publicity. My book deals with the physical, spiritual and psychological benefits of learning to ski as an adult. There is a major focus on "Baby Boomers." the back section has a list of instructors that specialize in teaching adults.
Although the galleys are already out, the final copy is not. If you do this, I might be able to add your workshop to the list. If you decide not to do it, I may still be able to add you in as an instructor who specializes in teaching the over 45 crowd.
Also, I am writing an article for the Professional Skier (the USA PSIA journal) about fitness plans for instructors over age 45. I may be conducting some interviews on that topic. Would you be willing to be interviewed?
Signed,
The Media Whore! 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
than with some spiky-bleached hair "radical Dude" type instructor.
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Oh well that's me buggered then. 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Lisamer, I am doing it - I've paid the deposit on the hotel! (very scared now!) and yes - I'd be happy to be interviewed. All publicity is gratefully received. Are you in the States though? I'm in France (well, I'll be back there soon). Actually I pretty much specialise in adults, but do take kids in the school holidays - you can't avoid it! Seriously, I have some super kids that ski with me every year, but I generally prefer teaching adults.
richmond, thanks for the vote of confidence for us oldies! However, I do have a slight problem with some of the older ski teachers (some younger than me) who haven't moved with the times. Shame as it makes life so much easier to teach peeps to use the skis to their advantage rather than having to manhandle them all the time.
rungsp, good on your grandfather! The oldest beginner I've ever taught was 82 and his wife was 78. their progress was slow (in the extreme), but they realised a lifetime ambition to try skiing and good for them. It's great to be part of that.
Of course I am anticipating that most of my 12 this year will want to do it again, and the idea is to promote a "club, we're all in it together" feel with everyone staying in the same hotel, and hopefully encouraging each other etc. Pollyperks is going to be involved on the social side a bit as well. If it works well, then it may expand next year, but 2007 is a feeler year.
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I am in Colorado, but my publisher really wanted the book to have a more international appeal. Hopefully. I will be able to get your workshop into the resources section. I'll contact you about the interview as soon as I am ready to start writing the article. We can do it by PM or email, but if there are other baby boomer ski instructors on the forum, I can simply start a topic.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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easiski, shame you didn't do it last year, although our friends are hooked anyway.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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fatbob, Pollyperks put me onto them last year. I wrote, and as with SAGA got no reply! they don't seem to be very sporty though.
Helen Beaumont, It's always too late for someone! 
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easiski, saw your poster up at the Norfolk Ski Club last night. Do you have connections there?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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ennalsj, There's one Snowhead who's very active in the club in Norfolk!
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| easiski wrote: |
| ennalsj, There's one Snowhead who's very active in the club in Norfolk! |
What! I'm not the only one! Who be that then?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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ennalsj, It's up to her to come out - not for me to "out" her!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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easiski, so it's a "her" then- that narrows it down a bit . Is she also an instructor?
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Good News! I just spoke with my publisher, and you are in! Give me a description of your workshop, and I will send it to her.
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You know it makes sense.
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Lisamer, I'll send you a PM
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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ennalsj, it's me - & no, I am not an instructor, I have 2 small girls who are in junior club & I go to ladies club.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hi rpft, and thanks for responding - I've been going to the men's club regularly lately and there have been a couple of lady instructors taking groups - it was an intriguing thought that I may have had instruction from another snowhead without knowing it. How do you like the Ladies Club? I've been telling my missus that she should give it a go, but she's yet to be tempted.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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ennalsj, have just got back - we have an agility test next week which involves slalom, wigwams & things - great fun. they are about to close numbers because there are a lot of women in the club - so tell her to get in quick. we are hoping to get a ladies club holiday with easiski in L2A.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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In bansko where the instructor was great for my 9 year old grandson but demoralised me eg 'they are young, they can all do it' like I couldn't see that a bit more guidance and I would have loved it. Came across this thread when I was looking if any companies do trips teaching oldies. Definite gap in the market
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@lilysaran, Welcome to Snowheads  Easiski who started this post doesn't côme on here any more. She still teaches in Les Deux Alpes and has many older clients.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| rungsp wrote: |
My lifestyle dream is to carry on working for another 6 years, when my youngest will leave school. I'll then retire, get myself qualified as a ski instructor (I'll be in my early 50's) and try to eke a "living" (ie cover basic bills) as an instructor specialising in Senior skiers.
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That's my lifestyle dream, apart from the last bit
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@lilysaran,
The Ski Cub runs Freshtracks holidays for over 55's and some are with instruction It might be worth you looking at whether or not these might suit you. I've done a number over the years and have enjoyed them. Good luck!
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I'll have look. Did ski 30 years ago but needed refresher and partner is a newbie. We'll get there!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I'll have look. Did ski 30 years ago but needed refresher and partner is a newbie. We'll get there!
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We teach over 50s most weeks. Lots of grandparents coming with families for the first time. Had a guy in my group this week in his sixties, last week and couple of women in their 60s. Most are successful in group lessons some (usually the ones who don't really want to be there) need a little more attention in private lessons. As long as you are reasonably fit and keen you should be fine.
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FAQ
